Beauty and the Fleet (Intergalactic Fairy Tales Book 2) (26 page)

Beatrix sputtered a few incomprehensible syllables and eased back on the throttle. "Arryn and I are just friends."

"Only because he loves you and is worried that by saying anything to the contrary, he will scare you away."

"That's ridiculous." Beatrix angled the ship back toward the house. Her nervous energy had dissipated into just plain nerves. With the way her hands were shaking, she would be lucky to land without taking a gouge out of the earth.

Woolly didn't say anything else. When they landed, he disembarked and stalked quietly into the house. Not for the first time, she wondered what his real name was. She'd asked Arryn and he said that it held too much pain for him. He'd lost his whole family to the Anthrak. He wasn't the same man anymore, so he chose to keep the nickname Beatrix had given him. Beatrix shook her head and marched back into the house. There was no way that someone who kept a name like Woolly could have more insight than she did. He was mistaken. Arryn thought of her as a friend, nothing more. Her feelings, on the other hand, had steadily grown more complicated.

The library was empty. She didn't have time to do any reading before she got dressed for the coronation. She'd been hoping to find Arryn, just to check in. It was strange that he wasn't in the library. That's where he always stayed until he had to leave for one of these dinners. Being around books calmed his nerves. He didn't like being around large groups of people any more than she did, even if he was good at it.

There was nothing left to do other than get dressed. She walked into her bedroom and was again taken aback by how stunning the dress was. Beatrix had tried several times to get Arryn to stop having clothes made for her, but he only agreed to stop when it quit making her smile. This time though, he'd really outdone himself. Her smile was so wide that it hurt her cheeks. The flutter in her stomach returned with a vengeance, so she threw herself into the task of getting ready in an attempt to ignore it. It was just another boring dinner, nothing to be concerned about. The Leothen would crown their leader, and she would represent Nedra to keep good relations. It was vital after everything that had happened between the two planets, but it amounted to a lot of polite dinners and firm handshakes. Her job was simple. Vital, but simple.

She was still telling herself that as she made her way to the dining hall. There was no reason to be nervous. Guards in tuxedos directed her toward the double doors as if she had no idea where she was going, rather than being a resident of the enormous house. Beatrix passed by the door she knew led to the hospital room and marveled at how far she'd come since then. Her life now wasn't anything she would have recognized before coming to Arcata.

A few weeks ago Beatrix had asked Arryn why there was a hospital room in his house. He was silent for so long she assumed he hadn't heard her. When he met her gaze, there were tears in his eyes. "It was for my mother," he said. Later, he'd explained how she'd become ill and passed away just before the Anthrak had invaded. Just one of the many losses he'd suffered. He only had a couple of distant relatives who had survived the invasion and the war with Nedra. The story was the same for many others in Arcata. She'd had to report that fact to command dozens of times. It hadn't been easy to convince them the Leothen didn't have any interest in continuing the war. The Leothen were an entire planet consumed with grief. All they wanted was the chance to get their lives back.

Of course, Nedra was also experiencing grief. Though their suffering had been different, they'd been a planet at war for a long time. Letting go of their anger toward the Leothen was harder for some than others, as she well knew. Helping them understand that was her job.

Both worlds had endured a lot of agony, and moving forward was never easy. Sometimes Beatrix felt like she and Arryn were the only people in the universe who truly understood the pain of both worlds, having played a part in events on each.

Beatrix let out a long breath and stepped up to the dining hall doors. Another pair of well dressed guards opened them and gestured for her to enter. A wave of chattering voices washed over her. The party was already in full swing. Dozens of eyes watched her make her entrance. She resisted the urge to hunt around the room for a clock. She knew it was eight o'clock. She'd checked a dozen times before she left her room. Arryn had given her the wrong time, and judging by the mischievous grin on his face as he approached, he'd done it on purpose. Beatrix took his arm and pinched it viciously. "That wasn't nice."

"You deserve to be appreciated," replied Arryn, without even giving her the courtesy of a wince.

The crowd parted and Beatrix felt even more eyes fall on them. Before she realized what was happening, they were standing in the middle of an open floor. The dining hall had been transformed into an elegant ballroom. Tables were arranged around the edge of the room, but few were sitting at them. Everyone had pressed as close to them as was polite. Arryn took one of her hands and placed it on his shoulder before holding the other aloft. A soft note of violin music echoed through the silent room and was soon accompanied by other instruments. "No," whispered Beatrix. "I haven't danced in years."

"Just keep moving. Nobody will ever see you stumble with your feet hidden under that dress." Arryn kept his hand steady on her waist, urging her along. "You look amazing, by the way."

"Thank you," Beatrix said, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks. She hurried along with him, her feet eventually recalling the times she had danced at weddings with her father. Instead of bringing tears to her eyes like she expected, joy welled up in her heart. Her father's death had been avenged. Finally, she could look back on memories of him with fondness. Besides, dancing with Arryn was quite delightful. They spun around the room with such grace that she was able to forget the people watching them.

The song came to an end and Beatrix had to pause and catch her breath. Somewhere along the way she'd begun laughing and it had taken the wind out of her. "That was fun."

"Yes," said Arryn. He beamed down at her, both of his hands now resting on her waist. "Would you like to do it again?"

"Absolutely." Her body was awash in more adrenaline than she could remember feeling outside of a cockpit.

The next song started and Arryn pulled her into motion. It was a slower song that drew them closer together, Arryn's hands resting on the small of her back. Slowly, her eyes drifted closed and Beatrix rested her head on his shoulder. His scent filled her nose. He smelled spicy with a slight hint of sweetness. "You could have told me this was a ball," she said when her mind finally caught up to the situation she found herself in.

"Then you never would have come," he said.

Beatrix leaned back and met his gaze. "You know me so well, do you?"

"Not as well as I'd like to," said Arryn, his voice a husky whisper that drew a shudder from her body.

The music faded out, and a sweet voice echoed through the room, calling their attention to a stage that had been raised at one end of the hall. "Everyone, please, take your seats. The votes have been tallied, and it's time to crown our monarch. Will the candidates please assemble on the stage?"

The woman was an elegant Leothen wearing a beautiful green dress that complemented her tawny color. It had taken a while to get used to seeing Leothen women. Most hadn't been physically enhanced the way the men had. For the most part they were left on Arcata to breed the next generation. She wasn't sure which sex had it worse.

"This is where we must part ways for a time," said Arryn. Two Leothen men appeared next to him. Woolly stepped forward and offered his arm to Beatrix. "Woolly will escort you to our table."

Beatrix nodded and took Woolly's arm. "I'm sure you'll be busy with host duties, but don't leave me alone with him for too long. Woolly is looking quite dapper in his suit. We may have to run away together."

Woolly made a noise that may have been an amused grunt. Arryn laughed heartily. "That was just what I needed. Thank you."

When he turned away, Beatrix could have sworn his eyes clouded over with some negative emotion, but she couldn't read what. Woolly escorted her to the table just to the left of the stage and took a seat next to her. By the time they made it there, the rest of the floor was clear. Two men and two women stood beside the woman with the microphone. One of them was Arryn. Beatrix turned to Woolly with her mouth agape. "Wait. Is he?" When Woolly made no response she tugged his suit sleeve. "Is Arryn on the ballot?"

"He was an important diplomat even before the Anthrak. Now he's credited with freeing us from their control. He will be king."

There was a warmth and admiration in his tone that brought a tear to Beatrix's eye. "But why wouldn't he tell me?" she asked. She thought... She thought they were closer than that.

"For the same reason you weren't allowed to know who the other candidates were. You would be obligated to report it to your government."

"Because Arcata thinks Nedra might try to interfere." Beatrix fumed, even as she realized he was right. Relations between Arcata and Nedra were tense at best. "I still don't like it."

"Why else do you think he was so nervous tonight?" asked Woolly, his eyes smiling, though his mouth didn't.

"Hmph," said Beatrix.

Beatrix had missed what the woman said while she was busy being annoyed at Arryn. She had set her microphone down and was lifting a golden band off a pillow. Beatrix held her breath. The woman walked across the stage, slower than anyone had ever walked, and stopped directly in front of Arryn. She placed the crown on his head and the crowd erupted in cheers, Woolly the loudest of them all. Her annoyance was washed away on a tide of other emotions.

Beatrix rose to her feet and clapped because that's what was expected. What she didn't expect was the wetness on her cheeks and the fullness of her heart. She was so proud of him. Her feet kept trying to move toward Arryn, but she kept them firmly planted.

Arryn took the microphone and made a beautiful speech that Beatrix barely heard. He looked so regal in his dark blue suit with the golden crown resting on his brow. Finally, he made his way off the stage and toward their table. It wasn't far, but the space was crowded with people. Beatrix only realized that his eyes had been locked on hers the whole time when he was forced to look away to acknowledge his well-wishers. She sagged backward as if a supporting arm had been withdrawn, and then he was there, taking her hands in his.

"You're the king," said Beatrix, her voice hoarse.

"I am," he said, his mouth twitching down slightly. Beatrix grinned. It was a look she'd come to know as embarrassment.

"What do we do now?" asked Beatrix.

Arryn leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Now, you dance with me so that I don't run out of this room and make an embarrassment of myself." His hands were trembling.

He was so sweet and vulnerable in that moment that she forgot about all of her conflicting feelings and did what she realized she'd wanted to do since she found him free of his leech six months ago. Beatrix placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him tenderly on the lips. His body went taut at first, but the tension quickly drained away as his lips began to move against hers. A murmur swept through the crowd around them and then gradually, it built into a cheer.

When they broke the kiss, Beatrix could feel her cheeks burning. She met Arryn's gaze shyly and then scanned the crowd. Every eye in the place was on them. Thankfully, Woolly was there to push them into action. He took them both by the arm and led them to the dance floor. Music rose and the crowd moved out to join them in a dance. Beatrix was swept along, her feet barely touching the ground, trusting Arryn to keep her steady. Her lips still tingled from their kiss. "Woolly told me you were in love with me," said Beatrix, when her head had cleared enough for speech.

"Woolly is as wise as he is silent," said Arryn.

"That isn't really an answer," replied Beatrix, fixing him with a weak glare.

"You didn't ask me a question," he replied smugly.

"Fine then, I have a question for you."

"Feel free to ask," said Arryn, pulling her close.

"Would you like to kiss me again?"

"Very much," he replied, bowing his head until his nose brushed hers. "But public displays of affection are considered impolite by my people."

"Somehow, I knew as much," she said, memories of half-forgotten dreams filtering through her thoughts. "Too bad I'm just a Nedran woman who doesn't know any better." Beatrix wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and pulled him down for another kiss.

"Too bad indeed," said Arryn huskily.

"Your Majesty," chided Woolly as he danced by, the announcer woman from the stage held gingerly before him.

"How soon do you think we'll be able to excuse ourselves from the party?" asked Beatrix.

"Not nearly soon enough," said Arryn, his mouth quirking into a half-grin.

"My thoughts exactly, Your Majesty," said Beatrix, leaning her head on Arryn's shoulder. "Tomorrow is going to be a very interesting day."