The Playful Prince (13 page)

Letting his gaze drift to the long banners with his family crest of an upright cat, he sighed heavily.

“Though, according to Dr. Grant, they think to have found the source of black moss within the caves.”

“The source?” Kirill asked. “I didn’t know there was a source to it.”

“Nor I. But, if you remember, some of the elders used to talk about hunting in the marshes. Now, the air is barely breathable. I think there might be something to their researching it.” Quinn shrugged. He really didn’t want to think about that right now, though he knew it was his duty to do just that. His mind kept wandering to Tori and Dr. Vitto. What exactly was their relationship? Friends? Lovers? One moment Quinn thought one thing, another he’d suspect something else. “Whatever it is, I doubt it’s an immediate threat.”

“Interesting.” Kirill frowned. “I always just assumed they’d hunted the area out in the old days and the black moss overgrowth was like the green--overrun because there were no animals left to feed on it.

Things were a lot less structured before our father’s rule. That’s Lord Myrddin’s land and he’s known for his fondness of hunting.”

Quinn grimaced. “I know. He’s not exactly the best person to try and talk with at the moment about the moss or what happened to Dr. Simon. If he knows anything about it, I doubt he’ll tell us.”

“He is one of the few left who won’t give full support of my rule,” Kirill added. “He resents that I make peace with the Draig. You don’t think he had anything to do with the earth scientist’s death, do you?”

“I’d like to think not,” Quinn answered. “We gave our word to HIA to protect the human doctors.”

“I know.” Kirill frowned, sighing heavily. “I’ve already spoke with Franklin, at my wife’s insistence, and have assured him we are helping in every way possible. It saddens me to know we failed them. I don’t want the scientists going out of the palace alone.”

“Agreed,” Quinn answered, thinking of Tori. He’d been so scared when he couldn’t find her. He never wanted to feel that way again.

“I’ve sent a dispatch requesting Lord Myrddin’s presence at the palace, but he has yet to answer.” Kirill ran his hand through his long black hair in frustration. “On one hand, he could be defying me. On the other, he could simply be away hunting.”

“The biological weapons were found in his cave. Our father barely took two steps without asking him his opinion, so it’s very likely he knew they existed. He could have much to hide.” Quinn’s look matched his brother’s.

“I’ve thought the same thing.”

“We should send Falke to invite him.” Quinn’s eyes again turned thoughtfully to the rug. “He can be very persuasive.”

“Agreed. Let’s just make sure he doesn’t bring him back bound and gagged. If our suspicions are wrong....”

“I know. Lord Myrddin is a very powerful man. We can’t discount him. Those who were loyal to our father are loyal still to Myrddin.” Quinn felt a headache start behind one of his eyes. It was a complicated mess they faced. Reluctantly, he admitted, “I don’t believe the scientists are going to be very cooperative in telling us what they’ve found out there in the marshes.”

“After what happened to their colleague, can you blame them?” Kirill slowly stood. Looking down at Quinn, he said, “You’re the ambassador. I expect you to stay close to Dr. Elliott. I want you to discover what they know.”

“I’m not sure...” Quinn pushed to his feet. His weary gaze turned to Kirill and he shook his head. “I’m not sure I can. Tori ... Dr. Elliot won’t see me.”

“Oh?”

“I ... ah ... made her....”

“Yes?”

“Rrrr, I made her my halfmate, all right.” Quinn scowled. “Only, I don’t think it worked.”

“How could it not work?” Kirill’s lip twitched, as he tried to hide his amusement.

“I don’t know. It just didn’t take.” Quinn shrugged and then threw his hand up in aggravation. “I probably didn’t do it right. I’d never tried it before. I think our father was right about women. They drive a man to distraction if you let them.”

“Ah, but it’s a wonderful madness,” Kirill chuckled.

“Speak for yourself. Ulyssa returns your love,” Quinn grumped.

“Love?” Kirill probed, his eyes rounding in surprise.

“Ah, you know what I mean. Tor ... Dr. Elliot and I are ... were lovers only. It was a slip of the tongue.”

Quinn moved toward the door.

“Quinn, did Dr. Elliot know you were making her a halfmate?”

Quinn stopped and frowned. He remembered her sleepy face that last time they were together. She hadn’t exactly been one hundred percent aware of what he was doing. His mouth opened to speak, but Kirill’s laughter shouted out from behind.

“She didn’t? Sacred Cats, little brother!” Kirill’s laughter continued. “You’re more hopeless than I thought!”

* * * *

“Quinn?” Tori breathed in surprise, as she nearly stumbled into his chest. She looked up. The king’s rich laughter poured over them. She glanced behind his back to where Kirill stood. Slowly, she drew her gaze up. “I was just coming to speak to the king.”

Quinn’s face hardened, as if he would like to debate her. She narrowed her eyes in confusion. His lips tightened, his eyes hardened, as if he willed her to do something. Only, she didn’t know what that something was.

When he didn’t speak, merely stared, she asked lightly, “May I pass?”

Quinn suddenly stepped out of her way to let her by. She frowned in confusion, watching him storm down the long hall. What was his problem now? She shook her head, in no mood to deal with a moody prince. Turning her attention to Kirill, she watched him wave her inside.

“Your Majesty,” Tori bowed her head politely, refusing to look around at the stately room. A smile twitched on his mouth at her words, as if he was amused by them. “I came to speak with you about our fallen ... about Dr. Simon’s death.”

Kirill’s smile faded and he became serious. “You have my sincerest condolences and my word that we will do whatever we can to bring the killer to justice.”

“Thank you,” Tori said, doing her best to stay professional and calm. “There is actually one thing I’d like to request. We’ve ran some comprehensive scans that will determine the DNA of what or whoever attacked Dr. Simon. I would appreciate being allowed temporary security access to Siren’s DNA database.”

“You think someone from the palace did this?” Kirill asked, though he didn’t seem too surprised.

“I don’t know what to think. It’s the most logical place to start. Your mainframe should also have records of any and all wildlife on this planet. It will help us rule that out as well.”

“Done,” Kirill stated. “Siren?”

“My king?” a sultry feminine voice stated, almost as if it was pouting. Tori had heard the mainframe computer speak a few times and found it amusing. Only a planet of men would make the computer’s voice a seductive woman’s.

“Dr. Elliot is to be allowed security clearance three into your DNA databases,” Kirill said.

“New security clearance recorded, my lord,” the computer purred.

Tori couldn’t help but chuckle.

Kirill shrugged. “My brother, Jarek, thought it was funny to reprogram her ...
it
before he left. He placed a password on Siren’s voice actuator and we haven’t been able to change it back. We’ve all gotten used to her unique temperament.”

Tori nodded.

“Just don’t call her ugly. Reid did that once and it locked him in the weapons chamber for an hour until he said he was sorry.” Kirill chuckled softly. Tori couldn’t help but let her laugher join his.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Tori answered. She bowed her head and made a move to go.

“Oh, Doctor?”

“Yes?” She turned back around.

Kirill’s hand lifted to his head and he pulled out a strand of his long black hair. He offered it to her.

“Here. Take this and test it. Know that you can rule me out of your suspicions.”

“I did not mean to imply--”

Kirill held up a hand to stop her. “You have access to everyone but the royal family and a few of the elders. It takes more than just my word to give you clearance to that information. But, if you have a need, let me know and I will do what I can to put your mind at ease about the others. All I ask is that if you do discover something about one of my people, you talk to either my brothers or me first.”

“Yes. Thank you.” Tori took the hair strand and walked out of the office. The door automatically shut behind her.

“Did you get everything you needed?”

Tori glanced over at Quinn. He looked as if he’d been waiting for her. His long frame leaned against the tile wall. Lowering his jaw, his bright blue eyes bore forward to study her.

“Quinn, I don’t know what you expect me to say,” Tori said.

“Your face is healed,” he observed. Her hand automatically lifted to touch her cheek, as she tried not to blush. “I wish to know what it is about our black moss you think to be suspicious.”

Tori blinked in surprise. Work. He wanted to talk about work. All right, she could do that. “It’s too early to tell, but I believe that it might be an ecological threat that is beginning to spread at a rapid pace.

Already, we’ve discovered a mutated strand that can survive in ai ...
rah!
”

Quinn rushed forward. His hand reached to cup her face and he drew her instantly to his mouth, ending her words. Passionately, he ground his lips to hers, making her body tremble with the force of his kiss.

She gasped for breath, allowing his tongue to slide inside her mouth. He massaged past her teeth, deepening the onslaught until she felt him all the way to her toes.

Just as abruptly as it started, the kiss ended. Quinn pulled back to look deep into her eyes. Tori was stunned and she gasped for breath. Her body was on fire for him, so much so that she’d been about to push his back to the wall and have her wicked way with him.

A slow smile curved on Quinn’s devilishly handsome lips. “I expect a full report on the black moss situation, Dr. Elliot.”

“Ah--yeah,” she breathed, knowing she sounded like a simpering fool. But his kiss had been so passionate, so claiming. He’d kissed her before, but never like that, never like he was marking his territory, conquering her completely. Her lips still tingled and she could feel his tongue in her mouth as if he was still there. “Okay.”

“Good,” he stated with a firm nod. Tori moved to leave, clutching the king’s hair strand in her fingers.

“Oh, Dr. Elliot, there was one more thing.”

“Yes?”

Quinn came close to her back. His breath ticked her skin, as he whispered, “You like sleeping with me.

I like sleeping with you. I see no reason why we don’t continue.”

“But, professionalism--” she tried to interject. His hand cupped firmly to her butt, stopping her from finishing the thought. His fingers curled slightly, moving indecently close to her inner thigh. Moisture pooled within her and her head became light with pleasure. What was it about this man’s nearness that sent her senses over the edge?

“If you insist, Dr. Elliot,” Quinn whispered hotly, leaning forward to nip her earlobe. “What I do to this body of yours will strictly be professional.”

“Ahhh,” she panted, as his fingers moved to cup her sensitive flesh from behind. He rubbed a finger indecently over the length of her clothed opening. Her legs almost gave out from underneath her.

“I’ll come by your suite tonight for my complete physical, doctor.” With that, Quinn again nipped at her ear. Tori listened as he walked away. In a daze, she continued forward in the opposite direction, refusing to turn around to look after him.

When she reached Grant’s suite, where they’d set up their new temporary laboratory, she was still stunned by Quinn’s boldness. Vitto and Grant were already hard at work when she entered. Lifting her hand, she said to Grant, “Here’s the king’s DNA for testing. He’s given me access to their database for everyone but the house nobles and royalty.”

“Great,” Grant said, taking the hair. He didn’t bother to ask how she got it.

“What about Prince Quinn?” Vitto inquired.

“Yeah,” Tori managed, before blushing. “I managed to get that too.”

Vitto held out his hand for the hair strand. Tori’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. “Ah, actually, you’re going to need a swab for this one.”

Vitto’s eyes narrowed. Grant turned to her in surprise. Slowly, Tori opened her mouth.

“That’s just gross, Tori! You went and gave him a blowjob? Really, that’s beyond the call of duty,”

Grant teased.

“Ugh, Grant.” Vitto flinched. “I’m pretending I didn’t hear that!”

“Saliva sample, moron,” Tori returned. She looked at Vitto, who grabbed a swab and merely shook his head.

“What lengths you’ll go to in the name of science,” Grant chuckled, moving to begin sequencing on the king’s hair.

Chapter Eight

Tori spent all day working in the laboratory, but for once, she didn’t forget about the time. She was actually anticipating finishing up for the night. Just the thought of Quinn made her shake with anticipation to be near him. Usually she was all about the work, even though trying to figure out who killed Dr. Simon was a grim task.

Rubbing her neck, she leaned back in her chair, turning away from the computer screen floating before her. She’d been staring at if for hours, waiting for it to complete its analysis. The computer was sequencing the DNA and all she could was pray that it turned out to be a wild animal.

“Anything yet?” Vitto asked.

“No,” Tori answered, yawning.

The computer beeped, signaling that it was finished. Both of them jumped and Grant came rushing across the room holding three cups of coffee. Absently, he set them down on the table.

“Was it an animal?” Grant asked, almost hopeful.

Tori paled, slowly shaking her head in denial. She stared at the screen, unable to speak. Her hand came to rest over her mouth.

“No,” Vitto answered. He glanced at his sister, before slashing his hand through the nearly transparent screen in agitation. When he’d finished, the screen went back to normal. “He was killed by a Var.”

All three scientists stared at the information before them. Finally, steeling herself, Tori said, “Siren, I need DNA access. Please match our computer’s sequencing with Var DNA samples in your database.”