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THERE WASN’T ANYTHING anyone could’ve done to wipe the smile from Lanta’s face. Oncuns didn’t smile while on the job. Actually, they rarely smiled at all. But Lanta really didn’t care. She wasn’t an Oncun, not in any way. She’d only grown up with them.
I’m human.
The morning spent with Payton had been filled with laughter, crying and revelations. She not only had a new friend, but she also had one who understood her and didn’t fault her for being who she was. Because of Payton, Lanta now felt...lighter...free.
High pitched laughter peeled through the air. It was loud and joyous. The noise caught Una’s attention too.
“Just look at them,” Una seethed. She bristled with envy and sniffed at the air. “What could the Kgosi possibly be saying to make Sira laugh that hard and loud?”
Una narrowed her eyes on the small group. Melis sat with two other females and they seemed to be having a good time.
Why wouldn’t they be? It was a beautiful day outside. Lanta was happy to be outdoors again. On Luur her apartment was small and depressing. She’d tried to spend as much time as she could outside only to return when it was too dark to move about without the aid of a candle. Inside the palace was nice, but nothing beat fresh air.
Lanta turned away from the small group. They no longer held her attention. “It isn’t a private meeting, Princess. Melis invited you to watch the festival with him as well.”
Lanta took a few seconds to glance toward the sky. It was filled with kites of various sizes and bright colors. Tiny soundless motors kept them aloft, making them appear to dip and glide on non-existent breezes.
She lowered her gaze toward Una, who still had a squinty-eyed lock on Melis. “No point in pouting over here.”
“I’m not pouting,” Una said, while pouting. “I don’t want to go over there and look desperate.” She lifted her chin and angled away from Melis.
If he’d been paying attention to her, Lanta was sure he might’ve felt snubbed. But he wasn’t. In fact, he wasn’t paying attention to Lanta either. She hadn’t heard from Melis the entire day. If she wasn’t as happy as she was, she would’ve been sad, maybe confused or even upset.
Those were feelings for a different time. Right now, she could still hear her mother’s native language ringing in her ears. And it felt joyous.
“I want him to come to me,” Una said.
That likely wasn’t going to happen any time soon. Melis looked quite comfortable where he was.
Lanta tried to ignore him, but as soon as her thoughts strayed from all things Melis, she was forced to remember how hot she was. She pulled at her collar. The material felt tight around her neck, constricting her airway. The heat was oppressive and would’ve been unbearable if she weren’t wearing her protective suit. But the bodysuit left her face, neck and hands exposed to the blinding sun. They’d been out in the open for the past hour, and while the guests had umbrellas that kept the sun’s ray from burning them, Lanta wasn’t that lucky.
The rite of passage jewels that she had put back on before leaving the suite burned her skin. She wanted to snatch each one off. Her hands were now a shade darker than when she’d first stepped outside and sweat dripped uncomfortably down her neck. But still, she didn’t move. She kept her hands firmly at her sides. Unwavering.
The weather on Ipakethe was still one hundred times better than what she would’ve experienced on Luur where it was hotter and the air wasn’t so fresh.
Melis said something again. Two of his guests burst into laughter. Una growled low in her throat. What Melis did didn’t bother Lanta. No. Not one bit.
Melis had invited his guests in hopes to find a suitable queen. One who could give him everything Lanta couldn’t. She’d known the deal when she’d decided to spread her legs. There was no point in getting upset about it now after she’d developed feelings for him.
Besides, nothing could bring down her good mood.
“I think I’ll go over there and see what’s so funny.” Una turned toward Lanta and let her eyes roam up and down her body. “You look different today.”
Una paused as if waiting for Lanta to tell her why there was a slight smile on her mouth. Then, as if remembering she didn’t care about anyone besides herself, Una turned her back on Lanta and sauntered off toward her prey.
If Una had waited a second longer, Lanta would’ve told her everything she and Payton had talked about. She was brimming with excitement. It wouldn’t matter if Una had the same response Elkah had, which was a few head nods and grunts. Lanta just wanted to talk about it. To anyone. Elkah didn’t understand how she felt as an outcast on Luur or how it finally felt to have a bond with someone from the same species. This was something most people took for granted.
At Una’s approach, Melis finally brought his head up to look Una’s way. Una put more swing in her hips. Melis looked past Una and caught Lanta’s eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. She could ignore him lounging and entertaining his guests, seemingly without a care in the world for her or her feelings. But she couldn’t ignore the way her body reacted when he locked those amber eyes on her. Especially when they were filled with such heated desire.
Una, noticing Melis wasn’t quite looking at her, stepped into his line of sight, blocking his connection with Lanta.
Lanta let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and turned her head, leaving Melis to entertain his guests.
* * *
MELIS COULDN’T KEEP his gaze from sliding toward Lanta. Although he was surrounded by a gaggle of females, mentally he was with her. He should’ve been paying more attention to what was being said and adding more to the conversation than the occasional uh-huh. One of the females in this tight circle might be his mate soon.
Any one of them would make an excellent queen and mate. All that was left was for him to choose who best matched his personality and who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Lanta.
The thought crashed through his mind.
She wasn’t qualified to rule by his side, didn’t know about kingdoms or how to manage political alliances. But when he was with her all his stress and troubles disappeared.
He watched as she stared off, deep in thought. The corners of her lips ticked into a smile. She’d been doing that every few minutes, then seemingly catching herself, returning back to the flat face she normally held while on duty.
What was she thinking about that made her so happy? Jealousy coursed through him. He wanted to be the reason she smiled.
Melis moved to get up. “If you’ll all excuse me for one moment, I need to speak with my assistant.”
“I’ll leave you a seat open next to me,” Una said.
Melis gave her a smile and tried to ignore the glaring looks the others turned to give her.
“It would be my pleasure. I think I’ll also bring your guard in on the conversation. I want to make sure the proper security measures are in place for tonight’s dinner.”
Una raised her chin and looked down on the others. “She’s been trained by the Oncun warriors. My guard will be an excellent source of information. She’s always reviewing security stuff.”
“Your mother made a magnificent choice in personal security,” Melis added, as he turned and made his way toward Lanta.
She was directly in his path to reach Huson. As he approached, she startled.
“What are you doing?” Lanta asked through gritted teeth. Her gaze moved to where the guests sat.
Melis waved Huson over. Huson trotted to Lanta’s side. “Yes, Kgosi?”
“I wanted to talk to Lanta and need you to stand with us.”
Huson frowned, looking from Melis to Lanta. “Why?”
“For appearances,” Melis said.
“Um, so what am I supposed to do?” Huson asked.
“Take notes.”
Huson continued to frown but brought out his tablet.
“Your plan won’t work,” Lanta said. “You’re still bringing unwanted attention to me. I’m supposed to blend.”
“Do you honestly think I can forget you’re near?” Melis said. “You light up every room you enter. I can’t think of anyone else but you.”
Lanta blinked rapidly. “Melis...”
He smiled. “Ah, you’re saying my name in the open.”
She snapped her mouth shut and glared at Huson. He lifted a shoulder. “I’m only here for appearances.”
“Please tell him to go back to his guests,” she said to Huson. “He has to pick one of them as his mate soon.”
Melis turned to address Huson. “Tell her that her smile is blinding me. It’s beautiful. My only wish is that I was the reason for it.”
An indentation showed on one of her cheeks. She was biting the inside of her mouth again. “I’m not smiling. That much.”
“Ask the mighty Oncun warrior what has her breaking protocol and showing emotion?”
Huson looked up from his tablet and glanced from Lanta to Melis. “Am I really taking notes or just pretending?”
Her lips twitched. “Tell him Payton came by to visit this morning and she talked to me about Earth.”
“I guess I’m pretending then.” Huson went back to tapping his finger on the tablet’s screen.
“I’m sure her visit was enlightening.” Melis grinned at Huson.
“Tell him that unfortunately she didn’t have any pictures to show me, other than the ones I’d already seen a million times, but it was nice to have someone explain what I was seeing.”
“Ask her if she’s referring to the pictures from the repository?”
“I should probably move my mouth more to make it seem like I’m involved in this ridiculous conversation,” Huson grumbled.
“Tell him those are the only pictures out there. She said her friend Esme might have current pictures on her cellphone—whatever that is—and I’ll see them when she comes for a visit.”
“Talkity-talk-talk,” Huson said as he studied his tablet.
Melis turned toward Lanta. “Meet me in the docking bay tonight.”
“What? No.” She shook her head, refusing to face him. “Last night was it.”
Huson coughed and suddenly found the ground interesting.
“Now, leave. I can feel a million eyes on me.”
“Meet me later and I’ll show you Earth. No pictures. The real thing.”