Lake, Ciara - Xihirah [Xihiran Shifters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) (17 page)

“Saleeya, is this true?” Kael’s face showed his anger, yet his tone was tender. Saleeya nodded her head. “Please answer me with your voice so there is no misunderstanding. I don’t want to kill the man by mistake.” Kael placed his hands on his hips.

“Yes, Kael, that’s exactly what happened. It’s humiliating enough as it is. I didn’t want to tell you in front of the others so I made up another explanation. Please don’t be angry with me. I was going to tell you after the dinner. I just didn’t…” Kael and his father regarded her silently. They stepped away as Medtor Fanstal came back into the room. He gave Saleeya a shot in her arm and wrapped her wrist.

“Medtor, what do you think? Is she able to continue with today’s proceedings?” Kliven demanded.

“The Princess needs rest. Princess Saleeya, I’ll need to give you another shot in six hours. It’ll keep the swelling down and give you pain relief. It may make you sleepy. We’ll wake you to give you another shot. You should go get some rest now. Someone will bring your meal to you. You’re on medical leave until I say differently.”

Saleeya nodded her head in agreement.

“Good, don’t disregard my instructions.”

“I won’t, Medtor. Thank you for your assistance.” The medtor left the room, leaving Saleeya to face two imposing Wolfton Alpha Prime males, both towering over her, looking intimidating.

“Saleeya, Kalinda will escort you and Mia to the family wing. Kalinda, Saleeya’s things have been placed in Kael’s suite. Show Saleeya the way to Kael’s room and see to her. I’ll instruct the staff to send all three of you your meals. Stay with Saleeya in Kael’s suite, eat with, and watch over her. If you need anything contact one of us immediately. Don’t tell your mother of this incident. She shouldn’t be upset. This would distress her.” Kliven turned and left.

Kael looked down at Saleeya. “Mate, I’ll pray to Xian that you quickly heal. I’m not angry with you. I hurt with you. I’ll see to this matter. Mia, you’re under our protection. Go with Saleeya and don’t worry.” Kael turned to leave. Saleeya touched his arm to gain his attention.

“Kael,” Saleeya whispered. “I’m sorry.”

Kael turned and hugged her to him and kissed the top of her head. “You’ve no need to apologize to me. You’ve done nothing wrong—other than putting the talks before yourself. I’ll have to work on that flaw.”

“I only wanted to touch and hold you for a moment.” Saleeya’s voice was emotional. Kael kissed the tears that ran down her face.

“Your tears are so salty.” The expression on his face showed that his emotions burned hotter as he held her.

Chapter Eight

“I’m going to rip Vitalion apart and throw his remains to the carrion eaters,” Kael said to himself. Rage pulsed through his blood. Kael stormed through the corridors, ignoring those scurrying from his path.
How dare that sniveling bastard touch her!
Treating her like some common whore. She’s the mate of royalty, and I’ll show the worthless human just what that means.
His anger flamed with each passing second.

“Kael, wait, I’ve already had Vitalion discreetly arrested.” His father stopped him at the dining room doors. “I instructed Thyson to contact the Kriton government to explain that charges are being brought against Vitalion.”

Kael growled, every part of him screaming to just rip and shred.

“Son, trust me, our security recordings are being reviewed from all common areas to collect further evidence. Kriton will, undoubtedly, send one of their best legal representatives.” Anger simmered within his father’s eyes as he offered his explanation. “It’s best to let me handle this, now, son. We don’t need him crying foul at this point.”

Kael sighed. It was entirely likely his father realized just how tenuous his control was. Growling in frustration, he raked a hand down his face. “She deserves better than some…”

“Kael, this way is better for all. For Saleeya it will be justice to have this heard appropriately by the Council. Let’s try to not show our less-than-human side,” Kliven implored.

“I’m sick of being properly human for these weaklings. Father, if this was about Mother, you wouldn’t be worried about exposing our less-than-human side.” Kael bristled. He flexed his hands in an attempt to control his temper.

“Kael, I’d want you to advise me the same way. We have the
civilized
universe watching us. Most of the Council here are Earthen humanoids, those that aren’t known and understand the need for delicacy. We don’t want them to think we’re irrational animals, as so many want to claim. Don’t give them reason to support Tomron’s beliefs. Kael, I understand how you feel. Like you, I want Vitalion to suffer the consequences of his actions. More than anything, I, too, desire retribution for Saleeya’s injury. Vitalion knew she was under our protection. And we will protect her and see that justice is done.” Kliven shook his head, anger tightening his voice. “Saleeya waited to tell you because she didn’t want an incident in front of all those spectators and Council members. Let us honor her forethought,” Kliven pointed out.

“Your Royal Lordship and Admoncor Braeden.” A junior officer approached, a look of unease and uncertainty on his face.

“Officer Trivane, what is it?” Kael responded gruffly.

“Palace Security has located a vid of the incident between Princess Saleeya and Minister Troyic Vitalion. It’s available for you to view. Additionally, the Kriton Transport has left Spaceport with Jarvin Manntree aboard. It’s in orbit at the moment. The Kriton Congress is sending a legal representative right away.” Officer Trivane’s breathing was rapid.

“Send the security vid to my father’s office and we’ll view it now. Where are we holding Vitalion?”

“We’re holding Vitalion in the Palace’s holding cells to await your disposition. I’ll transfer the vid to your father’s office as soon as you arrive,” Trivane explained.

Following his father to his office, Kael couldn’t shake the knot of unease that tangled in his belly. “How the fuck did they get authorization to leave our Spaceport and break free from our clamping system? How did Manntree make it to the Space Terminal so quickly?” Kael headed toward his father’s office. As he walked, he questioned and issued orders. Trivane, a smaller Xihirian shifter, ran to keep up with Kael and Kliven. He rushed to respond to the Admoncor’s questions.

“They left without authorization, Admoncor, and damaged their ship and our docking system, my Lord.”

“The Kriton government will pay for the damage to our clamping system. Get Thyson for me. I want our surveillance security ships deployed to monitor what the Kriton ship is up to.” Kael’s growl nipped at the man’s heels as he darted off to do as he’d been ordered.

* * * *

With Mia and Kalinda acting as her protectors, Saleeya slipped into Kael’s suite. She missed Kael’s presence.

The two other women followed behind her and sat down at the dining table. Saleeya did not sit down. Her attention was diverted to the exquisite view from Kael’s bedroom balcony. Her hunger was momentarily abated. Despite the pain in her arm, the sun was setting and its beauty mesmerized her. Its orange color accented the deep blue Xihirian sky. The jungle was much closer to the family wing of the Palace. Saleeya walked further out onto the balcony. The rain had paused, and she could hear the remaining rain drops drip from the lush vegetation. She inhaled the humid air. It comforted her. A soft, humid breeze gently swayed the trees and blew her hair. The jungle seemed as if it were experiencing calm before a great storm, and for the moment, it calmed her as well. Saleeya leaned against the stone wall and looked over. She was amazed at how fast her life had changed. She was now a Princess of a fantastic world, mated to an incredible male. Emotions assailed her.

Hot tears threatened to flow down her face as she thought of what had just transpired. She struggled to hold them at bay. She deeply regretted the incident with Vitalion. She regretted having to lie to cover her romantic entanglement with Kael. Mostly she regretted being untruthful to Kael, even if it had been for only a moment and for good cause. Her emotions were all over the place. Her heart beat hard in her chest in rhythm with the painful throb in her wrist. The sweetly scented, humid breeze eased her. Lethargically, she sat on a bench, sighing contentedly.

“Saleeya, Kalista called me on my palm vid-com and told me that our meals are on their way. So, relax and we’ll eat soon. I know you must be hungry.” Kalinda appeared next to the bench, a sweet smile on her face.

“Thank you, Kalinda, for all of your help.” Saleeya returned her smile, albeit weak.

“My brother will take care of everything. He always does,” Kalinda reassured Saleeya.

Kalista briefly knocked on the door and ushered the servants in with trays of food. They sat the food out on Kael’s small dining area table. “Saleeya,” Kalista called out for her. “Come to eat. You must be starving, and you need to eat with the medicine you’re taking. The medadvisor contacted me with instructions regarding you.” She bustled about, fussing over Saleeya as easily as if she’d been there all her life. “Kael will be here when he can to check on you. I wish I could stay, but I need to stay with mother. I hope the babies come tonight. She needs relief. There looks to be a storm coming. Sometimes storms encourage babies to come.” Kalista paused, a frown tugging her brows together. “Mother doesn’t know that anything concerning has occurred. So, please wait to visit her when your arm isn’t wrapped. Even with the wrap hidden, she could sense your distress…”

“No, of course I don’t want to cause her discomfort. I didn’t want to stress anyone.” Saleeya glanced at her hands in her lap. “I’ll see her and the babies later,” Saleeya easily agreed. After Kalista left, they ate in silence. Kalinda appeared to be bored and roamed the room.

Her nerves frayed and raw, Saleeya suggested, “Kalinda, why don’t you take Mia to where she can better rest. You can go do whatever you wish. I’m going to get in that big, comfortable bed and rest. The medicine has made me sleepy.”

Kalinda frowned at Saleeya’s suggestion, “Are you sure? I don’t want Kael to be mad at me. I’m not sure I should leave you now.”

“No, go ahead, I’m fine. I want to rest. Please, I’m fine.”Saleeya took Kalinda’s hand in hers. “Please go on. Go do what you want to do. I’m okay now.”

“If you’re sure.” Kalinda regarded her with a serious expression. “Okay, come Mia. We can go visit with Mother.”

“All right, are you sure, Saleeya? I can stay here with you and rest on the sofa,” Mia offered. “I’m also concerned about leaving you now.”

“I’m fine. What can happen to me here? Really, I’d rather be alone to sleep. Perhaps Kael will be able to come back and visit with me,” Saleeya said hopefully.

“Okay, let’s go Kalinda. It’s getting late, and it has been a long day.” Mia and Kalinda left Saleeya to sleep.

Saleeya found her luggage waiting for her near the cleaning chamber’s door. She dressed in one of her silky nightgowns and climbed into Kael’s big bed. The bed felt divinely soft and smelled of Kael. She rolled to her stomach, placing her nose into the pillows, and inhaled Kael’s familiar scent. Comforted, Saleeya quickly fell into a deep sleep.

* * * *

Kael, Kliven, and Thyson watched the vid of the Saleeya and Vitalion several times. As Kael watched the vid for the third time, he gripped the edge of the desk, breaking it off. “Sorry, I fucking broke the desk.” Kael threw the wooden edge down. It bounced on the carpeted floor.

“I think you better go to your chambers to relax. Go check on your mate. I’ve got this under control at the moment.”

Kliven pointed to the door. “Go now, before you destroy all my furniture.”

“Fine, call me if there are any developments. I do need to calm down and check on Saleeya.” Kael left his father’s office. His mind focused on Saleeya.

Kael’s body tensed in sexual desire as he approached his suite. He longed for her company. His enhanced senses enabled him to smell her scent in the hallway outside his rooms. His cock rose to attention as he anticipated what awaited him on the other side of the door. Increasing his pace, he was anxious to get to her. Never had he been so impatient to be near a female. He entered his chamber quietly to see his beautiful mate snug and asleep in his huge bed. All of his volatile feelings evaporated as he gazed upon her lovely face. The vision of her waiting there for him sent unfamiliar warmth through his system. The sensation tingled up his spine directly to his cock as he watched her. Amazingly, he realized that he loved her. His feelings were so much more than mating hormone or the Wolfton drive to protect and procreate. Taking off his uniform, he slipped into bed next to her and gathered her into his strong arms.

“Saleeya,” Kael whispered to her. “I’m here, my mate. Are you well?” Kael tenderly caressed the side of her face. Saleeya moaned and stretched, pressing further against him.

“
e
Hello,” Saleeya sighed softly into his chest. She rubbed his arm and kissed him. Kael brought out the seductress in her. “I’m good now.” She pressed more against him. “This bed feels so good and it smells like you. Is everything all right?”

“All is well.” Kael kissed her hair. Saleeya felt encouraged by his kiss and reached for his cock, nestled between them. She ran her hand over his penis, rubbing its smooth hardness. Kael groaned. He attempted to roll Saleeya to her back.

“No, Kael.” Saleeya stopped him. “I want to enjoy just touching you,” Saleeya whispered in a passion-filled voice. Her touch made him inhale sharply.