Prince of Dragons (7 page)

She frowned as she caught a slight, acrid scent. This one was somehow familiar. It was muddled with the scents of the iguana and the jeweled cages of chameleons she had seen hanging from servants’ hands, but it made her uneasy.

Behind her, Slyde Stone moved restlessly.

“You smell it too?” she murmured over her shoulder.

“Yes. And not for the first time.”

She froze. He really had scented a serpent. And it was close at hand.

Sirena shifted closer to Craig.

“Captain, permission to examine the prince’s pets once they’ve been settled.”

His brows drew together, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers. “Is there a problem?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Just be discreet.”

“Of course.”

Chapter Nine

Izard was waiting for them in the main lobby, however. On every voyage, there were questionable carry-on items to be inspected. On this one it was an antique bomb found on an ancient Boron battlefield by a tourist and packed in his luggage for the voyage home to Carillon. It had passed the initial boarding inspection, but was now emitting a strange sound, as if the mechanism inside was creaking to life.

After a short discussion, the device was loaded on a tiny unmanned space pod, programmed to land on an uninhabitable planet along the
Orion
’s route. The passenger was calmed with a handsome gift certificate to a stellar resort.

“Come on,” growled Slyde to Sirena, after they watched the pod disappear in space. “Let’s get back to our other project.”

Sirena nodded, shaking off her anger at the fool of a tourist. How dare he jeopardize the safety of her ship?

“Going up to the command level?” she asked Izard.

Izard’s gaze slid between the two guard commanders.

“You two go ahead,” he said. “I, ah, promised to meet Yvene.”

He was frankly grinning as he walked away. He couldn’t wait to share his latest observations with his lady. Great serpents, the two guard commanders were like seething volcanoes, just waiting to erupt—had been since that first night on Solaria. He and Yvene had a wager as to how long it would take the two Serpentians to break. It had been two months, but now it looked as though things were heating up between them. Finally.

He and Yvene weren’t the only ones to notice, either. He had caught more than one crew member surreptitiously observing the guard co-commanders at dinner.

This was as entertaining as watching Captain Craig and Tessa circle each other on the last voyage. Their brave captain had needed coaxing to get past his strict code of honor, which forbade sex with one of his subordinates, but when the fiery Tessa had declared her intention of sleeping with every other attractive male on board, he had shown himself as the warrior he was and taken the prize.

Izard thought back even further to the
Orion
’s maiden voyage, when their Tyger navigator had undergone his mating shift on board, becoming a huge half man, half cat, maddened with lust. Commander Jag had denned up in the arboretum and demanded a mate before he would resume his duties. Izard winced. That had been more like two wildcats in heat, but it had ended in romance as well. Jag wed his Calla and by all accounts they were perfectly suited.

Who knew what romance might heat up on this voyage?

Sirena and Slyde jogged from the docking bay to their office off of the gymnasium. A few of the younger guards were working out. Slyde looked their way with approbation before closing the hatch of the small, glass-walled office behind them. Sirena perched on the edge of the sleek command console, swinging one leg.

“How are we to search the prince’s pets without offending him?” she mused. “We can’t just show up and announce that he’s brought aboard a dangerous creature. That would be most undiplomatic.”

“No.” Bringing up a hologram of the ship, Slyde zeroed in on the area behind the ballroom. Sirena turned to watch as the three-dimensional image of passageways and rooms revolved slowly.

“Here’s where they’ve stowed the pets.” He indicated a room that connected the quarters reserved for the Aquarians with the passageway behind the ballroom. “Some of them came on from Pangaea, as Halix mentioned in our briefing.”

“Why, if you scented the serpent earlier, did we scent it again today when the Aquarians boarded?” she asked, frowning.

“I don’t know,” he said grimly. “I hope to the seven hells that what we smelled today is just some harmless snake.”

“I could bat my eyes at the handlers and ask for a personal tour,” she said.

“Yes, and have to dropkick one or both of them when they assume you want more than a tour.” He shook his head. “Azuran’s hosting a party tonight. We’ll slip away and search through his pets then.”

She looked him up and down wryly. “
You’ll
slip away?”

“I can be subtle.”

“I’ve yet to see it.”

His lips twitched. “You have seen it, you just didn’t know it.”

She rolled her eyes as she slipped off the console. “Right. Well, we know where the creature is, if there is one.”

“There is one.” Concentrating on the hologram, he looked up as she spoke again.

“And one more thing, Commander,” she said coldly. “Do not ever again presume to control my behavior as you did when we greeted Prince Azuran. You had no right—”

He stepped closer to her, his back to the gym and its occupants. Anger flared at the memory of her flirtatious greeting, but it was tempered with reluctant admiration. She was going to fight him every step of the way, his siren.

“I do have the right,” he said. “You gave it to me, remember? In the terms of our wager.”

She scowled up at him.

“I certainly did not. I agreed not to have sex with another male during the wager. I said nothing about conversing with one.”

He touched her cheek, stroking the petal-soft skin. “We both know that kind of ‘conversation’ is a prelude to sex.”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“No,” he growled. “I’m explaining that Azuran wants you, and he’s accustomed to getting what he wants. So unless you want me to be forced to fight for you, refrain from flirting with him.”

Her eyes widened with alarm. “Slyde! You can’t fight him. Not only is he royalty, those men of his would kill you for touching him. They’re warriors, not just court followers.”

He bit back the retort that not only was he of royal blood himself, but his brother dragon could take them all on and win. A growl of frustration rumbled in his chest.

She lifted her own hand to touch his face, concern deepening the hue of her eyes. “Slyde, swear to me you won’t think of doing such a thing.”

The touch of her hand inflamed him. He wanted those clever, capable hands all over him. “Persuade me.”

Sirena slipped her other hand around the back of his neck and urged him to bend his head to her. She tipped her face up to his, her eyes drooping. Arousal heating his blood, he set one hand on her waist and cocked his head, waiting for the touch of her lips on his. Why had they not kissed before this? Now that it was imminent, he felt as hungry for her lips as a starving man for food.

Her lips brushed his. Her breath puffed softly against his skin as she spoke.

“If he kills you, you’ll never have me,” she murmured. And slipped away.

He blinked. He nearly grabbed her and hauled her back into his arms to take the kiss she had so teasingly denied him. But she was watching him, ready for just such a move. He could easily best her, but would such a move persuade her that he was the male for her?

“Not much of a persuasion, siren.”

“We’ll call it a warning—much like yours.”

He bowed in acknowledgement of the hit. “I need a workout. I’ll meet you on the mats.”

Chapter Ten

Sirena sagged against the padded wall, gasping for air. Slyde leaned over, hands braced on his knees, broad chest pumping like a bellows. They had gone from a ferocious session of sparring with dummies to a run around the gymnasium’s moveable obstacle course. It had become a competition. What Sirena lacked in sheer strength, she made up in agility. But now both of them were spent.

“Is that all you’ve got?” He cast her a look from under his brows.

“Huh. I ran circles around you.” She panted. “I’ll show you how to better that twist kick, if you like.”

He straightened, still breathing heavily, and looked down at her. In the brief singlet they wore to train, he was magnificent, his heavily muscled body displayed to perfection.

“Is that an invitation, Commander?”

She snorted, lifting her arms to push back her hair, ignoring the fact that she wanted to lick the satin skin on the massive column of his throat. Although Serpentians didn’t sweat, their skin glowed when heated by exertion or ambient temperatures. His smooth skin was nearly luminous, especially where the pulse beat in his throat. She was surrounded by his scent—musky and tantalizing, smoky. Maybe she should just trip him and jump on him while he was down.

“When I issue an invitation, a man knows it.”

“Yes, I’ve seen it—several times.”

She narrowed her eyes dangerously. “And that bothers you, doesn’t it? Why?”

His face tightened, and suddenly they were two alpha predators, facing each other, battle ready.

“An invitation means little when it’s open to all,” he grated.

They glared at each other. Then she thrust out her breasts and tilted her hips, a taunting pose that contrasted sharply with the molten rage inside her. She made no secret of her pleasure in men, but she gave equal pleasure in return. How dare he act as if she were in the wrong.

“Sanctimony also means little when it is prompted by jealousy,” she hissed. Turning on her heel, she stalked away into the women’s locker room.

She refused to admit that the tight, icy ball lodged high under her ribs was hurt.

Slyde stood there, breathing as hard from anger and frustrated passion as from his workout. Damn the woman. Could she not see that he only wanted…

He gave a snort of humorless laughter. That he only wanted her glory all for himself? That as a Dragolin, he’d mate only with a female who’d cleave to him for life, giving all her sweet fire to him? No, of course she didn’t. She was Sirena—a law unto herself. Be damned to her, then. He wouldn’t apologize now.

He walked toward the men’s locker room, already pulling his brief singlet open. As he walked into the gleaming changing room, rolling his shoulders to ease the tired muscles, he stopped short. The new female cadet, Tawnee, stood in the center of the room, looking around. She bit her lip, her lovely eyes wide.

He frowned down at her. “What are you doing in here?”

She stared at his bare chest. “I—I didn’t pay attention to where I was going, Commander. I’m sorry. I’ll go, and let you take your shower-dry.”

She walked toward him and then paused, so close he could smell the sweet scent of her.

“Unless you’d like me to give you a shoulder rub?” she offered. “I am trained in all kinds of massage.”

He looked down into her wide, guileless eyes. Was she as naïve as she appeared? She was a lovely girl, and he was almost tempted to take her up on her offer. He was used to women hitting on him—Serpentians were forthright about their desires. So were many of the passengers. Just now, his control was stretched thin. He didn’t think he could bear much more sparring with Sirena.

“No, thank you, cadet,” he said stiffly. “The ship’s massage specialist can do that for me. Go along—and watch where you’re going next time.”

“Yes, sir.” She smiled up at him and sauntered out of the room, slender hips swaying. Slyde locked the door behind him before stripping down.

Sirena was in a foul mood as she readied herself for the Aquarian prince’s first party that evening. As she stepped out into the main lobby, Slyde Stone appeared from another elevator. His gaze swept over her and his face tightened, his impressive jaw clenched.

Sirena narrowed her eyes and strutted to the huge double doors that led to the ballroom. He disapproved of her ensemble. Let him. She wore her favorite outfit of gold raw silk, the two pieces bound on by narrow ropes of gold that wrapped about her throat, arms, and hips. Though brief, it was comfortable and not nearly as precarious as it appeared. Of course, if every male in the vicinity wanted to hold their breath hoping it might slip, that was all right with her.

She was going to enjoy herself this evening, and Slyde Stone could choke on it. Though she would sooner choke herself than tell him, he was breathtaking, elegant and handsome in olive silk smoothly tailored to his huge frame. The cut emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and the lean length of his legs; the color set off his golden brown hair and eyes. She wanted to draw him back into the elevator and take him straight back up to her quarters and have her way with him—several times. She would bet he had more stamina than most.

He followed her across the lobby without a word. Two Aquarians stood guard. At the sight of the two Serpentians, they pulled the doors open wide. Sirena knew that she and her co-commander were an impressive couple as they paused in the open doors. Smiling lazily at the faces that turned their way, she strolled into the party.

The
Orion
’s ballroom was a unique space, with an interlocking series of walls and ceilings that could be changed according to the planned use. Tonight it resembled a seraglio, with ornate columns and latticework panels framing conversation areas made cozy with sumptuous rugs and cushions. Holographic fountains tinkled among ferns. A Barillian trio piped soft, haunting music. The prince, enthroned in a divan with a beautiful woman at each elbow, held court in the largest enclosure. An elaborate game board sat before him, scattered with gem-studded playing tokens.

“Ah, welcome, Serpentian friends,” he said as Sirena and Slyde crossed the room to him. “Come, eat and drink with us.”

Servants appeared at their elbows, bearing trays with an array of libations. Sirena chose a crystal flute of pale blue wine with the delicate scent of rare Pangaean ice-berries. She saluted the prince with it, watching his gaze sweep over her.

Sipping her wine, Sirena watched the Aquarian ladies drift nearer to Slyde. She snorted inwardly—she wished them luck. He might look good enough to eat, but he would be a cold mouthful, even for an ice princess.