Secrets of a Reckless Princess (3 page)

Well,
that
was mortifying, but then again, having her own mother, bodyguards, and everyone from the cooks to the cleaning personnel see that embrace made two more seem rather insignificant. “No.”

“Luckily, the ambassador has a sense of humor. I wasn’t nearly as amused.” Eyes a more subdued shade of jade rather her than her own brilliant green regarded her across the enormous desk made of stone quarried from one of the planet’s mica mines. The shimmering surface reflected the soft lighting, and rows of buttons commanded all kinds of communication devices.

“But now you perhaps understand how I feel about Damon and will show some leniency for my sake.”

“I understand he is an attractive young male and you are a female. I understand the two of you have a bond that extends from childhood, and I understand he is a romantic figure, not just to you, but to the people of Anasta who listen to his views and feel he can change our world for the better.”

“But you don’t agree.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Are you asking if I approve of you becoming involved with Damon? The answer is no. Your first responsibility is to Anasta. It makes not only myself, but others—including his own father—uneasy to think of him coming into that much power.”

The archaic tradition of inherited throne and authority. It was one of the things Damon protested in his insurgent writings. The Earth tradition of dynastic monarchies had been adopted by only a few of its colonies, her home planet being one of them. Jayla lifted her chin. “I have always been ready to do my duty when it comes to Anasta, but surely my feelings matter to you, not as my queen, but as my only parent.”

Her mother’s expression softened. “Yes, they do. As far as that goes, I am all too fond of that rebellious young male myself. But what would you have me do? He is causing trouble not only here, but on other colonies with his battle cries for reform. Imprisonment seems the logical course until his father and I agree on what to do with him. At least he is here with his fate under our control, not under arrest by the Universal Council’s edict. Had I not taken action, they would have, trust me. I
had
to punish him.”

Jayla had to concede that was true, and she knew her mother would take her feelings into account—that had been the point of that kiss. It was a form of blackmail, but if it would save Damon, she wasn’t sorry to use it. It was all she could think of that might work.

That overwhelming, passionate kiss. She hadn’t been the only one affected either, for she’d felt his arousal, the hard length of it unmistakable with their bodies pressed so tightly together. “I was afraid the repercussions of his recent article would send waves beyond our planet,” she admitted.

Her mother lifted her brows. “If you truly want to help Damon, you might want to court the favor of the visiting ambassador, Jayla. He is young, ambitious, and progressive when it comes to interstellar politics. Marc Kartel has a keen mind, the ear of the most powerful leaders in our Universe, and in our earlier meeting he told me outright he was very interested in this possible alliance.”

“
You
have ruled alone for several years now,” Jayla pointed out, the idea she must have a consort irritating.

“Yes, and it is draining, though Raphael helps me.” Her mother looked away for a moment, her profile stern and regal. “I am tired. Raphael is also no longer as young. Between us we have kept Anasta a universal power, but things shift. There are rogue planets out there who defy laws, who hunger for our resources. The constant vigilance wears on us both and we want peace, but with it also that the security that all we have worked so hard for these past years will endure safely. We believe Marc Kartel can help you do that. For that matter, he can help Damon.”

Together. Jayla had always wondered, since the death of her father many, many years ago, if her mother’s advisor hadn’t over time become a great deal more than a political consultant. Damon probably knew the truth, but she had never asked him if his father was her mother’s lover. “How can Kartel help Damon?”

“He admires his ideals.”

“He said so?”

“How else would I know it to be true?” Her mother’s mouth curved in wry amusement but there was challenge in her straightforward gaze. “So tell me, daughter, how far are you willing to go to satisfy your duty and protect that subversive young male you just kissed so passionately? Should Kartel agree to all the marriage terms, you will be his by tonight. I understand from his envoy he wishes to meet with you as soon as our interview is over. What happens next, for all three of you and Anasta, is in your hands.”

Chapter Three

The princess received him alone in her private quarters, the sumptuous formal area done in pale greens and soft yellows. She’d changed out of the casual gown he’d seen her wearing on the monitor into a more elegant dress of a filmy gold material that draped her shapely figure but, in his opinion, didn’t rival her shining blonde hair, loose and straight in a lustrous fall down her back. Emerald green eyes, exotically shaped and framed by long lashes, regarded him in a straightforward way, and she rose as he entered and extended her hand in a polite gesture, a conciliatory smile on her soft lips.

Marc felt it instantly. An affinity, an unusual rush of attraction that gave him pause because, though he’d known she was beautiful and intelligent, he hadn’t expected…
this
.

He knew everything about her. Bloodlines, education, the activities she enjoyed when not fulfilling her role as her mother’s heir, the type of foods she preferred, her taste in music and art…he was meticulous when it came to gathering information and she was no exception. One thing he had learned was that Jayla had strong feelings about not making a life commitment based on political advantage.

He took her hand and kissed it per Anasta protocol, and then smiled back. The difference was, his smile was sincere.

Females normally liked his smile and her striking beauty made it easy.

“It is my privilege to meet you, Princess.”

“Ambassador,” she acknowledged, her tone neutral. “Welcome to Anasta.”

“I hope I
am
welcome,” he said softly, still clasping her fingers, amused to see her lovely eyes widen at his forthright comment. “When alliances like ours are proposed, sometimes the parties involved are not consulted on their personal feelings. Please feel free to be honest with me.”

For a moment she didn’t move, and then she laughed lightly. “I see your time in the diplomatic service for Minoa served you well. Would you like to sit?”

“Whatever you wish.” He released her hand and watched as she sank gracefully into a soft chair. He took one nearby, but not the one next to her, choosing a distance he hoped would make her comfortable. A dominating male with superior height could make a female feel intimidated and it was the last thing he wanted. As her consort he would help her administer the affairs of her planet, and he hoped she would view him in the light of a wise advisor, a fellow ruler, and not as a male who wished to take over and overshadow her rights as sovereign.

I wouldn’t mind ruling your body however
…

His senses were alert, tantalized by her presence, by the sweet scent of her, the luscious curves he could see under the thin material of her gown, the opulence of her allure palpable. Even if there were no political advantages to it, he would be attracted to her.

Jayla murmured, “My mother said you wished to talk to me privately.”

“Yes. Tell me about Le Clerc.”

A delicate blush touched her face. “You saw us. I’m sorry.”

“Everyone saw that kiss,” he said in a dry tone. “And there really is no need to apologize since I assume you didn’t wish an audience in the first place.”

“Of course not,” she said quickly.

Does he know
?

Did he know what? That the kiss was a performance? He would never jump to that conclusion, except he had inherited his father’s skill at reading the emotions of others, and though his insight wasn’t quite as acute, it still served him well and he had the impression she had just lied to him.

More important, she felt guilty for lying. Defiant, but still contrite. Interesting. She had spirit,
and
morals.

Marc leaned back in his chair, relaxed but watchful. “So how involved are you? Enough to preclude us from further discussion? I’m here at your mother’s request, and that of the Universal Council. But your opinion is crucial. I don’t have to stay if it is pointless.”

Eyes of the purest green gazed at him and she faltered, “I…I don’t know.”

I should tell him how I feel about Damon, but
…

Good. She was attracted to him. He could feel it, and it confused her. “If you don’t know, it isn’t pointless. Now then, tell me about Le Clerc. Are you fucking him?”

The shocked look on her face was priceless and he raised his brows. “It seems like a natural question for me to ask if I am supposed to take you as my life partner.”

She recovered with remarkable poise. “Perhaps you could have put it differently, Ambassador. Where is that legendary tact?”

He grinned. “Ah, but then I wouldn’t get to see you turn that particular shade of red. I am not stuck constantly on etiquette anyway, no matter what my role for Minoa might be.”

Her brow knitted. “You’re teasing me?”

“Maybe, but I’m serious also.” Marc modulated his tone. “This seems like the perfect time for us to get to know more about each other. This proposed union is for the Federation and hopefully will be to the advantage of everyone else, but it is personal for you and me. So…are the two of you lovers?”

It took a moment, but she shook her head. “No.”

Not because Le Clerc didn’t want her, though. Marc had seen that easily enough. “Would you mate with him if given the opportunity?”

“That’s an extremely personal question, Ambassador.”

“Yes, it is,” he agreed pleasantly, “but in my position, wouldn’t you ask it? Your deep emotional tie to Le Clerc may also affect me. S-species females are not required to limit themselves to one lover, but on the other hand, if the two she chooses do not like each other, there is almost always trouble.”

He watched the fleeting succession of emotions on her delicate features. She made a small helpless gesture with her hand. “I will be honest and say before today, I would have told you no. Now…I don’t know. My mother seems to feel you can help him extricate himself from his current imprisonment. I
will
say if you could, I would be grateful.”

Marc knew she and Damon had been friends since childhood, growing up in the palace together, sharing tutors, so he wasn’t really surprised over her concern. “I think his ideas are exceptionally progressive but his tactics misguided.” He paused. “Tell me, since you know him well, can his considerable energy be channeled the right direction or does he crave dissention?”

“Crave dissention? Absolutely not. He wants reform, but neither his father nor my mother is ready to take on the battle of change.” She stiffened upright as she spoke emphatically.

Good. Not only was that what he wanted to hear, but her movement made the luscious curves of her breasts sway under the material of her gown. “That’s promising,” he responded, his gaze lingering on where her nipples made small points under the concealing cloth, the double entendre hanging between them. She was aware of him as a male.

No, he decided as he noted her delicate blush at his overt perusal. Even if he hadn’t asked and already knew the answer, he could tell Le Clerc wasn’t her bedmate. Her uncertainty radiated outward, a definite signal of virginity.

“They don’t use his talents,” she said with endearing loyalty, “and because he has gotten into trouble here on Anasta, no one else is willing to take him seriously either.”

“Not true.” Marc recalled his conversation with his father before he left. “Minoa isn’t blind to his radical approach to some of the problems that have plagued us since we structured our government years ago. That’s part of the reason I am here. You want amnesty for Le Clerc. Your mother wants strong ties for Anasta to the most powerful colony in the Federation. I want the opportunity to take what is already a strong planet and make it into a universal power. Shall we negotiate?”