That was the typical reaction he’d gotten as he’d wandered about the ship. After muttered insults and scowls, the Draconians left him alone. In contrast to the trip from Earth in which he, Helena, and Patsy had been virtual prisoners, this time he wasn’t confined to his cabin and was free to explore. Other than the sheer size of passages, cabins, and chambers, there wasn’t much to see. Solid gray-green without even doors to break the monotony, decks and passages were indistinguishable from one another.
Henry gnawed off another bite of his now-cold pizza and wondered what it really was. He was examining a circle of “pepperoni” when the background chatter cut out, as if someone had flipped a switch to silent. Almost in sync, heads turned.
The last person he expected to see had entered the dining room. What is she doing here? Sharp dismay and heated elation roiled.
O’ne’s long colorless tresses flowed into her white dress, her gown and hair half in the chamber, half out. A massive amber diamond pendant flashed around her neck, the hue matching the color of her exotic eyes.
He forced down the half-chewed artificial pizza.
Heavy chairs scraped the floor as dragons dashed out, as if a fire alarm had been tripped. Entire groups sprang to their feet and fled, not bothering to clear their lunch dishes.
The priestess moved deeper into the mess hall, motivating the diners to greater haste.
Within seconds, they were alone.
And the tugging sensation increased exponentially. Or maybe it was a pushing sensation. Whatever, it was hot, and it curled and twisted inside him, growing, burgeoning, reaching for her. Bemused, confused, he rose to his feet, wondering if he should clear out like the others. Why had they fled? Wasn’t the priestess their most revered being?
Her yellow eyes flashed blue for a split second.
“Was it something I said?” he joked.
Chapter Five
This is how you avoid him, by seeking him out? the dragoness scolded. Dallying with a human is beneath us! The others run in fear, but he stands in brazen ignorant arrogance. He should pay for his disrespect. A kiss of fire would teach him.
He is friends with my daughter, who is the mate of Prince T’mar. As such, he is under the king’s protection.
The king’s business is the king’s. Ours is ours.
I do not wish to talk to you about this.
You planned to seek him out! came the accusation. You knew he would be on this ship.
Yes, but she’d managed to convince herself she’d keep her distance until she’d boarded and H’ry’s smell, his human masculine musk like deep woods, leather, like Earth itself, had washed over her. Exotic, unDraconian. Alluring. What would be the harm in seeing him? With the Draconian temple decommissioned, and the Elemental one not yet consecrated, she’d been granted a respite from her duties. It wouldn’t hurt to speak to him.
With a diffidence she didn’t feel and her dragoness yammering, she approached. She foundered for something to say. “You must be excited to be returning to Earth.”
“Well, there’s been a change in plans.” A bemused smile curved his full mouth, entrancing her with the movement of his lips, the flash of blunt white teeth. “The president told me I can’t go home yet.” He canted his head. “I got the impression you’d be remaining on Draco for a while.”
“Last-minute decision.”
He hesitated. “I went to the temple to see you. Several times.”
“I know.”
The undressed admission hung there, seemingly another rebuff of his interest.
She caught a whiff of peppery embarrassment, and redness crept into his cheeks.
“Well, that’s that. I’ll stay out of your way on Elementa.” He pushed his chair in and strode away like everyone else.
They all left. She was the most revered dragon in all of Draco, and humans were the most despised species in the galaxy, but Draconians would prefer to eat lunch with a human rather than her. It was the way it needed to be. Nothing should distract her from her service. Not companionship, nor love, nor selfish desires.
Muscles rippled as his long-legged gait carried him away.
“What were you eating?” she called.
“It was supposed to be pizza.” He kept walking.
Eons ago, she’d eaten Earth food, various animals hunted and trapped then charred over fire. Roots and nuts, berries and other fruits. An interesting diet that took getting used to but that wasn’t unpalatable once you did.
The exit opened in the wall.
“Is pizza good?”
He spun around. His eyes blazed, and she caught the sour odor of anger. “What do you want from me, Priestess?” His emphasis on her title sounded like a curse
She dropped her head and twisted her hands. “Conversation.”
He sighed and then returned to stand before her. “What do you want to talk about?” he asked, his rough voice gentle.
She looked up into eyes as blue as the Earth sky. A lock of hair fell across his forehead, begging to be brushed away. She curled her hands into fists to avoid the temptation. Dragons did not find humans attractive, but oh, he was. To her, he was.
Her heart hammered, adding to the burning heaviness in her chest. She tore her gaze away from his and alighted on his uneaten meal. “Pizza maybe?”
He chuckled, twin dimples denting cheeks attractively shadowed by dark hair. Was it as prickly as it appeared? The humans she’d encountered eons ago had had full beards, thick and matted, tangled with twigs, leaves, and food.
“Have you eaten? Would you care to try it?” H’ry asked.
“Yes—I mean, no, I haven’t eaten, and yes, I’d like to try it.”
“I’ll get you a fresh slice. Mine has gone cold. Pizza is best served hot, although some people do eat cold pizza.”
“Are you not going to finish yours? You can reheat it
