Page 43 of Right on Time

“If you’re referring to Dr. Variel of the Multitude Horn Clan, he’s legit.” Lady Trixie stopped at the foot of Nitiel’s bed, hands on her hips and taking long gulps of air. “Fucking hell, I should do more cardio, or I’ll be a patient here soon. I thought sweaty sex several times a day was enough exercise, but I stay corrected.”

Nitiel cleared his throat. Such intimate details were not to be shared in public and in the presence of a lady. What Vrixiel was up to when in his private quarters was not for Loe’s ears. “Where is your niel, Lady Trixie? There are matters of importance I need to discuss with him.”

“My man is busy with the Commander now. With… stuff. He told me to tell you to stay in bed, Subcommander Nitiel, and to leave my friend in my care.”

Nitiel’s brows flew to his hairline. “I’m expected to let you protect Lady Loe? Right after a trained soldier failed to keep her safe?”

Loe rolled her eyes, and Lady Trixie snorted. “There is no danger where I’ll take her. She has had too many stressful situations already for me to add another. My girl here deserves to see a Gaenthian ball, does she not?”

“A ball?” Nitiel and Loe said almost simultaneously.

“That’s right. It’s organized by Millie’s niel to satisfy her princess fantasies, just like last week's ball. But it’s how typical Gaenthian cocktails truly look like. Sounds fun, yes?”

Loe bit her bottom lip. “I’m not sure I want to leave Nitiel.”

“Sure you do. He is recovering, so why stay here and die of boredom when you can go see how Gaenthians party?”

“I don’t know… I…” Loe met Nitiel’s gaze, a silent plea in her eyes.

Nitiel knew what she wanted. She wanted him to ask her to stay, to finish their conversation, to simply stay together, be it in the medical bay. He craved the same.

“Lady Trixie has a point, Lady Loe.” Every word hurt as he said it, but Nitiel could not give in to his hearts’ wishes. He had thought himself strong enough to resist temptation while staying next to Loe, and what had happened? His weakness had nearly resulted in her death. He had to be strong now. “A ball should be entertaining to a Terran. Go and have fun. I’ll be sleeping, no need to keep me company.”

Loe’s hesitant look turned stormy. She was on to him, the smart female that she was.

“We won’t be long,” Lady Trixie noted.

“Actually, we will be long,” Loe said firmly, eyes on Nitiel as she stood up briskly. “My lord needs a long rest. That way, he will be fully rested when we resume our conversation.”

He winced inwardly, but he knew he had done the right thing. By the time she returned, they would both be more clear-minded. It would be easier to tell her the pleasure they had shared in the Arboretum was to be their last together.

In his case, it might be his last with a female. Because as he watched her leave and tried to imagine never seeing her again, he realized Loe already owned his upper heart.

CHAPTER 21

Butterflies on Crack

Chloe couldn’t believe her eyes. The view through the numerous illuminators along the right wall said she was in outer space, yet before her was a hall straight out of an 18th century European palace. Cue rows of Corinthian columns supporting a painted ceiling, a wall covered in tapestries, and women in ballroom gowns which each took space for two people. Had Chloe still been wearing her Cinderella gown, she would be feeling underdressed right now. Good thing Trixie had prepared an appropriate attire for Chloe to get changed in – a dress straight out of a fashion history museum, minus the heaviness thanks to the 3D-printed fabrics.

“What do you think, girl?”

“How?” was all Chloe could muster as she stood at the entrance and took in the mind-boggling sight.

Trixie snickered at Chloe’s slack-jawed look. “Holograms. This is actually a training hall where the soldiers practice hand-to-hand combat and shooting in various environments. Millie’s sweetheart, who is like an IT expert, has made sure the holograms tonight depict a Gaenthian ballroom. Can you imagine – while on Earth we’re having barbecues with our neighbors, these guys are having balls with theirs. Isn’t it insane?”

Chloe blinked. “You mean to tell me this interior does not depict a palace ballroom on Earth?”

“This is a traditional Gaenthian style from way back that they use to this very day on their home planet. It is European royalty who copied the style but pretended it was their idea to hide their contact with extraterrestrials from the general populace. Louis XIV was particularly influenced by Gaenthian fashion, by the way.”

“Oh.” Crazy indeed.

“What do you think of the men’s fashion?” Trixie asked with a twinkle in her eye.

“Uhh…” The knee-long kilt, the shirt of the same color as the kilt with the sleeves rolled up, and the fitted black vest managed to make the Gaenthians’ physique look even more impressive. But Chloe could only think of how devastating Nitiel would look in such a Highlander-style suit. He would be the most gorgeous male in the hall.

Trixie giggled. “Uh is right! I adore the way those vests accentuate the waistline and hug a guy like a lover. When I saw my boo bear in one last week, we ended up missing half the ball because I kept him at home for a looong time.” Another giggle. “In my defense, he also wore a shirt and kilt in red – the color of his clan – and with his green skin tone, he got me in the Christmas mood. I wanted all my presents, having been a good girl throughout the year.” Trixie winked.

“Oh, so the color of the kilt and shirt depends on the clan.” What color did Nitiel wear, then? Did he even go to such balls? Chloe felt the urge to go back to him and find out. About this and many other things. But he had sent her away, and she would not return to beg for his attention. She would stay here and enjoy the evening.

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