Page 23 of Taken By the Naga King

“Azha, Gravon told us that you were born on Noxxa. How are you enjoying Nirum compared to your home planet?” the one called Neptus asked her.

“I think it’s safe to say that I like Nirum a lot more. Everything here is just so unique and beautiful. I can see why the Niri don’t allow many outside visitors.”

Neptus nodded, satisfied with her answer.

“And who might you two be?” a different Naga asked, his eyes on Vespira and Xenia.

Xenia looked too shy to answer, so Vespira spoke for the both of them.

“I’m Vespira, and this is Xenia. We are friends of Azha’s.”

Azha was glad that Vespira had not introduced themselves as her servants.

“It appears she is in good company. I’m Azurite, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Azurite,” Vespira said. She showed the proper amount of respect, but Azha could tell she was interested in the Naga by the way she eyed him. And judging by how he was staring right back, so was he.

Azha hid her smile and turned to Gravon, who was already watching her with a satisfied expression.

“What should I try first?” she asked him, looking at all the food in front of them.

“Start with this bread. It is unlike any bread on the entire planet.”

“You say that about everything,” she teased him.

“And have I been wrong yet?”

“No,” she admitted.

The eight of them ate their dinner, happily engaging in conversation. It was obvious to her that everyone at the table was accepting of her relationship with the king. But she could still feel some less than approving eyes on her as she ate.

Two hours later, everyone moved from the dining room into the adjacent ballroom. Servants floated around the room on what looked like actual clouds, handing out cocktails.

“Are you okay on your own for a bit?” Gravon asked. “One of my advisors would like a word with me.”

“Of course! As long as I can dance with you when you’re back.”

“You can count on it,” he said, placing a kiss on the top of her head before winding through the crowd with another male Naga.

Azha looked around, spotting most of the guests already dancing while some stood around the dance floor, watching and chatting. Vespira and Xenia were nearby, talking to the males they had just had dinner with.

“Cocktail?” a servant asked her. She silently shook her head, and he moved on to someone else.

“She’s beautiful,” a lady nearby said.

“She is, but what does beauty mean if she cannot carry a clutch and produce an heir?” another Naga replied.

“I completely agree.”

Her face went cold. They were talking about her.

She had said something similar to Gravon when he had told her they were mates, and he had assured her it wasn’t an issue. But if these Naga were wondering the same thing, maybe he had lied.

Azha turned and walked away, not wanting to hear anything more that could potentially hurt her feelings. She kept walking, not knowing where she was heading.

“Azha?” a voice said.

She turned to see a female Naga she didn’t recognize approaching her. The Naga stopped and bowed before closing the rest of the distance.

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