Page 5 of Gifted to the Alien Prince

KAJAL OPERA HOUSE

I never walked a red carpet anywhere in my life. Tonight, when we arrived at the opera house, I had my first stroll. And my first stumble walking into the building.

Prince Thadron had my arm, and managed to catch me before I could make a swan dive for the floor. “Isa, are you alright?” His voice came out measured and cool as always, though I noticed he did turn his full attention on me.

“I’m good.” I squared my shoulders. “Now that I managed to trip on an invisible step in flat shoes, we’re free to enjoy the evening.”

The little glint in his eyes returned. “Your humor is different.”

“That’s a gentle way of putting it.” I walked with him past the door.

“It makes me curious.” Before I could ask about that statement, he moved on. “I don’t think anyone else noticed that you tripped. You caught yourself gracefully.”

“Well, your grip made my little trip a slight stumble instead of a big face plant.”

His touch immediately lightened. “I didn’t realize. Am I hurting you?”

I shook my head, aware again how those little warm and cool sparks danced between us. They also lingered on my arm where we touched. “I guess we should see all who’s here.”

A fleeting bored look zipped across his features before he made his angular face unreadable again. “We should. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long evening.”

I hoped not. I still hadn’t packed for Glaciara.

For an hour, we mingled with the other guests. A server pushed a glass of something light and bubbly in my hand. Thedelicate chime of fine crystal and the murmur of voices swirled around me as I navigated the grand ballroom of the opera house with Thadron. The prince kept his politeness, talking with the dignitaries of various planets with an ease that was the opposite of his true feelings.

"Prince Thadron, you must tell us about the Starlight Songs on your planet," exclaimed an excitable ambassador from Helikios, a neighboring nebula.

"Ah, yes," Thadron replied, the slightest curl at the edge of his lips betraying his disdain for the topic. "It's an old tradition, maybe even a little childlike. Singing outside among the stars on a winter night, as if they have ears to listen."

“That sounds a little like caroling,” I remarked, hoping to appear engaged in the conversation.

The other ambassador flapped his long yellow ears. “What is that?”

“It’s when people on Earth sing festive songs during holidays. Some of us do it for Christmas.”

Thadron’s eyes were on me again instead of the ambassador from Helikios. “And what is Christmas?” His voice carried the slightest trace of interest.

I gave a quick description for him and the other ambassador. “Besides singing, we like to give gifts, decorate a tree, sometimes eat too many cookies.”

“Cookies.” The Helikios ambassador laughed, rubbing his belly as his ears flapped. “Now that I can get behind.”

We shared a chuckle. Thadron’s face remained neutral. He finished his drink. “I think I’ll have another glass. Would you like one, Isa? Ambassador?”

I was still halfway through my glass. The ambassador declined. “I have to save room for dinner. There might be Christmas cookies later.” He patted me on the shoulder beforehe excused himself to go wave down another diplomat who strolled towards him.

I sighed with relief, glad I made a good impression. Thadron’s retreating figure may have been another story. I followed him as he took the opportunity to walk to the hors d’oeuvres table. He set his empty glass on a silver tray. “I’m still adjusting to the time difference on this planet. It’s the middle of the night on Glaciara.”

“I understand. No worries.” I finished my drink.

“And I don’t like small talk,” he added, lowering his voice as other dignitaries brushed by the table.

“I know.”

Thadron shot a quick glance my way. “How?”

I traced the rim of my glass with a fingertip. “I overheard you telling someone on your com link when you were in my shop.”

“I was talking to Cryostrum, the royal advisor. You’ll meet him soon.” A flicker of distaste crossed his face, gone so soon I almost missed it.

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