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"And the males? Do they approve of their females displaying themselves so... generously?"

She smiled, recognizing the jealousy lurking beneath his question. "Crestek females have their pick of men, Ambassador. As you know, there are fewer of us due to the illness that took so many females from both our populations. Many Crestek females take multiple lovers, even the ones with mates. It's not uncommon."

Zexx growled low in his throat, the sound so possessive that she felt it resonate through her body. He stepped closer, his hands finding her waist through the thin fabric of her gown.

"I do not wish for you to take any lover but me," he said, his thumbs tracing small circles on her hips.

She laughed softly, delighted by his reaction despite herself. "I won't. I'm far too busy to manage multiple males." Then, more seriously, she added, "But I'm pleased you want me for yourself."

"Want? No, Linnea." His grip tightened slightly. “Desire. Need. Crave. These are better words."

She wasn't accustomed to such raw possessiveness from men. Crestek males tended to approach relationships with cool practicality, knowing they were easily replaced in a female's affections and could hardly demand exclusivity. But this primal side of Zexx—this absolute certainty that she was his and his alone—stirred something equally primitive within her.

"Thank you for agreeing to this reception," she said, changing the subject before she could be tempted to suggest they skip the party entirely. "I know you would not choose a party for the elites.”

“This approach seems... inefficient," he admitted. “Mingling with a few dozen highborns rather than showing myself to hundreds of citizens."

She smoothed a non-existent wrinkle from his cloak. "Trust me. If we can win over the upper class, the rest of the Cresteks will follow. They may not admit it, but they take their cues from the elite. Besides, this controlled setting allows us to present you as sophisticated and cultured—not the savage barbarian they expect."

Zexx raised an eyebrow. "And that is what you want? For me to appear tamed?"

"For tonight, yes," she said, meeting his gaze. "Play the role of the civilized diplomat, and tomorrow I'll personally take you through the market quarter where the people can see you."

The door opened without warning, and K’Nar entered, stopping short when he saw Zexx already in her chambers. His eyes darted between them, calculation evident in his expression.

"Chancellor, the guests are arriving," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "It's time."

She stepped back from Zexx, smoothing her gown. "The Dothvek ambassador came to escort me to the reception," she explained, though she doubted K’Nar believed the convenient lie.

"How... chivalrous," her adjunct responded dryly.

The three of them departed her chambers and ascended the final spiral toward the rooftop. As they climbed, she sensed Zexx's growing tension. For a warrior accustomed to open spaces and the endless horizon of the sands, the confines of the tower must have been suffocating. At least the reception would offer him sky and stars, if not the comfort of his desert home.

They emerged onto the rooftop terrace, and even she, who had attended countless such gatherings, was momentarily struck by the spectacle. Lanterns hung from delicate chains, casting warm golden light across the assembled guests. The night air carried the heavy scent of exotic perfumes, mingling with the aroma of spiced wine and the subtle incense burning in ornate braziers. Musicians played a lilting melody on stringed instruments in the corner, the notes rising and falling like water.

The Crestek elite had outdone themselves tonight, their attire more elaborate and revealing than usual, as if determined to assert their cultural superiority to their Dothvek guest. Females in gauzy gowns similar to hers floated among males in richly embroidered robes, all of them wearing the carefully constructed expressions of people accustomed to political maneuvering.

The chatter ceased abruptly as they stepped fully into view. Every head turned, every eye fixed on Zexx, who stood tall and uncompromising beside her despite the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Distinguished guests," she called, her voice carrying across the suddenly silent terrace. "It is my honor to introduce Ambassador Zexx of the Dothvek clan, representative of Kyrana, their esteemed leader. He comes to us in the spirit of peace and cooperation. I trust you will make him welcome."

The silence stretched for a heartbeat too long, then broke suddenly as several females moved forward almost as one, their expressions transforming from wary assessment to predatory interest.

"Ambassador," purred a female in a gown of deep purple that barely covered her dusky nipples. "How fascinating to meet a real Dothvek. You must tell me everything about life on the sands."

"Is it true that Dothvek males only take one mate?” asked another, her fingers boldly stroking the fabric of his cloak. “I hope you would not limit yourself here.”

A third female, bolder still, slipped between the others to offer Zexx a goblet of wine, her body pressed unnecessarily close to his as she did so. "I've heard the most extraordinary things about Dothvek stamina," she murmured, just loudly enough for Linnea to hear.

She watched as Zexx was surrounded, separated from her by a circle of Crestek females who eyed him like a delicacy they couldn't wait to sample. He handled their attention with surprising grace, his responses measured and diplomatic even as his eyes occasionally sought hers over their heads.

"The plan seems to be working better than we hoped," K’Nar whispered beside her, a note of satisfaction in his voice. "The females, at least, appear to find our barbarian ambassador quite... acceptable."

She took a long sip of the wine a servant had handed her, feeling the sweet liquid burn a path down her throat. Zexx was now being introduced to several council members, their initial wariness giving way to curiosity as they engaged him in conversation. Every few moments, one of the females would touch his arm or laugh too loudly at something he said, their intentions as transparent as the fabric of her gown.

"You don’t regret your decision, do you, Chancellor?”

Linnea started at the female voice now at her side. She managed a smile at the female attendant. “Zelina, you’re working this event?”