Page 15

FIFTEEN

B ess walked toward Charov down the royal wing corridor, her heart fluttering in her chest like a trapped bird. The Nova Auroran dress she had chosen—a deep emerald that matched her eyes—whispered against her curves. She had let her hair down in loose waves and applied a shimmery powder, along with other makeup in her bathroom, to her skin that gave her an otherworldly glow.

Charov’s eyes darkened when he saw her, his posture shifting from tense discussion with the royal doctor to something more primal. He dismissed the doctor with a curt nod and moved toward her with fluid grace.

“You look stunning,” he murmured, taking her hand in his. His thumb traced circles on her palm, sending shivers up her arm. “My father is eager to meet you.”

“I hope I don’t disappoint,” Bess whispered, suddenly nervous. Meeting the king of an alien territory hadn’t exactly been on her agenda when she’d woken up on Earth days ago.

“Impossible.” Charov’s voice dropped lower, the rumble in his chest almost like a purr. His eyes traced her figure appreciatively. “He’ll adore you as much as—” He stopped himself, clearing his throat. “This way.”

Charov pushed open the ornate double doors, keeping her hand firmly in his as they entered the royal chambers. The room was vast yet intimate with tall windows letting in streams of golden light that played across the massive four-poster bed where King Sawyr reclined against a mountain of pillows.

Despite his obvious illness—the pallor beneath his skin, the thinness of his once-powerful frame—there was an undeniable regality to him. Queen Zyre sat at his bedside, her elegant fingers intertwined with his.

“Father,” Charov announced, his voice softening with affection, “may I present Bess Campos of Earth.”

King Sawyr’s eyes—the same striking blue as his son’s—lit up. “So, this is the woman who has my son jumping from aircraft again.”

Bess felt her cheeks warm. “It was my first time skydiving, Your Majesty. I hope I didn’t encourage any royal misbehavior.”

The king’s laughter transformed his face, years falling away in an instant. “Oh, I like this one, Charov.”

“As do I,” Charov replied, his hand moving to the small of Bess’s back, steady and possessive.

Queen Zyre smiled knowingly. “Come closer, dear. My husband has been pestering me with questions about you since we heard of your arrival.”

Bess approached the bed, sinking into a curtsy that she hoped looked graceful rather than awkward. “I’m honored to meet you, Your Majesty.”

“Tell me about Earth,” King Sawyr requested, gesturing for her to sit in the chair beside his bed. “What sort of kingdom did you rule?”

Bess nearly choked. “Oh, I’m not royalty. I was just a regular person—an insurance clerk.”

“Insurance?” The king tilted his head. “Explain this occupation.”

“Well,” Bess began, settling into the conversation, “when people suffer losses or damages, I helped determine what compensation they’re entitled to.” She didn’t mention the soul-crushing monotony, the ungrateful boss, or the canceled dates.

“Ah,” King Sawyr nodded sagely, “so you dispensed justice and mercy. A noble calling.”

Bess had never thought of her job that way. “I suppose I did, in a small way.”

The king’s eyes twinkled. “And what do you think of our Charov? Has he shown you a proper Nova Auroran welcome?”

“Father,” Charov warned, his hand tightening on Bess’s shoulder.

“Your son saved a group of children today,” Bess answered, looking up at Charov with genuine admiration. “He didn’t hesitate before shifting into his magnificent bear and facing down those beasts. It was incredible.”

King Sawyr beamed with pride. “He will make a fine king.”

“The finest,” Bess agreed, surprising herself with how much she meant it. She felt Charov’s eyes on her, intense and searching.

Suddenly, the chamber doors swung open. Gerri swept in, wearing a sleek silver pantsuit that caught the fading sunlight. Despite her small stature, her presence filled the room like a force of nature.

“Your Majesty,” Gerri performed a slight bow with a flourish, “I see you’re looking more vibrant today.”

King Sawyr’s eyes crinkled with genuine pleasure. “The matchmaker herself! Come closer, Gerri Wilder.”

Bess watched in fascination as Gerri approached the royal bed with the confidence of an old friend. Charov stood behind Bess, his large hand still resting possessively on her shoulder, his thumb occasionally brushing the sensitive skin at the nape of her neck. Each touch sent delicious sparks cascading down her spine.

“You’ve outdone yourself this time,” King Sawyr proclaimed, reaching for Gerri’s hand. “This Earth woman is everything my son needs.”

Bess felt her cheeks flush hot with embarrassment and pleasure. Charov’s fingers tightened slightly on her shoulder.

“I believe you mean everything I want, Father,” Charov corrected, his deep voice rumbling through Bess’s body like distant thunder. The possessiveness in his tone made Bess’s stomach flip with a heady mixture of desire and nervousness.

“Our kingdom will be forever indebted to you, Gerri Wilder.” King Sawyr gestured weakly to Queen Zyre, who produced an ornate wooden box from beside the bed. “Please, accept this token of our gratitude.”

The queen opened the box, revealing glittering gold coins nestled in dark velvet. Bess’s eyes widened. Even she could tell this was no small sum.

Gerri shook her head, her white bob swaying gently. “You know my policy, Your Majesty. I never accept payment for matters of the heart.”

Bess blinked in surprise. Who turned down what had to be a fortune in alien gold?

“Then what would you have of us?” the king asked.

Gerri’s eyes momentarily flashed golden—so quickly that Bess thought she might have imagined it. “Continue to rule with a fair hand and an eye toward those in need. That’s all I ask.”

The sincerity in the matchmaker’s voice made Bess’s throat tighten. She was beginning to understand why everyone treated Gerri with such reverence.

The king nodded solemnly. “You have my word.”

A knock at the door preceded the royal doctor’s entrance. The stern-faced man took one look at King Sawyr and frowned. “Your Majesty needs rest now. All visitors must leave.”

Charov stiffened behind Bess, his entire body radiating tension. She instinctively reached back, placing her hand over his where it rested on her shoulder. The simple gesture seemed to calm him, his muscles relaxing slightly under her touch.

“Come, dear,” Gerri said to Bess, “let’s give the family some privacy.”

As Bess rose, Charov caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “I won’t be long,” he murmured against her knuckles, his breath warm against her skin. His eyes—intense, searching, hungry—held hers with an almost predatory focus.

Bess nodded, barely trusting herself to speak with those piercing blue eyes locked on hers. She followed Gerri toward the door on unsteady legs, feeling Charov’s gaze on her back like a physical caress.

Once outside the king’s royal chambers, Bess took a deep breath. The emerald dress clung to her curves as she leaned against the cool stone wall, trying to process everything.

Gerri sidled up beside her, those keen eyes missing nothing. “So? How’d it go today with our bear prince? He seems rather taken with you.”

“I took your advice,” Bess admitted, unable to suppress the smile that blossomed across her face. “I let my fun side out. We went skydiving, Gerri. Skydiving! On an alien planet!” She shook her head in disbelief. “Three days ago, I was canceling a mediocre date to process insurance claims, and today I jumped out of an aircraft strapped to a bear shifter prince.”

“Life comes at you fast, sugar.” Gerri’s laugh tinkled like wind chimes.

“The thing is...” Bess lowered her voice, “I’m actually getting to know the real Charov. Not just the polite prince, but the man underneath. And he wants to know the real me too.” Her fingers traced the intricate embroidery on her sleeve. “But this is all still so strange. Shouldn’t I be back on Earth right now, handling my life? Finding another insurance job?”

Gerri’s eyes flashed golden. “Is that really what you want , Bess? More canceled dates and ungrateful bosses?”