Page 29 of Zinnia and the Zombie (Alien Abduction #26)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“ P erhaps you’d like to see my garden?” the First Consort asked Zinnia after Jaxx and the Emperor had left.

“I would love that, Your Majesty,” she said nervously.

The other woman gave her a mischievous smile as she rose to her feet and shrugged off the heavy embroidered robe. She looked even younger without it, and Zinnia found herself relaxing again as the other woman gave her a friendly smile.

“Just call me Ella. This way.”

The huge guard at the back of the room gave her a suspicious look before stepping aside so that Ella could lead her through a concealed door into what was clearly a private area of the palace.

The rooms were still luxurious but much simpler and decorated in soft, soothing colors.

She followed Ella out onto a veranda overlooking another garden before the other woman turned and smiled at her.

“What do you think?”

She’d been expecting more of the cold, manicured perfection, but this garden was completely different—plants and flowers tumbled together in a wild profusion like some kind of exotic cottage garden.

It was far from perfect—several of the varieties were in desperate need of pruning and there were odd bare patches in the moss—but it appealed to her far more.

“This is wonderful,” she said sincerely.

“Thank you. I enjoy working on it, although I don’t get to spend as much time out here as I’d like.” The mischievous smile reappeared. “Our gardener doesn’t really approve, but he’s resigned to it by now. Would you like me to show you around?”

She nodded eagerly. She quickly discovered that the other woman had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of plants although Ella admitted her choices were based on impulse rather than science.

“My goal is artfully random, although I suspect it’s more random than artful. But I think that makes it easier for Karthajin to relax out here.”

“It must be hard to be an Emperor,” she said sympathetically. The thought of being surrounded by all the rigid formality, the overbearing luxury, and the constant scrutiny horrified her.

“He was brought up in this world so he accepts it, but he also appreciates the chance to escape it for a little while.”

She nodded and bent down over a bush with creamy pink flowers and a subtle scent that reminded her of a gardenia. Was the bush she’d planted outside her bedroom blooming by now, she wondered with a sudden surge of nostalgia.

“Do you miss Earth?” she asked curiously.

“I don’t really remember it. I was taken when I was a child.” Ella shook her head at her horrified gasp. “They were after Faith—I just happened to be there. I ended up with a very kind Kaisarian couple so I grew up here. Kaisar is much more my home than Earth. Do you miss it?”

“A few things—a few people, I suppose—but on the whole no. Jaxx offered to look but I would rather be with him.”

“I suspect it depends on how happy you were on Earth. My friend Deb had a big family and she still misses them.”

“Could she go back?”

Ella shrugged.

“It could have been arranged, but she’s mated to one of Karthajin’s cousins and they have children.”

Her pulse quickened.

“Children? Does that mean?—”

“Mama!” Before she could continue a young boy came marching through the garden towards them. Despite the scowl on his face, he was a miniature replica of Karthajin. Or not so miniature, she realized as he joined them. Even though he was obviously very young, he was almost as tall as Ella already.

“Bethie says they’re leaving already. Make Father tell them to stay.”

“We have this conversation every time, Dar. A good ruler does not give commands simply to satisfy his own desires. Bethie’s parents want to spend time with the rest of their family.”

“She doesn’t have to go with them,” he said pugnaciously and Ella sighed.

“I’m sure she wants to be with her family.” She shook her head when he opened his mouth again. “In case you didn’t notice, I have a guest, Dar. Where are your manners? Zinnia, this is my son, Prince Darthajin.”

The transformation was so fast it was almost comical. The scowling young boy disappeared, replaced by a dignified young prince who bore an even more striking resemblance to the Emperor as he turned to her and bowed.

“Please forgive the interruption, Mistress Zinnia.”

She smiled at him. “That’s all right. I understand you had important matters to discuss with your mother.”

“Indeed.” He couldn’t quite hide his curiosity. “You are human as well, are you not?”

“Indeed,” she echoed, and he gave her a charming smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Darthajin.”

“And you, Mistress Zinnia.” He turned back to Ella. “Can Bethie spend the night? And her brothers,” he added as an obvious afterthought.

“If her mother approves.”

“She will,” he said confidently and raced away.

Ella watched him go, then gave Zinnia a rueful smile.

“In case you couldn’t tell, my son is very… devoted to the daughter of one of Karthajin’s advisors.”

“Is that a problem?”

“She’s also human, which means the court would not be pleased. Karthajin and I would support whatever decision he made, but we’re both aware that it would make his life more difficult. I thought he might grow out of it, but it doesn’t seem to be happening.”

“Her mother is also human?”

“Yes, as is Tanaca’s wife.”

She found the idea that the cold formal male had a human wife difficult to imagine, and Ella must have read her expression because she laughed.

“I assure you she has him wrapped around her little finger. But neither she nor Sophie are particularly fond of palace life—which is another reason I worry about Bethie and Dar.”

“He’s still very young.”

“I know, but he’s his father’s son. He knows his own mind.”

“He looks exactly like Karthajin,” she said cautiously.

“And not like me, you mean?” Ella grinned at her. “More than one person at court has implied that he couldn’t possibly be mine, but I assure you I gave birth to him.”

“So humans and Kaisarians are compatible?”

“Human women seem to be compatible, as you put it, with a number of other races,” Ella said dryly. “Are you considering having a child?”

“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “Definitely not right now.”

And not here, she thought. If they had still been in their sunny apartment on Veridia Prime… She had a brief vision of a golden skin toddler playing hide and seek in the rooftop garden, but she pushed it away and shook her head.

“This is not the time. Jaxx wants to find his people. And if the Grorn are still looking for a Zathix, any child of ours might be in danger.”

Ella reached over and squeezed her hand.

“I know what it’s like to be targeted by religious fanatics. We will do everything we can to help.”

“Thank you,” she said sincerely.

They talked for a while longer before a discreet servant told Ella that the security meeting had concluded.

“Would you like to stay and share a meal with us or would you prefer to be alone with your mate?” Ella asked, then nodded knowingly when she hesitated. “I understand. It can all be a bit overwhelming. Another time.”

“Thank you,” she said gratefully. She’d been trying to think of a polite way to refuse.

A servant escorted her through a maze of corridors to a luxurious set of rooms arranged around a small, manicured garden, the pristine arrangement of moss and stone nothing like the wild chaos of Ella’s garden.

He provided a selection of food and drink and showed her how to contact him if she had any requests, then bowed politely and left.

A wave of nerves hit her as soon as she was alone, but she pushed it aside and decided to inspect the rooms instead.

A huge bed draped with gold silk dominated the bedroom and she wondered if they had been chosen specifically as a reference to Jaxx’s Zathix heritage.

She found a selection of male and female clothing behind a concealed panel.

All of the female clothing was her size and the servant had said that everything in the rooms was for their use so after a brief hesitation, she stripped off her borrowed coveralls and chose a long silk gown in a pretty shade of blue.

A bathing pool filled with gently steaming water had sliding screens that opened to the garden.

She briefly considered taking a bath but decided she’d rather wait for Jaxx.

Instead she returned to the sitting area, poured a glass of sweet-smelling liquid from a crystal decanter and picked at a selection of beautifully arranged finger foods as she waited for Jaxx.

A huge sigh of relief escaped when the door finally opened and his tall figure appeared. He looked just as relieved, his skin glowing a soft gold as he crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. She relaxed against him with a contented murmur, then smiled up at him.

“How was your meeting?”

“Interesting,” he said thoughtfully. “They are monitoring Grorn activity but not stopping them.”

“Why not?”

“They’re not breaking any laws.” He frowned. “From what I remember of the previous Emperor, he would have immediately eliminated anyone he saw as a threat to the Empire. Karthajin is different.”

“Is that bad?”

He sighed. “I think it makes him a better ruler and I would undoubtedly approve if the Grorn weren’t a direct threat to my people.”

Assuming he still had people. The unspoken words hung between them and she remembered her conversation with Ella.

“Do you want children, Jaxx?”

His skin blazed gold for a moment, but then he slowly shook his head.

“I think it’s too dangerous right now,” he said, echoing her earlier thoughts. “But if that threat is eliminated…” Gold shimmered over his skin again. “I can think of nothing I’d like more.”

He stroked a teasing thumb across her nipple and it instantly responded.

“Would your breasts grow larger?”

She gave a breathless laugh as she leaned into his touch.

“I suppose so. Why?”

“I find it hard to imagine that they could be even more delectable.”

She was about to respond when he bent and captured her mouth with his. It felt like days since they’d last touched each other and her body was already aching and demanding more.

“I missed you,” he murmured. “Even though I knew you were safe.”

“I missed you too.”

“Karthajin invited us to a state dinner tonight. Do you wish to attend?”

“Do we have to?” she asked in dismay.

“No. He made it clear it was optional.”

“Then I would much rather stay here.

“Good. Because I want you all to myself.”

He reached for her but she danced away. “You didn’t even notice my new dress.”

“It’s very pretty. Take it off.”

“There’s a whole wardrobe of clothing,” she teased. “Isn’t there something you’d like to see me in?”

She stepped back towards the bedroom, letting her hips sway slightly.

“Do you have a favorite outfit?”

He followed her into the bedroom and caught her before she could reach the bed. She heard the silk tear and then the pretty gown fluttered to her feet as he yanked her into his arms.

“Nothing,” he rumbled in her ear. “I prefer you in nothing at all.”

“Is that so?” She arched her back as his fingers slid down her belly.

“Definitely.” He slipped his hand between her thighs and a low growl rumbled in his chest when he discovered how wet she was. “You are already ready for me, aren’t you?”

“Always,” she gasped. “Jaxx, I need?—”

“I know what you need.”

He spun her around and pushed her face down on the bed, then gripped her hips and positioned her for him.

“Hold still,” he commanded.

She did as he said, biting her lip as his fingers continued to tease and stroke, sliding through her folds and circling her clit. Just when she thought she couldn’t take it any longer, he pressed his cock against her opening.

“Jaxx, please!”

His grip on her hips tightened and he thrust into her, filling her completely.

He began to move, his thick shaft dragging along her sensitized flesh and sending a delicious surge of heat through her.

His pace was relentless, each powerful thrust pushing her closer and closer to the edge.

Her legs began to shake, her muscles tightening as her body rushed towards release.

“I can feel how close you are,” he growled, his fingers tightening on her hips. “I love the way your body responds to me.”

“Jaxx,” she pleaded, her fingers clawing at the coverlet.

“Let go, my Zinnia. Give me your pleasure.”

His hips surged against her, pushing her even higher, until she could feel the tension building to an exquisite pitch. One last thrust, and her climax tore through her, her body convulsing around his as pleasure crashed through her.

“Zinnia,” he groaned, his voice rough.

He gripped her hips and pulled her harder against him, and she cried out again as a second, deeper orgasm exploded through her.

“My mate,” he growled.

“Yours,” she agreed breathlessly.

A final deep thrust, and his release spilled inside her, his cock pulsing against her sensitive flesh. She lay in a dazed sprawl as the tremors eased, and Jaxx bent down to press a kiss between her shoulder blades.

“Mine,” he repeated, his voice softer, and a surge of satisfaction rushed through her as she snuggled against him. A ruined city or an imperial palace—it didn’t matter as long as they had each other.