Ryker’s mouth quirks, his eyes expressive of humor.
The day turns into evening as the rover craft, at last, descends into Rakia. Out the window, I watch the lights of the golden palace and the many homes and buildings around it come into view. With the rover craft at a complete stop, the automated door opens and the stairs lower. The accompanying arms men form two parallel walls, laser guns raised and ready. Ryker takes the steps first, then outstretches a hand to assist me down the stairs. Hand in his arm and Kendrick on my left side, we walk ahead and meet a raven-haired man with russet eyes and creamy tan skin, dressed in a maroon uniform with the Rakia emblem of a gold lion head wearing a crown on his chest.
“King Ryker, Queen Fiora—King Salvatore is pleased you have arrived. I’m to escort you to the palace where our King and the royal party awaits you in his sitting room.”
“Thank you,” Ryker tells him, giving a short bow.
Following the man, we enter the golden palace, my eyes overwhelmed with the lavishness. White marble floors with gold accents decorate the floors. The walls are white as well with gold designs embedded in the hard material. Above us, the ceiling is made of glass with the moon and stars casting a warm glow over the golden statue at the center of the grand foyer. Around the golden statue of a naked man and woman embracing is a basin of water, and in it, three fountains spitting water in different directions, the streams creating graceful arches and a glistening mist.
“It’s stunning,” I say aloud.
The man leading us glances over his shoulder, giving an approving smile.
“Thank you, Your Highness. This way, please.”
Through a wide hallway, we’re led to a set of floor-to-ceiling double doors. They slide open and away from each other, revealing a great and open room with many colorful fabric chairs, pillows, a sizeable square, in-ground bath with vine plants and colorful flowers around the spa-like bath. To the left, on a raised platform, there is a gold throne where King Salvatore awaits us. He stands and approaches us, his height equal to the tall soldiers around him. Like the man in uniform, he has raven hair, chocolate eyes, and creamy tan skin. He’s wearing a maroon suit jacket with black trim, the gold Rakia emblem on his chest. Below it, he has black pants and shiny, clean shoes. Around his neck, he’s wearing a gold necklace with a sizeable charm of his territory emblem, a gold thick bracelet on his wrist, and two gold rings on each hand.
Ryker gives a polite bow to him as he nears. King Salvatore raises his hands in the air in a flamboyant gesture of enthusiasm.
“King Ryker, my favorite King of all,” he sing-songs.
“King Salvatore, thank you for welcoming us into your palace.” Hand on my lower back, he brings me forward a step. “Meet Queen Fiora Tridore of Anauka.”
Black goatee curling with his wayward grin, he places his hands on my arms, brings me forward, and kisses my mouth, lingering for longer than I expected. When he releases me, he steps to Ryker, doing the same to him, but not lingering as he did with me.
“She truly is a golden jewel,” he says to Ryker, yet staring at me like I’m a sculpture to be admired. “I’m pleased to have you both here.” With a glance to Kendrick, his smile widens. “And you, Prince Kendrick.”
Coming forward, King Salvatore embraces Kendrick, kissing him as well. A deep rumble of laughter comes from Kendrick’s chest.
“As always, it’s a pleasure.”
King Salvatore motions into the room, pointing at the other royals who are now standing.
“Come, let me introduce you to the royal party, Queen Fiora. They’re delighted to meet you.” Taking my hand, he places it on his arm, guiding me farther into the colorful and sensual room as he introduces me to his Royal Faction, one similar to ours in Anauka.
Thankfully, no one else kisses me on the mouth. The others kiss me on both cheeks, their smiles beaming as they stare at my eyes and glance at my cleavage. At the end of the line of royals, I’m introduced to King Salvatore’s wife and two mistresses. Hiding my shock, I accept the Queen’s kiss on my mouth and the cheek kisses of his mistresses. The women stare at me with different expressions—the Queen with envy, the mistresses with fascination.
Ryker comes to my side. Arm around my