Married to Krampus - Marina Simcoe Page 0,29
was alone, I broke it first, “Where are your brothers? And your dad?”
“They all live in Kixel, the small town where I grew up.”
“Are they coming to visit you any time soon?”
“No.”
He promptly lifted another string of balls from the box, leaning in to inspect my ear again.
“How many holes do you have pierced in your ear?” he asked, obviously changing the subject.
I shifted in my seat. “Just one in each.”
“All right then.” He dropped the remaining baubles back into the box then put the whole thing back into the compartment. “These will have to do.”
HANDS SPLAYED ON THE glass of the aircraft side, I stared at the brilliant cluster of glass domes on top of a wide skyscraper. Lit from within with multi-colored lights, the entire structure stood out against the dying sunset like a humongous precious jewel.
“The Governor’s Palace,” the Colonel announced, gesturing at the magnificent contraption of glass, color, and light.
The aircraft pulled over and landed on a small open platform with a glass walkway connected to it. The edge of the walkway fused with the side of our aircraft, sealing out the winter air. The door of the aircraft slid open, and we both got out.
The short walkway led us under the first glass dome.
“Wow!” I spun around, taking in the shimmering lights under the tall arches of bright, luscious flower garlands everywhere.
Voranians dressed in bright clothing lingered in small groups here. Everyone’s attention shifted to me as soon as I set my foot on the lush grass under the dome. But the main party appeared to be happening under the largest dome of the cluster, straight ahead.
“Let’s go.” The Colonel offered me his elbow in a gallant gesture.
A huff of air escaped from my chest. A hefty dose of anxiety mixed in with my excitement and anticipation.
“Okay.” I gripped his arm, plastering a wide smile on my face. “Let’s do this.”
As we moved under the main glass dome, the attention of the crowd thickened. Curious stares glided down my body, making my skin prickle with unease and the fine hairs on my arms stand up. My heart raced as I wondered what they all thought about me—the pale, hornless, and tailless redhead from another planet.
The Voranians themselves presented something amazing to look at. The males’ richly decorated clothes had been obviously created to attract attention. Most men present had their hooves and horns painted with designs that matched their outfits.
The Colonel steered me to a group of men in the middle of the room. A circle of them parted as we approached, revealing a tall male in a long dress coat in gold, green, and white. His lemon-yellow eyes lit up with excitement when his gaze fell on me.
“Oh, and there she is! You’ve been keeping her all to yourself for way too long, Kyradus.” He took a few steps to us and grabbed my free hand in both of his. “Madam Colonel.” He smiled, tipping his elaborately painted horns my way.
“Governor Ashir Kaeya Drustan,” the Colonel introduced the man to me.
“Oh, Governor...” Having no clue of what the protocol was or even if there was one, I dipped into a curtsy. “I am very honored to meet you.”
“Isn’t she a delight?” the Governor gushed, glancing over his shoulder to his entourage as if inviting them to join in his admiration. “Polite and lovely. And so exotic.” He yanked down a lock of my hair that had fallen over my shoulder, watching with clear fascination as the curl bounced back when he released it. “Just between you and me,” he leaned closer, as if about to share a secret with me, “I find the rest of your human delegation exceptionally dull and boring.”
I found nothing to say to that, simply smiling wider and staring at him like a complete idiot.
“Tell me, Madam Colonel, how do you find life on Neron, so far?” he asked me. His lemon eyes twinkled with curiosity from under his impossibly long eyelashes.
His lively, out-going manner put me at ease, melting some of the initial apprehension. I didn’t even mind his way of talking about me as if I were an exotic bird at first.
“Well, I haven’t seen much of Neron yet,” I ventured carefully, hoping it didn’t sound like a complaint.
“Still,” he insisted, waving his hand at the room and the crowd that now surrounded us. “All of this must be so very different from what you’re used to.”
“Oh yes, it is.” I kept my gaze on him, trying to