ignore the growing number of Voranians congregating around us. The attention of the entire ballroom-full of people was overwhelming. “The differences between our worlds are mind-blowing. But to help me feel at home in Voran, I prefer to focus on similarities for now.”
His groomed eyebrows shot up to his horns painted with green vines and golden flowers.
“Do you find there are many similarities?” he sounded incredulous.
“Quite a few.” I nodded firmly. “Possibly even more than differences.”
He tilted his head, curiosity shining through his expression.
“Pray tell.”
“Well, like humans, Voranians have two eyes, two hands, a nose, and a mouth.” I stopped myself from saying two feet.
Tossing his head back, the Governor released a loud, hearty laugh.
“Cannot argue with that!” He shook his head, turning to the crowd around us.
The men laughed in response, too, clapping their hands.
“What else?” He gazed back at me, excitement bouncing in his eyes.
“Like you, we live in houses, build cities, and travel in vehicles.” I thought about the reasons why the Colonel had been rewarded with a marriage and why he’d been insisting on keeping it. “Both our species value courage, loyalty, and friendship. All of us hold honor and gratitude in high regard. That is a good start, I think.”
“It most certainly is.” The Governor kept smiling, looking both amused and impressed.
The man at his right lowered his head to his boss’s ear. “I beg your pardon, Governor, but we’re on a tight schedule, tonight.”
I followed his gaze, glancing back over my shoulder. A line seemed to be gathering behind us. People waited for their turn to greet the Head of the State.
“Kyradus,” the Governor addressed my husband, who remained by my side. “Make sure you bring her by again before you two leave tonight.” He then turned to me, squeezing my hand in both of his once again. “I’d love to hear what you think about our little event.”
Chapter 9
GAPING AT MY SURROUNDINGS, I almost forgot that everyone at the ball was gaping at me. A colorful band of Voranian men played lively music on the stage under the garlands of white and gold flowers. Shiny chrome stands with trays of finger foods and drinks glided through the crowd.
Feeling like an outsider, I was grateful to the Colonel for sticking by my side. People kept coming up to us to talk to him and to gawk at me.
“Grevar!” A high voice shrilled though the air suddenly.
An unusually short Voranian appeared in front of us. A female, I realized, spotting her pink-and-yellow dress that highlighted her bright magenta eyes.
“I’m so happy to see you.” She grabbed the Colonel by his ears, yanking his head down for a smooch on his lips.
Apparently, Voranian women were even friendlier than the men, the usual two-handed handshake didn’t cut it for her.
“You brought your wife?” She turned to me with a delighted smile.
“Hi—” I started, but she didn’t let me finish. Getting hold of my ears, she placed an energetic kiss on my mouth, too.
Was that a Voranian women’s thing, then? To kiss strangers as a form of greeting?
I could taste her sweet lipstick on my lips. From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed the Colonel discreetly wiping his mouth with the fur on the back of his hand. I couldn’t do the same as my ears were still firmly gripped in the dainty fingers of the tiny woman.
“I’m so proud of Grevar,” she gushed. “He got a wife!”
“Lucky man.” I wiggled my eyebrows.
“Luck has nothing to do with it.” She shook her head, the strings of tiny silver bells on the tips of her horns clinked melodiously with the gesture. “He totally earned it. Right, cousin?”
“Cousin?” I glanced at the Colonel.
“Lievoa,” he introduced the woman to me. “One of the four children of my father’s brother.”
“And the only daughter,” Lievoa added with pride, finally letting go of my ears that now felt flaming hot.
“I’m Daisy.” I dipped my head in a polite bow.
“I know. Your name was announced as soon as Grevar had selected you.” She leaned a little closer. “It must’ve been a difficult task. I’ve heard there were thousands of applications to choose from.”
“Exactly,” I said, not hiding the sarcasm in my voice for the benefit of the Colonel who remained in the earshot. “The selection process should’ve taken weeks, if not months.”
“Apparently, it took him less than an hour!” She pressed her clasped hands to her chest. “He must’ve known you were the one the moment he saw your picture. It was destiny.”
“Destiny,” I