don’t mix with outsiders much.”
She had felt the distance wrap around him the moment that she mentioned the Kaduran genes. She pulled away, and he didn’t hold her. She cleared her throat. “I should have mentioned that earlier. Sorry.”
She looked at him, and his eyes were narrowed.
“Why did you leave me?”
She paused. “Most folk do not respond well to learning I am part Kaduran.”
“Is it the Kadurans that are coming for you?”
She shook her head. “No. They come to visit every few years.”
“So, this is your father’s family that is coming.”
She nodded.
“Fine. Now, come back here. I don’t like you so far away.” He held out his hand, and she took it. He eased her back against him, and they remained in that position until her senses alerted her to incoming and familiar steps. She sprang free of the tub and wrapped herself in a towel.
“What is it?”
She looked at him. “They are here.”
Chapter Six
He surged out of the water, and in a move she had only seen twice, he shook himself dry. Water flew everywhere.
She was grinning. “You can put a towel on.”
He snorted, found the robe, and draped it around her. “You might want to hide the marks on your shoulders. They might not understand.”
Tydella smiled, put her arms through the sleeves, and removed the towel before closing the robe.
She was just toweling her hair when Kimal, Tomath, Yaro, and Uren came in through the door. She turned her head, and the ladies arrived via the window.
Ador was shocked at the Kiidar that were standing in front of them, and her guards formed up around her. Abra brought her some clothing.
“Okay. Guys, seriously. Where are your manners? Ador, this is my security detail. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Prince Ador Hydrocan Kelikian of Deskor. We are on his world, so behave.”
The guys had their backs to her, but the ladies gasped and giggled at the mate marks on her shoulders. Tydella put her finger to her lips to keep them quiet.
She slid on a semi-formal day arrangement—gauzy layers that went on one over another until she wrapped her waist and bust tightly to smash everything flat. When she was done, she flicked her hair behind her and tapped on Kimal’s shoulder. “Out of the way.”
She stepped through the gap as he let her pass. “Sorry that we didn’t have more time, Ador.”
Abra cleared her throat. “We are here for a few days, Imperial Highness.”
Tydella paused. “What?”
“Your parents have decided to visit. They are expecting you to meet them at the palace in official regalia. We have it in our shuttle.”
Ador stared. “Imperial Highness?”
Abra smiled and drew herself up. “I present the daughter of Kiidar Emperor Tyadino Herrer Lacothere Mendanix of the Dynaris System and the Imperial Consort Kaduran Assassin Amerald Belldella. Her Imperial Highness Tydella Ameralda Mendanix, natural daughter to the emperor and bearer of the next true heir.”
Ador stared. “Next heir?”
“Any child I bear will be the head of the empire. It is a side effect of my being the natural daughter.” She smiled. “I can’t inherit, but I am my father’s only heir, so any child that I have will be the imperial heir. I did tell your mother that I could take care of any accidental issue from our union.”
He stepped toward her, and her guards shifted position. She flapped her hand at them and stepped toward Ador. “So, I guess this is kind of a mood killer.”
He looked at the wall of orange and golden Kiidars in his quarters. “It does clear up a few things. Why did you agree to the time with me?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I needed to distract my parents from a separate occurrence. So, I threw myself on your sword, so to speak.”
Abra coughed. “Your parents are on the way, Your Highness.”
She extended her hand to Ador, but he didn’t respond. “Right. Well, I will be on my way then. It was nice meeting you.”
He looked at her in surprise and then reached out for her and pulled her against him. “Meeting me?”
He kissed her, and she went up on her toes to keep the contact. He was so much taller when they were vertical.
She exhaled slowly when he lifted his head. “Well, I guess I had better go and be there when my parents arrive. You don’t want my mom looking for me.”
He shook his head in bewilderment and stroked her cheek. “No. I guess I wouldn’t.”
Abra cleared her throat. “We need to go now, Your Highness. Your