“How marvelous,” she exclaimed. “I am so sorry for the inconvenience, but as I said, there will not be a ship until tomorrow. But we will be honored to host you and your mate for the night at no charge. Any friend of the prince is a friend of ours and we wish you the most pleasant of visits.”
“Oh, we’re just friends,” he replied.
She raised a brow slightly. “Really?”
“What?”
“Nothing. Just, I’ve noticed that she does not look at you as just a friend.”
“No, just friends, really,” he said, his cheerful tone slipping slightly.
The hostess leaned forward, speaking a little softer. “If I may be so forward, I’ve seen a lot in this place, and I can assure you, that is not the look of a mere friend. But you know better than I what your situation is. Regardless, it is our honor to host you for the night. And in the morning, we will receive the new arrivals and will have a ship available to give you a ride whenever you are ready.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say hello to the prince. Tell him Salaria and the rest of us send our greetings and warm wishes, and also that we hope he and his mate visit us again soon.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Wonderful,” she chirped. “Now, let me show you to your room. Dinner will be served in a little while. Might I suggest taking advantage of our spa while you wait?”
Zepharos glanced back at Maria, tired, dirty, and beautiful through it all.
“Thank you. She could really use it. We both could.”
“Perfect! If you’ll please follow me.”
She stepped out from behind her desk and headed for the door, Zepharos following.
“Come on. They’re putting us up for the night,” he said as he approached Maria.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Fantastic.”
“It gets better.”
“Better?”
“We’re getting VIP treatment. Dinner, a room. We even have full use of the spa as well.”
Her jaw nearly hit the ground with shock. Whatever he’d said to the woman, Zepharos had clearly worked his charm to the fullest.
“A spa day,” she said, already feeling her tension fade away at just the thought of it. “This is going to be awesome.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Maria lay sprawled out on a deliciously padded massage table, her body washed and warmed, scrubbed clean with mineral soaps and a light sonic vibratory deep-clean which was the only bit of advanced tech she’d encountered since their arrival, and that lone piece of equipment was cleverly disguised, hidden in a wooden carving, doing its work invisible to guests.
The results, however, were very apparent. The way it shook a person’s cells as it cleansed them served two purposes. Yes, it removed dirt, grime, and dead skin, but it also energized the living pigment tattooed in their flesh. It was a big energy boost, at least for those who had their runes properly completed.
In Maria’s case, however, she’d been left crippled as far as the runes’ power was concerned, and in violation of the law at that. After she shed her clothes and placed them in the bin in their room to be cleaned, Zepharos had advised her to be sure to keep her incomplete Infala from any up-close scrutiny.
“We are welcome guests, but a violation of Dotharian law could change that, regardless of who we know.”
“Noted,” she agreed, slipping into what had to be the softest robe she’d ever worn.
