The gleaming black helm he wore covered half the man’s face—leaving only a full mouth, a strong jaw with a slight cleft in his chin, and bronzed skin visible—yet she’d seen the way his lips compressed when he’d handed her the sick bag.
He’d been judging her; she was sure of it.
Pulling a face, Jenna took another gulp of water. What did it matter what the Captain of the Lord’s Watch thought of her?
“Are you feeling better, Lady Jenna?”
Glancing left, she caught Pelicon Mir-Barus’s eye. The Nandoon’s long body was still folded up in the seat. It must have been uncomfortable for him, for the seats had been designed with humans in mind. Nonetheless, her aide didn’t seem to mind. Pelicon had an unflappable, easy-going temperament that she appreciated more than ever today.
“Yes, thank you.” She unclipped her harness and rose to her feet, swallowing as her belly churned once more. “Although, I think I’ll go and lie down for a bit.” She then moved out into the aisle between the rows of seats.
Pelicon nodded, a gesture that caused both his long proboscis and the wattles upon his neck to waggle. “A wise idea … however, I’d like to talk to you later, if you don’t mind? We need to prepare for our preliminary meeting with the Mir-Leliths.”
Jenna swallowed a sigh. “Of course.” This journey was long enough to give them plenty of time to plan for the negotiations. “I’ll see you later.”
Turning, Jenna walked straight into a hard wall of muscle and steel. The impact jarred, and she bit down on her tongue as she reeled back.
Gloved hands caught her by the shoulders, hauling her upright.
Tasting blood, Jenna looked up into Captain Malik’s visored gaze.
“Careful, Your Excellency.” His tone was low, almost a drawl.
Heat rose to Jenna’s cheeks, yet again. What was the matter with her today? Ever since greeting this man, she’d turned into a clumsy, jumpy idiot. Nonetheless, the way he said ‘Your Excellency’ was really starting to grate on her. The title wasn’t necessary—it was a formality used in diplomatic settings.
Was he using it to goad her?
“Yes, well … I didn’t realize you were standing right behind me,” she muttered.
“I wasn’t. You ran into me.”
A cough sounded behind Jenna, a muffled laugh from one of The Watch. The warmth on her face increased to a burn.
“Excuse me,” she replied coldly.
Nodding, the captain moved aside. Jenna then dragged up what little dignity she still possessed and strode past him, out of the seating cabin.
Ensconced in the largest of the berths and hidden behind closed doors, Jenna sank down onto a bunk and covered her scalding cheeks with her hands.
She really needed to get ahold of herself.
Her encounter with Tian couldn’t have knocked her off-balance so badly, could it? His aggression had shaken her, yet she was still relieved that she’d had the guts to finally rid herself of him.
No, it wasn’t Tian. Instead, Captain Malik unnerved her.
Jenna’s daily routine at Mir-Brennan Tower didn’t bring them in direct contact, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t noticed him over the years. The tall, broad-shouldered man clad in black and crimson—a silent, watchful presence always standing two steps behind Cathal—was impossible to miss.
She didn’t understand why he disturbed her—none of the other bodyguards did. If only her brother had sent someone else to head her security team.
Straightening up, Jenna surveyed the berth. It was simply yet elegantly furnished: soft white carpet covered the floor, a gilded mirror sat upon the exterior wall, and small golden lights studded the ceiling. Like inside the cabin, gentle pipe-music drifted through the berth—music she always requested for her shuttle journeys—providing a calm, serene environment.
“I just need to rest,” she murmured, dimming the lights before stretching out on the bunk. She’d stayed up late the night before, writing notes for the upcoming negotiations, and hadn’t slept well afterward; fatigue was clearly affecting her. “Everything will be easier to deal with then.”
4. DESERT ROSE
JENNA AWOKE WITH a headache and a metallic taste in her mouth. Blinking, she rolled onto her side and checked the time on her tablet.
She’d been asleep five hours. Indeed, she’d been tired.
