Only a few people knew she practiced hand-to-hand combat, and at times like this, she was thankful for that.
“Prince Idris?” Jaiya asked, unable to believe that he was the same pilot whose reputation was feared amongst the fleet. “It’s an honor to work with you.”
He released her hand, opening and closing his before letting it fall against his side.
“Have we met before? You seem familiar.” He scrunched his face in confusion as he studied her, before shooting the fighter parked behind her a glance. “How is a diplomat able to pilot a vessel? Why were you sent alone?”
“You have probably mistaken me for my twin sister, Jaiya. She pilots a fighter just like the one I’ve arrived in.” She licked her lips nervously. “In fact, she was the one who taught me how to fly this vessel. My higher-ups chose to send me to fly in alone as a show of our goodwill.”
“Is this a joke?” The obsidian male removed his hand from his weapon to clench his fist, glaring at her. “Are you wasting our time?”
“Commander Ajexk!” Idris hissed. “Watch your temper in front of our guest.”
“Sire—”
“You are dismissed.” His golden tail whipped back and forth aggressively as he stared down the offending male.
The commander growled, mumbling something incoherent as the room watched him walk away.
“I am sorry for his sudden outburst. It seems like the high pressure has finally gotten to him.” Idris faced her and shot her an apologetic smile. “Please forgive him.”
“I understand.” Jaiya nodded. “And I won’t let this lapse influence our coming peace talks.”
“I am glad,” he sighed. His shoulders relaxed as the tension left him.
“Perhaps Diplomat Lian should be shown his quarters for the time of his stay,” the purple-scaled male suggested.
“That’s an excellent suggestion.” The prince turned toward the soft-spoken male. “Diplomat Lian, I would like to introduce to you my sworn assistant, Erlyn.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Jaiya nodded.
“How many assistants do you need?” Erlyn scanned the fighter. “It doesn’t look like you brought many belongings with you.”
“One person would be more than enough.”
“If that is the case, then I should introduce you to your personal guard,” Idris announced, shifting his stance toward the group of Daextru guards lined up and waiting for instructions. “Raizxl! Come here!”
An emerald male with long, golden hair walked up to them. He had large silver ram-like horns, and silver and golden-hued scales wrapped around his neck. As he stared at her, his dragon-like eyes narrowed to slits, taking her in.
“This is Raizxl. He will carry your belongings as he escorts you to your room,” Idris explained. “If you have any questions, feel free to ask him.”
“Thank you, Prince Idris.”
Idris and Erlyn faced her new security personnel and talked in hushed tones to prevent her eavesdropping. Deciding not to stand around awkwardly, Jaiya returned to her fighter and opened up the small person storage bay. Carefully, she unloaded her travel cases onto the floor, quickly sealing the latch.
“Your weapon,” a deep voice rumbled.
Jaiya yelped in surprise and whirled around, her head bumping into the prince’s hard, bare chest. Embarrassed, she stumbled backward, tripping over the cases.
She fell, her arms pinwheeling wildly, only to be caught by a pair of blue arms. Her cheeks began to heat as he held her close, their bodies stuck in time and space. His teal eyes studied hers, his confusion evident. She licked her lips nervously, unable to look away.
“Sire, Diplomat Lian is armed,” the same deep voice announced. “For your safety, move away. It is dangerous to be within arm’s length of him.”
The trance was instantly dissolved. He helped her stand before letting go and backing away, still holding her gaze.
“Is it true?” His eyes roamed her body, looking for the offending item. “Do you carry a weapon on you?”
Jaiya nodded. “A beamblade.” She opened her cloak, revealing its sheath along her leg. “I always carry one, like most humans.”
