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He was about to walk over when the Class One’s docking ramp opened.

Elias stopped and stared, unable to pry his gaze away. Two royal assistants emerged first. They wore traditional pale pink gowns and had hoods covering their dark hair. They stopped at the base of the ramp and waited with their heads down. Several Retar dignitaries appeared next. The royals always traveled with a pack of supporters around them.

Princess Isolt finally emerged. She wore a scarlet gown cinched at her waist. Her long, dark hair shone under the lights of the docking bay.

Elias sucked in a breath. She was as beautiful as ever. She had a heart-shaped face covered with a faint spattering of blue scales. Her skin shimmered like a pearl. Her lips were full and wide and her eyes enormous and dark as they took in her surroundings. Despite all her beauty, it left him cold as he recalled her cruelty.

She walked slowly down the ramp, assessing her new environment.

Elias retreated into the shadows. Seeing her again made him unsteady on his feet. He didn’t want to speak to her. He wanted nothing to do with Princess Isolt.

As his gaze shifted to Hayley, panic flared in his chest. Hayley might connect the dots and realize this was the princess who had attacked him. He watched carefully as Vegas spoke to Princess Isolt and made the introductions. Hayley didn’t seem concerned and smiled and nodded along with the conversation as they stood talking.

Elias’s boss, Claydon, strode in from the corridor and over to the group. He bowed to Princess Isolt, and they continued to talk.

Claydon looked around and gestured when he saw Elias.

Tegor walked over and nudged him with his elbow. “The boss wants you. Don’t keep him waiting.”

“You go,” Elias said.

“He definitely gestured at you. Don’t try to palm your extra work off on me.” Tegor chuckled. “I thought you’d be excited to get your hands on a Retar ship. It will be good to work on them again.”

“I’ll pass. I thought you’d like the experience.” He couldn’t do it. If he walked over, Princess Isolt would see him.

“Elias, you’re needed over here.” Claydon’s tone brooked no opportunity to refuse.

“Get your butt over there, before the boss docks your pay.” Tegor gave Elias a shove.

Elias pulled back his shoulders. He couldn’t avoid it. Princess Isolt would see him, and it would be game over. He strode toward the group, trying to appear relaxed. His gaze went to Hayley, and he saw her tentative smile.

“Elias, Princess Isolt has a problem with her ship,” Claydon said.

Elias bowed low and kept his gaze down. “I am happy to assist with the repairs.”

“Elias is the finest engineer in my team. I’m sure we can get your problems sorted before you leave, Princess,” Claydon said.

“Elias?” Princess Isolt’s voice was smooth and low. “I once had a friend with that name. I have not seen him for some time.”

Elias nodded, his heart racing. “It is a common enough name on our home planet, Princess.”

“Indeed, it is. This Elias was someone quite special. Someone I made sure I would never forget.”

“Well, this Elias will do an excellent job on your ship. It will never fly so smoothly,” Claydon said, clearly missing the menace in Princess Isolt’s voice.

“I’ve no doubt about that,” Princess Isolt said sweetly. “I’m sure I have a safe pair of hands here. It’s important your crew can be relied on not to let you down. It is always such a disappointment when someone you trust betrays you.”

Elias’s head pounded as he finally raised his gaze to meet the princess’s. She smirked, and her gaze ran over him in a predatory fashion. She’d forgotten nothing about their night together. He could see by the feral look in her eyes that she wanted him dead.

He was so fucked, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Chapter 15

Hayley felt a pulse of jealousy as she watched Elias and Princess Isolt staring at each other. She shouldn’t be jealous; he wasn’t hers. But there was something about the intense way Princess Isolt looked at Elias. It was like she wanted to devour him.

Hayley’s eyes widened, and she stifled a gasp. It couldn’t be. This couldn’t be the princess who’d tried to eat him after they’d mated? She stared intently at Princess Isolt. Wow, she was stunningly beautiful. She was tall, long-limbed, and slender. Her hair shone like silk, and those lips looked like they’d been plumped up they were so full and pink. But her dark eyes were cold. The only emotion they conveyed was a kind of primal desire. That desire was focused exclusively on Elias.

If this was the princess he’d run from, Elias was in big trouble.