Protector:A Scifi Alien Romance(11)

***

Madeline couldn’t believe she’d agreed to this stupid idea. Or this stupid dress.

She hurried out of her room and through the corridors. It would take her a few minutes to get from the House of Galen back up to the rooms where the after party was being held.

After the sea battle had ended, the gladiators had all headed out to bathe and change. Her lips still burning from that kiss, Madeline had made her way straight to the party room to lose herself in some work. She’d helped hang decorations, triple-checked everything was okay with the food and drinks, and checked in with the dancers she’d hired from the District with the help of Galen’s very efficient staff. His people had been suspicious of her at first, but now, she had a good working relationship going with them.

Everything was perfect for the party, and the guests would be arriving soon.

She’d squeezed out a few minutes for herself to shower and change. When she’d arrived back at her room, her outfit from Lore had arrived and been laid out on her bed. She sniffed. She wasn’t thinking about this sorry excuse for a dress she had on. Right now, she needed to focus on the party. She needed everything to go off without a hitch. Blaine’s life depended on it.

Her stomach gave an uncomfortable grind and she grimaced. Anxiety. That was all. She’d never thought she’d miss antacids.

She strode into the party room. Walls of glass gave a perfect view of the arena below which was still filled with water, the now-empty boats resting on the glassy surface. The night sky was filled with stars, and since the moon had yet to rise, she could just make out a faint, pink-hued nebula to the east.

Turning, she focused on the room. She’d gone for a water theme in honor of the mock sea battle. Ribbons of silvery-blue fell from the ceiling, and elegant, twisted, blue glass art pieces were dotted around the room. They almost looked like ice, and each time she looked at them, she saw different shapes: slender women, elegant spinning dancers, entwined lovers. Across the room, the servers were setting out food on long tables.

The pièce de résistance was on the back wall. A large tank of water was filled with long-haired women who were dancing through the water like mermaids, their hair flowing out behind them. Their long, sinuous bodies were covered in tiny, glittery outfits. The women were water dancers she’d borrowed from the Dark Nebula Casino. They were an alien species who could breathe under water. Madeline had to admit, they looked pretty impressive.

A sharp, appreciative whistle cut through the room, and she turned. Harper, Regan, and Rory were striding toward her.

“The place looks amazing.” Rory’s gaze skated down Madeline. “And so do you, Mads.”

Madeline ran a hand down the dress. “Uh, Lore demanded I wear it.” The slip of fabric looked like liquid water. It caught the light, reflecting it back and was the same blue as her eyes. It clung to every curve and had two high slits that left her feeling bare, but at least it felt incredibly soft when she moved.

“Lore, huh?” Rory shot her a wide grin.

Madeline’s stomach started up that all-too-familiar churn. “It’s not like that. I know all of you have lost your heads over alien gladiators, but not me. This isn’t my life.”

“There’s no way home, Madeline,” Regan said quietly. “This is our life, now.”

“There’s no way back to Earth that we know of yet. I’m not ready to give up.” She couldn’t give up on Jack.

Harper was watching Madeline’s face intently. “There’s good here, Madeline, if you look for it.”

Madeline’s throat tightened, and she didn’t respond.

“Lore’s a good man and he’s a good fighter under all the flair,” Harper continued.

Rory gave a decisive nod. “And the man is mighty fine to look at.”

“And he’s nice,” Regan added.

“The last thing I need right now is a male of any description,” Madeline told them. “The ones I’ve known in the past have always proven untrustworthy. Except for my son.”

Regan’s face turned sad. “I’m sorry. You must miss him.”

“I haven’t given up on seeing him again one day.”

“Madeline—” Rory began.

Madeline held up her hand. “Don’t worry. I’m being realistic about our circumstances, but I will exhaust every option first.” She set her shoulders back, the low-grade throb in her stomach making her wish for an antacid. “For now, we have a party to put on in order to find Blaine.”

Behind them, voices echoed as guests started entering the room. Showtime.





Chapter Four