“Emperor?” she asked.
“Emperor Brodin Damar Sarkany, Emperor of the Damari shapeshifters.”
He led her down the hall and up some stairs.
“Where are you taking me now?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
He finally stopped in front of a door. “Mal?”
She faced him. “Yes?”
“You said you’d stay here with me.”
She grabbed his hands. “Yes. I want to be with you. I happen to be crazy in love with you, your Overlordness.”
He cupped her jaw. “Good.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I have another question for you.”
“Okay, fire away.”
“Two actually.” He took a deep breath and pulled something from his pocket. “On Zhalto, it’s customary for a woman to wear an energy jewel the color of her husband’s energy.” He held up a silver chain with a thin jewel on it. It glowed vibrant red.
She blinked. “Energy jewel?”
“They’re mined in the south.”
She swallowed. “Husband?”
“Yes. Mallory West, would you be my wife?”
She pressed a hand to the base of her neck. “Wife?”
“Yes, husband and wife. It’s common when people fall in love.”
“I’ve barely gotten used to being in love. This is…a lot.”
Rhain smiled. “We don’t have to get married today.” But he didn’t want to wait too long either. He’d convince her. After she’d had time to settle into life on Zhalto.
“All right.” She smiled. “God. Yes, I’ll marry you, Rhain Zhalto Sarkany.”
Elation filled him. He slipped the chain over her neck. She touched the jewel and smiled.
Rhain pulled her close and kissed her.
Then she froze. “Wait, if we get married—?”
“When we get married.”
She swallowed.
And suddenly his fierce warrior looked a little scared.
“If you’re the overlord, does that mean…?”
“That you’ll be my queen? Yes. Queen Mallory West Zhalto.”
Her mouth opened, closed. “Rhain, I’m a combat pilot. I’m not queen material.”
“Mal, a queen is someone who serves the best interests of her planet and its people. She fights for them, protects them from their enemies. You’ve already done all of that.”
“But I’m not Zhalton, and I’m not royal.”
“It doesn’t matter. Carvia and my fighters have already been spreading stories of your exploits far and wide.” He took her hand and opened the door. He pulled her onto a balcony. “They love you already.”
She stared wide-eyed. The Zhaltons of Citadel crowded the bridges, balconies, and terraces. They all cheered and waved their banners and flags of red and silver.
“Our colors.” He lifted her hand and kissed it.
Below them, the crowd cheered louder.
“You’re lucky I love you,” she muttered. Then she steeled herself, turned, and waved.
Mal looked at herself in the mirror a few hours later.
Queen Mallory.
Jeez.
She shook her head. Rusty would be laughing. Well, she wanted Rhain, so it came with the territory.
He was worth it.
She finished changing, and now wore leather pants and a bronze halter top that she’d tied on and knotted in place.
Rhain’s brother would be arriving soon, so she wanted to look presentable. She left her hair in a ponytail and headed up to the landing platform.
She didn’t want to send Poppy away, but she trusted Tavith’s advice. If this was what was best for Poppy, to help her heal, it needed to be done.
She found Rhain already waiting. He’d left earlier to check in with his advisors and see Thadd.
Rhain smiled and pulled her close. “I missed you.”
God, she’d missed him too. She’d gone soft. She’d gotten so used to having him there. It was still a little scary.
But she wouldn’t give him up. Not ever, not even for the chance to go back to Earth.
She breathed deeply and smiled. Rhain’s masculine scent hit her, mixed with the fragrant floral scent of Citadel.
“Brodin’s ship is in orbit. His shuttle will be landing shortly.”
She nodded. “And you’re sure this is best for Poppy?”
“Yes. I assure you, Brodin is honorable. His people can help her.”
“All right.”
A moment later, the shuttle came into view. It wasn’t elegant. This brown ship was built sturdy, with a squat body and long wings.
Thadd stepped out onto the landing platform, his sharp gaze on the ship.
It swept in to land in front of them, a wash of air kicking dust their way.
The door opened and the first man who stepped out was big. Huge.
He wasn’t that much taller than Rhain, but he was built for power. He moved like a predator, easy and smooth, but ready to erupt. His gray shirt stretched over slabs of corded muscle, and leather sheathed powerful legs. He had a touch of gray fur on his belt. His hair was long and silver-white, tied at the back of his neck. He had an enormous axe resting on his back and his eyes were a vivid blue, a few shades lighter than Thadd’s.
But as the man’s powerful stare collided with hers, she could barely resist the urge to look away. A sheen rolled over his eyes, then it was gone. He looked at his brother.
“Rhain.” His voice was a deep rumble. A smile broke out on his rugged face.
“Brodin.”
The men embraced.
Behind Brodin, three people—two men and a woman—exited the shuttle.
They also moved with animal-like grace. The men were tall and strong, and the woman was tall as well, with long, black hair with a hint of a curl, and gold-brown skin.
She watched them with eyes that were so dark they almost looked black. They locked on Thadd and the pair glared at each other.
Hmm, story there.
“Brodin,” Rhain said. “Meet my wife-to-be and future queen, Mallory West of Earth.”
“Wife?” Brodin looked at her. “That was fast.”
“I didn’t force him,” she said dryly. “Actually, it took him a bit to convince me.”
Brodin’s lips quirked. “Well, I can see the attraction.”
She smiled back. “I think Rhain likes my skills with a sword best.”
“I doubt that.” Brodin took her hand, bent over and…sniffed her skin. “A Damari custom. Welcome, little sister.”
Mal tipped her head. She liked him.
“This is my first Claw, Annora Rahl.”
First Claw? It must be his equivalent to Thadd.
The dark-eyed woman nodded. “And my cleavers, Edvin and Jaston.”
The men bowed their heads. There was no doubt they were all deadly.
A door opened behind them, and Tavith and another medica appeared, pushing a floating stretcher.
Mal’s heart clenched. “Thank you for helping my friend, Brodin.”
Brodin nodded, brows drawn as he looked at the stretcher.
“Poppy is so smart, a gifted scientist, a good friend.”
The stretcher paused. Poppy rested under a sheet, eyes closed, so still and pale.
“She’s very small.” Brodin stepped closer and sniffed. “She’s definitely infected by a Damari.”