Collision: The Battle for Darracia - Book 2 (The Darracia Saga) by Michael Phillip Cash Page B

dear.
    The perfumed water coated her skin, making it feel and look like a golden pelt. Her hair floated silkily, and when they came to take her out, she refused the first time, enjoying the cocooning warmth of the steaming bath. She sat in the pool, listening to the piped-in music, wondering how she was ever going to return to Venturian. Cupping her hands, she poured a waterfall of soapy liquid over her head, inhaling the flowery essence, thinking of Zayden’s soft lips and the way his hands felt as he held her against him. Her skin tingled with desire, yet she was angry at Zayden. There was no way she was going to let him go to Planta without her. She realized with a start that she couldn’t live if something happened tohim.
    They met outside the spa, and Zayden blinked, his amber eye wide with surprise. Denita’s hair framed her café au lait face, feathered in a new style. He had thought her hair black, but now realized there was a symphony of browns and golds streaking through the wavy locks. She wore a tight gray pantsuit that emphasized her coltish legs.
    “Denita, you look…good.” Zayden swallowed.
    Denita stared at his wide shoulders encased in a dark-blue tunic. He was so tall, his powerful tail peeking through the back of his pants. Denita reached up to touch his scarred face. Zayden pulled away, but she placed her palm gently on the ruined skin, her fingers leaving a trail of gentleness in their wake. Zayden closed his eye, and when he opened it, it was to see Denita’s face close to his own. Her lips pressed against his, and he felt her lips moving. “You are mine, warrior, and don’t you forget it.”
    He grabbed her hand, walking briskly to his ship. Hehad to get her to Reminda, and fast.

Chapter 14
    Staf’s yellowed eyes observed the large screen in Lothen’s bridge. The Planta leader sat in his chair, his long legs stretched out before him. They didn’t allow graphen on the ship, yet Naje had managed to smuggle some onboard, and he smoked it alone in his quarters. He smiled thinking of her seductive smile and sultry eyes.
    “We will be passing the space station momentarily.” Lothen pointed to a huge doughnut-shaped wheel rotating in a circle.
    “It’s a dump.” Staf laughed. “Don’t drink the chay, I hear it’s made from recycled piss.”
    “Everything is recycled. I wouldn’t eat anything there,” Lothen agreed.
    This, coming from a being who ate live species from his planet, made Staf laugh with abandon. Lothen watched him coolly.
    “We amuse you, my lord?”
    “More than you realize,” Staf acknowledged.
    “Perhaps you will share what humors you?” Lothen asked in the deathly silence of the bridge.
    The station was surrounded by docked ships. Staf had been watching as some attached themselves for a landing and others departed in many different ways. It was an important way station, and he and his brother had argued over it for years. He had wanted a piece of the profits. It bordered Darracian territory. Drakko wouldn’t hear of it. He didn’t want the responsibility; his brother only worried about the Quyroo and their issues. He never saw the bigger picture. A small craft detached from the landing bay, its tight lines and green and blue stripes unmistakable. Staf leaned forward, his hands gripping a rail, a growl erupting from his throat.
    “Look.” Staf pointed to a small ship leaving the space port. “It cannot be…”
    Lothen sat forward to observe. “What is it, my lord?”
    “Zayden! I would know his ship anywhere.”
    “Who?”
    “The king’s bastard, Zayden of Darracia. Get him!” He ordered, superseding Lothen’s authority.
    The helmsman glanced in question to the king, who nodded in assent. “Follow them. Now!”

    Zayden looked up and did a double take when he realized a painted Plantan cruiser was bearing down on him at a dangerous speed. Flipping his switches to fire up his turbos, he called back to Denita, “Hang on, this may get bumpy.” Pressing