“Never have we heard such passion, dear Selena!” he exclaimed, both his top and bottom mouths moving at once. “If only you were not already attached to the Kindred here, we would seriously consider making you our fourth Empress.”
At this, Empress the Third, who had been lounging in her golden throne, sat up straight and glared at Selena with such hatred it almost seemed like she was trying to set her on fire with her eyes.
Despite her heartbreak over how things were ending with Valen, Selena couldn’t help feeling somewhat discomforted. Empress the Third honestly looked like she would have pulled out a knife and stabbed her if the spoiled Royal thought she could get away with it.
“Thank you, your Majesty,” she said, nodding her head. “You do me great honor to say so. But Master Valen—”
“Is taking Selena to the spaceport for her trip to the Kindred Mother Ship now,” Valen interrupted smoothly. “We simply wished to pay our respects and thank you again for allowing Selena to participate in your gala.”
“What—going so soon? Well, you must bring her back again!” the Emperor insisted. “We must see her and hear that haunting melody once more in the future.” He sniffed and swiped at his bright orange eyes. “Truly, it brought emotions to us that we have not felt since Empress the Fourth died so tragically! How we miss her!”
“Thank you, your Majesty,” Selena said, nodding again. “I’m glad my music touched you. And I’m sure I’ll see you again—my best friend is married to the Kindred Ambassador, Tolern.”
“Ah yes—it was Ambassador Tolern who recommended you to us for the gala in the first place! We shall certainly reward him, when he returns,” the Emperor said, nodding. “Until we meet again, my dear Selena of Earth, go with the grace of Tanja, the Ma’shorkan god of Two Faces and one heart.”
“Thank you.” Selena nodded again and then Valen was taking her arm and saying that they had to hurry or she would miss her flight. He really couldn’t wait to be rid of her, Selena thought resentfully as she followed the big Kindred out of the Receiving Hall.
Well, that was just fine—she didn’t want to stay if he didn’t want her. Better to go home and get back to her old life and try to forget the amazing days and nights she’d had on Ma’shorka Centra. Better to put Valen and the entire trip out of her mind. After all, he seemed determined to forget her and put the time they had spent together behind him—she should do the same.
There was nothing else she could do.
54
Valen felt more miserable than he could ever remember as he walked the curvy little Elite through the spaceport to board the shuttle that would take her back to the Mother Ship. He couldn’t get the sight or sound of her playing at the gala out of his mind.
The music she had chosen had been heartbreakingly sad—Valen had felt the notes tearing at him as she played them, and it seemed they must have been tearing at her too. She had been weeping as she sent the notes soaring skyward—weeping as though her heart was breaking and she couldn’t give voice to her pain except through the music she played.
His own heart was breaking as he led her through the spaceport. This was goodbye—he would never see her again. He would make sure that he didn’t.
Because if you do, you won’t be able to hold yourself back, whispered a little voice in his head. Even now you’re dying to beg her forgiveness for last night and Claim her as your own. Even now you want to break your vow.
He couldn’t do that. And he knew if he let himself get too close, he would. So he kept a cold demeanor and barely spoke as he led her through the spaceport. It was only when he got her to her departure gate that he finally turned to face her.
“Goodbye, Selena. Have a safe journey,” he told her, making sure to keep his distance.
“Goodbye, Valen.” Her own eyes were downcast, her voice muted. She was about to go take her place in the boarding line…but then she turned back and looked up at him. “I…I know you didn’t want anything long term and I’m sorry things ended badly,” she said, looking up at him. “I just want you to know that the last few days have been the most special and exciting of my entire life. I…I’ll never forget you.”
Valen felt his throat tighten.
“Don’t go!” he wanted to shout. “Stay with me and let me Claim you. I’ll be your Master and your mate for as long as you want me to—for the rest of our lives!”
But the words stuck in his throat and he knew he couldn’t say them—knew he couldn’t break his vow or change his past, which made him so unworthy of Claiming a bride.