“Ivy?” an older woman asked as she stood at the entrance to the tent.

Ivy looked up from one of the books the steward brought her to pass the time. “Hi,” she replied, immediately curious. By the way she was dressed, this was no servant.

The woman slipped past the ornate tent flaps and walked toward her. She was grace in motion. The older woman was stunning. Tall and statuesque like Henley, with gorgeous silver hair that spilled in waves past her shoulders. “I’ve brought you some dry clothes.” She smiled, handing Ivy the bundle in her arms. “I’m Karis, but Vander and his brother Jag call me Kari.”

Ivy took the parcel and nodded. “Thank you, I appreciate it. This wet dress is a little uncomfortable.” She unwrapped the bundle and held up a stunning sheath dress. “This is beautiful, Karis. Thank you.”

The woman shook her head. “Don’t thank me. Vander picked it for you. And please, call me Kari.” She touched a finger to her chin as if studying Ivy. “He was right, of course. That color is a good one with your skin and hair, if I do say so myself.”

Ivy stood from the pillows and let the dress drape her body. A rich gradient of blood orange and yellow, the fabric was unlike anything she’d ever felt. Like a cross between the finest silk and soft cotton.

“It’s perfect, thank you, and I love that it’s ankle length. My legs are not my best feature.”

Kari chuckled. “Oh, sweetheart. You will learn very quickly that Galaxan men love a woman with curves, especially the Kasaval men. Trust me. I know.”

Ivy’s mouth opened, but then she snapped it shut. She had already insulted the king to his face and she knew the man only cut her slack because they were bumping uglies, but if this woman was who she suspected, he wouldn’t be so forgiving if she was less than gracious.

“It’s okay, love. You can ask.” Kari gestured for her to sit. “Your instincts are correct. I was Vander’s father’s mistress and helped raise both princes until their father passed. They are as dear to me as if they were my own flesh and blood.”

The two women sat in the only chairs in the tent. Curved wooden seats with even softer pillows than those on the floor.

“I mean no disrespect, Kari.”

The older woman nodded. “I know. Just like I know my boy is falling head over heels for you.” She held up her hand when Ivy opened her mouth to argue. “Listen to me, sweetheart. Vander is the King of Galaxa, and with that comes many responsibilities, but he’s a man, as well. A good man with a generous heart. Do you know how many women our council has paraded in front of him over the past months? Hundreds. From at least ten planets throughout our galaxy. It was me who asked Ms. Wilder for help, and she brought you. I knew the moment Vander saw you, his xenos would know. You are the one.”

Ivy put down the orange she peeled and stared at the woman openly. “Wait…are you telling me you think Gerri brought me here specifically as a hook up with Vander?” She shook her head. “I think someone is telling tales, Kari. I came to Galaxa for one week. My cousin is mated to one of the alphas from Nova Aurora and is about to have a baby any day. I have no plans to stay here long term, let alone be anything more than a part-time playmate for Vander. I’m certainly not The One.” She crooked her fingers into quotes.

Kari considered her. “Vander was a little boy when his mother died. After I moved into the royal apartments, he would crawl into my bed at night, scared and confused. I would tell him tales about his father and how he was a just ruler, kind and brave. I would comfort him with stories about his mother and how she’d won his father’s heart and ruled by his side, but that the proudest moments of her life were when she brought him and his brother into this world. He asked me then if he would be as good a king as his father, and of course, I told him yes.” She smiled. “Do you know what he asked me then?”

Ivy shook her head.

Karis took her hand and held it. “He said, ‘Kari, how will I be a good king like my father if I cannot find the right girl to be my queen?’”

Ivy didn’t say a word, but Kari nodded. “It’s you, Ivy. How I know, and how Vander will also, if he doesn’t already, is his xenos will tell him. It’s been rising for months telling everyone it’s time for him to take a mate. With the problems Galaxa has been suffering this past year, it can’t be soon enough.”

Ivy got up to pace. “His xenos? What is that? Some kind of expiration date on his kingship?”

With a frown, Karis watched the young woman grapple with herself. “Your sarcasm is just a defense mechanism, my dear. I know you’ve felt his xenos. I can smell it on you. This is a shifter planet, love. Or did you forget that? Vander’s xenos is the animal that lives deep within him. Unlike the rest of the men and women here, the men of House Kasaval do not know their dual nature as they step into adulthood.”

“Adulthood? Do you mean puberty?” Ivy asked.

Kari nodded. “Everyone else knows their mirror animal from the time they are very young. We all have one. It’s why our mountains are called the Mirror Mountains. They reflect our world. Our people. Our dual natures. When a warrior mates, their female sets their animal free. It is the same for everyone, except our rulers. They have to wait for their xenos to be revealed, and the only way that happens is when they find their true mate.”

Ivy sat again, flustered. “And how does this xenos let the Kasaval men know? I mean, that’s got to be frustrating.”

Kari nodded again. “It is. Vander has all the signs. His eyes glow from time to time, but the xenos makes its presence known most when he’s with his intended mate. It shows in his eyes. A glow unlike any other, and I know the xenos is awakening in him. Only his true mate could call it to the surface, and yes…you are the one.”

“Where does this come from? I mean is this xenos dangerous?” she asked.

Kari inhaled and lifted one shoulder, letting it drop. “No one knows the origins, but Vander would not be as kind as he is if his xenos was otherwise. That’s not to say that savagery isn’t possible. Quite the opposite. His father’s xenos was a great bear, an Ursa, like in the constellation from your galaxy.”

She lifted her head. “You mean Ursa Major? In the Milky Way?”

“Yes, exactly.” She eyed Ivy. “What Vander needs is a woman who can free his xenos from its inner captivity. The woman he takes for his mate must be strong enough to tame the animal within and share its wild nature.”

Ivy lifted both hands in front of her and the defensive move wasn’t a show. “Tame the animal? Share its wild nature? I appreciate your dilemma, Kari, but I am not your girl.”

She smiled knowingly. “You are, my dear. You just don’t know it yet. But you will. The xenos will give you a sign, and then there will be no question.” Her grin turned sly and she cocked her head. “So, have you visited the second floor of your apartment yet?”

Ivy coughed, chewing on a piece of orange. “Uhm, no.”

“Vander’s never been there, either.” Karis poured two cups of sweet syrupy tea and handed one to Ivy. “It might be a good place to start, to see if I’m right or wrong about you.” She winked. “Now, change your clothes. He’ll be back shortly and you two have a lot to discuss.”