Chapter Nine
As hard as she tried to keep her eyes focused on the king and queen, Zsilvia couldn't seem to stop them from wandering to George's back. He stood several feet ahead of her, facing the king and queen as they stood near the edge of their throne platform looking down at him just as they did with everyone who came to the compound. She was positioned on the side of the hall, taking up the position that would usually be held by the warriors who accompanied the visitors from the shuttle to the meeting hall. Though she was obviously not a warrior, she was a close as was available at the time, and it was important to maintain tradition.
"We are very excited to have you here with us," Creia said.
George nodded and Zsilvia felt her eyes travel down his body again. They didn't seem to care how much her mind was telling them to stay focused and to keep away from him, but traced the broadness of his shoulders and the definition of his back through his shirt. He was not as large as the warriors, but still the biggest human man that she had ever seen. What startled her even more than his size, however, was his age. She had anticipated him being young like the human women. Even Zuri, who was the oldest of the women to have come from Earth, was at least 10 years younger than him.
Instead of making him look weathered or worn, however, the age made him seem strong, steady, and more dignified than the young warriors. Despite his broad, willing smile and the energy that exuded from him as he carried his huge suitcases with absolute ease, he had a sense of stability and control within him that stood in stark contrast to the wound up, often unpredictable nature of the warriors. She found desperately not to think about it, but she found it irresistible.
"We have found ourselves very fond of the women who have come here before you," Theia said with a laugh and the human women standing behind George chuckled.
"I look forward to the opportunity to get to know all of you and to work toward our mutual goal of cooperation between the planets."
George's voice was different than anything Zsilvia had ever heard. The accent was rumbling, like water rushing over rocks, but occasionally added a sharp edge to a word as if it were more difficult for him to say than the others. The sound rolled through her, seeming to reach deep inside her and settle into her chest.
"Usually we have one of our warriors act as protector and guide for our human visitors, but our men have recently left the compound on a quest that will keep them away for an unknown amount of time. Since you are already acquainted with Zuri, she may act in a warrior's stead."
Zsilvia watched Zuri step forward to address the king and queen.
"With all due respect, as much as I would like to ensure that George settles into the compound comfortably and has everything that he needs to get accustomed to his new surroundings, I don't think that I'm right for the position," she said.
Creia looked at her sternly.
"Why?"
"Ero, sir," she said matter-of-factly, "I know that he would understand, but I don't think that he would like me taking on that role for another man, particularly while he is gone from the compound. I must respect my mate and his feelings."
With Zuri's mention of her mate, Zsilvia saw George look sharply at his former colleague and then back at the monarchs. Creia had a softer expression on his face now and was nodding slowly.
"I didn't think of that, Zuri, and I thank you for your honesty and your respect for Ero. I agree that it wouldn't be right for you to act as protector and guide for another man while your mate is away from the compound. He has to have someone, though. It is our law, and as you know, we will not compromise on it."
"Allow Zsilvia to do it," Zuri said.
Zsilvia felt her stomach tighten and drew in a sharp breath that she immediately hoped the others hadn't heard. The king turned his attention to her and she pulled herself up to her full height, trying to look as attentive as she could.
"Zsilvia?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Could you please come here?"
For a brief moment she wasn't sure that her legs would be able to carry her the full distance between where she was standing and the spot the rest of the group had made for her in front of the king and queen by parting and moving slightly away from the center of the room. Even worse, she feared that if she did make it up there, George would see her body trembling and feel the pulsing, intense heat she could feel forming in her skin.
Finally she forced herself to take a step forward and then another, fighting to keep her eyes locked tightly on the king where he waited for her near the edge of the platform.
"Yes, sir," she repeated when at last she made it to the spot.
Out of the corner of her eye she could see George looking at her, his eyes a swirl of brown and green that she had never seen and his full lips forming only the slightest hint of a smile. She wouldn't let herself look at him, but kept eye contact with the king, who had lowered his gaze slightly.
"Will you take on the responsibility of being the protector and guard for George while he is here? Help him settle in to his new house and get accustomed to the compound?"
"Yes, sir."
It seemed those were the only words that she was able to get past the tightness in her throat. She should have said something else, expressed herself in a more thorough and meaningful way, but she could only agree to the request, as she knew she really had no choice but to do as the king asked, and hope that she would be able to get control of her emotions before they walked out of the meeting hall.
"Good. George, this is Zsilvia."
"We've met," George said, his voice sounding slightly smoother and richer, "but I am happy to meet you again."
He said the last part directly to her and Zsilvia felt a shiver ripple down her spine. She couldn't resist looking at him then, and when their eyes met she felt a surge through her like nothing she had ever experienced. She was suddenly intensely protective, wanting to take care of him and make him as comfortable and happy as she could. An ache had begun to build low in her belly and the longer she looked at him, the more intense the feeling became.
"I'm sure you are eager to settle in after that long journey," Creia said, his voice sounding like he felt completely confident and that everything was properly in place, "I'll let Zsilvia show you to your house. I look forward to talking with you more over dinner tonight. Zuri, I'd like for all of you to eat in the banquet hall tonight so that we can welcome our new guest."
"Absolutely. We look forward to it. I will go straight back to Eden's house and make sure that she's up for it."
"Thank you."
The room fell silent and Zsilvia knew that the inevitable had come. She couldn't draw it out any longer. The meeting with the monarchs was over and she now had to live up to her responsibilities and duties as his guard and protector, which meant walking away from everyone in the hall who seemed to be acting as a buffer, giving her space and distance from George, and being alone with him.