When Leah walked through her door, to her delight, the gym equipment she requested was set up in an alcove just adjacent to her lounge area. She giggled—that alcove was not there before! She gasped when she saw new hand weights, dumbbells, mats, a dozen hydraulic weight machines, a mini tramp, stationary cycle, stepper, and treadmill, even a Swiss ball! The whole area was mirrored floor to ceiling. She laughed happily. Kalvich was obviously very familiar with certain aspects of her modern day lifestyle. Just how long had he been “watching” her? Or had he simply read her mind as this would have been exactly what she would have wanted, if she could afford it. Where the hell did he get this gear—from eBay?
Now she was looking forward to her next surprise—Cemel’s visit, to finally get reunited, which was weird, as she had never met him. Well, not in this lifetime! But this wizard was going to support and train her. He was the key to realizing her potential.
She sat back on her sofa reviewing her stunning evening–the dress and makeup, the fine wine and fantastic food; she could not remember what she ate, only the company. Her emotions had gone full compass in the heady presence of the Supreme Ruler. She progressed from a nervous little school girl, to feeling rather smitten, to experiencing romance as if it was a fairytale, to sheer overwhelming surprise and excitement with the ballroom arena. Wow!
She could not help a tear of joy slip down her lightly powdered cheek. Everything he had said eased her mind and made her feel wanted, desired. He was articulate, intelligent, and a damn good listener. Her girlfriends back home would gobble him up, but, he was not the type to pick just any girl.
He had honed in on little old me, Queen Leah.
Something else had been niggling at her. The similarity between him and Talokta was almost exact. Not physically, so much. Oh yes, both were handsome, and she had not met a Trimadian yet that was below six foot. More like his gestures and phrases. Maybe Talokta and he had spent a lot of time together and stuff got rubbed off on each other.
She had to fight a silly urge to just stare at his handsome face all night and let him talk. The arena had totally blown her mind. The throne, my God, he had kept it for her after six thousand years. His mannerism changed and he became endearingly shy when he wanted to see if she would accept him, be loyal to him, and those magic, immortal words played over and over in her brain—
I love you.
To Leah, love, trust, loyalty were all part of the package. You can’t have one without the other, in a relationship at least. She had no regrets with her decision. The word “no” never entered her mind, though she wished she had more time. It seemed quite hard for him to bare his soul to her. Probably scared witless because of the fear of rejection. She knew that was a side of him that would be well hidden from his men, brought up living a tough, disciplined existence. The Trimadian’s leader had revealed certain vulnerability and opened his heart to her, and she had not failed him. But to top it all off was the kiss! Oh, she would never forget that. His warm, soulful kiss melted her heart and just like in her dream, she did not want him to stop. She got to the point where she was hoping it would naturally lead further, even for a “first date,” but he did not let it. Why? Maybe he decided not to rush in, to prove the sincerity behind his words, and it was not just a one-night stand. Shit, she’s traveled a damn long way for a one-night stand! She laughed out loud. In a way, she did not want to seem too eager, but she knew she would not be able to resist him. Patience, girl. Look what this man has done for you!
After the kiss, he held her hand and told her they were heading back for dessert.
Hmm dessert, Leah had thought, happily, still reeling from the kiss. But he literally meant dessert—some type of rich trifle with lots of sherry like substance inside. Leah’s mind was on a natural high and her vivid imagination wondered what she could do with the dessert, apart from eating it, as she tried desperately to hold on to every word he spoke.
She outwardly groaned remembering how she acted like an idiot in front of him.
Kalvich was explaining a few details of the ceremony to her, but he noticed she was not paying attention. Her mind was far away with a dreamy smile on her face.
He expected something like this. It was impossible for her to switch off her feelings and revert back to business. If Queen Leah wanted romance in her life, well, he, or rather Kalvich, would wholeheartedly give it to her. In the end, he said, “It is getting late and I do have some business that requires my attention. A guard will escort you back to your quarters and I will send Cemel for a brief visit.” That slap brought her more back to reality and once again, he sensed that blanket of disappointment, just like when he had her aboard his ship. But this time, he did not have to run away. He was the Supreme Ruler, well, for a short time. Should he kiss her again? No, just leave it for now. She has had plenty of excitement for one night. And he certainly did not want her getting any ideas about going further. It was warming to him that, though she was disappointed, the dreamy smile never left her pretty face.
Shalash! Wake up, man!
He was feeling the disappointment too. Fool!