Brianna (37 page)

Clasping a silver bracelet studded with more pearls around Sheala’s wrist, Brianna said, “That should about do it. What do you think?”

With a stunned expression, Sheala stared at her reflection in the mirror. A stranger gazed back at her. Brianna had applied small amounts of cosmetics earlier to highlight her eyes, high cheekbones, and mouth. The haircut and pearls were the finishing touches. “I don’t know myself.”

The door connecting Brianna’s sitting room with that of the guest quarters opened and Ban sauntered in followed by Marljas.

Both men stopped immediately upon seeing Sheala.

Smiling provocatively, Sheala locked her gaze with Ban’s.

“Well, Coz, what do you think?”

“I think that if you weren’t my cousin, I’d carry you to the nearest bed right now,” Ban said in a very serious tone as he walked completely around her and examined her with a critical eye. “You’re very beautiful, Sheala. Men will ache to possess you. What do you think, Marljas?”

From the moment he’d walked in the room, Marljas had sensed Sheala’s presence. When he saw her, his body’s reaction had been instantaneous. He was very glad he was wearing a tunic or his erection would have been obvious for all to see.

Verna lifted an intricately carved bottle. Removing its stopper, she liberally applied the perfume to Sheala’s wrists.

Then she slowly drew the stopper down the deep valley between her breasts.

Breaking out into a sweat, Marljas fled the room muttering something about Denieen.

Char entered with a quizzical look on his face. “What’s wrong with Marljas? He just passed me in the hall looking as if the ghosts of all seven hells were pursuing him.”

Ban continued to grin and winked at Verna before he answered. “He forgot about something Deni wanted him to do.”

Before Ban could say anything else, Brianna said, “Don’t just stand there, Char, tell your sister how beautiful she is.”

Char turned his attention to Sheala. His eyes widened as he stared at her. He circled his sister just as Ban had. “Is that really you, Shea? What did you do to your hair?” Stopping in front of her, he grinned and lifted her into a huge hug. “You are absolutely beautiful.”

Grinning from ear to ear, Sheala said, “Come on, Vani, Jami.

Let’s go. You two still have to get dressed.”

“Only if Verna comes,” said Jami. “I want my hair cut like yours.”

“But Jami, you’re a Medirian princess!”

Borrowing a comment from Brianna, Jami answered, “What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? I like that hairstyle, and I want it too. I don’t care what anyone says.”

Verna shrugged. “I’ll cut your hair, Princess. I’m too old to worry about your parents’ disapproval.” She led the three girls from the room, Vani arguing vociferously with her sister.

“Guess I’ll go along and try to calm Vani down,” Ban said with a wry smile. “She always was a worrier.” Leaving the room, he turned and winked at Brianna. “Jamiros wants all of us in the library in an hour, Bri, so don’t go tempting Char with those beautiful breasts of yours.”

Char grinned as Ban pulled the door shut behind him. “Are you going to tempt me with those beautiful breasts, my love?”

Brianna scowled—or at least pretended to. “I am going to take a bath and you may scrub my back. I refuse to be late for your sister’s party.”

Laughter followed Brianna as she waddled into the bedroom.

Her advanced pregnancy had begun to quell Char’s sexual urges. Her company, however, was something he discovered he could not do without. Still grinning, he followed her. He was willing to scrub her back anytime she wanted.

Approximately an hour later, Brianna and Char joined everyone in the immediate family except Sheala in the library.

Marljas, Ban, Ademis, and Meri entered immediately behind them.

“Good, we’re all here,” Jamiros said briskly. “Now, I don’t really anticipate any problems tonight. Anyone who would have caused problems was simply not invited, but the crowd will be large, and it’s possible for a few uninvited guests to slip in unnoticed. Enough of us are here, however, to make sure Sheala is monitored all evening.”

Brianna looked around curiously. “I thought that she was considered an adult now and was old enough to make her own decisions.”

Rodane grinned at Brianna. “Do you honestly believe that we would leave Sheala unguarded? She may be old enough to take anyone she wants to her bed, but that doesn’t mean we will allow her to do so. There will be those here tonight who seek to lower Alalakan prestige and power or join with it. Sheala’s an intelligent girl, but she’s still young. She hasn’t yet learned the difference between honesty and ambition.”

Jenneta continued, “We don’t seek to keep Sheala from learning the joys of her body, but we will do our best to make sure she’s not used in some plot to bring shame onto her or the Alalakan clan.”

“You should be aware, Brianna,” Xdana added, “that you’ll receive proposals yourself tonight.”

“Me!”

“Yes, love,” Char answered with a grin, “most will be for after you give birth, but a few will seek to make assignations for tonight.”

Brianna’s mouth fell open. “Why? I look like a beached whale!”

Fionilina smiled and sat down next to Brianna. “Because you are a very beautiful woman, Bri. Your coloring is…exotic. That which is new whets jaded appetites.”

“Great,” Brianna grumbled, “a mob of horny rakes following me around all night. I think I’ll borrow one of Sheala’s swords.”

Marljas walked over to stand in front of Brianna and raised her right hand, the hand that wore scars that matched those on his chest.

“With Denieen at your side, Bloodsister, you needn’t fear unwanted advances. Her claws are sharp.”

Brianna’s eyes met Marljas’s, and she acknowledged the twinkle in them. “You’re a very perceptive man, Bloodbrother.

Deni asked to stay near me tonight, something about being uncomfortable in crowds.”

Marljas smiled. “And you asked that she wear a new dress, I think. Something about standing out in a crowd?”

Brianna laughed outright. “I do think I love the Gattan more every day. When will I meet the rest of the family, Brother mine?”

Marljas’s smile became a grin. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Jamiros interrupted. “You two can carry on your family conversation later. Right now we must ascertain that Sheala is always either with one of us or close enough to reach quickly.”

Ban had been leaning quietly against the door. “How will Sheala feel when she realizes what we’re doing?”

All eyes turned to Ban.

“It’s her party, after all. If one of us is hovering about constantly, she’ll realize what we’re doing. Sheala has a temper.

Do you want a scene tonight? Having two or three hundred guests watching won’t inhibit her.”

Char grunted. “Ban’s right. Sheala’ll never forgive us if we hover.”

“Don’t hover, then,” Meri said. “The area will be well lighted, as will the house. Servants will be everywhere, and most of them are very fond of Sheala. Have them watch her. That way, we can appear at various times to talk to her. Her family members will be expected to dance with her. There’s no reason all of you must dance with her early in the evening. There are also members of other clans and friends whom you trust. Quite a few people want Sheala’s party to be a success. Let them help.”

Xdana smiled. “Trust the daughter of a diplomatic queen to be wise. How often is this system used by your family?”

“How often?” Meri answered. “You mean ‘how long’. The Hardan family has been monitoring its family members for centuries. We perfected the system. That, and we have Marljas.”

“What?” Marljas asked in a surprised voice.

“Most of the guests don’t even realize that there are Gattan here. None of them know of your relationship to the Alalakan clan. Indeed many of them will be afraid of you. Since you don’t really know anyone else who’ll be here tonight other than those in this room, no one will think it odd if you show little interest in any unmarried girls other than Sheala, Jami, and Vani.”

“An excellent idea, Meri,” Jamiros said, “that is, Marljas, if you don’t mind. I realize your first loyalty is to Brianna. To be perfectly honest, I was very surprised when you agreed to wear a dragon at all, though I am deeply honored that you chose to do so.”

Brianna turned and smiled up into Marljas’s face. “You’ll help, won’t you?”

Marljas sighed. “I’ll do my best, Alalakan don al’ Jamiros, to protect your daughter from any unacceptable advances. I only hope I’m equal to the task.”

Ban grinned and clapped Marljas on the shoulder. His wink was unnoticed by everyone but Marljas.

*

Brianna stood in the shadows on the stage that had been constructed for the Solstice celebration, admiring the grounds of the Alalakan estate which had been meticulously groomed and decorated for the evening’s festivities. Brightly colored lanterns hung in strategic places, illuminating most of the extensive lawns and gardens behind the house. Drakians being Drakians, however, there were more than enough shaded and dimly lit areas for private conversations and assignations.

“My friends,” Jamiros began as he stepped into the spotlight and looked out over the sea of interested faces, “welcome to my home on this Solstice evening. A time of momentous change has come to the Alalakan clan, changes I will share with you tonight.”

Murmurs from the crowd reached Brianna’s ears. Rumors had flown about ever since her arrival on Drakan, but tonight, those rumors would be put to rest and everyone would finally learn the truth.

“First, I am more than pleased to welcome back into the Alalakan fold my brother’s son, Alalakan don al’ Bandalardrac.

Many of you, I am sure, have already made his acquaintance.”

Laughter followed as Ban stepped forward and bowed to the crowd, winking and throwing kisses to various women who stood close to the stage.

“Second,” Jamiros added, “I am pleased to introduce my son Rodane’s new wife, Alalakan dem al Fionilina.”

Escorted to the front of the stage by Rodane who placed her hand in that of his father’s, Fionilina inclined her head graciously to the applauding crowd. Jamiros’s announcement had everyone buzzing. The dissolvement of Rodane’s marriage to Crystas and his subsequent marriage to her sister Fionilina had not been widely known.

After Rodane had led Fionilina back into the shadows and the applause had quieted, Jamiros continued, “My friends, it gives me the great joy to announce the marriage of my son Chardadon to Alalakan dem al’ Brianna of the before unknown planet Earth. She is the carrier of the Alalakan heir.”

More applause as Chardadon led Brianna forward and handed her to his father. Illuminated by the spotlight, Brianna nodded to the crowd. Flashes of red fire sparkled from the Gattan red diamonds she wore in her hair and on her person.

There was no doubt in the minds of most of the crowd that Chardadon prized the exotic woman who was his wife. And it was obvious to everyone that Brianna was very pregnant.

Char grinned to his father and took back Brianna’s hand.

Pulling her into his arms, he gave her a kiss that left her breathless, much to the crowd’s delight.

“That should leave no doubt in their minds,” Char said as he led her back into the shadows amidst the whistles and cheers.

Grinning, Jamiros bowed to Char and Brianna as they left his side.

“The fortunes of the Alalakan clan are now firmly in the hands of Chardadon,” Jamiros announced as he turned once more to face the crowd. “However, wonderful though the announcements have been to this point, the most important reason for tonight’s celebration is the last.”

Turning, Jamiros waited as Xdana and Jenneta escorted Sheala to stand by her father.

“My friends, my daughter Sheala celebrates her eighteenth birthday this day and takes her place as an adult in our society. I ask that you celebrate this special occasion in her life with us.”

Sheala laughed and waved as the crowd burst into loud applause. She loved being the center of attention, and, despite her father’s earlier announcements, tonight was her night.

Murmurs of appreciation about how beautiful she was were easy to hear from many voices in the crowd. Sheala planned to enjoy every minute of her night.

Before anyone realized what he was doing, Ban reappeared from the shadows and swept Sheala into his arms. Planting a huge kiss on her cheek, he took the few short steps to the edge of the stage and tossed her into the air.

Sheala shrieked with surprise as she fell through the air to the strong arms that caught her. Throwing her arms around the neck of the man who held her, Sheala’s locked gazes with Marljas as she slid down the length of his muscular body.

Marljas looked deeply into her eyes and smiled a slow grin, but Sheala had no chance to react before Marljas released her and stepped back.

Hands grabbed Sheala’s, and she was whirled away into the crowd, but not before craning her neck to see the shadowy form next to the stage. Unfortunately, too many people crowded around her as she was whisked away into the crowd so she lost sight of the man who had held her so tightly.

“Why did you toss her into the crowd, Ban?” Brianna asked as the family exited the stage much more sedately by way of the steps.