Free Hollow Space by Belladonna Bordeaux Page A

of her duty bore down on her shoulders. How am I suppose d to negotiate with a parsec high, twenty-meter thick stone wall?
    Amanassa, her bodyguard and personal advisor, cleared his throat. It was his not-too-subtle signal for her to get her proverbial feet beneath her and prepare herself for their few days aboard the Nebula Class starcruiser.
    “ We need this alliance , Your Highness . ”
    His words clanged in her already tormented head. " I ’ m aware of the consequences we face if we do not rally our friends and make new ones as well, Amanassa. " A soft spattering of sand fell from the overhead vents to drip on her veil.
    “Your Highness.” A deep resonant bass broke through her thoughts. “Welcome aboard the Vor Marran . I’m Supreme Commander Michaelerus Fis Marran.”
    Another drizzle of sand pattered down on her. “Thank you, Supreme Commander.” Grateful that he kept his mind blank, she narrowed her eyes at him. The nagging headache eased as she honed her empathy on the man she’d have to negotiate an alliance with.
    Fine specimen, she decided, taking in the chiseled planes of his face. Her gaze flowed down to his broad shoulders. Her breath hitched in her chest. No f a rther. A sudden and unbidden desire to rest her head against his solid frame socked her.
    Enough. This will not save your people from the Chastity Party. Concentrating the empathetic powers all Dareauxsian females possessed, she sucked in a shallow gasp.
    She tilted her head to the side. A sadness flowed from the handsome Navorain. Mourning? She delved deeper. He ’ s in mourning. The next emotion she picked up on was a deep-seated longing. Digging a bit deeper, she sensed a hollowness in his being. It was the place where happiness used to exist.
    Amanassa cleared his throat, bringing her back to the here and now.
    “We’ll be underway in a few minutes.” Michaelerus Fis Marran scowled. “Leanderus will show you to your quarters.”
    Quelling the urge to brush the frown marring his brow away, Jada placed her hands together, palm-to-palm. The wide cuffs of her sleeves gaped and sand slid over her skin.
    Supreme Commander Fis Marran followed her example and bowed slightly before straightening.
    She took a tiny step forward. A force pushed her to get closer to the man. A throb took hold in her crotch, and her nipples turned to hard buds. This man intrigues me.
    “ Because you have a soft heart. ”
    " True. " Not when it came to her profession, but there was something about the warrior that touched her like no other man’s emotions had before. She wouldn’t profess it was love at first sight, but it was more a need to be with him. If she didn’t know better, which she didn’t, she’d say he was her life mate. Her desire was the first clue. The instinct to soothe him was the second indicator he might be her dedicated donor.
    “ That ’ s ridiculous. ”
    Holding up her hand to stop Amanassa’s continued telepathy, she shook her head. “My thanks, Supreme Commander,” she repeated when he continued to stare at her. She could get lost in his stunning silver gaze.
    He held his hand out to her. “Will you join me for supper tonight in my quarters?”
    Already informed of the Navorain custom of handholding, she placed her gloved fingers on his palm. “That would be lovely. I look forward to it.” Stunned when he laid a kiss to the back of it, she clamped her lips shut rather than let loose the breathy sigh growing in her throat.
    “Until tonight then.” A seductive note edged his words. He turned and strode away.
    She watched his retreat. Drinking in the fine figure he cut in his long tunic and legs stretching his skin-tight pants taut, she was pleased with the offer of a private conference and terrified at the prospect of being alone with him.
    “I will accompany you on this dinner date,” Amanassa drawled dryly.
    “That’s not necessary,” Jada responded as she followed a hate-filled young warrior down the corridor.
    “ You