Tallusian Nights [Xihirian Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (27 page)

After, Zalora fed and played with him for a bit. His little mouth was still moving as if he was still drinking her milk when he drifted off to sleep. A surge of love passed through her as she gazed down at him. Caressing his little head, she kissed him carefully, placing him back in his crib.

She heard Saleeya coming into the nursery where the other children were playing. Saleeya was there to take care of Jiolee, her new baby girl. Quickly, after tucking sleeping Klay into his bed, she hurried out to miss her. The party was only in a couple hours. Zalora did not want to let anything slip to have all the women mad at her for ruining their wonderful surprise. As she rushed to her suite she shared with Val, she thought of her dream she’d had. Suddenly, she knew what she had to do.

She laid out her new silky, deep-purple gown on the bed. It was low cut with beading around the edges. It was a bit on the daring side but tasteful. Its high waistline was very flattering, allowing the material to swirl around her.
I love the feel of this fabric.
She’d been so excited when Kara, Kristal, and Kalinda had found the dress. They’d gone shopping with her, and Kalinda had raced to her holding the gorgeous dress. The color matched her eyes. Kara had insisted, as well as the others, she buy it regardless of the exceptional price tag. Every time they went shopping, they took a small military with them as well as one or two Braeden men. When she purchased this dress, Val had not been around. He had allowed Kade and Jerrian to escort them with a legion of soldiers. At least it seemed like a legion. Zalora smiled at herself in the mirror.
So this will be a surprise. He’s gonna love me in it.
Val had given her earrings with a necklace, which matched her dress. The jewels were a vibrant shade of purple. They’d been a gift for the birth of their son. She held them up to her ears, admiring them. “I so excited. I need to hurry up.” She rushed into the cleaning chamber.

Val told her the jewels had reminded him of her, and he could not resist buying them. Every opportunity he showered her with gifts, mostly jewels from all over the universe. Truly, he spoiled her. However, the purple jewels were the ones she loved. They would dazzle on her tonight.
I love to see you smile when I wear what you give me.

After she was all dressed and her hair fixed, she sat down on the terrace to wait for Val. She wore her hair free down her back. A breeze blew softly across her face. The wind was cooler now than it had been earlier. The breeze wafted the sweet scent of the flowers surrounding the palace. Val always waited until the last minute to get ready for special events.
It must be nice to get ready in a moment and still look stunning.
It did not take much for him to look superb dressed in his dress uniform or other dress clothes. “You’d look great in anything.”

“Zalora,’ Val called out as he entered their suite. “Who are you talking to?” There was an excitement in his voice.

“I’m out here waiting. I was talking to myself.” She bounced up, making her way to the door. Val looked mesmerized.

“You’re absolutely the loveliest woman in the universe. I guess you can talk to yourself if you want to.” He stood glued to the floor just watching her. “Come to me, my princess.” She could see approval in his eyes. He held his arms out to her.

“Your look makes me melt.” When she reached him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her, running his hand through her hair.

“You smell so sweet, too. I love your hair free like this.” He sniffed her head. Zalora pulled away.

“You’re going to mess me up.” She clasped his hands, looking up at him. “Go get ready. We’re supposed to be there early to yell surprise. If we’re late, your sisters and aunts will kill you…because I’ll blame you fully.” She pulled away from him.

“Very well.” He rushed to the cleaning chambers. In a short time, he’d returned dressed in black trousers, a white dress shirt, with a black jacket. He was simply dressed, but he looked phenomenal. His black hair was brushed back from his forehead, but as the night passed, it would fall down onto his forehead as it always did.

“You look nice, too. No uniform tonight?” She cocked her head to the side.

“No, this is a birthday party.” He shrugged.

“So? You wore a uniform to our joining.”

“I was supposed to.” He made a face. “It’s tradition when you’re military.”

“I’m not going to try to understand.” Zalora waved her hand in front of her face. “Let’s go. I want to talk to Kade tonight. I need to give him a message before he leaves.”

“A message?” Val looked at her oddly.

“Yes.” Zalora nodded her head. He opened their door for her to exit. When they got closer to the dining hall, it was loud, full of excited conversation. Delicious aromas from the food being prepared wafted down the hallway. Kalinda rushed past them with her mate lagging behind. He was huge man, almost as big as Val. He had lovely golden hair. He wore it to his shoulders. His dark blue eyes sparkled as he watched her rush off. Kalinda yelled to him, giving him some instructions. He smiled at her bossiness.

“Yes, my love, as you wish.” Zac waved as he walked past them in Kalinda’s wake. Val gave him thumbs-up sign, winking. Zalora paused to look up at Val.

“What’s that about? Do you men have some sort of private communication we don’t know about?”

“Yes.” He gently rubbed her back. When they entered the dining hall, a huge crowd already gathered there. Mia and her mate were handing out individual flowers to each of the women as they entered. Mia had mated many years after Saleeya. Amazingly, she found a fierce Xihirian soldier who adored her. Their two teenage boys helped her greet everyone at the door. “Good moonrise, Aunt Mia.” Val kissed her check. “You look lovely. Mother will be so pleased with what you’ve done. As will Father.” Val nodded toward Tylan, her mate. Flowers in a variety of colors were scattered about the room.

“I sure hope Saleeya loves it all.” Mia smiled.

“Oh she will. Only on Xihirah would flowers like this be available. It’s gorgeous in here. ” Zalora looked around with huge eyes. Glamorous floral centerpieces graced every table. Kara rushed up to them.

“Do you like the flowers? I told you your dress was magnificent. How do you like it on her, Val?” Kara grinned from ear to ear. She was lovely in her scarlet gown. Her black hair free down her back. She looked exactly like Kade, just a female and beautiful.

“They really went all out for this party.” Zalora looked around more. “I’ve never seen such beautiful flowers. I love your dress, too. You are so pretty.” Zalora smiled. Kara twirled around showing it off.

“Yep, it is nice. But all the men here are related to me.” She frowned. “And Kade would chase off anyone interested. He hovers.” Kara rolled her eyes. “So does Val…but he has too many unmated sisters to hover over to watch me to closely…He’s too busy.” She tapped Val’s arm.

“I’m watching all of you.” Val grunted. “Don’t think otherwise.” Kara kissed him on his face then dashed away toward Kalista, who was motioning to her. Thyson was lifting another vase of flowers for her to place on another table they had just been set up.

“Kristal and Kiley are lately all about flowers,” he whispered near her ear. A buffet was being set up. Kara and Kalinda were directing the kitchen staff. A breathtaking portrait of Saleeya and Kael was tucked behind one of the tables. It was a gift to Kael for his birthday. “Look at the portrait Klayvin made for them. It is magnificent.”

“It is stunning. When this family has a party, they really have a party.” Zalora pulled Val over to look closely at the painting. “Klayvin is so talented.” She admired it. Kleave rushed over, covering it with a black cloth.

“We’ve got to keep it a surprise.” He smiled. Val nodded at his uncle.

“I thought our joining ceremony was awesome then our child’s blessing was spectacular. But this is even more impressive. It’s unbelievable. This is fabulous.” Zalora held Val’s hand as they walked around taking in all the decor. Her hands were damp with excitement. “The food smells and looks wonderful. I’m hungry,” Val whispered close to her ear. She gripped his hand tightly in her excitement.

“I am, too.” She looked in the direction of the buffet. “Yum.”

“Looks like good stuff.” Talia, Val’s oldest sister, was instructing the food servers. Musicians were setting up, preparing to serenade the guests. Salina, one of Val’s sisters, was playing with the musicians. Salina was very gifted in music. She composed wonderful pieces of instrumental music. “Salina has a special song she has composed for our parents,” Val said proudly.

There was a dance floor in the middle of the room. Two of Val’s youngest sisters were already dancing about, twirling each other. The head table sat at the front of the room, four settings at the table for Kael, Saleeya, and Kael’s parents. Carlista was keeping Kael and Saleeya busy for a moment while everything was getting set up. Saleeya’s parents were on their way. They always ran late to everything. It was expected as their norm. Plus, they were getting quite elderly as they were fully Earthen, yet in good health.

“Hey, Mother and Father are coming. Everyone be quiet.” Kari rushed into the room waving at everyone. She was only twelve, full of excitement. “Grandfather and Grandmother are with them.” Kari started to giggle uncontrollably. She clapped her hands, as she jumped up and down. As soon as Saleeya and Kael walked into the room every one yelled surprise. Saleeya’s face lit up with a huge smile. Kael pulled her into his arms, hugging her, smiling from ear to ear.

“What a surprise. This is terrific.” Kael looked around the room, his eyes wide, too.

“Happy birthday, Father!” Kari ran up to her parents, hugging them both.

“This is so wonderful,” Saleeya gushed, hugging her daughter back. The other younger ones ran up, too.

“I helped, I helped.” Kari danced happily around them. “Wonderful.” Saleeya kissed Kari. Their older daughters surrounded Kari and Val’s parents. The musicians started playing light music as Kari walked her parents over to the head table. Everyone clapped as Val’s parents took their seats at the head table. After his parents were seated, Val took her hand and walked to the front of the room near the head table. He took a full crystal glass of water and held it up. “Mother, Father, as your only son with my lovely mate.” He winked at his sisters. “I was given the honor of wishing you this blessing of Xian.” He grinned. “To Xian.” He held his glass higher. “May you continue to be fruitful and prosper. May happiness touch your hearts forever. We all love you very much.” He held up his drink in a salute.

This family’s so big.
Zalora looked around in amazement. She would never get used to so many people being related. Kael stood then nodded to his son. Val embraced Zalora as he drank down his glass.

“Thank you, my children, and to all of my family. This is a big surprise. We’re thrilled.” Saleeya stood next to him, smiling. Tears were in her eyes.

“I am very happy.” Saleeya wiped her face with a napkin. Kael kissed her fully on the mouth. The family hooted for them. When they sat down, dinner began. The rest of the night was spent eating, talking, and dancing. This party had every element, which made it fabulous. Salina’s composition was magnificent. At its conclusion, Kliven and Kael jumped up with their applause, and everyone followed.

As long as it’s uneventful, this is a wonderful evening.
Zalora glanced around the room as if looking for something or someone hiding in the corners ready to ruin the Braeden celebration. It happened from time to time. But to her great happiness, all was going well. Toward the end of the night, Zalora danced with Kade. He’d been dancing all night long with every woman in the room. Kade loved to be the center of attention. He tended to always be anyway. He was suave, full of life, and ornery as ever. The man never got tired. At times, he was as mischievous as a youngster would act.

“Hello, Zaza, you look lovely as usual.” Kade gave her a devilish grin as he swirled her around the dance floor. “Your dress is awesome.” The music was a faster pace than she was used to. She loved the way her silk dress whirled around her ankles. Every time she looked up, Val grinned at her. She smiled brighter. He was sending her private messages with his sultry looks.

“I’m interrupting Val’s wooing of you?” Kade whispered in her ear. “Don’t you get enough of him already?”

“No. I like his wooing.” Zalora looked up at Kade. “He’s very good at what he does.”

“Yes, I can imagine.” Kade winked. “No, I don’t want to imagine.” He shook his head. “It gives me a headache.”

“Thank you for saying I look nice.” Zalora smiled. “I love this dress.”

“You’re welcome, little sister-niece.”

“I hear you’re getting ready to go on a mission,” she asked as the music slowed. She was relieved to slow down. Her hair was getting too curly from the humidity she was making.

“Yes, I’ll be gone for a while. Jerrian and I are both going on this mission. We’re going to the Zenia region of our galaxy. I’ve never been there, so it’ll be very interesting.”

“The Zennites control that region?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “The fires of Zennite.” His eyes sparkled. “I’ve always wanted to see them.”

“I understand most of the population lives beneath their planet’s surface.”

“Yes, I believe so.” Kade twirled her again.

“Be careful. They may not be Realmist, but they can be just as dangerous despite their beautiful fires.”

“Yes, I know. They like to enslave others to mine for them.” He chuckled.

“What’s funny about that?” She put her hands on her hips.

“Nothing, Zalora, I’m just being…me. I laugh a lot. Jerrian will keep us out of harm’s way. He has a knack for that. Plus, I’d make a bad slave.”

“I hope so.” Zalora looked down at her fingers. “I’m glad I can talk to you before you leave. I had this dream about this Tallusian woman I wanted to tell you about.”

“Oh yeah? What about her.”

“She has purple eyes...”

“Like yours.” He grinned. “Very nice, I like your eyes.” He looked over her head at Val. “But a question for you, Zaza, do you dream of women often? Should I get on Val for not doing his job as a mate?” Zalora felt herself blush. “This is a shame if my brother-nephew isn’t fulfilling you as he should. Mates are to be satisfied. I understand there’s nothing which surpasses the pleasure shared between mates.”