Alien King Crashes the Wedding: A Paranormal Sci-Fi Romance (Lumerian Knights - 1)

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

“Dagan, forgive me.” Rachel winked mischievously as she released Dagan from a second hug. “I’ve heard so much about you from Cam. I’ve really been looking forward to meeting you!”

“As have I, Miss Faro. Your honor is mine, bride of my brother,” Dagan responded. Rachel wouldn’t understand the pledge, as she had no idea Dagan was the ruling king of the Western Sector on Caldor. The pledge was, in fact, a promise of royal Caldorian protection. Cam and the other warriors in the group knew and nodded to show Dagan that it was heard and accepted. Cam grabbed Dagan and pounded him on the back, words unnecessary. Cam could tell her about the royalty part later. That was how Dagan liked to keep things. Simple. Low key. No fuss.

“Thank you, Dagan,” Rachel replied. “What a sweet thing to say. I’m so glad you were able to come to Earth on such short notice. I know it means a lot to Cam that you’re here. I hope you can stay for the whole celebration. I think Earth has a lot to offer.” Rachel smiled and gave Dagan an appraising look. “You’re even bigger than I thought you’d be. Oh well, as they say, ‘The bigger they are, the harder they fall’, and all that.” Rachel patted Dagan in mock sympathy.

“Dagan. Friend,” Cam gritted through his teeth. “Go sit and eat so that my bride will stop touching that ugly lump of flesh you call a body and I have to pound you into the ground.”

“He could try.” Dagan winked conspiratorially back at Rachel just to piss Cam off a little more, then beat a hasty retreat so that he could eat in peace. He’d only allowed her touch to mess with his friend, he mused. He wasn’t the type to go for another man’s girl. He supposed Cam knew that about him, too, or he wouldn’t be sitting down at all, regardless of his sovereignty.

Dagan rolled his shoulders to release some of his earlier tension as he began eating. Traveling off planet was always risky, especially when trying to blend in and not draw attention to the fact that he was one of only four rulers on Caldor. It’s one reason my warriors wear exactly the same uniforms as every other Caldorian warrior stationed off planet. The visible ones, anyway. Can’t hide who I am if they give it away.

Dagan grinned as his friend came over to join him a few minutes later. “Two years is too long, Cam. You’ve been missed. Looking at your beautiful bride, I can see why you didn’t come home when you had the chance.” Dagan held up his glass to toast his friend. “Let’s celebrate. Here’s to my best friend finding true love!” They clinked glasses and Dagan added with a twinkle in his eye, “She seems like a feisty one! Don’t stay for long or she’ll box my ears for monopolizing your time.”

Cam’s eyes softened momentarily as his gaze sought out his bride, lingering on her expanding waistline. “She is most definitely feisty. I love that about her. She will be a wonderful mother and partner. But I’m afraid it’s too late for your ears. I just told her about your incident outside. Rachel thinks it might be her friend Sasha. She tried to reach her, but she’s not answering her phone. Rachel didn’t look happy, so start praying. ‘Feisty’ would be a mild description for her temper if anything happens to her friends.”

Dagan groaned.

“That’s right,” Cam said with a grin. “So remember to play nice and I might not tell her about the six-hundred-pound cub you thought was lost and conned me into ‘saving’ when we were eight. Rachel actually thinks you’re a good guy. I’d hate to burst the fantasy for her.” Cam chuckled and gave Dagan a smack on the back.

Dagan coughed but refused to acknowledge the stinging handprint he knew was on his back. It was a game they’d played since they were small children to see who was tougher. Neither one had ever admitted defeat. “Do it and I’ll tell her how you went looking for that cub’s mama and lured it into the f*****g palace that night for a family reunion. In my bedroom,” he growled. “As for the ladies, I’ll play more than nice when I find one who wants me and not my crown.” Dagan frowned and gave Cam a good healthy retaliatory slug.

“Ah,” wheezed Cam. “The cruel irony of being royal. All the power and riches, but none of the love. Such a lonely, pathetic existence. You should give up all that money and power and wander the deserts of Caldor, hungry and penniless, until you find your one true love.”

“Point taken, asshole,” Dagan rumbled.

Cam cleared his throat, his expression getting serious. “Rachel wants me to make Earth a permanent deployment. Assuming you agree, of course.”

Dagan contemplated his food, careful not to show any feelings of disappointment. “I assumed you and Rachel would be returning to Caldor.” He looked at Cam and continued seriously, “If you want to stay here, Cam, I won’t say no as long as you stay on mission.”

Cam nodded thoughtfully and they sat in comfortable silence while Dagan finished his meal. After the last bite, he sat back and took a good look around for the first time since reaching the large banquet hall. The whole place invited one to relax. “The commander has done well,” Dagan said approvingly, unwilling to dwell on his best friend’s desire to make Earth his permanent home. “These humans have no idea this is a battle-ready structure.”

“True. Commander Bashall is especially talented in such endeavors, and one of the reasons he was selected above the others. He’s off base on personal leave, but when he returns, I can pass along the praise,” Cam said.

Dagan nodded to let Cam know he agreed with the suggestion and let his eyes wander leisurely around the room, taking note of various groups. His eyebrows lifted in surprise at how many humans were in attendance. He refused to admit he was scanning the room for a certain delectable little blonde, and stretched his legs out.

With Cam’s growled warning about not scaring the humans still fresh in his mind, Dagan decided that his best bet would be to steer clear of them whenever possible. He knew how big and intimidating people found him, even among his own kind. He rolled his head to ease the tightness in his neck and shoulders, and took a sip of his yavo juice. Mmm. Much better. He was about to close his eyes in contentment when his attention was caught by a movement and flash of color at the door. Instantly, he was captivated.

It was the woman who’d run from him earlier. She was even more stunningly beautiful up close. She looked fragile. Ethereal. Dagan felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. Mine. Dagan rose to take a wide stance at the railing so that he could see her better, and all thoughts of relaxation vanished.

She’s so small, I could crush her. She had curves that didn’t quit, and wavy, waist-length silvery blonde hair he wanted to get wrapped up in. Her eyes, even at this distance, were a brilliant blue, and her lips were full and made for kissing. She was alone, so he knew she wasn’t attached to a warrior.

If she’s unattached, every available male here tonight will be after her soon. Dagan scowled as he looked around at the hundreds of Caldorians attending Cam’s week-long binding ceremony. Dagan growled softly. Unacceptable. He watched her scan the crowd, then fumble in her bag for something. She looked just as anxious as she had outside.

Dagan tensed as his protective instincts roared at him to eliminate any and all threats to her. He took another look around, this time sizing up potential targets. He would crush anyone who wanted to harm this tiny human. He visually checked his surroundings, looking for hidden threats. Whatever had her scared, the threat wasn’t coming from inside the banquet hall. Maybe she was nervous about being alone in a room full of ‘alien’ warriors, Dagan mused. Beautiful and smart.

Attention centered squarely on the little human once again, Dagan stared unashamedly at her, committing her to memory. She was small but very curvy. Even without his superior vision, Dagan would have been able to see that her large n*****s were pebbled and clearly delineated through the thin fabric of her gown as if throwing down a gauntlet, issuing a challenge directly at him. Dagan let out a groan as his c**k hardened. Challenge accepted.

Dagan watched as she crossed her arms beneath her perfectly rounded breasts. The move pushed the fabric together, allowing him an enticing view of her cleavage, tantalizing his senses with their creamy softness. They would be a handful, even for him. A bolt of need shot straight into his hardening shaft as he imagined taking her right there in front of everyone. He wanted there to be no doubt as to whom she belonged. I will never let you go, princess. I am not like any of your human lovers. We keep what’s ours.

Dagan thought about what he knew of human interactions. He growled low in his chest, keenly aware of how possessive he already felt, and not caring in the least. There are thousands of unattached males on this base, with hardly any unattached females, he realized with sudden anger. He knew he would have to tolerate other men near her, and his instincts blazed to life. He needed to mark her and keep her close.

Dagan clenched his fists to keep from marching down there and approaching her before he formulated a plan. Dagan thought about his conversation with Cam as he studied the petite beauty. He would take his friend’s advice, he decided, and do things the Caldorian way. His fingers itched to touch her soft skin. He stared, transfixed, as he imagined what he would like to do.

First, I will strip you out of that sexy as hell dress so that I can see my prize, then lay you down on that oversized sofa near the fireplace. I’ll kiss every inch of your delectable body, and use my hands and mouth everywhere, learning your body’s secrets, listening for the little sounds you make to let me know what you like. Dagan groaned aloud. You will give me control as I spread you, unable to close your legs as my fingers and mouth bring you to orgasm over and over before I bury my c**k deep inside you.

Dagan imagined how responsive she would be to his touch, how eager for his possession. He didn’t think there was any way the little human could know his every thought, but her body reacted as if she knew, and approved. Do humans have that kind of mental ability? Some kind of telepathic connection? Does she know I’m up here thinking about her? He growled with anticipation as her pebbled n*****s pushed against her dress and her breathing quickened. She blushed shyly, pulled her hair in front of her and turned her body slightly away. He used every ounce of willpower he had to resist going to her.

First things first, then. Dagan turned his back to the rail and motioned Cam to lean closer. “Who is the woman by the door?” he asked in a hushed tone. He didn’t want anyone to know of his intentions before he had a chance to implement the first part of his plan. His shy little human might decide to leave him high and dry before he had a chance to make his case. He looked toward the door again, making sure she was still there, undisturbed.

Cam looked to the door and back again with a frown. “That, my friend, is Sasha. My bride’s best friend and attendant this week.”

“That’s her. The one from earlier,” Dagan muttered. “She’s Rachel’s best friend?”

“What? She’s here?” Rachel asked excitedly as she walked up to where Dagan and Cam had secluded themselves. At the same moment, her phone chimed. She quickly checked her messages. “I’m so excited! I can’t wait until you meet her, Cam!” she said as she brushed a quick tear away. “I’ve really missed her,” she added, already headed for the stairs.