Kitari Dolana was waiting for them in the ship’s library. She was one of the crewmembers Audra had met on arrival. Audra had taken an instant dislike to the dark haired beauty, sensing an intimacy between her and Darius. Darius had told her he didn’t have a lover on board but that didn’t mean they hadn’t been lovers. Now Audra wondered why she’d thought so, but couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more between these two than just captain and crewmember.
There were a great number of books lying on a table in front of her. As they entered Kitari rose and bowed her head. “Welcome, Princess Dayanara. I trust you slept well.”
Hearing sarcasm, Audra wondered if she somehow knew about the nightmare. No, that wasn’t possible. Only Darius shared her secret. “Yes, Kitari, very well. Shall we get started? I’m told I have a lot to learn and very little time in which to do it. Is that not right, Darius?” Using his first name, she made sure there was little doubt that she was staking her claim.
“Yes, Princess Dayanara, quite right.” She frowned at his use of her title, missing the familiarity they shared this morning. “Where would you like to begin, Kitari?”
Kitari watched them and then sighed. Audra secretly smiled. She won the first battle. Darius was hers and no one was going to take him away. Especially this skinny, black haired bitch, with a body Audra would have died for.
Good grief, what in the world was wrong with her? She had no claim on Darius. But it bothered her to think of him with this woman, any woman. Closing her eyes in frustration, she sat in her chair opposite Kitari.
“Thank you, Captain. I’m sure you have many things to attend to. Kitari will take good care of me.” She dismissed him as best she could.
“True. I shall return in time for the mid meal.” He nodded his head to her. “Princess Dayanara. Kitari.”
“Well, Princess Dayanara,” Kitari was the first to speak after Darius’ departure. “I believe it would be best to start with the history of your family. To begin with, the Danexx family has been ruling Centauri for more than a thousand years. Their line has been unbroken. When you marry Anton...Coridian, the Danexx line will continue--as I’m sure you will have many children.”
This last she said with some distaste, at least to Audra’s way of thinking. Did she not like children? Audra heard something in her tone she couldn’t quite place her finger on. “I suppose so.” Hoping that Kitari didn’t hear her lack of conviction she said, “I’m sure Anton and I will do fine. After all, our parents betrothed us when I was a baby. Surely they wouldn’t have done that if they didn’t have the utmost respect for the Coridian family.”
“True. I’m sure you’ll be well suited for each other.” Kitari didn’t look at Audra, but pulled a book in front of her instead. “Shall we begin your lessons, Princess?”
“We will be.” Audra said trying to convince herself more than Kitari. “He will be my husband.”
“I shall never forget that, Princess, believe me.”
Realization dawned. “You love him...Anton, I mean,” Audra whispered. “Oh, Kitari, I’m so sorry.” She reached across the table to take her hand only to have the other woman snatch it from her reach.
“Don’t feel sorry for me, Princess.” Taking a deep breath, she shook her head and said, “I apologize for my outburst. Do you wish for me to be honest with you?”
Though wary, Audra really didn’t want to have this woman as an enemy. “Yes, I do.”
“Anton and I have been together since we were children. I always knew about the betrothal. Then when I saw you, I felt sure that he would come to me, despite the betrothal.”
