Dex was pissed. That female…that vile, vain female…was enough to drive a male to a killing frenzy. He touched his face where her claws had nicked him. That would be the last time she hurt him.
He really hated Rialla. Twenty-five seasons his father's junior, many were shocked when she became queen. Except for him. Dex knew that she was ambitious and coveted a title. After failing to seduce him, she'd chased his father and succeeded. She was spoiled, loved excess and was more conniving than any female he'd ever met. Dex avoided her for the most part, but times like today were a study in patience.
"Dex! Wait up!"
He paused for his friend and sparring partner, Vin SenseAll, to catch up. Vin's intimidating Rieyad bulk left males quaking and females swooning. Despite his appearance, Vin was kind and hated fighting. Ironic, since he came from a bloodline of fighters.
"You should be careful, Dex. I can smell your rage and her scent. What happened this time?" Vin demanded.
"The usual. I almost hit her, Vin. I was…this close." Dex sighed. "What Father saw in her, I'll never know. But let's talk of nicer things. What are you in such a hurry for?"
Vin chuckled and slapped Dex on the back. "Come see."
Dex started to protest, but Vin was unmoved. The Rieyad led Dex toward the training rooms.
"Vin, I'm not in a sparring mood."
"Good, because that's not what we're doing. Trust me, you'll thank me later."
"Promises, promises." Dex laughed and felt some of his humor returning.
His friend stopped at the last door. "Go on in."
Dex was suspicious. "Why?"
Vin rolled his eyes. "Must you ask a million questions?" He opened the door on a darkened room.
"It wasn't a million, just one. Why do you always answer my question with a question?"
"I do it to see if you're awake," Vin retorted. "Well, I did ask nicely."
"What do you," Dex was cut off mid-sentence by Vin's heavy slap to the back that sent him falling into the darkness. He landed face first on the marble floor. "Vin!" he bellowed and scrambled to his feet with a growl.
His friend stood in the doorway, a grin on his face. "Trust me."
"No! Don't do it, Vin!" He rushed forward, and Vin, with a wave and smirk, closed the door. The snick of the door lock activating earned a few rounds of cursing from Dex. "Vin, you are getting trounced at our next practice!"
Dex moved to find a light and his nose caught the musky scent of a female in heat. He froze, his thoughts racing.
A soft glow filled the area. He saw her then—beautiful tawny fur, nicely toned body and bountiful breasts. Unbidden, a growl of appreciation escaped him.
"My Prince, I am Nala. I am here to serve your needs." She sashayed toward him, her gaze locked on his face.
Dex was nonplussed. He didn't need this right now. "Nala, is it? Well, Nala, I'd love to stay, but I have duties to attend to." He stepped back, ready to bolt if she tried anything.
"Poor Prince Dex. Everyone knows about your problem." Nala missed his enraged expression. Oblivious to his clenching paws, she continued. "Maybe the other females were not good enough for a male of your strength." She reached him and trailed her paw down his right arm. "But I can do what they can't."
Dex's weary expression didn't faze Nala. She kept stroking his fur and peering up into his eyes.
"Let me be the female to mate you, give you pleasure." Her free paw stroked down his chest and headed lower. Her voice was husky with lust.
Dex gritted his teeth and caught her paw. "Stop! Find some other male to assuage your heat. I'm not interested."
Nala snarled and jerked free. Her eyes raked him from head to groin. She gaped and then mocked him. "So, what they say is true. You are not male enough from the waist down. Our poor King! He has an impotent heir," she chortled while pointing at Dex's unresponsive member.
Fed up with her behavior, he let out a belly deep snarl of rage that silenced Nala. Ignoring her fearful look, he grabbed her arm, and dragged her to the door. Unsurprisingly, it opened and he shoved her out into the hall. "Scram, guard slut."
He ignored her yowl of feminine outrage and slammed the door. He waited until her angry footfalls receded before he sat down. He had to stay focused. Dex hoped that the Earth visit would prove more rewarding than the voyage to it. With another sigh, he left the training room and sought the solace of his own bed.