She squinted her eyes at him.

"Chiss," his eyes darted to her plump lips as her voice came out an octave lower than she expected. 

She cleared her throat slightly and licked her bottom lip before continuing.  "Why did you choose me?"

Her curiosity had clearly gotten the better of her. 

He closed his eyes and rubbed at the back of his neck in desperation. 

How could he tell this woman that she was in fact not his?

There was so much between them. 

That was clear. 

He sucked in a breath and could not meet her eyes as he said what he should have long before ever bringing her into his home.

"Well," he started hesitatly. "The commander has actually placed claim on you.  You will meet him formally this evening at the welcoming ceremony."

Her eyes suddenly flooded with trepidation, and her mouth twitched the slightest bit.

"Oh, I just thought that..." her cheeks burned with embarrassment. 

She stood abruptly, but just as she did Chiss's hand grabbed her wrist. 

"He- the commander," he began, "is a great man.  He will give you a wonderful life."

Chiss tried to imagine that was every bit true as he let go of her delicate wrist. 

"And you?" Her eyebrows raised desperately searching. 

"I am loyal to my commander." His eyes lowered as he tried to hide the feelings that flooded him in that moment. 

He blew out a breath to steady himself.  "Well, we should get ready for the festivities."

With that, he was off to his room.  

Macon waited until she heard a door close and the water from a shower pelted against  the wall. 

She stood and searched the apartment until she found a room with the dress she'd picked out earlier. 

Some toiletries lay on the bed. 

She brought each one up to inspect it carefully. 

On the dressing table she found a box. 

She opened it carefully.

Inside lay a beautiful necklace.  The stone shown like that of a fire opal. 

She held it against her palm as she studied it closer.

Laying it back in the box, she took a seat. 

Her hair and makeup were acceptable from the work that had been done earlier except for a few strands. 

She tucked them back into the braids. 

It was perhaps time to slide on the beautiful silky dress she'd picked out. 

Somehow it seemed to shine an iridescent red that held notes of turquoise and orange as well.

Her finger trailed over the fabric as she studied herself in the mirror. 

A presence at the door startled her. 

Chiss stood there in a navy blue uniform that hinted at his military occupation. Strapped at his side hung a slender gun.

His black hair was short and brushed to perfection. She'd never been one to swoon at a man in uniform, but the way he stood there so polished set free a hunger she struggled to control.

He seemed just as affected, and she couldn't help the disappointment that coursed through her veins as he walked into the room. 

The commander, she thought, would not be able to match the man that stood before her now. 

"I see you found the necklace." His mouth curved up in the corner as he noted the open box on the dressing table. 

He lifted it and brought it to her.

"May I?"

She lifted her long hair allowing him access.  He draped the chain around her neck. 

Unable to contain the thrill that spread though her as his fingers brushed the delicate skin over her spine, a silky moan hummed from her chest.

"A gift from the Saint Baylor clan." A hesitant smirk spread across his face as he surveyed the jewel hanging from her neck.  "It's been in our clan for over two hundred years."

She gasped in shock. "You can't give this to me."

"Oh, I'm sure that I can... And I just did." His teeth gleamed in the light as a true smile took over.

Whatever was between them was far more than attraction, and it stung knowing she somehow belonged to another man when she only wanted to give herself to the one that stood inches from her.

Not able to control herself, she stood on her tiptoes and placed a single kiss on his cheek. 

As she lowered, she found herself staring into darkened pupils. 

He growled out lowly causing her body to react closing the distance between them.

She leaned against him wrapping her arms around him in a hug. 

His arms remained by his sides. 

Feeling his chest rise with the deep breath he took, he looked down at her with a pained smile. 

"We should go." He said stepping out of her embrace.
She felt the loss instantly.