Nykyrian held his hand out to Kiara. Rising, Kiara tucked her hand into his.

A frown covered Orinthe's face. "You're not leaving now?"

He nodded before replacing his glasses. "If you need anything, call me or Rachol."

Orinthe sighed in a way that made Kiara think Nykyrian's words embarrassed her. She looked up at Nykyrian and her friendly, warm smile returned. "You take care of yourself and this pretty lady. The two of you make a handsome couple."

Kiara smiled at the gentle woman. "Thank you."

By Nykyrian's face, Kiara could tell the compliment made him uncomfortable. "I'll check on the two of you in a couple of weeks."

Orinthe nodded and showed them to the door.

Nykyrian led the way back down the street. Kiara watched his rigid spine and knew something was bothering him. "What's wrong now?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I wish Orinthe hadn't told you what she did."

Kiara's stomach twisted. Was there anything that ever got past this man's hearing? "I wish you had told me yourself."

Nykyrian hesitated and looked down at her. Kiara wished he didn't have his glasses on so she could read his mood, his emotions.After a moment, he shifted. "Why do you want to know about my childhood? I prefer not to think about those days. They're gone and forgotten."

Kiara scoffed. "Forgotten? Were that true, you wouldn't be so distant to me. Why can't you let me inside you?"

His jaw tensed and he glanced around at the thronging crowd. "This isn't the place to be having an intimate discussion. Leave this line of interrogation before I lose any more patience." Kiara sighed, wanting to strangle him.

In awkward silence, she followed him into a large shopping complex at the end of the street. Her aggravation was forgotten as she stared at the gamut of merchandise dazzling her eyes. Everywhere she looked, bright colors greeted her gaze.

Nykyrian led her to a lift where they got off on the second floor. Huge glass counters were filled with accessories and trims. Clothing styles were hung over abstract mannequins, showing how they might look on various life-forms.

Kiara glanced around at the luxurious fabrics, then realized the upper floor contained the most expensive items in the store. "There were several attractive dresses below," she said, awed by the price tags.

Nykyrian caught her arm as she started to turn around, his jaw tense. "I'm more than capable of supplying you with several wardrobes from the items up here."

"But- "

"But nothing, mu Tara. Start shopping."

Kiara bit her lip in agitation, unwilling to give in so easily. "This really isn't- "

"Kiara," he growled low in his throat.

She sighed in a huff. "Fine. When you're bankrupt, remember I tried to stop you."

A smile curved his lips. Entranced by those gorgeous dimples, Kiara wished she could keep him smiling and make him laugh.

"Kiara Biardi!"

Kiara turned around to face an excited salesclerk. The young woman stared at her withhuge, excited brown eyes.

"Oh my God, I love you!" she gushed. "I saw Silent Prayer last year and thought it was the best thing ever produced! You are the best!"

Kiara smiled, warmed by the compliment, but the woman's words seemed to annoy Nykyrian even more. He dropped his firm grip from her elbow.

"Thank you," Kiara said to the clerk, wondering what Nykyrian's problem was now.

"My name is Terra and whatever you need, just let me know. Oh my God. I can't wait to tell my mother, she'll never believe this!"

Kiara glanced at Nykyrian to see how he was taking the clerk's continuing adoration.

Now, he just watched them, his features stoic.

Kiara allowed the clerk to take her by the arm and show her a variety of pieces. For all the generosity of her father, Kiara realized she had never seen such extravagant materials. Each piece was light and airy with the most delicate, silky texture.

Terra explained that many of the fabrics were from non-human worlds, brought to the store only by an exorbitant price. Kiara glanced over her shoulder, unsure how much Nykyrian was willing to spend on her clothes.

"I like that one," he said, indicating the one Terra held. "Don't worry about the price, just buy whatever you need."

Terra smiled at him. "If you're not counting coins, I have an even better line in the back!"

At his nod, she moved them to the exclusive lines.

Despite her reluctance, Nykyrian and Terra fitted Kiara with enough clothes to last two months. As Terra left to place the order, Kiara narrowed her eyes at Nykyrian. "I can't believe you spent so much on me!"

He shrugged.

"Dammit Nykyrian, I can't take all of this." She wished she could see his eyes. Instead, her angry reflection glared back at her from the dark lenses. Terra returned with her computer ledger and Nykyrian quickly signed his name and indicated where thepackages were to be delivered.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked, handing the ledger back to Terra.

Kiara clenched her teeth. "Not hardly."

With a nod to Terra, he took Kiara's arm and led her from the store. "We need to get Rachol's part next."

Kiara remained silent throughout the transaction in the part's store. All she wanted was to know a few answers to the billion questions she had about the man she had given herself to. Why wouldn't he just talk to her?

"Are you hungry?" he asked as they left the store, Rachol's part tucked securely under his arm.

"Yes," she answered sullenly, her stomach rumbling at the thought.

He took her hand and led her across the busy street to a small cafe. Her hand burned at his touch and her anger vanished. Kiara's heart pounded and at the moment, she wished they were back at home, alone.

As they stepped up onto the curb, Kiara noticed a small group of Andarions watching them.

Nykyrian stiffened, noting them as well. "Do you know Prince Jullien?" he asked in a brittle voice.

"That's who he is!" Kiara exclaimed, relieved to know why the short, pudgy Andarion looked so familiar.

Noticing the firm set of Nykyrian's jaw, she wondered what animosity he had to the man. Was there anyone, or anything for that matter, Nykyrian didn't object to?

Nykyrian seated them in the rear of the restaurant, his back against the wall so he could scan the occupants. Suddenly, his body tensed and she detected the smallest hint of his lips curling in anger. Kiara turned around to see what had him upset now, and saw Jullien making his way toward them, his large guards following only a step behind.

Without a word of courtesy, Jullien took a seat beside Kiara and lifted her hand in his soft, fat palm. Kiara stifled her cringe at the white flesh, wondering what made theprince think she had any desire to be touched by him. The last thing she needed at that moment was an adoring admirer salivating over her. Especially this prince who had pursued her incessantly last year when she had performed at his father's command on Triosa.

"Tarn Biardi, it is a pleasure to see you again." Jullien smiled a confident smile that told her how much arrogance the ugly thing possessed.

She smiled stiffly. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Your Highness," she replied, wishing she could think of a way to get him out of her face.

His fingers stroked hers as he stared into her eyes with a desire that churned her stomach. As he was flipping a lock of coal black hair from his shoulder, his smile turned seductive. His obvious vanity annoyed her. As fat and ugly as he was, he'd be lucky to find a concubine willing to service his needs. No doubt he thought himself quite a catch because of his wealth and money.

Kiara glanced at Nykyrian. He looked calm except for his tense hands which clutched the menu, and she had the distinct feeling it was taking all his self-control not to leap at Jullien and strangle the prince. Facing Jullien, she met his gaze and had to stifle a shudder at his mutated greenish-brown eyes ringed in blood red.

His smile widened. "I've spoken with my father about bringing you back to Triosa to perform. He is as enthralled with your beauty and talent almost as much as I." Jullien almost scintillated in satisfaction.

Nykyrian lowered the menu. "Emperor Aros is exceedingly generous to say such things," he gritted out between clenched teeth.

Jullien raised a disbelieving eyebrow and turned around in his chair to face Nykyrian.

Kiara held her breath, unsure of what would follow. No one spoke to a prince unless acknowledged beforehand.

"I wasn't aware you had been spoken to," Jullien said in a voice Kiara knew would set Nykyrian's temper blazing.

Nykyrian's lips curled into a fierce snarl. "I don't recognize your higher order of rules."

Jullien's eyes narrowed and for a moment, Kiara thought he might call his guards to arrest Nykyrian. "You are one of my subjects. I demand proper respect!""Titana tu."

Kiara didn't know what Nykyrian's deadpan response was, but by the amount of color suffusing the prince's cheeks, she knew it was not polite. She prayed Nykyrian calmed down before Jullien's Andarion guards attacked him.

"I have never known an Andarion to bleach their hair a giakon color," Jullien sneered.

Kiara held her breath, fearing Nykyrian's response.

"Better than being fat, you rounded- "

"Your Highness," Kiara interrupted before the tensing guards could launch themselves at Nykyrian. "I would be honored to perform on Triosa. If you contact my manager, I'm sure something can be arranged." She offered Jullien a false smile.

Jullien glared intensely at Nykyrian. "Very well, mu Tarn. I have no desire to further embarrass you." Jullien stood, his eyes locked on Nykyrian's face.

Nykyrian sat there, his arms folded across his chest as if nothing in the universe was wrong. Kiara waited until Jullien had left before she narrowed her own eyes at Nykyrian. "That was unbelievably rude!"

"I get worse with age."

Kiara's palm itched to slap him. She had never been so angry at one person in her life.

"Why did you attack him that way? What has he ever done to offend you?"

"He was born."

Nykyrian's aloofness wore at her nerves. Kiara sat back in her chair. "Fine," she snapped.

Kiara continued to stare at his stoic face until she couldn't bear it any longer. "I'm tired of you locking me out. I might as well go after Jullien. I'm sure he would gladly welcome me!"

The look that crossed Nykyrian's face startled her. For a moment, she thought about apologizing, but her anger held fast. He had started this argument, let him deal with her foul mood."You would probably enjoy having his bastard children," Nykyrian snarled in a vicious whisper. "Don't flatter yourself for one minute into thinking he would have you as anything more than his kept mistress."

The insult brought a blush of rage to her cheeks. "How dare you! Do you think you could do better? I haven't seen any woman want you at all!"

The moment the words left her lips and her brain registered them, Kiara gasped. She couldn't believe she had said that. How many times had her father warned her to keep her mouth closed when she was angry?

"Nykyrian," she said softly. "I'm so sorry." He sat there unmoving until she feared she would scream.

"I think we should leave," he said, standing. Kiara looked up at him. There appeared to be no anger in his face or body.

Worse, Kiara detected she had hurt him deeply by her callous, stupid comment. "What are your feelings toward me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I think you know."

She shook her head. "No, I don't. One minute you hold me as if you fear I'm going to leave you, then the next you snap and hiss like you want me to leave."

Without answering, he turned and walked out of the cafe. Groaning with frustration, Kiara joined him. Never had she been so confused. She wanted to shake her fist at him, beat him, shake him, soothe him and even more terrifying to her, make love to him.

She clenched her teeth in frustration. Did he feel the same way about her? Was that why he was doing this, because he was every bit as confused by his emotions as she was by hers? Why couldn't he just talk to her and tell her what bothered him, why he did what he did?

Nykyrian kept glancing back over his shoulder to make sure Kiara was still behind him.

He regretted his words. For that matter, he regretted his life. He knew he should explain his feelings to her, but he wasn't sure if he could stand the barrage of emotions that would batter his soul if he released all the pain in his past. No, she would be much better off not knowing anything about him. It wasn't too late for her to find someone else.

Someone who . . . A lump formed in his stomach. He couldn't stand the thought of going back to a life without her. What was he going to do?Kiara stared at Nykyrian's back, wondering if he ever felt anything at all. All she wanted was one sign from him that he cared, that he could love her. Her heart pounded. Was that asking so very much?

They picked up her packages and made their way back to Nykyrian's house. Kiara remained silent, her emotions clumped in a tight knot in her throat.

Rachol appeared amused by their hostility as he helped unload the fighter. The only words Nykyrian spoke to her were to tell her where to store her clothes. Other than that, he grabbed a toolbox and made his way out to the bay to work on Rachol's ship.

In angry, irate jerks, Kiara pulled her clothes out of the bags and boxes, and set about putting them away. As each second passed, she became angrier and angrier at herself for caring what Nykyrian thought anyway. She was acting like some love-sick teenager. If he didn't want her, fine. She could easily find someone else.

Her heart sank at the thought. She didn't want anyone else. She wanted Nykyrian.

Ignoring her new clothes on the bed, she curled up on the mattress and sobbed out the misery burning in her soul.

"So what did you two do today?" Rachol asked, helping Nykyrian jerk open the panel on his stabilizer.

"Nothing," Nykyrian said. "Did you find Driana's address."

Rachol nodded, his eyes probing Nykyrian in a way that always made him want to throw something at the man.

Rachol handed him a power wrench. "I also found out some interesting tidbits about you and Driana."

Nykyrian narrowed his eyes. He definitely wanted to throw something at Rachol. "You weren't supposed to go into her personal file, or mine for that matter."

Rachol shrugged and unwrapped the new part. "Couldn't resist."