Page 21 of Secretly Mated To My Monster Alien Boss
“You’re funny.” Kiara’s bubble of laughter burst through her gloom. “And thanks, I needed that right now.”
“It is one of my great joys to make you laugh,” Deryg said. “Just don’t go around spilling those secrets to the Xirians. They have enough confidence for all the Nine galaxies.”
“Not a big fan of Xirians, I take it.”
“They talk too much. And they think we’re too arrogant. The displeasure is quite mutual, I assure you.”
“Then why are they coming here if you dislike each other so much?”
“We don’t dislike thecompetitionbetween our species,” Deryg said with a jagged grin as they entered her office and the door slid shut behind them. “And right now, Deruzians are winning. Which is why I was surprised they sent this gift.”
As he placed the long, thin package on her desk, Kiara got flashbacks from the last time they were here and couldn’t keep their hands off each other. If she didn’t stop her mind from drifting, her cheeks were going to blush the same shade of red as her dress.
“After yesterday’s incident, I had to thoroughly inspect it myself,” Deryg went on, looking at the brown, nondescript wrapping like he wasn’t all that impressed. “Especially since I found out it was for you. Then I had to personally deliver it.”
“Of course, doing your duty and all.” Kiara laughed, coming closer to the desk. “Why would the Xirians send me something?”
“You invited them.”
“Because Yakirian specifically said he wanted a Xirian delegation at the event.”
“Doesn’t matter to them. You put their names on the list, they see you as Alien Inc.’s representative. It’s an honor to receive something from them.”
Then she’d better not screw it up then, huh? She carefully reached for the material covering the gift. It looked like paper,but as soon as her fingers touched it, it melted away into nothing, like water evaporating.
All that remained was a long, perfectly sculpted cylinder, about as long as her forearm, with a ball at one end, and a wooden base.
“What is this?” Kiara asked, transfixed.
“It’s a message,” Deryg said.
“Okay, butwhat?”
“Patience.” He gave her one of his confident grins and Kiara felt like she’d internally melt just like the Xirian material had. “I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise for you.”
So Kiara waited, her eyes glued to the Xirian contraption. And waited some more. She didn’t really have time–
All of a sudden, the sphere at the end of the cylinder began spinning. With each rotation, a translucent film descended in a bow shape. On it, holograms of stars and planets floated in a sea of numbers.
“It’s…gorgeous,” Kiara whispered, coming closer to the Xirian device. Among the planets, she recognized the blueish tint of Earth and Deruzia’s smokey burgundy shade, but none of the others. “Is this a map?”
“Sort of.” Deryg smacked his lips; he wasn’t too happy. “It’s a Xirian calendar, showing the stars’ and planets’ alignment to each other, so you’d get a better sense of time–in case you want to invite them over for another event. Or a meeting.”
Ah, hence this being a message. “So the Xirians want to play nice. And you don’t like that.”
Deryg came to stand beside her. “Competition can be good–if it’s not taken to the extremes. Unfortunately, both Deruzians and Xirians are adept at that.”
“Oh, come now.” She playfully swatted at his huge arm. “You know Deruzians are our favorite aliens. You came here first.”
“Tell that to the human protesters.”
“They must be having a field day with so many alien species coming to Earth. Any news about Kevin?”
“He’s apparently broken the record for the amount of times he has cried, according to your human police. Still won’t say which Deruzian sent him here.”
Honestly, Kiara doubted a Deruzian had; they were so in love with their own rules and morals, she couldn’t see how one of them would jeopardize their entire species’ future on Earth. And from the way Deryg hummed, he didn’t quite believe that theory either.
“I’ll find out more after the event. Tomorrow,” Deryg said, with absolute certainty. Kiara instantly felt safer.
