Hidden Empire - Kevin J. Anderson [182]
However, after studying the long list of prospective mates, Jora'h could not drive thoughts of the enchanting Nira Khali from his mind. He had read the names of supplicants from his own race and viewed images of the females, a spectrum of Ildiran beauty. His assistants would consider the records of previous lovers he had chosen, so that he would not appear to play favorites among the kiths. Jora'h had to be fair to all his people.
But more than anything else, he wanted Nira. The green-skinned, beguiling woman from Theroc filled his thoughts. None of the other names in the catalog of options could compare with her innocent, exuberant charms.
At last the Prime Designate chose at random, a singer who came to him trilling and ecstatic. Her large dark eyes were wide, her smile and smooth body eager to please him. She was called Ari't, and when she told him her name, she sang it in musical notes rather than speaking more familiar sounds.
Jora'h's delighted laugh was a harsh and guttural sound compared with the tones that flowed like honey out of Ari't's mouth. His smoky eyes gleamed with starlight reflections as he looked appreciatively at the ethereal singer.
"My deepest gratitude for choosing me, Prime Designate," Ari't said, and ended her sentence with a flourish of wordless melody. "I hope you find me acceptable as a mate."
Jora'h wished for nothing more than to forget his fantasies of Nira. He sank back into his curved chair, admiring the singer's exotic form. "You are very acceptable, Ari't."
She looked back at him, awestruck and nervous, giddy with disbelief. Jora'h let his eyes fall half-closed as he studied her body, her face. Without referring to the list, he couldn't remember if he had ever chosen a member of the singer kith before.
Ari't's chest was broad, her ribcage expanded to accommodate powerful lungs. Her throat was enlarged to contain a symphony of delicate vocal cords. She had the most beautiful voice that Jora'h had ever heard. Ari't supposedly had the ability to make her audiences weep, or laugh, or fall in love.
"Sing for me first, Ari't." His voice went husky, a little afraid of what she might be able to do.
"It would be my honor, Prime Designate." And out of her mouth flowed a swirling river of music, melodies and tones that needed no words or verses, only the colorful crystal of sound itself. Jora'h felt as if he had been hypnotized.
For decades now, since he had come of age, the Prime Designate's staff had maintained lists of the women who applied to become his lovers. He had done his duty with diligence, choosing carefully and spreading his noble bloodline among the lesser kiths as well. He mated with swimmers and scalies. He honored women of the least-humanoid-looking breeds. All kiths had admirable qualities, and Jora'h found beauty and strength in each one, though other nobles might have seen only ugliness.
The Prime Designate showed kindness and deference to every one of his mates, though he was never expected to fall in love. Even with mates that he found unattractive, Jora'h took care never to allow them to feel belittled or inadequate.
He particularly remembered a tall, brutish-looking female of the warrior kith, whom he had impregnated the previous year. Mage-Imperator Cyroc'h had taken great pains to impress upon his oldest son that each breed of Ildiran had its unique role in the Empire, and it was Jora'h's duty to honor them all. Besides, the Prime Designate had enough gorgeous and exotic lovers to make up for any unpleasantness he might briefly endure. In fact, he recalled with generous optimism, that warrior female had given him some of the most exhausting and athletic sex he'd ever enjoyed.
Now in his private chambers, Ari't's song carried him through his thoughts and memories until he was no longer aware of where he was. Slowly the singer's melody changed and her tone grew richer, transforming into an incredibly