Dryxel led her down the platform and onto the green grass of Tourmalane. She tried to steady the tremble in her hands, not wanting to show fear, even if she was terrified. A group of men walked toward them. Now more than ever she wished she could see. Were they Dryxel’s family, or merely curious Tourmalanes?
“Welcome home, son,” one of the men said. Since she couldn’t see whose mouth had moved, she didn’t know which one to look at. Perhaps the one in the middle?
“Father, I’d like to introduce you to my mate, Lucie.” Dryxel pulled her forward and placed her hand in his father’s. The man pulled her into a warm, enthusiastic hug, and all of her doubts evaporated.
“I’m so happy to meet you, Lucie. You’ve given my other sons hope that their mates are still out there somewhere. I don’t know why Dryxel decided to go after the bounty on the Keshpans, but I’m glad it led him to you.”
“Thank you, Majesty,” she mumbled against his shirt.
“Uh-uh. None of this Majesty stuff. You call me father.”
Tears gathered in her eyes as she returned his hug.
She was quickly pulled away from the king and into another’s embrace. “And you can call me brother,” said a gruff voice.
“Or you can call him Lyros,” Dryxel said with some humor. “He’s the middle child of the family.”
“I’m Vandir, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,” said the third man. “I’m Dryxel’s youngest brother.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you all,” she said warmly. “I have to admit I was a little nervous.”
“Why?” Vandir asked, his voice full of curiosity.
“Because I thought you would be upset when you saw the extent of my blindness. Now that I’ve heard your voices, I will be able to recognize you should you come into a room and speak. I don’t see well enough to know who you are otherwise though.”
“We’ll make sure to announce ourselves when we’re around you, Lucie,” the king said.
“I’m taking Lucie to meet with the healer. Not only do I want him to check on the baby, I wondered if perhaps the same treatment that worked on Rybolt might work on her sight as well.”
“Now that’s a wonderful idea,” Lyros said. “I’m sure he’ll be able to help her.”
“You really think I’ll be able to see again?” she asked, not daring to hope it might be true.
“Maybe not as well as you once did,” Dryxel said, “but certainly better than you do now. It wouldn’t hurt to try.”
“Can we go now?” she asked.
The king laughed. “Of course. We’ll all go with you. I’m anxious to hear how that baby is doing.”
Dryxel swept her into his arms and she curled her arms around his neck. She’d argued more than once over the last few days that she was more than capable of walking, but he seemed quite content to carry her around. She wondered if he still would when she was the size of a small whale and nearing her due date. Rolling her eyes at her silly thoughts, she realized he would probably be worse closer to her due date. The man treated her like she was made of spun glass, ready to break at any moment.
As they neared what seemed to be a large wall with an open gate, she looked up at him. “Where are we going?”
“The healer’s med center is within the palace walls. We’ll be there shortly.”
True to his word, a few minutes later they were stepping inside a pristine white chamber. A man came out to greet them, his voice strong and certain.
“Your Majesty. Princes. Who do you have with you?”
“Healer, this is my mate, Lucie,” Dryxel said. “We bonded on our way home and wondered if you might check on the babe for us.”
“Of course! Bring her over to the table and lay her down.” He cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, you and your other sons may want to turn your back. I’ll have to expose the young lady’s stomach to check on the babe.”
She heard feet shuffling and watched the three men move toward the door.
The healer scanned her with something cool, made some tapping noises, then declared the babe perfectly healthy. He assured the prince it was too soon to tell the sex of the child, but promised to tell them if they came back in a few weeks.
“There’s one other thing, Healer,” Dryxel said. “My mate is nearly blind. I wondered… would the treatment you used on Rybolt possibly work on her?”
“Well… I would need to know more about her condition. Have you always been blind, princess?”
“No,” she answered. “There was a blast at the auction house on Keshpa. The heat seared my eyes and blinded me. Through several treatments I was able to regain some of my vision, but I only see blurry shapes and colors.”
“I can’t guarantee complete recovery of sight, but we might be able to improve it a bit. Let me gather some of the solution I used. You’ll need to wash your eyes with it three times a day for a week. By then, we should know if it’s going to work.”
“Thank you, Healer,” she said with a smile.
“You’re most welcome, princess. I’ll do anything I can for you.”
He moved away, leaving her alone with Dryxel and her new family, who had come closer once more. As they waited for the solution, Dryxel helped her sit up, wrapping an arm around her waist. She loved that he was always so gentle with her, always so careful. It drove her a little mad that he thought she needed help all the time, but maybe that would change when some of her sight returned.
She was determined to think positively. Her sight would improve. If it had worked for this Rybolt they mentioned, then surely it would work for her. The healer even seemed optimistic. Just think… she would be able to see what her mate looked like! When she held her child, she might be able to see the baby’s face, to watch his or her expressions. Her heart filled with joy.
After they had the solution in hand, she was escorted into the palace and shown her new room -- Dryxel’s room. It was more of a suite really, having a small connecting room with a sitting area and an attached bathroom. She could easily hide out in here if she didn’t want to face anyone, and still have everything she needed. Well, assuming she could convince someone to bring her something to eat.
“Do you want to try the solution?” Dryxel asked.
“Yes!”
He helped her wash out her eyes, the solution stinging slightly at first. Then the stinging changed to heat and made her eyes water. She hoped that meant it was working. Lucie would gladly go through this several times a day if it meant she would be able to see Dryxel’s face, see his smile, look into his eyes each morning. It would be worth the discomfort.
“Why don’t you rest while I call someone to come measure you for your new clothes?” he asked. “It may take them a while to get here.”
“I don’t think I could sleep if I tried.”
“Then come with me. I’m going to speak with my brothers. The Tarnans were on the right track, as far as repopulating their planet. If we bought slaves, then freed them here on Tourmalane, we could easily increase our female numbers.”
She smiled. “You mean increase it from two already mated and pregnant women?”
He chuckled. “Yes.”
“Are you sure I won’t be in the way?”
He pulled her close and placed a kiss against her lips. “You’re never in the way.”
“Then I’ll come with you. If I were to lie down, I’d probably toss and turn and just make a mess of the bed. I have too much nervous energy buzzing about inside of me to sit still for very long.”
“Still nervous?” he asked, sounding worried.
“No, not really. Not anymore. I know I’m going to like it here, Dryxel. It already feels like home. Your father and your brothers are wonderful.”
He kissed her again. “Come on, sweet. Let’s go see where those brothers of mine are hiding. The sooner I get this discussion out of the way, the sooner I can show off my new mate to my people. I’m sure everyone is looking forward to meeting you.”
* * *
I
t was several days later, after settling into something of a routine, that Lucie noticed a difference in her vision. It was subtle, but there was definitely a change. She didn’t just see shapes and colors when she looked at Dryxel that morning. Instead of his whole face being blurred out, she could make out the outline of his nose, the general shape of his eyes, even though they were closed. She leaned forward and kissed his full, sensual lips.
His eyes slowly opened and he smiled at her. Smiled! She could see his smile! All right, so it wasn’t clear, or very crisp or focused, but she could tell that he was smiling at her. Her heart sang with joy as a whole new world opened up to her, a world she’d thought she’d lost forever. No more sitting on the sidelines, wondering what everyone was talking about. No more asking people for descriptions of things so she could “see” them. She could use her own two eyes!
“You’re in a good mood this morning,” he commented, still smiling.
“You have a beautiful smile,” she said softly.
He sat up quickly, pulling her into his arms. “You can see my smile?”
She nodded eagerly. “And your nose. And this stubborn looking chin,” she said, tapping on the chin in question.
He laughed and hugged her tight. “The solution is working! I knew it!”
“It’s only been a few days. Just think how much more improved my sight will be at the end of the week. I may be able to see well enough to recognize faces from farther away.”
“I’m so happy for you, Lucie, but even if your eyes didn’t improve any more than they already have, I would still be happy. Just knowing that you were able to see me smile fills me with joy.”
“Should we get dressed and share the news?”
Dryxel looked out the window at the rising sun. “I’m not sure anyone else is awake just yet. But I’d love to watch the sunrise with you. Why don’t you get dressed and we’ll go sit in the garden? The staff will be awake soon. I’ll order some breakfast for us.”
Lucie bounced out of the bed and began pulling on clothes. By the time she finished, Dryxel was dressed and waiting on her. She took his hand and they walked together down to the garden. Settling on the ground near the hilltop, she snuggled into his embrace and watched the burning embers of the sun as it slowly crept over the horizon. She’d been surprised there was only one sun, but there were two gorgeous moons. Lucie loved to sit out on the balcony off their suite and look up at the night sky.
“You know I’m sending out men tomorrow to search for potential mates,” he said.
She nodded her head against his shoulder.
“Normally I would go with them, but I don’t want to leave you just yet. I know eventually I’ll have to go for a few days at a time, maybe even a week or two, but my father is being lenient at the moment.”
She snorted. “Your father is leaving you here for my benefit, not your own. He’s worried I won’t last more than a day without you by my side.”
“Oh? Are you saying that you can?”
“Well… I won’t slip into a state of depression, but I would miss you a great deal. I would have our family around me to keep me company and keep me safe. You know they wouldn’t let anything happen to me while you were gone.”
He smiled. “True enough.”
“Dryxel. There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you.”
“Anything.”
“What is it, exactly, that I’m supposed to do? I know I’m your princess, but so far that consists of me sitting on my rear not doing anything all day every day. Isn’t there some way in which I can contribute? I know you have duties that you oversee here at the palace, and of course there are your travels with the other warriors. Your brothers train the guards and your father oversees everything. What is there for me to do?”
“I had hoped you might ask that.”
“Well?”
He laughed. “We’re going to be bringing women to a planet that hasn’t seen a woman’s touch in twenty years, Lucie. I need you to oversee their lodgings and gather whatever you feel is necessary for them to feel welcome here on Tourmalane. It will be you who guides them until they find their destined mates.”
“What if they don’t find their mates?”
“There are some here who do not care if they have children, some who only wish for companionship. The women will be taken care of regardless of whether or not they mate. And if they need to feel useful, I’m sure we can always use more help around the palace and grounds.”
Lucie nodded. “I’ll start gathering things this afternoon.”
He kissed her brow, her cheek, her jaw. “Now that business is out of the way, and the sun is well on its way to showing us what a glorious day it’s going to be, do you think we might do something a little more fun?”
Her eyes widened. “Out here? Anyone could see us!”
“Then at least kiss me. I’ve been too long without your lips on mine.”
She giggled and leaned forward to plant her lips on his, a quick peck and she pulled back. “Satisfied?”
He growled. “Not hardly.” Pulling her tight against his body, he slanted his mouth over hers, coaxing, demanding, giving as well as taking. As he showed her how much he loved her, needed her, Lucie realized that perhaps he had enchanted her after all that day in the hall on board the Lynten 12. But if this was enchantment, she hoped it never ended.
Surrender
Jessica Coulter Smith
Kidnapped by pirates, all Meghan wants is to return to Earth and her brother, the only family she has left. Unbeknownst to Meghan, her kidnapping was not a matter of chance. The pirates were sent after her. But before they can sell her, or worse, she is rescued by more pirates and taken to the alien world of Tarnan, where she is told she must choose a warrior mate. Determined to return home at any cost, Meghan refuses every advance made to her.
Zayne, an inventor of weapons, isn’t sure what to make of the Earth female. She isn’t anything like the ones that have been brought to their world before. She’s prickly and rude, and sometimes downright hostile. When he beseeches the Prime to allow her to return home, he, instead, ends up with her in his home, as his assistant.
As time passes, the two grow closer. When Meghan receives devastating news, it’s Zayne who is there for her, comforting her. She begins to see the alien-hybrid in a new light and allows herself to open her heart to the possibility of a mate.
But the road to their union is a bumpy one, and both are left wondering if they will ever be allowed to be together as more than friends.
Chapter One
Meghan watched the large Kilgar warrior warily. He’d been posted in the lower level of the ship to guard her and the other females on board. There was a loud boom and the ship rocked. The guard leapt from his reclining position and rushed out the door. Meghan looked at the others. Terror shone brightly in their eyes and she had to admit to feeling a frisson of fear herself.
Minutes ticked by and two large warriors entered the lower chamber. They looked different from the brightly red-skinned Kilgars. She wasn’t sure if she could trust them though. To have defeated such nasty pirates, they had to be lethal. Were they here to free them? Or had she and the other females merely traded one master for another?
The smaller of the two warriors made his way down the line of cells, his face looking fiercer and fiercer the closer he came to her cage. He and the other warrior began opening the cell doors. The women rushed out of their cells into the warriors’ arms, but the smaller one set them aside and told them to follow his friend.
When the warrior paused in front of her cell, she tried to make herself small. So far, they hadn’t lashed out at the females, hadn’t spoken harshly to them, but that didn’t mean they were kind.
“You’re safe,” the warrior assured her. “Can you understand me?”
She nodded. “I was implanted with a translator shortly after I was picked up.”
Her cell door clanged open and the warrior held out his hand to her. “Come,” he commanded.
<
br /> She rose to her feet and paused a moment. Meghan didn’t think it was a trap, but she could never be too careful.
“Come,” he commanded again. ““My name is Sol and I mean you no harm. My crew has defeated the pirates who held you captive. You’re protected now. No one will harm you.”
“I can go home?”
He hesitated. “We know of your Earth, but it isn’t safe for us to travel there. Your planet doesn’t yet know that other life-forms exist. Until Earth is ready for such a revelation, we must keep our distance.”
“That isn’t true! The Slorgovs and Vishtus have made themselves known to us. We were in a battle with them not long ago. The Slorgovs attacked our planet six months ago and the Vishtus came to our rescue. We were unprepared for battle among the stars.”
Sol tapped his fingers against his leg. “Be that as it may --”
“Ransom me! My brother works for NASA’s new elite team. I know they’ll pay to get me back.”
“I don’t think you understand. While you aren’t a slave, you aren’t precisely free to do as you please either. My home planet, Tarnan, has few women. While none of us will force you, it is my intention to take you there where you may find a mate amongst my people.”
Her lips thinned. “And if I refuse?”
“I didn’t realize you were given a choice,” Sol said with a raised eyebrow. “Come, let’s get you cleaned up and figure out sleeping arrangements.”
“I won’t whore myself out.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
She stepped closer to the door, pausing to look him in the eye. There was a bit of impatience in his gaze, but she didn’t see anger or disgust. Lifting her chin, she sailed past him and paused at the outer door. The warrior chuckled and grasped her hand, leading her out of the bowels of the ship to board his own vessel.
Intergalactic Loyalties Page 15