by Renee Carr
“Orphan son?” she asked. “What happened?”
“His...parents recently passed away,” Nathan said. “It was murder, actually, and Devon and I are on the trail of the murderer, trying to avenge their lives. Luckily, it seems Ben has been taking it well.”
“Luckily?” she asked.
“Well, it was Dragons who did it to them,” Nathan said and Ivy’s jaw dropped.
“Wow,” she said. “No wonder it’s a prickly situation. Any leads?”
“None,” Nathan said. “But it’s constantly on our minds. I don’t think Devon has talked about much else with me lately. Aside from...you.”
She blushed, for what felt like the first time in her life.
“So, he has a crown prince, then?” she asked.
“Technically, his biological son should be his Crown Prince, and I think that will come to pass, given that Ben seems more interested in serving rather than ruling.”
“And I guess your Crown Prince is your brother?” she asked.
“For now,” he replied. “After John died, we all had to learn roles that we weren’t prepared for. And although I don’t mind mine, it wasn’t what I was born to do.”
“You were born to be the Crown Prince,” she kissed him. “All the fun and none of the responsibility.”
“Plenty of responsibility,” he answered, as he kissed her back. He could feel his body rise to the occasion again, and pressed against her, trying to give her warning. She responded immediately, rolling over.
“Do you think we have time before breakfast?” she teased him.
“I think we have all the time in the world,” he answered. At this rate, they were never going to leave their bed.
Ben knocked on the door a second time, but neither of them noticed, their arms tight around each other’s bodies. Nathan knew that this was his fated mate. He just needed to find the right time to tell her, in between kisses and unavoidable temptation. If he could have this for the rest of his life, nothing else mattered in the world.
Chapter 11
“I’ve never seen you so content,” Devon said to Nathan, as they sat on the back porch. Ben had taken Ivy through the garden, giving her a very enthusiastic tour of the surrounding property. The sun was setting and they had just finished a ridiculously good dinner. Nathan’s gaze was glued to Ivy’s figure, watching as she moved about the garden.
Devon remembered very clearly the moment that he had first met Nathan, in the Knorpp royal palace. They had been little more than children, at one of the mandatory gatherings on Knorpp, meant for the royal families to mix and mingle. Devon was slightly older than Nathan, and Nathan at the time was supposed to only be the Crown Prince of Knorpp until John had a child.
Despite the fact that they were of unequal rank, they had gotten along very well. When John had died and Nathan had ascended the throne, their childhood friendship had rekindled and they had started an alliance of their two races. Nathan knew it was controversial, but so far, it seemed to be working quite well.
“I’m sure there must have been another time,” Nathan said half-heartedly. He was halfway through his fourth glass of scotch and his guard was lower than it had been in a while. “Such as...”
“No, you’re in hook line and sinker,” Devon grinned. “Have you told her?”
“No,” he said. “But she must know. She must be feeling the same thing as I am.”
“She may be,” he said. “But she grew up human, so she won’t know how to explain it.”
“Perhaps I’m insane,” Nathan said. “To think I could make this work.”
“I think you’re insane most of the time,” Devon answered. “But this isn’t something you can avoid, Nathan. Whether or not you think it’s best, a fated mate is something you have to stick with.”
“I know,” he put his head in his hands. “And I have no intention of fighting it.”
“So tell her,” Devon said. “Rather than staring like a lovesick teenage boy.”
“What would you know about that?” Nathan asked, with a grin.
“Connor has been showing interest in someone,” Devon answered. “And I’m quite sure he’s right about her. Which makes me feel better, frankly. The sooner he can marry and produce an heir, the sooner I will feel the throne is more secure than when I took it.”
“I could understand that comfort,” he answered. “You’re lucky, in Connor.”
“Just because you are having a later start doesn’t mean you are too late,” Devon replied. “I was too young when I had Connor. You have time to make sure you are right.”
Nathan knew that Connor’s mother was not Devon’s fated mate. She had been a one night stand when Devon was a prince himself, under the last King, and it seemed Connor was one of the only things to come of that relationship.
Devon had been part of the reason that Nathan did not believe in fated mates. He had seen Devon become a father and raise a successful crown prince without his fated mate, so Nathan assumed that anyone could do the same. As well, Devon was always so busy that it seemed impossible for a mate to be in his life.
When John had died childless, without advancing the family line, Nathan was firmer in his beliefs that perhaps he would just remain alone his whole life.
“Are you worried about her career?” Devon asked and Nathan shrugged.
“If she feels the same way as I do, then it shouldn’t be a problem. She’d feel that she had to choose between her career and me, and ...”
“What if you have to choose between your kingdom and her?” Devon asked, and Nathan fell silent.
“I....” he paused. “I can’t be apart from her.”
He knew that question would come up because Devon always got straight to the point. Nathan was under no illusions that he could hide even the smallest details from his best friend, and so he didn’t try.
Devon smiled at him, rather than scolding him for possibly considering leaving the throne.
“That’s the right answer,” Devon said. “Now, do you want another drink?”
“Are you trying to kill me?” Nathan answered, as he finished his drink and handed over his glass.
He was happy and relaxed for the first time in a long time.
By the time it was truly dark outside, Nathan knew his brain was sloshed in Devon’s expensive liquor. He tried his best to hide it, but Ivy knew he wasn’t quite himself as he half stumbled on the stairs.
“I would have thought that being King would teach you how to drink,” she teased him, as they stumbled into their room.
“Usually,” he replied. “But Earth’s gravity is different than Knorp.”
“Oh?” she said. “That is the best excuse for being a lightweight I have ever heard.”
“Mmm,” he leaned down to kiss her and she didn’t resist, as they sank onto the bed.
This time, the sex was slow and passionate. He took his time, enjoying every sensation as he moved within her. He closed his eyes, letting the room spin as he thrust, and feeling her hands move up and down his body. When he came this time, he almost passed out, collapsing on top of her in a sweaty mess that made her chuckle.
“I love you,” he mumbled into her neck. She didn’t respond, but she did curl up next to him, gently running her nails over his back.
“Go to sleep,” she said, quietly. The world swirled around him, and it didn’t take long for him to drift off, feeling the darkness of both alcohol and pleasure take hold of him.
The second morning, however, was not as peaceful as the first. His phone rang, and then hung up again and again. Even when they tried to ignore it, it rang again and again.
“Get it,” Ivy muttered into his neck, her body tensing at the annoying sound. Nathan’s head pounded and he felt like he might die instead. He reached for the annoying device and put it on his ear.
“Hello?” he managed, half mumbled.
“Nathan,” he recognized Joshua’s voice. “You need to come home, now.”
“Nope,” Nathan sa
id, about to hang up the phone. He really didn’t care what was happening back home at the moment. His anger rose in annoyance as he thought about the fact that no one could seem to leave him alone or manage anything by themselves for half a moment.
“Nathan, it’s Sarah,” Joshua said, and the King paused, the phone at his ear.
“What about her?”
“We had to go and bring her into the palace med bay last night,” Joshua said. “She’s dying. She wants you.”
Nathan sat up, his logical brain function returning as he listened to his brother’s words.
“What? What’s happening?”
“Her organs are failing,” Joshua said. “We’ve forced her transformation several times, it’s not working. There’s nothing left to be done.”
“How long?” Nathan demanded.
“Maybe 24 hours,” Joshua answered. “Come home.”
“I’ll be right there,” Nathan said and hung up the phone. Ivy could tell by the concern in his voice that something was terribly wrong. When he filled her in, she went pale.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “That must be so hard.”
“I have to go back,” he said. “I won't forgive myself if she ...”
“Of course,” Ivy said. “What can I do to help?”
“You can come with me,” he said, making a split-second choice. She paused.
“Up to your planet?”
“Please,” he said. In his head, it made sense to him. If she was going to be with him for the rest of his life, then she should start now. And at this moment, he didn’t want to face what was to come alone. “If you can get away.”
“I can...call in sick for a few days,” she said. “If that would help?”
“Please,” he asked.
“Of course,” she reached for her own phone, in order to make arrangements. For a moment, both of them were silent, typing into their devices. Nathan shifted and then felt bile rise in his throat. He hadn’t been hungover in years, and he cursed his body for choosing this moment.
“Are you in any shape to go?” Ivy asked him, and he set his jaw.
“It doesn’t matter,” he answered, eventually throwing off the covers and pulling on his clothes. Ivy stayed in bed, watching him as he systematically went about getting ready.
“Was it expected?” she asked him, after a moment. “I mean, I know she was sick.”
“I think that I wasn’t entirely honest with myself,” Nathan said, as he picked up his things. They had made a bit of a mess of the room in their passion, and his face remained emotionless as he picked up. “I had hoped that science would continue to advance.”
“Well, it’s not entirely too late,” Ivy said. “There’s always hope?”
“Not for Sarah,” he said, sadly. She got out of bed as well, trying to find her clothes and sliding them on. She picked up a few of her things, sliding them into her backpack. He moved over as she approached, and she reached and put her hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Yeah,” he replied. “Me too.”
When they were packed, Nathan took one last look around.
“I knew it was too good to be true,” he said. “This paradise.”
“It doesn’t have to be over,” she replied. “This is....this is just a hill we have to climb. But it’s not over.”
That gave him a little bit of hope, as he picked up his bag and went to the top of the stairs. She followed him, feeling for the first time that he was more vulnerable than he seemed.
“Devon?” Nathan hung over the top of the stairs, his voice carrying through the house. Devon seemed to sense that something was wrong, and came to the bottom of the stairs, a cup of coffee in his hands and his robe still on. When he saw Nathan with his bag, his face fell.
“You’re leaving.”
“Yeah,” Nathan answered and Devon searched his face.
“Is it Sarah?” he asked.
‘Yeah,” Nathan replied, still stilted in his replies.
“Is she...”
“Not yet,” Nathan replied. “But I should go.”
“Of course,” Devon replied and turned to Ivy. “I can arrange for you to...”
“She’s coming with me,” Nathan said and Devon looked surprised.
“Really?” he said.
“Yes,” Nathan said. “Could you arrange for us to get to a location where the ship could pick us up?”
“Yes, sure,” Devon said. “I’m sorry. Ben...” He went to call his princes, looking to ease Nathan’s process.
“Is there something we can bring her?” Ivy asked. “Something that will make her happy from Earth?”
“Oh,” Nathan paused. “I don’t know what state she’ll be in, Ivy. She could not know we are there.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean she won’t appreciate it,” Ivy said. “She’ll know, even if she can’t respond.”
“Daffodils,” he said. “Sarah always liked daffodils when we came to Earth. John used to go out of his way to get them for her, from greenhouses or from the flower shops.”
“I’ll google something,” she said, and Nathan smiled.
“You don’t need to,” he said. “Devon has some in his garden.”
“Oh,” she said. “Duh. Ben even showed me some last night. I’ll go and get some.”
“Thank you,” he said, and she looked up from her phone, finishing a text.
“For what?” she asked.
“For being here,” he replied.
“Of course,” she said, and gave him a hug on her way out the door.
Once she was gone, Nathan took a moment to take a deep breath. His brothers would be surprised that he was bringing a human girl back, breaking all the rules. Of course, this wasn’t just a run of the mill occasion. If all went well, she would sit on the Queen’s throne that had been empty since Sarah had vacated it. And Nathan thought, there was something fitting and bittersweet about Ivy saying goodbye to Sarah if she was to be the next Queen.
“I’ve got your transport to the abandoned airfield,” Devon appeared again at the bottom of the stairs. “If you’re ready?”
“Yes,” Nathan said, as he carried both the bags down the stairs. “Thank you. I know we planned to spend a few more days here, but...”
“Of course,” Devon said. “Give my condolences to your brothers as well.”
“I will,” Nathan said. “And I’ll notify you when...when it happens.”
“Thank you,” Devon said. “She was a good and just Queen, and I suppose that the peace in the situation is that she will now be joining John.”
“And no doubt he will be waiting for her with open arms,” Nathan said. The two embraced and then Devon steered him towards the door as Ivy came back up the stairs, a bouquet of daffodils in her arms.
“Is this enough?” Ivy asked. “Sorry, you don’t mind, do you?”
“No, I don’t mind,” Devon said, with a grin. “But are there any left?”
“None,” she said. “I wanted her to be happy.”
“I hope she’ll love them,” Devon said. “Creator speed, you two.”
“Thank you,” Nathan said, again, seeming stuck on repeat. Ivy steered him outside, towards the car that was waiting. Ben was in the front seat, waiting for them, and Nathan held the door for Ivy. She slid in, pulling at his arm. This was not the way that he wanted to go back to Knorpp. The crown always pulled him back, even when he wished for peace. It was his duty; his fate, and he was just happy Ivy was at his side.
Chapter 12
“You know, I’ve read about spaceships most of my life,” Ivy said, as they boarded a ship in the middle of a field. “And I never pictured anything like this. I’d Instagram this everywhere if I thought someone would believe me.”
She had never really been a fan of science fiction, mostly because she was so focused on reality. Ivy also didn’t play many games, or waste time just scrolling on social media. She never understood the people who got lost in the science
fiction world, when reality was so exhausting and often kept her so busy that she had no trouble falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
“It’s just a glorified car,” he replied. “A little bit more advanced technology than you have.”
“Well, if I could fly a ship rather than drive on the freeway, I’d do that,” Ivy was trying to keep the mood high as she looked around. “Maybe there are singing opportunities on other planets.”
“Maybe,” Nathan said, as he showed her where to sit. They had arranged for a pilot, so Nathan could be distracted if he needed to be. He sat beside her, showing her where the buckle was. “This is just for take-off and landing. After that, we can walk around.”
“Ok,” she answered. “I’m pretty used to flying. Not intergalactically, mind you, but flying, in general, is ok. How long does it take?”
“It takes a while,” he said. “Hopefully it won’t be too late.”
“It won’t be,” she assured him.
She didn’t actually anticipate that it would take more than a few hours. She thought all space travel was going to be fast, but she was surprised when the hours ticked by, and she actually managed to get a nap in. When Nathan notified her that they were arriving, she moved towards the window, putting her head on the glass as she saw a beautiful lush planet approaching.
“My goodness,” she said. “I didn’t expect it to be so...”
“Green?” he asked. “Your planet used to be that green, according to legend.”
“Don’t get me started on climate change,” she said, with a smile, as they approached the planet. She thought that it looked like a lush version of Earth; perhaps the way Earth was supposed to look before humans had ruined it. For the first time, she felt disgusted in her own race and the way that they did things. He watched, quietly, and she felt her stomach sink. “Is there any news?”
“No change,” he said, with a wince. “Which is pretty damning.”
She squeezed his hand and both of them fell silent, as they landed.
“Erm—” he said, trying to think of the right words to explain to her what was about to happen. “When we land, it’s going to be a lot of pomp and circumstance.”