Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
The ear I'm touching flicks and he chuckles. "It's something I've been thinking about for days, Maeve. I don't know that I want my throne back. I certainly don't want it bad enough to fight Rem over it."
And he gives me a tender look.
My heart clenches. Is this...is he giving up his throne for me? Is he going to tell me that he loves me? "What will you do if you give up your throne?" I ask, breathless.
Stay here. Be your husband. I love you. I imagine the words coming out of his mouth, and my innards flutter with happiness, a giddy bubble rising in my belly.
Zhur shrugs. "Head off someplace quiet and figure out what I want to do with my life."
The happy bubble pops.
CHAPTER
ONE HUNDRED EIGHT
ZHUR
Maeve is quiet as I call Kazex over and discuss the trip I need to make. I know she doesn't like it. She doesn't have to like it, though. It's necessary for her safety, and so it must be done.
Kazex takes his comm unit back and has a private discussion with his boss while I hold Maeve's hand in our booth, my thumb grazing over her soft, naked skin over and over again. Touching her calms me, reminds me what my purpose is and what I want to do moving forward.
"I hate this," Maeve says to me while we wait.
"I know." How did it take me so long to realize her skin is so buttery soft? Truly I have wasted far too much of our time together. I focused on the wrong things when I should have been kissing every bit of this glorious female.
"Maybe we should go home," she says, turning to me. "We can come up with a plan of some kind." A wild look gets in her eyes. "Maybe we can kidnap your brother and force him to give your throne back. I can act as bait, since it's clear he likes humans. All we have to do is lure him away from his guards. Maybe get a spaceship. I'm still working the details out."
I smile despite myself, because Maeve loves a wild, spur-of-the-moment plan. "I am not bringing my brother here to Risda. Not with so many vulnerable humans close by. We don't know his plans for the one he's got."
"Then I'll go with you—"
"No, Maeve," I say gently. "I must do this on my own."
Her brows draw together and for a moment she looks as if she's going to cry or snarl at the same time. "But you're coming back, right?"
I don't have an answer for that. I'm going to travel out with the request of a parlay, but Rem is a murderer who clearly abuses the rules. If my brother kills me, or if I'm imprisoned...
Kazex saves me from answering Maeve's desperate question. He returns to our table and clasps his hands together, addressing us both. "It's all figured out. Lord Straik wants to make a station run anyhow. We'll bring you with us and you can pay us at a future date. A favor for an Heir, even a displaced one, is still a good favor to have."
Yes, because it puts me in their debt. I know all about those kinds of favors. "When do we leave?"
He checks his comm unit again. "Now."
"Wait, what?" Maeve cries.
Kazex nods sagely. "We're closing up the cantina to make a supplies purchase on Haal Ui. Once we get far enough away from Risda, Zhur can contact his brother. We'll have to wait for a response and for him to travel, and then we'll head on to the station. Considering that the wedding is in a week, our time frame is tight. So...now."
I get to my feet, even as Maeve clings to my hand. She shakes her head, clearly unhappy. "We need more time, Zhur. We have to come up with a plan. We have to prepare!"
Rubbing her knuckles one last time, I release her hand. "It's best if we go now, as he says. You'll be safe here. I promise." I turn to the a'ani. "We'll need someone to stay behind and guard Maeve."
He gives a wicked grin. "I know just the person. Have you met Salvotor, Maeve?"
"No?" she says. "Is he a good bodyguard?"
"No. He's strong and dumb." Kazex grins. "But you can point him at something and he'll beat it up, no questions asked. The captain is sending him down."
"Super," she says in a voice that indicates it's anything but. She gets to her feet and tugs on my arm, leading me away a few feet. "Zhur, I don't like this. It's too dangerous. I know I wanted to rescue that woman, but not at the risk of you getting hurt. Maybe we table all of this for a while. Lie low for a few more months..."
Sweet Maeve. I cup her face in my hand. "I must talk with my brother now, when he is still vulnerable and in need of support for his claim to the throne. If I abdicate in his favor, it is a good thing. It will make me safe. It will make you safe."