Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
THORNE
“Thorne’s not available until after his wedding and week of pleasure,” Hunter teases with a sly wink.
Asher chuckles. “I’ve considered that. After you have a baby on the way, I’d like you and Hunter to go with the team for the princess.”
The prince’s eyes darken with a flash of anger. Ever since his princess was kidnapped while she was pregnant with their heir by a rebel faction on the other side of our peaceful, bountiful planet, anger doesn’t even capture the depth of emotion he feels. Along with many of us.
It isn’t just those of us who guard the royal family, but most of our planet’s citizens.
The royal family and our democracy have brought us great wealth and benevolence within the galaxy.
A greedy, small group of noisy men is trying to destabilize it all.
Time and again, the ugly parts of history play out on repeat.
And just like on so many other planets, it is almost always a few unhappy men who create problems and try to drag everyone down with them.
All because they want to feel more important.
They don’t realize that true importance comes from recognizing one’s place in the universe.
We savor and revere women here because they give us life.
They protect our very existence from the moment of our inception.
Our choice to honor and revere them has elevated us and brought us nothing but goodness.
We have a beautiful planet, so many resources, and enough largess to share with other less fortunate planets.
Such as Earth, the very planet to which we turned after so many women died during the space storm that struck our planet.
“Things have quieted,” I offer. “We know from earlier excursions that we have more to do to keep our people safe. They aren’t going to go away. The king has told us as much. They think they gain more from stealing.”
Hunter chimes in, “We think they have established an outpost in the mountains.”
“They’re not aware that we have communication and technology monitoring there,” I add. “We don’t have monitoring for security, but they set up equipment to monitor the wildlife.”
Asher looks thoughtful as he taps two fingers on his chin. “Why don’t we speak with the biology team at the university?” he muses. “It would be beneficial for them and us to collaborate on this.”
“My mother will know who I can speak with,” I offer.
“She still teaches a few courses there. Her specialties are the plants we’ve brought from other planets in the galaxy.
She will love this.” My lips tug into a smile.
My mother will love to have something to focus on.
Since the loss of my father, she has felt betwixt and between.
Hunter nudges me with his shoulder. “Excellent idea.”
Just then, there’s a light tap on the door. “Yes?” Asher calls.
The door opens, and his princess, Jane, peers into his office. She’s holding a baby, and her belly is already swollen with another.
Asher’s eyes lock onto her. “Yes, my love?” he prompts.
“I heard Thorne is in here,” Jane says as she approaches Asher.
He gives her a brushing kiss on her lips, and immediately lifts their son from her arms, nesting him in the crook of his elbow. “You heard correctly,” Asher teases with a grin as he gestures toward me.
Jane turns to me, resting her hands on her hips. “Are you ready?”
“Tomorrow can’t come soon enough,” I say.
My tone is light, but I mean it deeply and completely. I have gone to see Romi every day at the stables, and it’s all I can do not to fully claim her while I wait for our wedding. Even then, I’m hopeful she’s already with our child.
Jane’s eyes narrow as she studies me. “Have you met with the tailor?” she asks.
“Of course,” I insist. “You sent me a list, and I have attended to every task and appointment on that list.”
Before I fell for Romi, I would’ve been more grudging about these tasks. Now, they are nothing. They are simply steps I have to take to seal my union with my beloved.
Jane’s lips twitch, and I turn my head at the sound of snorting laughter. Both Hunter and Asher are chuckling at my state.
I shrug. “I mean what I say, quite literally. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.”
Jane lets out a soft sigh, her eyes warm. “I’m so grateful you found Romi.” She pauses. “Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t connect with her sooner. She’s at the stables all the time.”
Hunter rolls his eyes. “Thorne likes to ride when no one is around. His mount is kind of a jerk to anyone other than Thorne.”
“Silver likes Romi,” I chime in.
“Of course he does,” Jane says. “She has the magic touch with horses. She was worried that she might have to leave if she didn’t find a mate soon enough. Even though I assured her that would never happen, she still worried.”
My heart twists. I don’t like thinking of Romi worrying about something like that. At all. Although she is open and vulnerable with me, I can sense her guarded heart and know she’s been hurt in the past.
“She needn’t worry,” Asher offers. “We need to do better when we recruit for mates to make sure they understand that. Even if they don’t mate, they will be safe and we will not return them to Earth.”
“There’s a wrinkle in that plan,” Hunter comments. “With the men from Earth here, they seem frustrated with our matchmaking service. They have plenty of women on Earth, and next to nothing to offer them.”
“Except their tiny green zone,” Asher says with a sneer.
“And, without our planet’s support, they would starve.
They have another century before their planet might recover.
I will keep talking with Kayden about security for the men visiting from Earth.
I’m concerned they have something else in mind for their visit here. ”