Read Online Cherished (Intergalactic Loyalties) by Jessica Coulter Smith - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jessica Coulter Smith
Tags: BIN 07023-02262
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jeopardize their future. It’s possible they would be without a ship and without a planet to call their own when it’s all said and done.”
“Dryxel will take them in,” she said confidently.
“Maybe. But will they wish to go with him?”
She couldn’t answer that, but if it meant she was peacefully returned to her prince’s side, it was worth a shot. The worst that could happen would be the Keshpans saying no. Something told her Bane and Cael would agree. She just wasn’t sure about Arko or Dar. She’d had very little interaction with either one and wasn’t sure they would care what happened to her.
Sol promised to discuss it with the Keshpans then make his call to the king. She only hoped it went well. The sooner she was back with Dryxel the better. Never had she missed someone so much in her life.
Chapter Five
Dryxel stared at the COMM in confusion. “They want to what?” he asked his father.
“They want permission to join us on Tourmalane, in exchange for bringing your princess to you.”
“And how is the Tarnan going to pilot his ship back home?”
The king smiled. “I asked that myself. Seems their ships are equipped with a homing device. Once pushed, the ship will pilot itself back to Tarnan. I would imagine he isn’t going to be well-favored when he returns home, maybe even stripped of his title.”
“So why risk it?” Dryxel asked.
“I think he has feelings for your princess and he’s doing it for her.”
Dryxel wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. No one was supposed to feel anything for his bonded mate except him. Not that he should be surprised that other men found her attractive, since she was rather stunning, but it irked him that she would have to rely on another man to come to her rescue.
“And she’s to be returned, unharmed?”
“Yes. They’re landing, probably as we speak, and once all of the other women and Tarnans are off the ship, Captain Sol said he would lift the platform and take off. He said he could use hyperdrive if need be, but I told him you were no longer in your original location. You’re to meet one lunar cycle away from Tarnan. Hopefully he won’t be followed before the princess is safely on board.”
“And the Keshpans,” Dryxel muttered. He didn’t like the idea of slave owning males being on his ship, even if they were currently without slaves.
“And one mate.”
“Pardon?” Surely he hadn’t heard that right.
“One of the Keshpans took a slave to mate. They were bonded by Tarnan rites, and from what I gathered, she’s expecting.”
Well now, that was news. Another baby on the planet wouldn’t be a bad thing, especially if it was a girl. He supposed he could put up with the Keshpans for that alone. He hadn’t had many dealings with Keshpans over the years. Maybe they were more tolerable than Tarnans.
“I’ll give them permission to come aboard if you’re granting them entrance to our planet,” Dryxel said. “I’m not sure what we’re doing with them though.”
“Two of the males can fight for ranking in our society, just like our warriors do. The other two, I’ve been told, are inventors. We could always use more science minded men.”
“I don’t suppose any of them are healers?”
His father shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Still worried about that tracker in your mate? I’m sure Lynthe will be able to remove it safely.”
“Tell them I’ll meet with them. I’m heading that way already and should reach that area in another twelve hours or so.”
“I’ll pass the word along. Safe travels, son. I’m anxious to meet that mate of yours. She sounds like quite a woman.”
Dryxel smiled. “She is.”
After signing off, he went to inform his crew about the change of plans. He wasn’t sure how they would handle the news of Keshpans joining their society, but they were all good men. He hoped they would take it in stride. Thankfully there was plenty of room for them on board.
He relayed the information
“Dryxel will take them in,” she said confidently.
“Maybe. But will they wish to go with him?”
She couldn’t answer that, but if it meant she was peacefully returned to her prince’s side, it was worth a shot. The worst that could happen would be the Keshpans saying no. Something told her Bane and Cael would agree. She just wasn’t sure about Arko or Dar. She’d had very little interaction with either one and wasn’t sure they would care what happened to her.
Sol promised to discuss it with the Keshpans then make his call to the king. She only hoped it went well. The sooner she was back with Dryxel the better. Never had she missed someone so much in her life.
Chapter Five
Dryxel stared at the COMM in confusion. “They want to what?” he asked his father.
“They want permission to join us on Tourmalane, in exchange for bringing your princess to you.”
“And how is the Tarnan going to pilot his ship back home?”
The king smiled. “I asked that myself. Seems their ships are equipped with a homing device. Once pushed, the ship will pilot itself back to Tarnan. I would imagine he isn’t going to be well-favored when he returns home, maybe even stripped of his title.”
“So why risk it?” Dryxel asked.
“I think he has feelings for your princess and he’s doing it for her.”
Dryxel wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. No one was supposed to feel anything for his bonded mate except him. Not that he should be surprised that other men found her attractive, since she was rather stunning, but it irked him that she would have to rely on another man to come to her rescue.
“And she’s to be returned, unharmed?”
“Yes. They’re landing, probably as we speak, and once all of the other women and Tarnans are off the ship, Captain Sol said he would lift the platform and take off. He said he could use hyperdrive if need be, but I told him you were no longer in your original location. You’re to meet one lunar cycle away from Tarnan. Hopefully he won’t be followed before the princess is safely on board.”
“And the Keshpans,” Dryxel muttered. He didn’t like the idea of slave owning males being on his ship, even if they were currently without slaves.
“And one mate.”
“Pardon?” Surely he hadn’t heard that right.
“One of the Keshpans took a slave to mate. They were bonded by Tarnan rites, and from what I gathered, she’s expecting.”
Well now, that was news. Another baby on the planet wouldn’t be a bad thing, especially if it was a girl. He supposed he could put up with the Keshpans for that alone. He hadn’t had many dealings with Keshpans over the years. Maybe they were more tolerable than Tarnans.
“I’ll give them permission to come aboard if you’re granting them entrance to our planet,” Dryxel said. “I’m not sure what we’re doing with them though.”
“Two of the males can fight for ranking in our society, just like our warriors do. The other two, I’ve been told, are inventors. We could always use more science minded men.”
“I don’t suppose any of them are healers?”
His father shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Still worried about that tracker in your mate? I’m sure Lynthe will be able to remove it safely.”
“Tell them I’ll meet with them. I’m heading that way already and should reach that area in another twelve hours or so.”
“I’ll pass the word along. Safe travels, son. I’m anxious to meet that mate of yours. She sounds like quite a woman.”
Dryxel smiled. “She is.”
After signing off, he went to inform his crew about the change of plans. He wasn’t sure how they would handle the news of Keshpans joining their society, but they were all good men. He hoped they would take it in stride. Thankfully there was plenty of room for them on board.
He relayed the information
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