Read Online i 0e57392105b539eb by Unknown - Free Book Online Page A

staring at me.” Ivy held fast to Kai’s hand as they walked
    through the winding streets of Sommervail the following afternoon.
    “They don’t look very happy, either.”
    Some of the Xenon appeared only curious about the newcomer to
    their secluded city, while others glared at her with open contempt. The
    men watched her, suspicious and apprehensive, but most of the hateful
    glances and snide comments directed at her came from the females.

    “Ignore them,” Kai murmured as he nuzzled against her temple.
    “You look beautiful today.”
    He said all the right things, and he’d lavished her with attention
    during the day, but something had changed. Since he’d returned from
    his meeting with the elders, he’d been quieter, more reserved. When
    she’d questioned him about it, all he’d say is that the elders had agreed
    to consider her request and would relay their decision soon. Ivy didn’t
    like the answer, but apart from rebuilding her ship by hand and hoping
    she could make it off the planet before she was caught, she had no choice
    except to wait.
    A loud snort from behind her drew Ivy’s attention, and she whipped
    her head around to glare up at Tariq. “Say one word. I dare you.”
    “What? You do look beautiful.” He laughed, showing off his pointed
    canines as he lifted Cami onto his back to carry her. “You really should
    wear more dresses.”
    As Kai’s mate, sort of, she’d been informed that she needed to look
    the part when making public appearances. Instead of the tunic and tights
    she’d been sporting around the citadel, the attendants had helped her
    choose a simple black dress that flowed down to her ankles and a thin,
    silver cloak. The light, silky material felt amazing, and it clung to her in
    all the right places.
    She hated it.
    The last time she’d worn a dress had been on her tenth birthday. Her
    fathers had longed for a boy, a male heir to follow in the footsteps of their

    military careers. They’d never said it outright, but Ivy knew they’d been
    disappointed to discover their bouncing baby boy wasn’t a boy at all.
    Still, they’d comforted themselves with the knowledge that she would
    one day be claimed by a pair of Elites, preferably from wealthy families.
    So, from the time she could talk, her mother had attempted to groom her
    into the perfect lady, the ideal mate.
    Well, the joke was on them. At the age of ten, she’d been tested,
    judged, and found lacking, marked as an infertile female with an inky
    black star for all the worlds to see. When she’d entered the Academy, her
    parents hadn’t visited, and Ivy had only been allowed home on her
    mother’s birthday. Now, she saw them once every couple of years, more
    out of obligation than actual fondness, and she dreaded every visit.
    “Can you even fight in that thing?” Tariq prodded when she didn’t
    rise to his teasing.
    “Well enough to kick your ass.”
    “Maybe we can find some bows for your hair.”
    “Tariq,” Cami whispered, squeezing her arms around his neck, “not
    now.”
    “I’m just saying—” He cut off abruptly when Cami fisted her hand in
    his golden mane and jerked hard. “Damn it, angel!”
    “Tariq, love,” she cooed dangerously, “drop it.” Sliding down from
    her mate’s back, she turned to Ivy with an expression that very closely
    resembled pity and mouthed, “Sorry.”

    Having a telepath for a friend often came in handy. This wasn’t one
    of those times, but she couldn’t be too upset with the woman. Cami tried,
    but she couldn’t always block out the thoughts of those around her, and
    Ivy imagined the recollection of her parents had been rather “loud.”
    Kai had watched the entire exchange in silence, but the murderous
    expression in his eyes said more than words. Ivy needed only to say the
    words, and she felt confident he’d destroy Tariq with a snap of his
    fingers. The fact that he hadn’t rushed to her defense, that he’d trusted
    her to fight her own