Counterfeit Mate: Stargazer Alien Space Cruise Brides #5 by Tasha Black

Author:Tasha Black [Black, Tasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 13th Story Press
Published: 2022-12-12T18:30:00+00:00

14

ROWAN

Rowan stood at the door to the Tolshans’ suite, his hand at Lilac’s waist, trying to tell himself they were doing the right thing.

After morning spent repressing his desires and emotions to comfort his sister-in-law-to-be, he had taken her to see the captain again for another update.

Though the drone force was searching diligently, there were still no signs of the missing pod.

He could feel Lilac’s shame and hopelessness like a weight around them both.

How could he have been so stupid last night? He had convinced himself he was helping her. But in reality, he was merely giving her a taste of something she wouldn’t get to experience again.

And if he was honest with himself, he was also torturing his own body and heart.

If Hyacinth was devout compared to Lilac, he would probably never experience a woman’s touch again. Rowan wasn’t a man who pushed for intimacy or broke his vows.

And that meant that his night of wonder with Lilac would always be his most recent memory of giving pleasure.

The door swung open quickly, interrupting his thoughts, and Lilac gasped quietly.

He had clearly frightened her by telling her that the Tolshan family didn’t like the Kanes. But if it meant she would be careful today, then it was worth it.

“Whom may I say is calling?” a butler bot asked in a haughty tone that had to have been programmed just for that effect.

Stupid Tolshans.

“His Royal Highness, Prince Rowan of the noble Kane Family of Drath,” Lilac said in a haughty tone of her own. “And his fiancée, Hyacinth of the Seventh House of Pacifica.”

A tall balding man with golden paint decorating his black horns strode toward the door, smiling and shaking his head. “Heavens, Dash-12,” he scolded mildly in a cultured voice. “That’s the prince of Drath.”

The bot scooted away as the man strode up.

“Apologies, of course, Your Royal Highness,” he said, bowing low, and then offering his arm. “I am Lord Vick. We are honored that you have chosen to bestow us with a visit.”

It was incredibly suspicious for a Tolshan to feign happiness over a visit from a Kane. But Rowan took the man’s proffered arm and shook twice, more delicately than he would have with an Azyrim.

The Tolshan winced anyway.

“To what do we owe the pleasure, Your Royal Highness?” Lord Vick asked.

“My fiancée is understandably eager to make the acquaintance of the Tolshan Family,” he lied through his teeth, giving the man a taste of his own sugary-sweet medicine. “I have come to present her to Dame Gylde.”

“An honor for our line indeed,” Lord Vick simpered. “Please follow me. Our kitchen will prepare an array of essences for you to enjoy while I arrange everything.”

Lilac tilted her chin as if to study his face.

Though he couldn’t see hers through the veil, he knew what she was thinking.

How long could it possibly take to let the head of family know they were here? Certainly not long enough to prepare one of their ghastly meals.

“No need for the cooks to go out of their way,” Rowan said lightly.

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