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  I’m not sure it’s a good idea for me to go. But deep inside, some small part of me that I don’t quite understand is dying to see him one more time.

  “Okay.” I take a deep breath and nod before I can chicken out. “I’ll come along. I’d like to see the palace.”

  And the prince who lives in it.

  2

  Khrelan

  The clash of swords fills my ears. The world narrows down to the slice of steel, metal against metal, and the smell of sweat, skin, and dust filling my nose.

  My blood is up, pumping hard through my veins, adrenaline flowing hot and fast as I spin and parry my opponent, fighting as if for my life. My focus is sharp and honed. Nothing else exists but the two of us, the way our bodies circle each other, the anticipation of each next strike.

  Of course, it’s not actually life and death.

  I’m in the fighting arena behind the palace, made to mimic the dusty gladiator rings of the other Kalixian cities, fighting my trainer. The tall, heavily muscled warrior named Vrale grimaces as he struggles to fend off my attack—though I can see the pride beneath his expression. He’s trained me well, and I know he’s pleased to see the fruits of his instruction.

  Sweat drips down the bridge of my nose, but I ignore it, parrying forward with one more hard thrust, striking Vrale’s blade aside and throwing him to the dirt, where if he were a true opponent, his neck would be beneath my heel at this moment.

  But instead, I let him rest there for a beat, then lean down and give him my hand, helping him to his feet.

  “A good fight, my prince,” he grunts, smiling at me, and I allow myself to bask in my victory for a moment, riding the battle-high that floods through my veins. It makes me feel wild for a moment, primal, the lust for blood as hot and demanding as the lust for a woman, and I revel in it.

  But it only lasts for a moment. It fades away, reality coming back harshly as my princely duties and responsibilities snap back into focus, settling down onto my shoulders like a particularly weighty mantle.

  Like many things I’ll never experience in life, these battles are just a facsimile of the real thing, meant to keep me honed and well-trained in the case of war ever coming to our planet again, and for appearances. The prince of a warrior race should look like one, not be soft and over-fed.

  Still, I know I’ll never go off-planet to fight a battle with the Alpha Force or any of our other military units. I’m too valuable—especially with no heir to follow me, and no chance of one. My death could mean a civil war, or at the very least, a new opportunity for the Orkun to advance a fresh attack while my advisors and lords determine what to do.

  I straighten my shoulders, turning my thoughts away from things that cannot be changed and toward what I have to do next today. I’d like to stay and fight, to go for a second round in the ring and see if I can best Vrale again. But I don’t have time for that.

  There’s a schedule of duties waiting for me, including several matters of state that need to be attended to. My morning exercises are a brief respite, and nothing more. This is how I am. How I always must be. Focused and determined, not allowing what I want to get in the way of what I must do. It’s how I was raised to believe a prince must behave, and I’ve done my best to honor my upbringing.

  It’s led some to say that I’m cold-hearted and distant, but I love my people. Everything I have ever done and sacrificed is for them.

  As I approach the palace doors, intending to go in and bathe before I attend my first meeting, my Minister of the Council appears in the doorway, his lips pursed.

  “There is an unexpected contingent here to see you, my prince. A group of the human women”—Doka’s mouth turns down with some distaste—“and some of the Alpha Force warriors.”

  I frown. “I have a full schedule today. Did they not make an appointment?”

  “No, my prince. But your commander, Tordax, is with them.”

  I might have dismissed them if not for Tordax, but if he’s here, it’s likely not something to be easily pushed aside.

  “I will see them,” I tell him. “But first, I need to refresh myself. Show them to the throne room. I’ll be along shortly.”

  Back in my chambers, I wash and dress quickly, wishing for more time. But, as usual, duty calls. I often wonder what it would be like to disappear for a week or more, slipping off to somewhere in the forest where I had no one to answer to but myself. The wilderness of Kalix can be dangerous, but there are beautiful parts of it too. Woods and hot springs, waterfalls and natural wonders I would love to explore.

  But I became ruler of a planet at war when I was only a boy, and this is the price of that. My people depend on me, and I will never let them down.

  I dress quickly in my usual fitted trousers and black silk tunic, combing back my brown hair as the gold inlay on my long, dark horns glints in the light. As I leave my chamber, I can feel the bearing of my station settling over me, my own desires and longings receding as I remember once again who I am.

  Who I must be.

  The women and warriors are not in the throne room when I enter. Doubtless my minister kept them in the antechamber until I was settled. I signal to him that they may be allowed in, and the wide, carved doors open as I sink onto my throne, prepared to hear what they have to say.

  Tordax leads the group, along with his mate, a pretty woman with light-colored hair. They both bow deeply. The others follow suit, and then Tordax steps forward.

  “Prince Khrelan, this is my mate, Rose, a human woman from Terra.” He gestures to her, and then to the group of women and warriors behind him. “We have all come here today to discuss the issue of the mate bonds between humans and Kalixians.”

  He glances at Rose, and she steps forward to stand at his side. As she begins her impassioned plea, I’m impressed by how well she speaks. She’s articulate and intelligent, and it’s clear that she’s thought this through.

  “Tordax has told me about what happened to your people,” she says softly. “It was a great tragedy, and I can understand why Kalixians might be hesitant to accept foreigners into their midst and into their culture. Why they might be suspicious of these bonds that have sprung up between us. But Tordax and I, and the others who have felt this bond, feel strongly that this can be a good thing. It could be the key to the future of all Kalixians.” She pauses, taking a deep breath. “The women here have nothing to go back to on Earth. We all want to embrace your culture, to become a part of what you cherish. We don’t want to hurt you, we want only to help.”

  It’s a beautiful speech, but I find myself only half-listening, something that’s entirely unlike me.

  My gaze is fixed not on Rose, but on the petite woman at the back of the group. She stands next to a tall, golden-haired woman, looking as if she wants to make herself invisible.

  But she could never be invisible. She’s far too stunning for that. I recognize her from the day the ship landed. I saw her that day too and was startled by how beautiful I found her.

  She’s shorter than most of the other women, with curves that were meant to be touched and short hair that comes to just below her jaw, curling around her face in soft brown waves. Her eyes are green, and I find myself transfixed by them in a way that I never have been by anyone else’s.

  I force myself to tear my gaze away and actually listen to what is being said.

  Tordax is speaking now, his voice even and earnest. “We request that you allow all of the rescued Terran women to stay permanently and integrate into Kalixian culture. And we ask you to support the bonding of humans and Kalixians. We—I—understand that you have concerns, and they are not entirely unfounded. But this may be the only way forward for the Kalixian race, if we are to survive. We have long expected to die out. But that may not be our only option anymore.”

  I pause, considering his words. I’ve heard a similar entreaty from Malav more than once, and I respect both his opinion and Tordax’s. They typically keep their own counsel on most things not related to matt ers of military intelligence and battle, so I know that for them to push so hard for this means that they believe strongly in the rightness of it. I trust their judgement—but I also have to consider the wishes of all of my people.

  “I will consider it,” I say finally. “I value your insight, Tordax. But it is possible that the bond has clouded your judgement. And I must take all the wishes of my people into account, not only those who stand to benefit from this.”

  Tordax opens his mouth as if about to speak, and I hold up my hand, giving him a warning look. I respect the leader of Alpha Force, but I also expect him to follow convention and not interrupt his prince.

  “I did not say no. Only that I must think on it. And if our races are potentially to be joined, then I think I need to know more of the Terran ways. Perhaps this would help to convince me that the blending of our people is a thing to be desired.” I pause, letting my gaze rove over the clustered group. “I would like one of the Terran women to stay as a guest at the palace and teach me about the ways of the human species.”

  The women start to murmur, turning toward each other as if to determine who to pick, but I shake my head.

  “I already know which of you I would like to stay.”

  I turn my gaze toward the petite woman at the back and extend my hand, pointing directly at her.

  3

  Emma

  “I already know which of you I would like to stay.”

  As Khrelan’s deep voice fills the room, my gaze drops to the floor. My heart seems to be trying to crawl out of my body through my throat.

  Surely he won’t pick me.

  I’ve never been singled out for anything in my life. Never caught anyone’s notice, really.

  But then Lucy gasps, digging her elbow into my side. When I look up, I see the prince’s hand extended in my direction, pointing regally at me.

  “You, there in the back. What is your name?”

  Oh, shit.

  My heart lurches even higher, and it takes me a second to find my voice. I’m terrified, almost shaking, but I don’t want to let him see how much he intimidates me.

  “My name is Emma, your highn… my lord… Prince.”

  I stumble over the words, realizing too late that I have no idea how to properly address him. I’ve never asked, not thinking for a second that I’d actually speak to him. And now I can feel myself flushing bright red, wanting nothing more than to sink into the floor with embarrassment and disappear.

  I meet his eyes, piercing blue in his angular, handsome face, and a rush of disbelief washes over me. I already felt like I was living in some kind of crazy adventure story, but this is something altogether different.

  Now I’m Cinderella at the ball, the small mousy girl picked by the prince despite there being a dozen other more qualified choices.

  Oh stop it, I tell myself, trying desperately to bring my mind back to some semblance of reality. You’re hardly Cinderella. And he wants a teacher, not a lover. Get a grip.

  “Emma, I would like you to stay and teach me about your human ways and traditions.” Khrelan frames it as a request, not an order, but I don’t need to have vast experience with royalty to know that there’s not much difference between the two.

  “Oh, my God,” I murmur, so low that only Lucy can hear me.

  “Oh, my God is right. You go, girl.” She nudges me again, the excitement clear in her voice.

  My stomach flips over like a fish flopping around on land. I desperately wish he hadn’t picked me, but the other women are counting on me. If I can somehow charm this alien prince into thinking kindly of humans, then he might look favorably on our situation and allow us all to stay. Maybe he’ll even publicly embrace the idea of Kalixians and humans mating.

  The thought of mating sends a fresh wave of heat up my neck and over my face, and I know I must be beet-red by this point.

  Stop thinking about it, I tell myself firmly, trying to force the blood to drain from my cheeks.

  I step forward, my knees shaking. To my eternal gratitude, I somehow manage not to trip over my own feet as I make my way to the front of the group and stop next to Rose and Tordax. Khrelan makes me so nervous that it’s almost as if my body can’t quite function normally.

  “I graciously accept your offer,” I manage, and as Tordax murmurs to me under his breath, I quickly add on, “my prince.”

  He’s not my prince, but I suppose if the other women and I do become citizens of Kalix, he will be soon enough. In a very detached, non-intimate sort of way, of course.

  “Thank you for considering our plight,” Rose says gracefully, inclining her head as she bows to the prince. Tordax follows suit, along with the rest of the women and warriors.

  They all start to turn away, and I realize with a rush of anxiety that this is it. They’re going to go back home, and I’m going to be left here with Khrelan, completely out of my depth for who knows how long. The thought makes my hands shake. I realize in a flash just how far into the deep end I’ve been thrown. I’m not entirely sure I’m going to figure out how to swim here.

  “Are you okay?” Harper asks quietly, stopping to look down at me with serious hazel eyes.

  “Of course she’s okay.” Lucy grins, winking at me. “She gets to live in a freaking palace.”

  I try to smile, buoyed by her confidence and optimism, but I think it probably looks more like a grimace. I feel a little like I might faint.

  Lucy’s grin falls away, and she lays a hand on my arm, steadying me.

  “Hey, it’ll be okay. These guys are honorable people, and the prince must be too. But if you need anything, you know Rose, Harper, or I will be there for you. We’ll kick down the palace doors if we have to,” she jokes.

  “From what Malav says, the prince may seem cold and stern, but there’s kindness underneath it,” Harper adds. “He’s a good man.”

  A good man.

  I try to cling to that thought. Malav is his closest military advisor after all; he would know best what kind of person the prince is.

  Several women whisper “thanks” or “good luck” to me as they file past, and I resist the urge to tell them not to thank me yet. For all they know, I’ll put my foot in my mouth so badly that Khrelan will kick us all off Kalix.

  Finally, the heavy doors shut with a thud, and I realize the room is completely empty except for me and the prince. I feel tiny, standing in the large space looking at him up on his throne, and my heart pounds like mad in my chest.

  What is he going to say?

  Am I supposed to speak first?

  What’s the protocol here?

  I wouldn’t have known what on earth to do in front of human royalty back on Earth, but at least I would have had some idea of what was expected. Alien royalty is entirely beyond me.

  A few beats pass, both of us frozen in place for a long moment. Then Khrelan stands gracefully, descending the few steps to the polished floor and the long, forest-green runner that stretches the length of it.

  “Would you like a tour of the palace, Emma?” he asks, his tone cool and formal. “I’d be happy to show you around your new, temporary home.”

  “I would love that,” I tell him sincerely, my curiosity about the palace winning out over my nervousness.

  Temporary.

  That’s the word I should keep in mind. This is all temporary. Another part of the adventure, but not something that will last. Whatever interest the prince has taken in me is purely academic.

  But that doesn’t seem to stop my skin from feeling as if it’s lighting up when he gently places his hand on my lower back, guiding me out of the throne room to a side door that leads out into the palace. I suppress the shiver of pleasure that threatens to go down my spine. His hand is broad and warm, and somehow the pressure of it on my back feels right, almost soothing. When he lets go of me to open the door, I miss it.

  Don’t be an idiot. He’s just being gentlemanly.

  “Have you always lived here?” I ask as he leads me down a hallw ay. It has a similar floor of dark polished wood, with the forest-green carpet runner edged in gold running down the length of it. On my left are tall arched windows that let the sunlight stream in, bordered by heavy drapes of the same forest-green. The hallway is all light, the dark wood of the walls glowing in it, and stretched along the wall to my right are portraits elegantly done in some kind of vibrant paint.

  If the question sounds silly, he doesn’t let on. “I was born here,” he says smoothly. He stops in front of a tall painting of a man who looks much like him, right down to the handsome, angular face, the dark curving horns, and the intense blue eyes. “This is my father, the prince of Kalix before me. And his father, and his father before him,” he continues, gesturing down the line of paintings. “The princes and lords of Kalix, here in this hallway.”

  “They’re beautiful,” I whisper. “The paintings, I mean,” I add quickly. “Very well done.”

  I see the corners of Khrelan’s lips twitch as he looks down at me. “There are plenty more. The royal family does like to commemorate our lineage.”

  “Not so different from ours, then,” I say with a laugh.

  He looks at me curiously. “You lived in a monarchy?”

  “Well, no, not exactly.” We continue down the hallway, and I try to explain, gesturing as I speak. It’s easier to ignore my shyness when I can explain something. The benefit of having read every book I could get my hands on is that I have plenty of knowledge, both useful and trivial, and it helps me forget how nervous I am.

  “There are lots of different countries on Earth, all autonomous,” I say. “The one I lived in has a president, and he doesn’t have total power. There are senators and stuff who have to approve things. And then there’s another country that does have a monarchy. It’s ruled by a queen, but she doesn’t have a lot of power anymore either. She has a Parliament who makes most of the decisions.” I press my lips together, realizing that I’m rambling a bit. “There aren’t really many absolute monarchies left, except in the Middle East.”