was waking up.
“I just have one question for you, Ador.”
“Yes?”
“Have you packed? I have to get under higher security as soon as possible.” As she spoke, she straddled him, backing to rub her sex against his erection.
He grabbed her and flipped her to her back. “How many times have there been attempts on your life?”
“Fifty-seven that have made it to the point where they were registered. Some of the assassins sent to me have simply disappeared. The Kadurans won’t take on the contract, and anyone else is just not really up for the task.”
He stroked between her thighs and sucked softly at her breasts. He was being very careful, but that care was setting her senses on edge. Time stretched into an expanse of white light that shifted into Ador’s face when he slid into her. He pinned her hands above her head and rocked into her slowly.
She flexed her fingers against his and arched her hips to meet him as he carefully and deliberately eased her through pleasure and over into release. He kissed her softly and helped her into the shower, holding her and making sure that every inch of her was cleaned and cleared. She glared at a few of his efforts, and he chuckled.
Once she had toweled her hair dry, she brushed it into her normal straight wave.
She sighed at the friendly silence between them. He had his morning routine, she had hers, and they got out of each other’s way when someone needed a sink or mirror.
She walked into the bedroom and went to look for her wardrobe. Her clothing options had been pared down to leather leggings, a vest, and a robe with the royal insignia. Boots were standing next to the outfit.
Her choice had been made for her. The story of her life. She looked over at Ador as he came out of the bathroom.
She walked up to him and wrapped her hand around his neck, pulling him down for a sweet kiss. “Thanks for being the exception.”
He frowned. “What?”
“You were the one thing, the one person that I chose.”
He smiled. “You had no choice.”
She chuckled. “You have no idea what kind of weapons systems my ship has. I was startled for two minutes. I came here because I chose you.”
He was surprised for a moment, and then, he wrapped his arms around her waist. “So, you wanted me.”
“Yes.”
“You wanted to be my lover.” He leaned down and nuzzled her cheek. The velvet of his skin made her toes curl.
She whispered against his ear, “Yes.”
“Did you know that you were susceptible?”
She blushed. “No. I had a Kiidar-Mael reaction.”
Her reference to the stimulated ovulation made his body radiate delight.
He chuckled again. “I am going to be smug for a very long time.”
She pressed her forehead to his chest. “I know. I have accepted that, but at least I have had my one moment.”
He lifted her chin and smiled. “You can choose me at any moment of any day, and I will be there, Tydella.”
She sighed and kissed him when he got close. “Thanks for being my choice.”
He grinned. “Now, I will meet you in your parents’ dining room, so you can get dressed in something cute and meet me there.”
He disappeared into the hidden panel, and she snickered at why she had been placed in that room.
She got dressed and checked the weapons hidden in her clothing before heading to her parents’ room.
She had her mate, and he was one of her own choosing. Her family had gone along with it, and for that, they were going to get some time off while she took position as regent. They would get some time off, and Ador would get a trial by fire. It was a win-win for everyone.
Chapter Eleven
It seemed that having Ador as co-regent was the stabilizing factor that the empire needed. Of course. Tydella sighed and lay back in her husband’s arms while he frowned at a data pad.
“What is it, Tydella? Baby kicking again?” He smoothed his free hand over her belly.
“No, just relaxing, and it has started making all of my exhalations sound like a sigh or grunt.”
He put the pad down and looked at her. “I have heard a number of rumours about your parents, but didn’t you once say that you would tell me how your parents’ met?”
“Oh. That.” She chuckled. “Well, once, twenty-six years ago, my father had a price on his head. Kaduran assassins were dispatched to kill him so that a distant relative could take