Because there was definitely a future to be had here on Hollander. A future where Dylan and I could finally be happy. That’s what June would’ve wanted. And yet…
Could I really accept that I’d never know what truly happened to her? Could I live out my days with her unsolved death hanging over my head? I’d never rest until I confronted her killer, but I also wasn’t sure if I could sacrifice a future with Soren for my quest.
It doesn’t matter, Maya, my inner voice whispered. What are the odds you’ll be assigned to Tracorox anyway? Close to none. You and Dylan deserve this, so don’t rob yourselves of it.
Yes, that was the right thing to do. I could feel it deep in my bones. My relationship with Soren would grow, and with some luck, things would turn out all right. Even if I never solved June’s murder, Soren would make my life worth living.
That’s when it finally hit me. This wasn’t just about genetics, lust, or even fate. Even if those things had played a part in drawing us together, what was happening here went beyond that.
The realization hit me over the head, but at the same time, I knew with absolute certainty that it was the truth—I was in love with Soren Hollander.
13
Soren
“You’re going to love them.” I squeezed Maya’s hand and leaned in to kiss her cheek, ignoring the knowing smiles of my family who were gathered around the palace courtyard chatting as we waited for our guests to arrive.
Kain and Abby, as well as Dordus, were scheduled to be here in time for dinner, making good on their promise from a couple weeks ago that they’d be visiting soon. I couldn’t wait to see my old friends, but Maya seemed a little nervous.
“I promise, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I know,” she said, offering me a smile. “It’s just hard to get used to all of this.” She waved her hand, gesturing to encompass the palace, the courtyard, my family…us.
I sighed dramatically, my lips twitching as I fought to hide a teasing smile. “I know dating a prince is quite the hardship. I’d only hoped you’d be able to see past it.”
Maya punched me in the arm playfully. “You know what I mean.”
“Watch it,” I said, leaning in close, my grin on full display now, “or I might just make you pay for laying a hand on your prince.”
“I’m counting on it.” There was a wicked glint in Maya’s eyes now, and heat coursed through my body. It had been a week since we’d first made love, and now we couldn’t get enough of each other. We’d been stealing intimate moments alone once Dylan was in bed, or over Maya’s lunch breaks at school. Fortunately, Lareis seemed more than willing to be my accomplice in getting Maya alone. We’d also spent just about every evening together when I wasn’t working late shifts at the hospital.
I looked up and caught Niall outright laughing at me now. His expression was plain as day, the knowing glint in his eyes telling me he’d been here before. Not that he and his mate were much better. Even after all this time, he and Brittany fawned over each other like newlyweds. For the longest time, I’d done nothing but tease him for it. It looked like this was my payback, but I was more than happy to take it if it meant I had Maya by my side.
“It is weird, though,” she mused, a slight smile on her face. “I never would have imagined that I’d be sitting here with a family of aliens, much less a prince. If you’d told me this a couple months ago, I would have called you crazy.”
“I am crazy,” I murmured, nuzzling her neck. “About you.”
She didn’t call me out for the cheesy line, only smiled and bit her lip.
“Okay now, that’s about enough,” Aiken said as he crossed over to where we were sitting, Dylan at his side. He’d been showing him the various sculptures in the courtyard and telling him about the different cultures around the galaxy from which they’d come. “You’re going to ruin my appetite before our dinner guests even arrive.”
The smile in his eyes told me differently, and I knew for a fact by the looks they gave me that he and Niall were both truly happy for me. My parents were as well, though they’d refrained from commenting too much on my love life. Odd, considering Mother had been