The nomads fell to their knees as a fourth man entered the tent. They whispered among themselves, trembling. The unassuming holy man stood quietly between Jag and the king, but his presence was deafening in the large tent.

“Look who I bumped into on our way to rescue you, babe.” Jag grinned, clapping the shaman on his shoulder.

Riley stood, offering the holy man the traditional greeting she learned at the courting rite. He raised his hand in return and then lifted the ram’s horn, bowing his head. He walked forward, and taking Riley’s hand, took the enameled bracelet from her wrist revealing the mark from the nuptial blade.

The nomads stared, looking from Riley’s wrist to Jag and then to the holy man. Arguments broke out as they realized the disgrace they nearly committed. Defiling another man’s wife was taboo. Doing so on the orders of a traitor was a sin too much to bear. They rose to their feet, swords drawn on Sharan.

Bors’ dead body lay between the nomads and Sharan. The man bared his teeth, grabbing Riley by the hair. He whipped a knife from his waist and held it to her throat.

Jag looked at his brother, and the king stepped back, pulling Damen and the shaman with him. Jag’s neck thickened, and his eyes blazed from blue to a bloody red.

Body shaking, Jag’s muscles ripped and reshaped beneath his skin, sending panic through the nomad ranks. They fled the tent with their shaman, leaving Sharan to face the man’s xenos alone.

The inner animal seized Jag, the beast writhing and tearing its way through until the majestic creature stood frothing and lethal. The ancient cat with fangs as long as a man’s arm reared back with a roar. Massive muscles tensed for release as the beast shook his head, ready for the kill.

“Looks like someone’s ready to rip your head off, Sharan,” she said, and using the man’s focus on Jag’s lion, she pulled down on his arm and swung her fist back, hitting him in the balls.

The man’s grip slipped, and she didn’t hesitate. She twisted out from Sharan’s grasp and reached for Damen’s waiting hand to pull her carefully to safety behind Vander.

The immense cat shrieked, launching himself at Sharan the moment Riley was free. Jaws wide, his massive paws knocked the man to the ground, but before Sharan could form a scream, the cat’s jaws ripped his throat wide.

Riley’s hand flew to her mouth and she whimpered, afraid to move or breathe.

“Stay quiet, girl,” Vander commanded. “No one is safe when a Kasaval is deep within their xenos state. Not even the king.”

She swallowed, nodding.

The great lion spat Sharan’s bloody body out, and the dead man slid to the ground beside Bors’ inert form. Jag swung his big head to look at his brother, his red eyes cognizant. Vander nodded once, and the cat turned, picking up Sharan’s lifeless form and with a single bite, ripped his head from his shoulders.

“Well, he won’t be coming back from the dead to bother us.” Damen chuckled.

Vander looked at him and nodded. “That was the point.”

The cat paced by its prey, tense and covered in blood. Damen elbowed Vander. “Think he’ll eat him?”

Riley turned, shocked. “Eew! No. He wouldn’t.” She looked at the massive cat. “Would he?”

“Well,” Vander scratched his head. “That’s what the archives say happens.”

She swallowed, grossed out. “But you didn’t eat Bors, obviously.”

“True.” Vander chuckled. “But maybe if I had, we wouldn’t be in this mess yet again.”

The mark between Riley’s shoulders prickled, and instinct took over. She walked from Damen’s side and approached the giant predatory cat. Like Ivy before her, she sank to her knees and reached with one hand to caress the cat’s soft mane. “Hey, Casanova, it’s time for two legs again.”

The cat lifted its head and chuffed out a laugh. She stepped back after that and watched with a hand to her throat as the animal’s shape reformed in a snap of bone and muscle. With another shriek, Jag was there, naked and exhausted.

Riley rushed forward and wrapped her arms around his tired form as he slumped down, drained. “It’s over, baby,” she murmured.

Vander drew his sword behind them. “Not quite.” He walked with a scowl to Bors’ dead body and chopped the man’s head from his shoulders. With a nod, he spat. “Now it’s over.”

The king looked from his brother on the ground to Damen and then gestured toward the tent door. “Find the prince some clothing and then gather the nomads and their horses. We are not spending the night here. We can interview Sharan’s men on the way back. I want to know what they know. Maddox may be unconscious, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start to unravel his web.”

Damen nodded, but then hesitated. “What about them?” He motioned to the two headless bodies.

Vander’s face was hard. “Have the nomads bury them. Their heads in one grave and their bodies in another.” He nodded once. “Just to be sure.”

* * *

Riley fidgeted on the veranda chaise overlooking the courtyard. She leaned back, letting the warm sun hit her face. Ivy was propped on a matching chair, fanning herself in the Galaxan heat.

“Karis keeps asking if we’re going ahead with the wedding and coronation planning. I don’t know what to tell her,” Henley said. “With Gerri back on Nova Aurora, the woman thinks I’m it. She won’t dare bother you, Ivy, and Riley is off limits for the time being, too.” She exhaled, parking herself on the end of Riley’s lounge chair. “God, I hate being the go-to girly one.”

“Gerri had to get back. As soon as she was sure Riley was okay, she needed to head to Nova. Cassie needs her, especially since I’ve popped. God, I swear, I’m having twins.” Ivy rubbed her belly. “Besides, from what Vander found out from Sharan’s nomads, there’s too much going on right now for us to put on a big shindig.”

Henley frowned. “Have a sonogram already, or whatever the Galaxan equivalent is. At least then you can plan.”

Riley looked at them both. “I think you’re wrong, Vee.”

“Have you looked at me lately, Ri? I’m huge!” she shot back.

With a smirk, Riley turned on her side, tucking her hand under her cheek. “Jesus, Vee. You make it sound like you’re a house. I’ve got news for you. You’re not that big. You just feel that way, and I wasn’t talking about your belly or your baby. I meant the wedding and coronation.”

“Why?” she replied. “You of all people know the reason we shouldn’t. You were there.”

Riley nodded. “It’s totally selfish, I know. But the longer you wait, the longer Jag and I have to wait.”

“But I thought you two were already married?” Henley asked, confused.

With a wince, Riley’s hand went to her throat and the bandage covering the pierce wound courtesy of Sharan’s knife. “Technically, yes, but the Bedouin version of a pole dance and having my wrist carved with a brand isn’t the wedding I dreamed about as a child.”

“True dat.” Henley laughed.

“I want the fairytale with the big dress and the romance,” Riley continued. “Besides, Vander needs this for diplomatic reasons. Sharan wasn’t lying about Tar Navam and his abuse. All the money and help Vander sent for the people was stolen by Maddox and funneled into his own personal agenda. Navam made it worse by lining his own pockets and then stealing from the people directly as well. Now is the perfect time to usher in a new era. New queen, new compassion and equality.”

Henley grinned. “Gee, Ri. When did you get so political?” She crooked her fingers. “I’m Riley Parks, and I approve this ad.”

“Funny,” she replied, sitting up. “I have to do something productive. Something to help. I can’t just lay around here because Jag thinks I need to rest.”

Ivy looked at her. “What do you expect? You spent the first week in his arms shaking and screaming, Ri. You’re strong, honey, but you have PTSD.” She shrugged. “I had it, too. It fades with the right help, but not if you don’t acknowledge it.”

Riley swung her legs over the edge of the lounge chair. “I need to stay busy. I can work with the help, but I can’t sit idle.”

“Well, if we are going forward with the festivities, we still have a lot of planning to do.” Henley nodded, but at the sad shadow on Riley’s face, she scooted closer, slipping an arm around her shoulders. “Damen will find Kes and his father, Ri. One way or the other.”

That sad shadow turned to a frown and she exhaled. “In other words, dead or alive.” She glanced out at the garden below, and Lettie playing with some of the palace children. “At least Lettie has us.”

Ivy reached for Riley’s hand. “What you mean is Lettie has you and Jag. Whatever happens, you’ll be there for her. And you’ll be terrific parents to that little girl if push comes to shove.” She squeezed her friend’s fingers. “Jag and Vander spoke. They left the wedding and coronation thing up to me. It’s my choice to go forward or not. They think the best way to go about it, if I decide yes, is to have entertainment from every region in Galaxa. Every culture represented. He’s also sending ambassadors to every region, but he’s sending them in disguise.”

Riley laughed. “You mean like in Undercover Boss?”

“Exactly,” Ivy nodded. “We’ve been watching the show on satellite and he thinks it’s brilliant.”

With a smirk, Hen nodded as well. “It’ll certainly shut down the ass kissers and corruption.” She squeezed Riley’s shoulder and then pushed herself to standing. “Okay, babe. We’re going to let you rest.”

Ivy got up and pressed a kiss to Riley’s cheek. “Karis will be up later. In the meantime, I have yet another fitting.” She glanced at her belly. “At the rate I’m growing, I’d be better off with a tent.”

The two left, and Riley lay back, throwing one arm over her eyes. Sharan’s face invaded her thoughts, but there was no fear, no rush of panic. Not anymore, and that was all Jag.

“Hey, how’re you feeling?”

A smile spread on her lips beneath her forearm. “I was just thinking about you.” She sat up but kept her arm up to shield the sun from her eyes. Jag looked amazing. “I’m okay,” she replied, patting the lounge chair for him to sit. “No more nightmares for now, so far, so good.”

He slid in beside her and kissed her cheek. “Maybe you need a happy memory to use to chase them away for good.”

“You mean like a massive, bloodthirsty lion, ready to attack and protect?” She chuckled. “I think we’ve got that covered.”

Pulling her in for a deeper kiss, he ended with a peck on her nose. “You were pretty feisty, too, little mouse.”

“My fist to the balls was nothing compared to you,” she replied with a soft hitch. “You literally shredded the man who would have used and abused me and then sold me for cheap. As long as you’re around, my nightmares don’t stand a chance.”

“Then I guess I’d better stick around.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful ring, holding it up with a smile. “For good.”

She looked at the gorgeous Galaxan sapphire set in a ring of diamonds. “Jag—”

“Well, it’s no skin-carved brand, but I thought you’d like it,” he said with a chuckle. “I need an answer, little mouse. Marry me?”

Riley grinned, tears pricking her eyes. “You mean, again?” She held out her left hand and nodded. “It matches the mark on my wrist so well, how could I say no?”

“This time, formally and forever, for the world to see.” He slipped the ring on her finger and then leaned in, claiming her mouth.

“Forever,” she murmured, losing herself in his kiss.