After her meeting with the Oracle, Mary glided down the massive hallway toward Tek’s rooms. Mary had her speech prepared. I’m sorry, Tek, she would say mournfully, but I can’t do this. It’s too complicated. I haven’t thought about children or marriage. You’re hot…I mean you’re really hot…but I can’t be your Queen.

The problem wasn’t the speech—it was her reluctance to give it. What kind of idiot would give up Tek so she could go home to an empty life? So what if she had to do to get naked it front of a group of strangers who would judge her body and her sexual prowess in a very public forum? Uhm, yeah, that was totally not going to happen.

Still, fear of losing Tek chilled her.

What was the right decision?

She entered the cavernous bedroom. Tek had gone to deal with what he called “palace business,” so she’d be alone for a while. Still, she was so busy worrying that she’d stopped paying attention to where she was going and slammed into a wall.

A wall that was big and muscled and swearing. When she managed to lift her head, which ached fiercely thank you very much, she faced a man who had to be related to Tek. He had the golden skin and the height, and dear lord the muscles, of her…er, sorta boyfriend. His hair was lighter than Tek’s, but he had the same slanted cheekbones, a squared chin, and aquiline nose.

“Are you lost?” he asked. He grasped her elbows to steady her. “If you’re looking for the shooktu, it’s the other direction.”

“Who the hell are you?” she blurted.

“Mek. And you are?”

She sighed. “Insane.”

He grinned.

Wait a minute. He had a freck draped around his waist, but other than that he was naked. She scuttled backward.

“Don’t go, my luscious tre’ha,” he said, reaching for her.

“That’s my woman!” roared Tek as he entered the room. He pulled Mary away from Mek, holding her against his chest protectively, and glared at the man.

“Who is to say that Insane is yours, brother?”

“Her name is Mary, she is perfectly sane, at least, I am ninety-nine percent certain...”

“I am sane,” Mary muttered defensively against Tek’s chest before pushing away from him so she could turn toward Mek. “I am.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Tek kissed Mary on top of her head and addressed his brother. “She is my harataya.”

“My apologies, Mary,” said Mek. “I did not know my brother’s mate had arrived.”

Tek frowned. “Why are you in my bedroom?”

“Your bathtub is bigger than mine, and it has a waterfall.”

“How many times must I tell you to stay out of my room?” groused Tek. “Build a waterfall in your own bathroom and leave mine alone.”

At that moment, two very tall women entered. Both wore frecks, which clung to their voluptuous forms. The slightly taller of the two had light blue hair and the other had purple locks. Their hair was wet—no doubt from swimming around in the pink water. They sauntered toward Mek, looking curiously at Mary and Tek.

“Go to Mek’s room, if you feel the need for sport,” said Tek crossly.

“We would be honored to serve you, Crown Prince Tek,” said Blue Hair. She laced her fingers through the other woman’s hand and drew her forward. “Alana joined the harem today. Is it not your pleasure to welcome her?”

Mary felt a strange emotion weave through her. It took her a second to recognize the jealousy. Were those two blind? Could they not see Tek held her in his arms? So what if she’d only known him two weeks, and he’d only seduced her a few hours ago? Glaring at Blue Hair, she turned and wrapped her arms around her man and snuggled. The tart’s eyes went molten with rage. Mary barely resisted the urge to yell nyah, nyah!

“Mek,” said Tek in a weary voice. “Did I not tell you to stop adding to your shooktu?”

“I only have a dozen girls now,” said Mek. He looked at Mary, his expression aggrieved. “Tek keeps marrying them off.”

“You are the only one who keeps a shooktu. It is an outdated tradition,” said Tek in a voice that suggested he had given the same explanation many times. “We live in modern times.”

“Not all of us wish to leave such service,” said the blonde. “Alana is my sister. She, too, wishes to please the princes of M’athera.”

Tek glared at his younger brother. “You will disband the shooktu.”

“What if they don’t want to leave?” asked Mek. “Can I keep them?”

Tek stared at his brother until Mek sighed. “Fine. I will do as my prince commands.”

“I do not wish to leave,” said Rona. “I am happy here.”

“We will find you a suitable husband—or job, whichever you prefer. Mek, escort Rona to her room,” said Tek. “Alana, stay here.”

Mek tugged Rona out of the room. The blue-haired vixen cast a glance over her shoulder, her blue eyes filled with rage. Mary had the feeling that Rona wanted to hurt her. It was obvious the woman desired Tek.

“I must release you for a moment,” he murmured. “I retrieved your chocolates.”

He guided her to the freakishly gigantic bed. As soon as she sat down, he grabbed the box from a nearby table and placed it on her lap.

“Thanks,” she said. Her gaze skittered toward Alana. As curvy and tall as she was, she appeared to be young. “You’re not gonna do anything I might have to castrate you for, are you?”

Tek blinked down at her. “Castrate?”

“If you try anything with that girl, I will cut off your balls.”

He laughed heartily. “No, my beautiful Mary. This, I promise you.” He strode across the massive room and opened the tall, carved door on the left. He entered it briefly and when he returned, he held a white tunic.

Tek gestured Alana forward. As the girl walked to her sovereign, she ducked her head. Her whole body trembled.

“What do you wish of me?” she asked. Apparently all her sensual bravado had gone out the door with sister. “I am versed in massage, in oral pleasure, in—”

“No,” said Tek gently as he put the robe over her head. Alana then touched her shoulders and the freck slid off. “Alana, why did you join the shooktu?”

“My family is too poor to pay my dowry,” she admitted as she finished putting on the garment. “My fiancé would have me without it, but Father has too much pride. They think I am visiting cousins. I lied to them so they would never know my shame.” Tears slid down her cheeks. “Rona told me that if I joined Mek’s shooktu, I might earn enough coins to wed. She says he is very generous.”

“Rona does not send any money to your family?”

Alana shook her head.

Tek glanced at Mary, grimacing. “It is customary for adult children to send a portion of their earnings to their parents. It is a gesture of love and of thanks. We call it matra-patra, which means ‘mother-father honor’.”

Mary seriously doubted ol’ Rona had any love in her heart, much less gratitude for anyone other than herself. “C’mere, Alana,” she said. “Have a chocolate.”

The girl looked at Tek, who nodded his permission, and she walked to the bed and sat. Mary opened the box, took off the paper insert, and offered the girl her pick. She plucked one out and popped the whole thing into her mouth. Her eyes widened as she chewed it. After she swallowed, she exclaimed, “It is wonderful!”

“You’ve never had chocolate?” asked Mary.

“We do not have cacao beans on Kratania,” said Tek, chuckling. “And we really have no equivalent to your truffles.”

“That’s…that’s…horrifying! I’m not sure I want to live in a place where chocolate doesn’t exist.”

“I will make sure you have chocolate every day, my beloved. You will never want for it. You will never want for anything. This is I swear.”

His words made her thighs quiver again. “You say the sexiest damn things.”

Alana covered her mouth. “I will leave if you wish to be alone.”

“Not yet,” Tek said. He strode to a massive dresser against the far wall. He opened a drawer and plucked a bag from inside it. Then he returned and handed the bag to Alana. She took it, opened the drawstring, and gasped. Carefully, the girl removed a blood-red stone.

“This will buy your dowry,” said Tek. “And the rest should cover what Rona owes your family. Tell your father that Crown Prince Tek honors his service to his country. And promise to never lie to your mate or to your father again.”

“Yes, Prince Tek,” said Alana, her face bright with hope. “Thank you, milord and m’lady.”

Mary smiled and once again offered the box. “Go on, take another one.” After all, according to Tek, she was getting a lifetime supply.

Delighted, Alana took another chocolate. Then she rose from the bed. Tek guided her to the door. “Go see my steward. Ask him to arrange transportation to your home.”

Alana nodded, hesitated, and then planted a kiss on Tek’s cheek. She hurried out the door.

Tek returned to the bed and smiled at Mary. “It was kind of you to share your chocolates.”

“That was nothing compared to what you did for her.” Mary was still wrapping her brain around the idea that her would-be lover was a crown prince. She reluctantly boxed up the chocolates and returned them to the side table.

Okay, Mary, suck it up. Tell him you want to go home. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Tek sat next to her and took her hand. “Your meeting with the Oracle went well?”

“I guess. She said I had great childbearing hips.”

He grinned. “You have great everything, Mary.” He stared at her, his eyes filled with what she could only call love. “I know you do not understand our customs or traditions. I cannot take the next steps until you know—and accept—the truth about us.

“When a crown prince turns thirty, he must wed. At that time, we ask the Great Geru for guidance. It is the Oracle who makes Geru’s will known.

“All matches between kings and their queens have borne love as well as heirs. It is said that as long as the kings follow the will of Geru, Kratania will remain a loving, peaceful planet. For a thousand years, it has been so.” He squeezed Mary’s hand. “You are my queen. Once we are bound, the ritual that binds us together, heart and soul, body and mind. Once the final ritual is performed, we will be bound heart and soul, body and mind. We will be together for always. We will rule Kratania as one.”

“And if I don’t agree to marry you?”

“My crown passes to my brother Vrek, who is next in line.”

She could see something else in his expression. He was holding back from her. “What else?”

“I don’t want to lie to you, but the truth is not fair either.”

“You just made Alana promise to be truthful with her family and mate. If I’m your mate then you should be honest with me.”

“Fine.” His expression soured, but the surly grimace looked adorable on him. “If you refuse me, I will not wed. I will take the monk’s robes and live out my life in a Kratanian monastery.”

Holy crap. Mary tried to lighten the mood. “Becoming a monk would sure be a waste of bedroom talent.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t have to give up sex.”

Mary’s eyes widened, and a whirl of possessive jealousy threatened to swallow her whole. “You wouldn’t!”

Tek laughed. “I would be chaste.” He kissed her nose. “If that would make you happy.”

Mary shook her head. “Not funny. I don’t want you to be alone. Hell, I don’t want to be alone. I want to be with you, Tek, but what about my life on Earth?”

“If you marry me, you must leave it behind.” He looked uncertain. “Will you miss it so much?”

Mary wanted to laugh, but tears fell instead. She had acquaintances, not friends. She was the only child of parents who had passed on a decade ago and she had no other family.

If she thought too long about her crappy days and her lonely nights, she would have to admit she’d lived an inferior life. She had never believed herself worthy of reaching for something better. And yet, something better had fallen into her lap. Or rather, she had fallen into his arms.

Damn it. What should she do? Go back to a life unfulfilled or allow herself to be front in center of her own reality TV show called, Watch Mary Make A Baby.