Gwen lay in bed, surrounded by luxuries and comforts she never thought she’d experience. The furnishings were sumptuous, soft, and molded to her body to make even the act of sitting into a sinful experience. The dark red décor had just enough gold and other pale colours interjected to be lovely without being overpowering. Even the lighting was a soft, buttery yellow. If this was a taste of what life in the palace would be like, then she was going to live a very pampered, comfortable life.

Kash was spending a few minutes on the bridge, and she was using the time to practice wrapping her tongue around the unfamiliar sounds that made up the Pyrosian language. Kash had tasked Torel with ensuring that the cognitive augmentation programs were safe for her to use. Once that happened, she’d been learning all she could about their language and culture between bouts of mind-blowing sex with Kash.

Kash. Just thinking about him made her smile. The Scorching was almost over, but her feelings for him hadn’t diminished in the last two days. They’d grown stronger every hour, as had the bond they shared. His presence was always with her, and she reveled in the idea that she would never be alone again.

She felt the now familiar buzz that heralded his close proximity, and seconds later he came charging into their quarters, grinning from ear to ear.

“We found them.”

“Lisa and Vadir? Are they alright? Where the hell have they been?”

“They crashed, as we suspected. They’re both fine, and Lisa has been very concerned about you. She wanted me to tell you that she’s sorry she couldn’t let you know she was alright.” His grin widened. “I told her I would pass that information along to you.”

“Oh my god. You told her I was here? Do they know about us? What did she say?”

“Slowly, my love. One question at a time.”

“You can command a starship, but you can’t keep track of more than one question?” she rose from the bed and bounced over to him, relief making her footsteps light.

“Of course I can, but I’ve discovered that your nose wrinkles in the cutest way when you’re annoyed with me, and I wanted to see it again.”

“You’re impossible! Answer, me, please.”

He wrapped her into his arms and held her close. “Vadir noticed my eyes, and Lisa guessed who I was mated to right away. She seemed very pleased and quite proud of herself for arranging for the three of you to sign up. I believe she said she was taking credit for the way things worked out.”

Gwen laughed. “She would say that. When will they be here? Do Joran and Maggie know?”

“Joran contacted me while I was speaking with Vadir and Lisa. He and Maggie are at your residence. I made a request for them to bring you some of your things.”

“You did? Thank you! I’d kill for some hair product to tame these curls, and it would be nice to be in my own clothes again.” Kash had provided her with clothing made from flame resistant fabric, but she hadn’t had much of a chance to wear them while they were in the thrall of the Scorching. The fabric was stiff and strange against her skin, too. She was dying to get back into a pair of faded jeans and a nice, comfy sweatshirt.

“Your curls are beautiful, just like the rest of you. I cannot wait to introduce you to Vadir and Joran. They are going to be amazed that the Gods gifted me with such an incredible female.”

“Just promise me I don’t have to meet your parents just yet.”

“They are happy to wait. As eager as they are to speak with you, they understand this has been a surprise for us both. We’ll talk to them once we are on our way home.”

“You mean after we leave Earth forever.” She hadn’t expected to be sad about leaving. The only people she cared about were going to Pyros with her. She was taking the few belongings she owned that mattered to her, like the cookie tin and her grandmother’s recipe book. But it still bothered her to think that she could never come back.

“That might not be the case anymore. Your friend claims she’s found a workaround that would negate the Council’s laws. Vadir believes it will work so it could be that you’ll be able to come back. Knowing Vadir, he’s probably already working on plans to build a vast trade network with your planet.”

“You’re full of good news today. When are they getting here? I can’t wait to see them, and meet the guys they’re mated to. Do I have to bow to the prince or anything?”

“We’re going to meet them on the surface. Vadir’s ship still needs some parts and final repairs before it can fly again. I’ll assist, along with Joran and his guards, while you catch up with your friends.”

“We’re going? When?”

He ran a hand down her spine to cup her bare ass. “That depends on whether you want to have sex in our bed, or in the cockpit of the shuttle once we’re underway.”

Feeling indecently wicked, she grabbed his shoulders and hopped upward, knowing that he’d catch her. “Why can’t we do both?”

“Because we’re going to be late if we do that.”

“Then they can start the repairs without us. For once, I vote we do what we want and not worry about what anyone else thinks.”

Heat flared in his eyes as he caught and lifted her high enough to kiss her. “Just this once.”

She hummed in agreement, but she knew this wouldn’t be the last time they broke the rules. She made him lose control, and he gave her the courage to reach for things she thought were beyond her reach.