Dara chose to give Kobrah the abbreviated version of Emma and Mikhail, the star-crossed lovers who were as famous as they were reviled among the Rhomanii.

They’d played an instrumental role in helping the lost Rhomanii prince find his way home. But the evil Mikhail, coveting his brother’s fiancé, killed him in a jealous fit, stole the queen, and fled before justice could be meted. It was considered the biggest of treacheries, given only the king’s blood could run the special kingdom the Rhomanii called home.

“If I’m right, then these are the two most wanted Rhomanii people in the universe. At least they used to be a few centuries ago.” Because all this had happened in the past.

“Or these could be random strangers,” he said.

“Ship, who are these people?” Dara asked.

Not expecting a reply, he was startled when a machine-like voice, said, “Unable to comply with your request.”

Kobrah stared at the ceiling. “What can you tell us?”

The vessel didn’t speak again.

Dara frowned as she stared at the bodies. “There’s something strange happening here.”

“You think?” The sarcasm flowed thick.

“They are well preserved,” she murmured, running her hands over the glass.

Which begged the question, who had preserved them?

“I wonder if the Rhomanii would still want them,” she mused aloud.

The statement had him eyeing Dara. “You’d sell dead bodies?” His nose wrinkled.

“I’d sell out just about anything and anyone to keep Karo safe.”

“Even me?”

“I doubt they’d want you.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Would you feel better if I said I’d even sell myself to keep her safe?”

He glanced over at Sprout and finally understood. Understood the need to protect. Understood when she said she’d make the same choice again because he’d do the same.

Now that the ship had shown them its heart, it didn’t seem inclined to keep them prisoner. The doors opened, and Karo announced, “Raffie says our rooms are ready.”

“Where is Raffie?” Dara asked.

“Everywhere, silly.” Karolyne giggled. “He’s inside the ship.”

“You mean Raffie is a computer?” Kobrah asked to clarify.

“Raffie says it’s more complicated than that. And I’m tired.” The lower lip jutted to a formidable distance.

His lips twitched. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to check out the place and sleep on a mattress tonight.” A day spent diving had left his body sore and tired.

With nothing else to do, and the prospect of a bed, they followed the skipping child to a lavish set of rooms. Not a speck of dust anywhere, the bed massive, and everywhere he looked, no signs of life.

It made Karolyne’s squeals of excitement seem that much louder. “Mommy, look! A tub.”

Indeed, there was a large bathing basin that filled with real water. Karo enjoyed splashing in it with bubbles and giggles. For the adults, there were bathing facilities that cleaned the grime of their trip. When he exited, he found his clothes had been mysteriously whisked away and fresh garments had replaced them, the fabric and stitching elaborate, the style very old-fashioned.

“I look like an ancient ruler on Earth,” he grumbled as the tight breeches hugged his parts.

Meanwhile Dara grimaced as she twirled in her multi-layered skirt. “Apparently the ancient Rhomanii ladies didn’t believe in pants.”

Karo had no issue with the soft fabric of her skirted jumper and jiggled in delight when a door off the bedchamber slid open suddenly to reveal a smaller one with a child-sized bed, and atop it—

“A doll!” Karo snatched it tight, and he fought an urge to tear it from her and set it on fire.

What kind of haunted place was this? Giving them every luxury. A payment would be exacted. Surely these things weren’t going to be free.

“Why the scowl?” Dara asked as she returned from tucking in Karolyne.

“Doesn’t this seem too easy and perfect?”

“Yes. But what do you suggest we do? Leave the only viable method of getting off this planet and forging ahead to do what? Live off the land?”

“Feels dangerous.”

“It probably is. Just like out there is dangerous.” She waved a hand. “But at least in here we get some luxuries. And besides, aren’t you the slightest bit curious to see if you can fly this thing?”

He tried to hold it in, but in the end, he grinned. “Maybe a little.”

“Only a little?” she teased. “Let’s go find the bridge.”

“To do what? We can’t move it until we know it’s safe. Besides, I don’t think we should leave Sprout alone.”

“You and your common sense,” she huffed.

“Excuse me for being responsible.”

“I prefer you when you’re not.”

“I prefer you naked, but I don’t see me getting what I want.”

“Really?” The coy smile was his only warning before her clothes hit the floor. She planted a hand on her hip. “I’m naked. What are you going to do about it?”

Combust? Rather than reply, he cast a glance at the door separating them from Karolyne. “What about our daughter?”

“She’s sleeping.”

“She could walk in.”

Dara sauntered past him to the bathing chamber. She peeked over her bare shoulder. “You coming?”

Fucking right he planned to. He stripped as he followed, barely waiting for the door to shut behind them before he dragged Dara close.

Their lips met in a clash of teeth and already panting breaths. They kissed with passion, hunger. Each of them trying to control the moment.

Fuck that. He knew what he wanted. Her lips parted, and his tongue thrust inside, teasing her mouth, tangling with her tongue. He sucked it, tasted her. Craved more.

When he felt her wobble, he palmed her waist and lifted her. The counter behind provided a perfect spot to perch her.

He inserted himself between her legs, his cock tucked upward and pressing against her moist sex, trapped between their bodies. Her breasts, the tips of them erect, rubbed against his chest.

He slid a hand up her leg, tickling the soft skin. He moved far enough that he could rub between her thighs, cupping her sex, feeling the heat and dampness. He rubbed while she squirmed, and the core of her pulsed against him, demanding satisfaction.

And he’d give it to her when he was damned well ready.

They didn’t speak. They had no need for words when decadent moans and kisses said it all.

The calloused pads of his fingers dragged over her mound that he might lightly stroke the moist shell of her sex. He dipped his digits into her honey and then rubbed her clit. She replied by arching her pelvis, the firm insistent thrust begging for more.

He was happy to oblige. He pinched her nub, and she jerked as she cried out. He squeezed again before thrusting his fingers into her, feeling how her sheath gripped him tight.

Dara let out breathy sounds of pleasure as he worked her. Her hips undulated in time to his strokes. He thrust into her while his thumb rubbed her sensitive nub. She clung to his shoulders as her body tightened. He could feel it, feel the tension on his thrusting fingers.

But he wasn’t about to let her come.

Not alone this time. His fingers slid free that he might replace them with the tip of his hard cock. He probed her, pressing against the mouth of her sex.

She lost patience, and her legs wrapped around his hips, pulling him closer, closer, impaling herself on him.

His turn to groan as he sheathed his shaft inside her. All around, her channel squeezed. Fisted him tight. And to the hilt.

A tremor rocked through her and then him as he seated himself fully and then paused.

Just enjoyed the feel of being buried deep.

He couldn’t help the words that slipped past his lips. “I’ve missed you.”

“I—I—” Whatever she would have said was lost in a kiss, a torrid embrace that stole all breath and control.

Forget slow. Forget technique. He ground himself against her and into her. He pounded her sweet flesh. Stretched her. Pummeled her sex and she loved it.

Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he thrust. Her moans fluttered against his mouth.

And when she came, her climax ripped through her in an undulating wave that fisted him, over and over, drawing his own pleasure until he exploded.

Her fingers gently traced the line of his jaw. “I love you.”

He closed his eyes as he leaned his forehead against hers. Tried to close his heart but it was too late.

He was in love, too.