by Sarah Marsh
“Roan, it’s good to have you home. Your mother has been fretting over you these past years,” the older man said with a smile.
Roan’s mother and father had barely released him when Kai’s mother came barreling at him for another hug.
“Thank you for finally bringing my baby home, Roan,” she said as she kissed his cheek making a dark blush run up Roan’s face.
“Well, I wouldn’t say it was Roan who was responsible for bringing me home, Mama. I’d say Kham was more to blame for that,” Kai said with a teasing smile pointed in Kham’s direction.
Up until that point Kham and Eve had been standing to the side watching with amusement as their two mates were fussed over by their mothers, but when all four of the parents turned to look their way they weren’t prepared for the attack.
Kai’s mother Rika was obviously the more affectionate of the two, and when she reached up to pull Kham down into a hug Eve had to stifle the laughter at the surprised look on his face at her determination. Samal took Eve’s hands in hers and met her eyes with a warm smile while the rest of the men stood back and chuckled at Kham’s shock.
“We are so pleased to be welcoming you both into our families,” Samal said looking at Eve and then rolling her eyes when she saw that Rika still had Kham in a crushing hug. “You must tell us everything about yourself, Eve.”
Eventually Rika let Kham go and latched onto Eve in a warm hug. She received polite handshakes with her new fathers-in-law and a rather handsy hug from her new brother-in-law that had Roan cuffing his big brother upside the head and everyone else laughing. The ladies pulled her over to the sitting area to visit as the men began discussing the security issues and any plans that Lara might have. Eve found the two women looking at her.
“My, aren’t you lovely with that beautiful red hair and your milky pale skin,” Rika gushed, causing Eve to blush.
“I agree,” Samal said as she brushed her hand along Eve’s cheek. “I can scarcely believe that our boys were lucky enough to marry two fine mates as beautiful as they are.”
Eve knew Kham was trying not to listen to his mates’ mothers, but as a dark golden blush ran up his cheeks she knew that he’d caught the comment. She had to laugh as this was the first time she’d ever seen him blush.
“Enough, Mama, you’re embarrassing them,” Kai said as he leaned over and kissed his mom on the cheek as she laughed.
Eventually the men moved to the office area to go over the security plans in more detail, and Eve sat with her new mothers-in-law as they asked her all about what her life was like back on Earth, and they answered any questions that she had about Sirus. All in all Eve was very pleased with herself that the first meeting with her extended family had gone so well. She thought that Rika and Samal were very nice and though their husbands were a bit on the shy side they both gave her a quick hug on the way out.
As the four of them relaxed on the balcony of their suite overlooking the city of Ailis, Eve was surprised at how utterly content she felt. For the first time in her life she belonged somewhere with someone, and after finally knowing what that felt like there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to keep it.
“Your parents were great, you guys. I’m so relieved that they liked me,” Eve said as she snuggled into Kai’s side on the big lounge chair.
“How could you doubt that they would, love?” Kham asked as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through Roan’s hair as they sat across from them while they all enjoyed the setting red suns.
“Well, on Earth sometimes in-laws don’t always get along with their children’s spouses, and to be honest, I was worried that the ‘alien factor’ might be a big deal,” she answered, trying not to sound insecure.
All three men chuckled at her.
“Eve, you’re forgetting that our societies have had many years to get used the ‘alien factor,’ as you say,” Roan said as he stood and offered her a hand to get up. “Now let’s go get ready for the greeting party tonight. We need some extra time to review with the guards before we go.”
“Yes,” Kham said as they all got up and moved to the bedroom. “I can’t wait to see you in the green gown, my love. You will look like a true goddess.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Eve got a little nervous now that they were getting ready to leave the suite. This party tonight would be a meet and greet for all the delegates attending the symposium. So not only would she be representing her husbands as the wife of the Dhuaatian councilman, she would most likely be seeing Roan’s old flame Lara since she would be attending as well. It was hard to say which was more intimidating for her. Mhat-Am had been tirelessly going over the etiquette and customs with her for days, but it was still nothing she’d even remotely done before. As for meeting the psycho ex-fiancée of her current husband, well, that was also a scary thing. Especially since they had no idea how she would react to not only seeing Roan again, but the fact that he had come home with not one, but three new mates. By the conversations they’d had about it, Eve could tell that Roan was hoping that Lara would have gotten over the whole thing and just pretend he wasn’t there. Kai absolutely hated Lara and wanted to plant evidence on her computer and then get her arrested before the party even started, which had surprised them all. When they’d asked him how he could even consider doing that, all he’d done was shrug and explain that he’d considered sneaking into her house and killing her outright, but that had felt a bit wrong. Kham seemed to be the most reasonable one when it came to this whole mess. He just made sure that the guards were aware and instructed them to not let Lara get within touching distance of any of them.
Eve finished putting the final touches on her hair and makeup, and then put on the beautiful dark green silk dress that Kham had given her. She’d never had a dress this beautiful before. The silk was in six different layers, each hand dyed in a slightly different shade of green. Her men had given her jewelry to match as well, a delicate gold torque with an emerald-like stone in the middle, along with two arm bands. When she turned to look into the mirror Eve barely recognized herself.
When she walked into the living room all three men paused in their conversation, and she blushed at the heated stares she received.
“I take it you approve of the dress, then?” she asked, running a teasing hand along her collarbone.
“You are a vision in that dress, Evangeline,” Kham said as he walked over to kiss her hand.
“Yes, we may let Kham dress you all the time if his taste is this good,” Roan added as he circled her slowly, then came closer to steal a kiss as well.
“I like you better naked, but if you have to wear something, then I do love to see you in silk,” Kai finished with a knowing smirk to the other two men. Roan rolled his eyes and Kham just laughed, willing to concede that Kai’s line was the best.
Eve took a moment to return the favor and look her men over. Kham was clearly dressed in his finest ketta in a creamy gold color, with a draped wrap-around vest that showed off his magnificent chest and arms. This event must be a big deal as this was the most clothing she’d ever seen him wear. Roan and Kai were both dressed in the Dhuaatian-style ketta and vest as well, although theirs wasn’t as fancy as Kham’s was. They’d hoped that the visual reminder that both Sirotians were now mated to the Dhuaatian pharaoh would keep Lara’s crazy from picking a fight, but Eve was doubtful. She assumed from the twitching hands of both men that the fact they weren’t allowed to bring weapons into the ballroom was bothering them both a great deal. Outside of the bed this was the first time she’d seen Roan or Kai without a weapon of some kind.
As they left the suite with their full dozen guards, which Eve thought was a little bit extreme, but her men quickly explained that there was three for each of them as they wouldn’t be able to stand together all night. There were two for close range who would concentrate on who their charge was conversing with directly and then one to scout and monitor Lara’s movements in regard to each target. Which of course just made Eve freak out e
ven more, but as they moved from the hotel into the Council Building Eve saw that most of the foreign delegates had at least that many guards. Some of them had even more, which considering how scary some of the alien delegates were themselves was surprising.
The formal ballroom was decorated in a stunning collaboration of sparkling lights and colors. Instead of tables there were traditional Sirotian booths along the walls. It was very reminiscent of the Arabian Nights-themed parties Eve had been to back home, only for rich people with no budget. She soon noticed that her new in-laws had been dressing on the conservative side for Sirotians when she’d met them. Most of the servers working the event were barely dressed, the women wearing draped nearly transparent silks and the men in short wraps with nothing else.
Roan’s brother Arkenon met them as soon as they arrived, looking very handsome in his tightly wrapped tunic vest and loose pants. It seemed the higher up you went in status the more clothing you were allowed to wear, which was fine with Eve because she was lucky enough to marry well. Looking at a few of the escorts on the arm of some of the delegates though she counted her lucky stars that she wasn’t expected to dress like a harem girl.
Kham handed her a drink when the server came around, and she enjoyed the mildly fruity wine that he had given her. When all of the men suddenly stilled and looked off to the right with expressionless faces she didn’t know what was happening. But a few seconds later when a tall beautiful blonde with an icy cold smirk strode up in front of Arkenon, Eve guessed she was about to meet her evil nemesis.
“Arkenon, so good to see you,” the woman said in an exaggerated tone as she stopped a few feet in front of Roan’s brother.
She was wearing an almost nonexistent bright red dress. There were only a few straps of material holding it onto her clearly enhanced bust. Eve could feel the jealousy creeping up as she compared her curvy frame to Lara’s willowy model-size body. When the other woman’s eyes found her and did a once-over she was quickly dismissed as they then moved on to Roan’s body.
“So,” she continued in a haughty tone, “your wayward brother has finally come home to do his duty.”
“Not likely,” was all Roan replied in return as he put his arm around Eve and pulled her closer.
“Lara, you were notified that Roan is now mated and that due to your instability the agreement between our families has been annulled,” Arkenon said in a respectful voice that was surprising considering the loathing that Eve could see in his eyes.
“Well, you can’t blame a girl for trying, can you? I thought I’d give Roan a chance to change his mind once I saw the homely little alien he’s tied himself to,” Lara replied, running her hands along the farce of a dress she was wearing, “I’d even be willing to take on the pharaoh and Kai if you insist on a package deal. I think I may enjoy that very much actually.”
Eve was seriously pissed now. This hussy had not only called her ugly, but the crazy biotch had actually just offered to step in and take all three of her husbands from her!
“Why you crazy bit—” Eve said as she tried to lunge forward and grab the other woman by her brassy blonde roots.
She didn’t get very far though as Roan tightened his hold around her waist to make sure she didn’t get within striking distance of the other woman. He knew Lara would be waiting for an excuse to engage with Eve, and baiting his wife to attack would not only make them look bad, but it would make Lara look justified for whatever she’d planned to do to them. As much as Roan had hoped that Lara would surprise them all and not be a psycho, deep down he knew she could never let it go.
“Isn’t she a feisty little thing,” Lara said with a smirk and a wink to Roan. “If you’re looking for some entertainment tonight feel free to come and find me.”
Eve couldn’t believe the balls that woman had as they watched her saunter off into the crowd in her slutty red dress. First she insulted Eve right to her face, and then she propositioned Roan right in front of her! It was a good thing that he’d kept a tight hold on her when he did, or she would’ve gone right after Lara and made a bit of a scene.
“I can’t believe the nerve of that woman, making a play for you right in front of me!” Eve was still furious as she picked at the buffet with Roan.
Kham had wandered off to do his councilman schmoozing, and Kai was getting updates from the rest of the guards. Eve and Roan wandered back to their table and finished off some of the less weird appetizers that Eve had picked. Back on the ship all the meals to their suites had automatically been screened to make sure she was able to digest all the items, and when she was in the dining hall Matty kept a close eye to let her know what she should and shouldn’t eat. But as they sat and sipped at their beverages it was becoming clear to Eve that something that they’d eaten at the buffet was certainly not agreeing with her stomach.
“Roan, I’ve got to use the restroom. I think something we ate is making me sick,” Eve said, trying to get control over her stomach.
Roan turned to look at her and frowned at her pale complexion.
“Yes, love, you don’t look well at all. Would you like to go back to the suite? Let me send one of the guards to notify Kham and Kai that we are leaving.”
“I don’t think I can make it back to the suite. I need to get this out of my stomach now, Roan,” she said, beads of sweat beginning to dot her forehead.
“Okay, let’s go,” Roan answered before grabbing her hand and then sending one of the guards off to notify the boys.
They were almost to the ladies’ bathroom when a large commotion broke out in the ballroom. Roan began to stop, but Eve knew she was seconds away from throwing up and continued to drag him along. He stopped her at the door, and she was in a panic trying to get past him.
“Sir,” one of the guards said as he listened to his earpiece. “There has been an attempt on the pharaoh’s life. He has been wounded but is stable, and the attacker has been restrained.”
“Oh my God! He’s all right?” Eve asked, trying not to gag at the same time.
The conflicted look on Roan’s face as he looked at her told her he’d noticed her distress.
“Let me make sure it’s empty, love. Hold on,” he said as he opened the door and called out. When there was no answer he went in and made sure there was no one inside.
“Okay, love, it’s empty. Do you want me to come in with you?” Roan asked as he led her in and she ran to one of the stalls.
“No!” she yelled as she slammed the door shut and pulled up her dress so her bare knees hit the floor right before she threw up her dinner.
“Eve, are you all right?” Roan softly asked once the heaving had stopped.
“I’ll be okay. I just need a few more minutes. Can you please just go and make sure that Kham is okay?” she replied, feeling her stomach begin to roll once more. “I’ll just stay in here until you get back.”
“All right, but don’t leave this bathroom. Understood?” he said as she began to get sick again.
When Roan left the bathroom he was torn. He didn’t want to leave Eve there alone but he needed to see that Kham was really okay. He figured since he was leaving three guards with her she’d be fine.
“No one else goes in until I get back. Keep an ear out in case Eve needs help. Got it?” he said to the guards before he rushed through the crowd.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kham was speaking with the Zorn delegate in regards to the meeting tomorrow to discuss the rescued human females. Delegates would be submitting their petitions to receive the refugees once the females had been acclimated and deemed stable enough for permanent relocation. Kaal Degga was the brother of one of the bond mates of Sarah Lowen, the first documented human female that had been retrieved. It was certainly an advantage for his planet that the human and Zorn physiology had already been proven to be breeding compatible with no adjustments needed. Kham was also surprised to hear from Kaal that the second human female Talia Booth was also confirmed to be breeding. In fact she was here in attendanc
e at the symposium with her mates who were the delegates from Adoan and Dali. Kham was certain that Eve would want to meet Talia, and he was excited to surprise her with the news. He was still smiling when one of the waitstaff approached him with his drink order, but as soon as the drink was in his hand the young man dropped the tray and lunged at Kham with a small knife.
Kham managed to block the attack with his arm, but he felt the knife as it embedded all the way into the bone. Next to him the Zornan delegate grabbed his attacker and threw him onto the ground to subdue him.
“Are you all right, Pharaoh? How bad is it?” the huge Zornan asked as he easily pinned the squirming man down with one hand.
A crowd was now forming as Kham’s guards rushed to assist him and contacted the other guards. Kham wanted the knife out of his arm, but without knowing the damage that was done he was better off leaving that to a medic.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine, thank you, Kaal,” he said to the other man.
“Sir, Lady Eve is sick so she and Lord Roan were headed back to the suite. We’ve contacted the medic and we will take you there straight away,” one of the guards said as they closed ranks and started to lead him away just as Kai came running over.
“Kham, what happened?” Kai was clearly out of breath from rushing to the scene as he came up to examine Kham’s arm.
“One of the waitstaff attacked me, although I haven’t any idea why. He clearly wasn’t a trained assassin, and the odds of him being able to kill me wouldn’t have been very high. But I suppose his lack of experience explains how he made it through the staff security check Arkenon did before we arrived,” Kham responded, gritting his teeth through the pain in his arm.
Once they’d exited the ballroom and turned to go to medical Roan came rushing up in a full run.
“Are you all right, Kham? What happened?” he asked as he grabbed Kham’s arm to get a better look at the knife still sticking out of it.
