"Sir!” someone shouted from the front of the bridge.
Renie and her father turned to look at him and then stared at the display as another blue flash occurred and a second ship appeared. This one was smaller and sleek, but still silver and yellow.
"They can definitely fold space,” her father said and hurried down to the pilot.
Renie stared at the screen and found herself following him down the steps, curious about the new ship.
"Incoming communication,” the man said again.
She stood beside her brother, exchanging a glance that revealed they were both worried about this newcomer. Perhaps they were here to attack, or to make Tres return to the Black Zone.
"Open a channel,” her father said. “On screen."
"This is Princess Vega XVI,” a beautiful woman said, her appearance similar to Tres's. Her skin was white but turned blue near her hairline. Her long straight hair went from blue to black, parted at the sides by her pointed ears.
Rezic stepped forwards.
Renie raised a brow when she saw he was staring at the screen looking like a Gavaelian carp.
"I believe my brother is en route to your ship. I request permission to attend to him. It is my duty to travel with him wherever he may go.” The woman on screen looked around her and sighed. “I had not quite expected it would bring me into Lyran space however."
Rezic stepped forwards again and cleared his throat. The woman's attention moved from their father to him and her eyebrows rose.
"Permission granted,” Rezic said with what looked to Renie like a highly charming smile.
He might have pulled off handsome had he been a little cleaner and a little less bloodstained. Rezic seemed to have forgotten that blood caked his hair and covered one side of his white shirt.
"Curious, I had expected the command to come from a superior officer,” Princess Vega XVI said, her eyebrows still high.
Rezic adopted a frown that made him look very much like their father and stepped up beside him.
"I am Prince Lyra V. This is my father General Lyra II. Our orders carry the same weight."
Renie stifled her laugh at his lie. Rezic's orders carried barely more weight than her own. Only their father's tolerance was saving them both from being sent from the bridge for commanding his officers.
"Then prepare to meet me at the airlock, Prince Lyra V, and escort me to my brother."
The screen went blank.
Rezic left the room so fast that Renie barely saw him go. She looked over at her father to see him staring towards the bridge doors with a raised eyebrow.
"Deep space has turned my children insane,” he muttered and then extended a hand towards her, smiling.
He was still as handsome as ever. When she had been little, she had thought there was no one in the galaxy more handsome than her father was. She glanced back at the screen as she took her father's hand. Now she had found someone more handsome, someone she loved.
And she was getting the impression her brother wouldn't complain about what she was going to suggest. Not if the princess had to go everywhere that Tres went.
Renie walked through the ship with her father, her arm looped through his. When they neared the docking bay, he paused, placed his hand over hers and looked at her so seriously that her heartbeat quickened.
"Tell me honestly, my little angel, do you love this Vegan?"
Her mouth turned dry and she swallowed to clear the sticky lump in her throat so she could answer him clearly.
"I know we've only just met. I heard that the sons of Lyra never took things slow and never took no for an answer. Perhaps the same could be said for its daughters? Sophia married Emperor Varka barely days after she had met him. Miali is going to marry Kosen. I want to marry Tres.” She paused and sighed. “I do love him, father, with all my heart."
"What will your brother do now?” he said and began walking again.
She frowned at the doors ahead of her. Rezic was waiting there, pacing back and forth. He had cleaned up and was wearing one of the tight blue and black flight suits of the Lyran Imperial Army. It emphasised his physique, just right for making women stare and realise that he was a true son of Lyra—perfect and handsome.
"I think my brother will be happy for me,” she said and nodded towards Rezic where he waited for them. “I think he might just marry a Vegan too..."
Her father smiled and shook his head. “One Vegan in the family was bad enough."
"Think of the deal you could cut for his marriage,” she said with a grin and patted his hand. “Technology, father ... all that technology."
He rolled his eyes and shook his head again.
"Took your time,” Rezic muttered when they reached him.
"I've never seen you move so fast, brother,” she teased and smiled wide. “I thought you didn't like Tres?"
"I'm warming to him,” Rezic said with a sly smile.
The door opened and she let go of her father's hand when she saw Tres on the other side talking to his sister. He turned to face her and Renie smiled her best smile, fighting the urge to run over to him. She had to behave like royalty, at least until her father had agreed to let them marry.
Tres didn't seem to be thinking along those lines. He strode across the room to her and pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I am glad you are safe,” he whispered against her hair and kissed her again. She smiled at the feel of his cool lips. “I am glad."
Drawing back, she looked up into his eyes, into his black irises that surrounded his pale blue pupils.
"I was so worried about you,” she said and buried her face in his neck. His arms closed tighter around her.
"I had to protect you."
She drew back again and glanced over her shoulder at her father.
"I have to protect you too,” she whispered up at Tres. “My father is a tough negotiator. I've told him to ask only for peace but I'm sure he'll ignore me and ask for all kinds of things. Don't let him push you into giving him more than I'm worth ... which isn't—"
"Which is the entire universe.” Tres cut her off and stroked her cheek. “I would give everything for you to be mine."
"Don't let him hear you say that,” she muttered and turned to face her father and brother. “Father, this is Prince Tres Vega XVI."
Tres stepped forward and intimated his sister.
"This is Princess Tesia Vega XVI, my sister and attendant."
Rezic smiled and bowed. “Prince Rezic Lyra V."
Renie looked across to see Tesia smiling and casting a shy glance at her brother. Tres raised an eyebrow.
"Shall we?” her father said and swept his hand towards the door.
She could see the glint of intent in his eyes. There was no way he was going to let Tres off with just a treaty for peace. He was going to add at least a promise of technology sharing to that.
Tres took hold of her hand, the cool touch of his skin against hers chasing away her dark thoughts about shutting her father on the other side of the docking bay doors and running away with Tres. She smiled at him, glad to see him again. Her stomach turned with nerves and excitement.
"I have something to ask you,” she whispered.
Tesia and Rezic walked in front of them, deep in conversation.
"What is that?” Tres said and walked with her.
"I'm sure my father will insist on a wedding on Lyra Prime, but after that what will we do?” Her nerves increased as she thought about what she wanted to ask him and whether he would refuse. “Will we live in the Black Zone?"
He frowned. “A delicate Lyran butterfly such as you in the Black Zone? No ... not until I have reformed it. I will not risk—"
"What if I wanted to go there ... and explore?"
A glimmer of understanding entered his eyes and he stopped walking, turning to face her. “I see. You wish to continue with your brother, exploring the dead cultures on our side of the barrier."
"Yes ... and no. I want yo
u to come too. I want to explore with you, and my brother, and probably your sister because I think my brother likes her."
His eyebrow rose again.
"You wanted to come to this side of the barrier to see it, didn't you? You wanted to explore it. Well ... how much of your side of the barrier have you seen?"
His look turned pensive.
"Have you seen much outside of the Vega system? My uncle was once an heir prince and he wasn't allowed off Lyra Prime. Was it the same for you?"
"I have been to other planets, but have never been able to freely explore them. I am guarded at all times by at least twenty officers of the Vegan army, and my sister.” There was a look in his eyes that made her feel she was winning. “Our appearance makes it clear who we are."
"It does?” Renie looked him over. Tres and his sister did look different to the other Vegans. “Is this a royalty thing then?"
He nodded. “Our genes are slightly different to those of normal Vegan blood."
"So I suppose exploring is off the agenda?” She couldn't imagine his family allowing him to wander the galaxy when it was clear to anyone who knew the Vegan species well that he was royalty. She and her brother were only able to explore because they often went into areas where knowledge of the Lyran royal family was limited to who was ruling at the time.
"Not at all,” he said and took both of her hands in his. Warmth spread through her when he stepped up to her and smiled into her eyes. “I would very much like to explore my side of this galaxy. It would give me a chance to see what needed to be changed, and would bring me the adventure I have craved since my childhood."
"Is that a yes?"
He nodded again. “Yes."
Renie grinned, tiptoed and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. For a moment, she had been convinced that he would say no to her. She never wanted to stop exploring the galaxy but if he had refused, she would have given it up. She wanted to explore, but she wanted to be with him more.
The thought of heading into unknown territory and meeting unknown species was almost as exciting as the thought that Tres wanted to marry her.
Almost.
"We'll need a bigger ship,” she said. “Presuming your sister will join us."
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips and he looked towards her father, brother and his sister where they were waiting.
"She will go wherever I go. She shares my passion for exploration and I share your belief that she may grow to like your brother. I wish only for her happiness. As a princess of Vega, she is forbidden to marry until her twin has."
"Twin?” Renie said, hoping he would say what she wanted him to.
"I am her twin. Vegan royalty always has twins. A boy and a girl."
She frowned and began walking with him again. “That takes the fun out of having a family. Now I know what we'll have."
He stopped and she jerked backwards when his hand pulled on hers.
"Family?” Tres said, curiosity in his eyes and voice.
"If you want to ... not right now ... not yet ... maybe someday?"
He laughed at her and she dropped her gaze to the floor, her cheeks blazing over how ridiculous she had sounded. She wanted a family but she wanted to explore the galaxy first. She had said it without thinking, not realising that he would take it so seriously.
"After we have charted the entire galaxy, yes?” he said and she got the feeling that he could already read her.
She nodded and went to walk again but he stopped her, pulling her into his arms.
"Renie?” he said with a serious expression that made her heart pound with nerves.
"Tres?"
He smoothed the tangled strands of her dark hair back, watching his fingers. A look of tender affection entered his eyes and he smiled. She smiled too when he caressed her cheek and his eyes met hers.
"Will you?” he said.
"Will I what?"
He pressed his forehead against hers and cupped both of her cheeks in his palms.
"Be mine?"
Her heart thudded hard against her chest. Reaching up, she held his cheeks and drew back enough that she could see his eyes.
"Always,” she whispered.
He tilted his head, dipped his mouth towards hers, and kissed her so slow that her whole body felt light and warm. It was a tender caress of her lips, a kiss that spoke of love and affection. She melted into it, wishing it would never end and not caring that they had an audience.
His hands caught hers and he lowered and held them.
When he broke the kiss, she stared into his eyes, lost in their fascinating depths and her feelings for him.
"Ready?” she said to Tres with a sideward glance at her father.
"Ready,” Tres said and then added, “Are you ready?"
Renie looked back into his eyes. She knew what he meant by that question. He wasn't asking whether she was prepared to face her father, but rather if she was prepared to face a future with a Vegan. She was under no illusion that it was going to be easy. Their union could only promote peace between the species. Even if it upset a few, it would benefit many.
Besides that, she wanted to marry him.
No. She loved him and she was going to marry him.
As long as they loved each other, she could face anything.
She smiled.
Was she ready to walk forwards at his side towards their future?
Taking Tres's hand, Renie held his gaze, seeing her happiness reflected back at her and how wonderful that future would be.
There was only one answer to his question.
"Yes."
The End
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About the Author
Felicity Heaton is a great believer in love at first sight and the romantic ideal. Having grown up reading extensively, she developed a deep love of classical literature, ranking Jane Eyre, North & South, and Persuasion amongst her all time favourite reads. The most romantic moment of her life was when her husband got down on bended knee on the steps of Sacré Coeur, Paris, at night in front of several hundred spectators and proposed. She was too drunk on love, and subsequently champagne, to care about the audience. All she could see was the man that she loved. A writer of emotion and life, she always strives to touch a chord of familiarity in her readers and give them characters they can love and a read to remember.
Check out her stories:
www.felicityheaton.co.uk
Stories in the Daughters of Lyra series:
Heart of an Emperor—out June 7th 2009
Princess Sophia, one of the beautiful and strong daughters of Lyra, has had it with the never-ending row of suitors that her father, King Sebastian Lyra I, has lined up for her. When the latest suitor turns out to be the emperor of Varka, a species known for their lack of emotions, nocturnal lifestyle and bloodlust, Sophia wants little to do with him.
But when she greets the emperor and his two attendants, Sophia realises that a Varkan makes her heart beat like no other man before him and might just win her after all. Only, it isn't the emperor who was caught her eye.
Regis, Count of Sagres, is transfixed from the moment he meets Sophia. She pushes him to the brink of surrendering control to his bloodlust with every beautiful glance and smile she throws his way. But would she ever marry a male who doesn't know the meaning of love? Fear of the bloodlust makes Varkans retain an iron grip on their emotions. No Varkan has ever experienced love before, but Regis is willing to surrender control and risk everything to win Sophia. And Sophia will do whatever it takes to make him see that Varkans can love and that she wants no other man in the universe, including triggering his bloodlust and putting the whole palace in danger!
Will Regis's feelings for Sophia be enough to stop him from hurting her and killing the entire palace? Will Sophia be able to love a man that the universe sees as a monster? And will she still love him when she realises the Varkans’ deception?
Heart of a Mercenary—out July 5th 2009
&nb
sp; Princess Miali, one of the beautiful and strong daughters of Lyra, is an ambassador for Lyra. Her true identity is kept secret to protect but it's her beauty that puts her in danger when slavers attack her ship while she's in cryo-sleep. When she wakes, she finds herself heading for the markets, her only company the ship's handsome young Minervan doctor. Kosen makes Miali's body react like no man before him, sending her hair floating with her positive emotions and making her wonder if she might just be falling for her captor.
Kosen has been part of Nostra's crew since his two sisters were sold into slavery. His only desire is to gain enough money to buy them back, and Miali's sale will get him just that. But the more time he spends with her, the more he realises that the path he chose was a mistake and the life he's led is a shameful one. When he discovers Miali's secret, he agrees to help her escape, and not just because she promises him the money he needs. Miali fascinates him with her beauty and the way her body reacts to him, and he can't help believing that they might have a chance with each other, and he might have a chance at a better life.
Can Kosen help Miali escape the slaver vessel and the terrible future that awaits her at the markets? Will he be able to save his sisters and change the course of his life? And will Miali be able to convince Kosen to stay with her?
Heart of a Prince—out August 2nd 2009
Princess Renie, one of the beautiful and strong daughters of Lyra, loves nothing more than exploring space with her twin brother, Rezic, but when they venture too close to the Black Zone, the barrier between Vegan space and the rest of the galaxy, things turn from exploration to a fight for their lives. With Rezic injured in a meteorite shower, Renie has no choice but to accept help from a vessel within the Black Zone, even when it turns out to be Vegan! Separated from her brother and taken hostage, to be held for ransom, Renie isn't sure what she's going to do...
Until she meets a man in the cells, the most unusual and gorgeous male she has ever seen, a man who seems to be willing to do anything to protect her and makes her pulse race.
Tres isn't enjoying his stay in the cells. The commander has broken his thermal suit, leaving him cold and weak, and his last chance of leaving the Black Zone has been thwarted. But the galaxy comes to him instead, and she's more beautiful, warm and full of feeling than he'd ever dreamed. When he discovers her and her brother's plight, he vows to help her if she'll help him, and when she touches him, showing him warmth, he wonders how touch can be so forbidden and realises that he'll do anything for her.
Heart of a Prince [Daughters of Lyra Series] Page 9
