Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Paris scrunched her nose as she was mulling it over for a moment before nodding. “Yes. I’d like that. You say I have brothers?”
“Yes. Six of them.”
“That’s incredible.”
Zahn’s body tightened. She was still naked and he wanted her again.
No.
She was off limits to him. He had no right taking her the way he had. From now on he would have to keep his hands to himself.
“So, uh, what will you do about London? Will you go back and search for her?”
He frowned. Was she eager to get him and London together again? He grabbed the blanket from off the bed and tossed it at her. “Cover yourself. I’ll find you something more suitable to wear.”
She crinkled her nose. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“About your sister? Funny you should mention it. When I was on Earth, my DNA tracker picked up two readings, virtually in the same vicinity. You see, I came to Earth in search of London. She left Thibius, I assume to look for you. I had the option of picking from one of the blips on my screen. It seems I picked the wrong twin.”
“So if we go back to New York, she might still be there.”
“We could go back, but we’re already halfway to the Malazian galaxy. The ship needs to be recharged in order to make a trip back to Earth. I’ll need to find the closest charging station once I deliver you to your mother before heading back to Earth to get London.”
Her lids lowered, hiding her expression. “Is that what you want to do?”
“She’s my intended. I feel it’s my duty to go back for her.”
“I see,” she said softly.
Why didn’t she say something else? Would she condemn him to a life without passion? “What do you think about me going to find your sister?” He had to test her to see if she actually cared.
“I’d like to see my sister again, and I’m sure my mother will be happy to have her back.”
He couldn’t leave it at that. He had to know what else was running through her mind. “And what do you think of my marrying the princess?”
Paris wouldn’t look at him directly. “I guess… if that’s what the two of you have to do then… I mean it will be a little awkward considering what happened between the two of us.”
Her answer gave him some hope. Perhaps she wasn’t so indifferent to him after all. Zahn still couldn’t let go. He had to push her further. “As her sister, you’d be expected to participate in the ceremony.”
“I’m not sure if I’ll be there long enough to be a part of your wedding. My mother and sister may have lived on Thibius most of their lives, but my home is on Earth.”
Zahn couldn’t keep the frown off his face. “You’d cut your visit short? I would imagine it would break your mother’s heart to see you leave her so soon considering how you’ve been separated all this time.”
She sighed. “Yes, well, I’m sure arrangements could be made for us to visit each other from time to time. You have a ship, so it stands to reason that the Emperor has ships as well. I’ll visit for special events.”
“What could be more special than your sister’s wedding?”
“Well… I was never much of a wedding goer.”
He didn’t like where this conversation was heading. The more they talked the more he realized he was closer to losing her. The possibility of that disturbed him more than he cared to admit. Had he fallen for her and wasn’t aware of it?
Paris stood up and walked across the room, the blanket still wrapped tightly around her tempting frame. “Tell me what you know of my mother. How did she and the Emperor come together?”
Zahn wondered if she was changing the subject because she was just as uncomfortable with where this whole thing was headed. If she wanted to ignore the sexual tension between them, he’d play along, for now. He didn’t like the idea of her not staying on Thibius.
“I was young when your mother came to Thibius, just getting my first whiskers. Around the time there was a law where slaves were allowed to be bought and sold. From my understanding, your mother was a slave.”
Paris gasped. “You mean she used to do hard labor and get whipped for imagined crimes?”
He shook his head. “No, nothing like that. On other planets slaves were and still are mistreated, but not on Thibius. When owning slaves was legal they were mainly used for pleasure, particularly the females. Your mother was purchased for the emperor’s harem. They say he only had eyes for her after that. It wasn’t long before he got rid of his harem and took your mother as his queen and adopted your sister, who he dotes on. Your mother is very regal and gracious. I see a lot of her in you.”