Page 87 of Stars in Halo

When he told her, her eyes widened initially, then she threw her head back and laughed long and loud. ‘Damn, make it happen. It’ll liven up the place for sure.’

His mother sobered up. ‘As for K’Sumi burning his house down, let it blaze.’ She leaned in, ‘Trust me, we’re about to go into a series of succession wars like you’ve never seen, son. Buckle up. The unrest has begun, and you may be needed back here to fight for our cause.’

‘Khosana,’ Duke growled in warning.

It was to no avail. His mother nailed him with a glare. ‘You’ve dabbled in pleasure-seeking and money-making mode for too long. It’s time to come home.’

Duke called Xion back.

The Rider took the call, smirking at his friend’s forlorn and foregone expression.

‘She gave you a reaming, brother?’ He murmured.

‘Worse, she wants me to be on Iccythria in person. For good.’

‘When?’

‘As soon as possible. It’s not your problem, though; it’s all mine. Speaking of yours, I’ve got a squadron of House DKRT armed flyers headed your way.’

‘Well equipped?’

‘Of course, but if any House ALMQ sentinels are at the location, they’ll hesitate to cause major harm; you may receive some resistance but not much.’

‘Why?’

‘Because my mother is a daughter of House ALMQ. My guardsmen will tell House ALMQ that they’re picking up friends of Khosana DKRT. Her royal seal alone should secure passage and deliver the kids and their carers into our hands. Per my mother’s orders, you’re to stay and escort the cordon back to the DKRT palace once all is safe and sound.’

Xion grimaced. ‘It’s not how I roll, brother, letting others take the heat for me. Can I at least jump in the lead-armed ship and provide support in case it goes south at the other end?’

Duke took a ragged breath. ‘Fokk, always a Rider at heart. Fine, I’ll send you the comm link for our principal guard and the rendezvous point with their ships. Gotta say, tis a whole load of trouble you’re going into for our citizens.’

Xion jerked his chin.

He had his reasons, and they involved the beguiling woman standing silent at his shoulder.

Duke’s gleaming gaze flicked to her, his mouth twitching.

Xion narrowed his flaming meta eyes at his friend, bit his lip in caution and let the non-verbal warning linger.

Still, in his mind, he was aware he was flouting his own rules.

His self-serving and walls-up nature in the past meant he was a tad selfish regarding women and giving his heart. He’d ordinarily never lend his energy or resources to anything that didn’t tickle his fancy.

Now, here he was, risking life and limb for a woman based on two freakin’ amazing nights spent with her.

Despite the scowling countenance he served her, it was no hardship for him and not irking in the least, not even after her coerced betrayal.

The fact was, he was in deep with Katya. Their physical attraction was blazing, and he enjoyed her company a hella lot.

Fokk, he was softening in his not-so-old age.

Not just for anyone, though. Only for her.

He was well apprised that Katya had slid into his one-name list under the heading ‘wouldn’t mind dropping everything he was doing when she called.’

Dangerous and murky waters indeed.

He could tell Duke was thinking the same if the sly grin on his face was anything to go by.

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