Page 62 of Into The Rift

“He is a boy—he’s my boy. What else should I call him?”

Behind Blake, a shadow fell across the doorway and my fathers, Renard and Anarr were standing framed in the doorway, staring in at us. They’d obviously heard most of the exchange, as my omak looked shocked. I groaned and put my head in my hands.

Renard narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on here? We heard raised voices from the hallway.”

“This-this horny alien…person was insulting me,” Blake said accusingly.

Renard looked from Blake back to Niko and then shrugged. “Oh. Very well, Lord Dominiko. Please continue.”

My omak and I both gasped again, and my omak hit Renard’s shoulder. “Renard, behave yourself,” he said. “And as for you, sir, kindly stop insulting Jago’s grandsire.”

“I certainly meant no insult, Your Highness. I only meant to compliment him on how well preserved he is.”

Renard snorted and quickly covered his mouth. Anarr crossed over to put his arm through Blake’s and lead him to the door. “We’re leaving. I’ll see you at the wedding, Jago. Your father has come to take you down the aisle.”

They swept out together, and I lowered my head to my hands and groaned again.

But my father came over to bow to Niko, who quickly put me back on my feet and got up to bow to my father in return. “You know, Lord Dominiko, I think you and I might get along very well after all.”

“I hope so sir.” He gave another brief bow, and then my father turned and kissed me on the cheek.

I suddenly began to tremble all over. My father saw it and put his arm around me. “It’s just nerves. You do love Lord Dominiko, don’t you?”

“Oh yes,” I said, glancing over at Niko, who still had never told me he loved me. “I love him very much. I-I just hope he feels the same way.”

Reanard shrugged. “He’s here, isn’t he? Putting up with all this? I did the same for your omak and believe me it was under protest. But I loved him. And who wouldn’t love you?”

I hugged him hard. “I think you’re prejudiced. And I thought you’d be angry at me.”

“It does no good to be angry now. You made your own choices. I’m proud of you and Lord Dominiko for what you did. I look forward to sitting down with you both and having you tell me the story. That was quite the adventure. I’ll see you both very soon. I think it’s time for the ceremony. I’ll be waiting near the temple door for you, Jago.”

He left and Niko turned to me. “Jago…” but there was another quick knock on the door and Blake came back in without waiting for an invitation. He came right over and kissed me on the cheek. Then he turned to Niko.

“I think our little drama worked. Renard played right into it.”

“What? You mean the two of you had that all planned?”

“Of course. I knew Renard was planning to be an ass at the wedding and I didn’t want him to ruin it. So I told your Niko exactly how to win him over—by insulting me.”

“And you knew they were outside to hear it?”

“What do you think?”

I threw my arms around his neck. “I think I love you so much, omak-ahn.”

Blake’s cheeks turned a little pink, and he kissed me again. “I love you too, baby, but I have to go. I’m talking to your grandfather about offering Lord Dominiko a position as ambassador to the Axis for the Pton nation. If he wants it?” Blake turned to Niko.

“I…yes, I could do that.”

“Good. You could stay on Loros. Now that the old emperor is gone, it’s a new day. Maybe we can even learn to be friends.” He glanced over at Niko. “I love it when a plan comes together.” He turned to leave and then turned back. “Oh, I explained to your omak about our little drama, too, so he’s fine now and looking forward to your wedding. I’ll see you in the temple.” He continued on to the door but looked back at us when he opened it. “By the way, you both look very handsome.”

I blew him a kiss and he smiled and was gone, and it was just me and Niko. He held out a hand to me. “Are you ready, princeling?”

“I’m ready,” I said, and took his hand.

****

Lord Dominiko

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