Page 44 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

Hating even more how my body responds to her proximity. To the way her chest heaves with each angry breath.

To the satisfaction her submission brings.

My cock aches with the need to take her.

“And what exactly are those goals?” Izzy demands, drawing my attention away from my desire for her sister. “Other than overthrowing your prince?”

I stride to the window, needing distance from Lara’s intoxicating warmth.

I’ve been thinking about how to answer the Evans sisters inevitable questions, how to convince them to participate in my plans.

“Prince Jonyk plans to expand his dominion. First the firelords, then the rest of the known galaxy.” I trace a finger along the frost-covered glass, watching out of the corner of my eye to see if my lies strike home. “He’ll get to Earth soon enough. Your world will be conquered. Millions will die.”

“And putting one of us on his throne will stop that?” Lara’s voice drips skepticism.

“Yes.” I turn back to face them, carefully maintaining my mask of cold control. “But first, you must learn to navigate the court. One wrong word, one misplaced courtesy, and everything could fall apart.”

That much is true, at least.

“So we just... what? Learn to curtsy and smile prettily while you plot treason?” Izzy’s tone could cut glass.

“Among other things.” I let my gaze drift to Lara, remembering how she’d learned to move through the kitchen with unconscious poise over the past year. “You’ll need combat training as well. The court is a nest of Artuvian vipers.”

Lara shivers, but not from cold this time. I’ve seen enough of her reactions to know the difference. “When?”

“The summit begins in seven days.”

“Seven—” She chokes on the words. “That’s impossible. We can’t learn everything in a week.”

“You must.” I move closer, drawn by the flutter of her pulse at her throat. “I’ve arranged for instructors. The seamstress will arrive today to begin your wardrobes. And I’m hoping Lady Uanna herself will join us soon.”

“Uanna?” Lara’s eyes narrow. “You sure are asking for a lot of help from her, in particular. Don’t you know anyone else who can help?”

“She serves a purpose, nothing more.” I pause directly in front of her. “As do you.”

“You bastard.” Lara’s close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from her body. “You planned this all along.”

“Yes.” I don’t step back, though her proximity makes my blood burn. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to see it through.”

“Whatever it takes?” Her voice drops to a whisper, and suddenly I’m achingly aware of how close her lips are to mine. “Even if it means forcing us to play your political games? Even if it means using us like pawns?”

“Even then.” The words come out rougher than intended, and frost creeps up the walls in delicate patterns that mirror my spiraling control.

Her eyes flash with equal parts anger and something darker, something that makes my cock throb against my breeches.

“I hate you,” she breathes, but her body sways toward mine as if drawn by an invisible force.

“Good.” I reach up and brush a strand of hair from her face, letting my fingers trail across her cheek. Her skin burns against mine. “Hate is safer than the alternative.”

She flinches as if struck, and something in my chest tightens painfully. Before I can analyze the sensation, Izzy speaks.

“Fine. We’ll try to learn how to curtsy the right way. But I have conditions.”

“You’re not in a position to make demands.”

“No?” She glances pointedly at her sister. “I think I am. You need both of us, right? So either we both agree, or neither of us does.”

Clever girl. Damn her. I incline my head slightly. “Name your terms.”

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