Page 29 of Alien Prince's Claim

“Not bad…” I said. “For a Reserve.”

She chuckled and slapped me on the arm.

“I’m going to get washed up,” I said. “Do you mind?”

She shook her head, her eyes already becoming heavy with sleep. “Take your time, loverboy.”

I kissed her on the forehead and headed into the bathroom.

I ran the cold tap and splashed water over my face.

I looked up into the mirror and couldn’t help but grin.

I was glad — so glad — that the first mate had pulled out.

Otherwise, I never would have had this magical moment with Emily, and that would have been a tragedy.

And the best part was, we still had six days left!

I could hardly wait.

The front panel of the bathroom cabinet popped open.

I opened it and checked inside but it only contained the rudimentary items Management always provided.

I shut the cabinet door and reached for a towel to dry my face.

Pop.

The cabinet door had opened again.

I frowned at it before pushing it shut once more.

Odd, that it should break right now of all times, I thought.

I would let Management know so they could send someone to fix it later.

Not during Steyatt though.

It was only a minor inconvenience and I would not allow anything to interrupt our lovemaking.

Something fell to the floor behind me.

When I turned, I saw it was a hand towel.

Then the shower door drifted open.

Water dripped from the shower head before streaming in fits and bursts.

Then the entire room shook.

And somewhere outside, down the infinite hallways of the Seeding Facility, was an explosion.

And then the screaming began.

11

EMILY

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