Page 67 of Secret Twins for the Alien Dad

“You should be honored to serve me,” I roar. “You don’t know who these children are? They are the offspring of my late brother, Prince Balak of the Second Isle. I am putting royal blood in your care! Your former activities are nothing compared to this prestigious responsibility.”

“For you to say so, you must never have had the joy of children who put their trust and affection in you,” says the woman, her tone cool once more. “My students rely on me and are dear to me. Royal or not, I have no attachment to the children you suggest I tend to.”

“I could destroy your simple school.” I follow the woman’s lead and replace the fire in my voice with ice. “I could do any number of things to make you do as I wish. Yet all I will say is this: you will serve as caretaker to my brother’s triplets, and that’s final. I will pay you handsomely.”

She opens her mouth to spout more brazen defiance, I am sure, but I cut her off. I’m not finished.

“Moreover, if you keep arguing with me, you’ll see no less than a week in the dungeons for your trouble. Do I make myself clear?”

By my last word, fury has made my voice so loud it booms throughout the throne room. For a moment, I am pleased by the flash of fear I see on the human’s face. Then, a familiar wailing begins.

I look down and see that all three of my brother’s brood are sobbing. The page is crouched down among them, frantically trying to shush them. It seems his efforts only make them cry harder.

I jerk up, ready to direct further wrath at the woman who has indirectly caused this irritation. Yet, the words die on my lips.

She’s staring at the miserable triplets, a strange look in her eyes. Her face is pale, and her lips are pursued. I’m not sure what to make of her expression, so I wait.

“You scared them,” she murmurs. “They can tell you’re angry.”

“If I am angry, then it is your insolence that has caused it.” I cross my arms forbiddingly. “Human, I have already spent too much time on you. The nursery, or the dungeon. Make your choice.”

I see the woman’s fists clench at her sides. I prepare myself to dispatch her to the dungeons, but find a strange resistance deep in my chest.

Could I send this strangely compelling female to languish in a stone prison? I am a warrior, a leader who does whatever he must, but somehow the image of her cold and alone in the dark gives me pause.

Luckily, my will is not put to the test.

“Fine,” says the human. “I will be your nieces and nephew’s nanny—on one condition.”

“And what is that?” I growl, danger underlying my question.

“I want you to send someone to my house and get a few of my things.” She stands tall and proud. I’m unwillingly reminded that she is remarkably attractive. “If you’re going to unceremoniously force a new living situation and job on me, the least you can do is get some of the things I wasn’t given time to pack.”

I bristle at the idea that anything from her human hovel would be necessary when she’ll have access to much of what the palace offers. However, I don’t want to continue this confrontation.

Already, I’ll have to command my pages to never repeat what they’ve just seen. I don’t want it getting out that I’ve let this woman get away with blatant disrespect.

“Consider it done.” I wave my hand, demonstrating that such a foolish request is beneath me. Without waiting to hear any more from this stunning, infuriating female, I stalk down the dais and head for the door.

I’ve secured a caretaker for the triplets. I should be pleased with that success, yet somehow, I’m even more frustrated than before.

LIARA

Iturn and watch the ruler of the Ocean Kingdom storm away. Both his powerful shoulders and the pointed ridges of his spine strain against the fabric of his shirt. The spine continues, rising out of his collar and up the back of his shining head. Locks of beautiful dark blue hair cascade down.

His colored head, which I would like to throw something at.

Kravath—who deserves no title as far as I’m concerned—is the most arrogant, imperious, entitled person I’ve ever met. Everything he just said made me so angry I could barely see.

He thinks that what he wants is the only thing that should matter! How does that make for a good, fair ruler?

Fuming, I turn back around to stare at the three sobbing Kiphian toddlers. The attendant previously in charge of them has fled, as have all of the others in the room. I’m alone with a trio of alien children who I know nothing about.

What in the hell am I supposed to do now?

I remember the one trying to bite the Kiphian wrangling them all and sigh. I wonder if these royal triplets have been raised as badly as Kravath clearly was. Grudgingly, I take a step towards them. Then, I really, truly look at the little ones and feel my heart soften.

The pale green child is crying so hard, sobs are becoming hiccups. All three of them are holding onto each other, like they’ve got no one else in the world. I guess, given Kravath’s behavior, they don’t.

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