Page 32 of The Intergalactic Duke's Inconvenient Engagement
She followed the upward jerk of his chin then sidelonged a glance at him. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I wish someone had warned me that the aristos of Azthronos will rip their hearts out forthe duchy. And they’ll rip yours out too” He peeled off a long step before glancing back at Lishelle. “I’d choose you,” he said, as if someone had asked.
She scowled at him. “I don’t know you.”
He laughed and looked at Trixie last. “You hung up on me.”
“I don’t talk to aliens.”
By then, they’d reached the top step. Captain Nor strode to one side, leaving them exposed. The back of Rayna’s neckprickled, and she stiffened. Maybe an evil alien abduction wasn’t so bad compared to a royal alien introduction.
Then she saw Raz.
No, now he was Aelazar Amrazal Thorkonos, Duke of Azthronos, etcetera, yada yada, and all that entailed.
He stood above her, taut and severe, in a dark charcoal uniform that reminded her of the military history she’d read of Thorkonos. The asymmetrical tunic withall its emblems emphasized the breadth of his chest, but her fingers twitched to undo the decorative latch at the top of the collar under his clenched jaw, to release at least a little of the passionate male who’d kissed her in a sea of pretend stars.
But she saw no evidence of that in the royal blue eyes that stared down at her.
Reluctantly, she shifted her gaze to the shorter, older but stillimposing woman at his elbow. Had to be the dowager duchess, with her clear blue eyes and still black hair threaded with steel gray. Her straight-cut dove-gray dress evoked the same sober military look as Raz’s uniform but the edges were decorated with pale blue piping.
She listened with half an ear as Captain Nor made formal introductions with way too many honor titles. She winced as she andthe others were tacked with the “Black Hole Brides” alias. Awkward. She wasn’t married to a black hole or anyone else.
She slanted a glance at Raz, but he was staring straight ahead which put his gaze somewhere over her head.
But then again, this whole experience had been over her head.
Trixie gave her a little elbow nudge, and Rayna realized she’d missed something. She took a half step forwardand decided on a little bow. They’d all been given clean uniforms like the ship’s crew wore, so a curtsy without a skirt would’ve been weird.
“Your Grace,” she said carefully, knowing the other woman would have one of the universal translators she’d read about but not wanting to flub her lines. Not that she’d been given actual lines, but thanks to her dad and sister, she knew how these stuffy,quasi-martial occasions worked. “We are so grateful that you answered the rescue call. We thank you for offering us sanctuary and hospitality while we await our planetary representative.”
The dowager’s smile was practiced and beatific, but not unkind for all that, as she stepped forward to take Rayna’s hand and straighten her from the bow. “We are pleased to do our part to maintain proper decorumin an untidy universe,” she said with great dignity. “It offends our sensibilities that the iniquitous Blackworm was able to abscond with young ladies of obvious quality such as yourself and install them nearly on our doorstep in unincorporated Thorkonos space. You can rest here assured that the space station, which of course has only passing interest and value to you girls now, will be dealtwith appropriately, since Blackworm himself has already been brought to justice.” She gave a sharp nod. “Indeed, the criminal should count himself fortunate that theGrandiloquence, flying under the flag of the Duke of Azthronos, did not arrive earlier lest the Blood Champion of Zalar smote him with all the might embodied in the Avatar of Azjor, God of Oaths. Nevertheless—” she waved one handdismissively “—we pledge to continue to fight for peace and, of course, prosperity in Thorkonos by expanding our influence to include the neighboring unincorporated region and, of course, vulnerable innocents such as the Black Hole Brides.”
Rayna blinked at the torrent of words. Maybe there was a glitch in the dowager’s universal translator? “Uh, of course?”
The dowager beamed at Rayna andthen the others. “Of course indeed.”
Raz stepped up beside her. “Your Grace,” he said in a low voice. “Have you started paying your speechwriters by the word, or are you recording this?”
She sniffed. “Octiron offered a premium for any and all footage. And the rest of Thorkonos needs to know we hold our territory, no matter what.” The magnanimous expression she’d held turned bellicose, and Raynawondered which blood champion/avatar/whatever was personified in the dowager duchess.
But Raz held his ground. “Rayna and her friends aren’t pawns in your play, Your Grace.”
The dowager chuckled, “Of course they are. Anyone who isn’t titled is a pawn.” She rolled her eyes toward Rayna as if inviting her to laugh along. “I studied a bit about your Earth so we could make your stay homelike andpleasant. You’ll find a delightfully rendered chess set in your chambers, so I know you understand about pawns, dear girl, even if my son is being excessively noble in a way I certainly never taught him.”
Unsure whether to be amused or horrified by the old woman, Rayna slid a glance at Raz.
This time, he was watching her, but his expression blanked as soon as they made eye contact. “The Earthenvoy will be arriving in a few days. We can work out the details then.”
Details? What details?
“Of course,” the dowager said smoothly, so smoothly that Rayna wondered if the words were being translated correctly between Thorkon and English because the old woman said “of course” and then seemed to do whatever she wanted.
For his part, Raz looked equally suspicious. “Then Rayna and her friendscan wait in their quarters until the envoy comes.”
“Of course,” repeated the dowager. “They need to be fitted for their gowns anyway.” She chuckled. “Since Octiron wouldn’t want that footage.” Then she tilted her carefully coiffed head. “Although maybe…”
“Mother,” Raz growled. “Why would they need gowns? They have ships fatigues.”
She clicked her tongue. “Dear boy, you’ve been away from hometoo long. They can’t attend the ball in ships fatigues. How vulgar.”
“What. Ball.” Raz bit off each word.
“Why, two nights from now. Time enough to fit the gowns, do something about their comportment, get the recordings rolling.” The dowager dimpled. “It will be the talk of the universe, most particularly the investment and tourism sectors.” She paused to hold up one finger. “The Black HoleBall.”