Page 21 of Touch the Stars (Ghara Empire #1)

Epilogue

Baatar.

Two days later.

H e sat sideways on a cushioned window seat and gazed through the diamond-shaped windowpanes, one leg bent and resting on the soft padding, the other foot on the warm wooden floor of the new imperial audience chamber.

He let his gaze wander over what the soon-to-be-crowned grand empress called an English garden.

It was by far one of the most peaceful, beautiful gardens he had ever seen.

Except for the roses.

Those evil plants lured in the unsuspecting with heavenly scents, then stabbed and tore skin with their hidden thorns when touched.

Still, they were preferable to the sida bushes.

Somewhat preferable. Now, the rose mary plants were far friendlier, as were the lavender, and both smelled at least as nice as the roses.

Overall, Kristyn’s version of the imperial complex was in harmony with the beauty of Ghara.

Adding to that, the handful of imperial attendants who had opposed her appointment were now on their way to their respective home-worlds.

Replacements would be chosen as word of the new grand empress spread.

Soon after that, Kristyn must travel to each of the imperial planets for her citizenship ceremonies.

Kaitlyn would go with her, of course. He suppressed a grimace. The status of their relationship would be easier to understand if she stopped long enough to speak with him. Yet, every time he attempted to steal a private moment with her, she flitted away to tend to her sister.

“A penny for your thoughts.”

A smile crept across his lips at the sound of her soft voice behind him.

She had finally come to him of her own accord.

He turned his head to face her. Radiant.

That was the ideal word to describe how she appeared.

Her cleavage peeked above the scooped neck of the pale lavender dress she wore, and a hint of that same color stained her cheeks.

But, it was her smile that drew him. By the Ancients, her smile could bring him to his knees.

He tipped his head to one side. “What does that mean?”

She shrugged and came to stand in front of him. “Some Earthlings ask that when they’re interested in what someone else is thinking about.”

“Ah.” He leaned his left shoulder against the whitewashed wall of the window seat. “In that case, my thoughts are with our new grand empress as she faces this transition in her life.”

Kaitlyn’s smile faltered and uncertainty dimmed the light in her eyes. “Oh.”

“And how blessed she is that my Kaitlyn can remain at her side to give her the support and counsel she needs at this time.” Because that meant she would be with him too, by default.

The light returned to her smile. “I can’t believe those Ancient Ones of yours knew all along what was going to happen. It was also pretty ballsy of the Ragatians to think they could just take over like that.”

She shook her head as if trying to comprehend the enormity of the plot.

“True.” By choosing a Ragatian to be the grand emperor, the Ancient Ones had covertly managed to flush out the rot that had taken root on that planet. “The wisdom of the Ancient Ones has always been uncontested.”

She huff-laughed. “Apparently.”

He patted the cushion in invitation to sit, which she did. Not close enough to touch him, unfortunately. “How is your sister doing?”

“As well as can be expected, for someone who was abducted by aliens to be used as a hostage, rescued by Conan the Barbarian, had her head shaved for space lice, was dragged halfway across the galaxy to save my sorry ass—”

“It is not that far.”

She met his gaze pointedly. “It’s my story.”

“Very well. Please continue.”

“Where was I?”

“Saving your sorry ass.”

“Right.” She moved farther onto the cushion to sit facing him with her legs crossed. “Dragged halfway across the galaxy to save my sorry ass, only to discover she’s the new empress of some empire neither of us knew existed. Oh, and she’s got the hots for Conan.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yeah.” She waved one hand as if to emphasis her point. “Even though she’s not talking to him right now unless she has to, she really, really likes Daarga the Ancient One.”

“But nothing can come of it.” Was Kristyn not aware of this yet?

Kaitlyn shrugged her shoulders. “Earthlings can be stubborn as shit, you know.”

That much he had figured out since the night in the desert of her home-world. Although how much excrement had to do with it was questionable.

“In truth, I believe he harbors deep feelings for her as well.” Which was worrisome, since the Ancient One in Daarga should know the futility of those feelings.

Her smile turned wistful. “He cured her, Baatar. Her diabetes is gone.”

And that was the real reason Daarga had won over one of the sisters. But it was the other sister who would decide if he remained in residence. If Kristyn sent away the only remaining Ancient One, she could face a revolt by some or all the remaining member planets.

“What do you think will happen to the Ragatians?” Kaitlyn’s question stirred him from his musings.

“I suspect one of the grand empress’s first duties will be to officially eject them from the empire for breaking the treaty.” Which could make them a very dangerous enemy. “After that, she will invite Earth in to fill the void.”

But that would have to wait until the envoy was chosen and sent. If Earth joined the empire, there would still be twenty planets, including Ghara. Balance would be restored.

“Ejecting the entire planet doesn’t seem very fair.” Kaitlyn’s expression had turned contemplative. “What about the children on Ragat, or the ones who didn’t agree with idea to overthrow the Ancient Ones and take over?”

“There are no innocents on Ragat, nor are there children. They come into the universe as full-grown adults, full of bloodlust and ready for war.”

She gave him an open-mouthed look of astonishment. “How the hell do they do that?”

“I do not know.” It was not natural, though. “The Ragatians keep that information secure. No one has been able to solve the mystery.”

“Well, that’s creepy as fuck.” She squished her nose into a grimace, then her smile returned. “So, when does your family get here?”

A feeling of warmth filled his chest. “They arrive in three days.”

“Guess that doesn’t leave us much time.” She tilted her head to one side, a light of mischief twinkled in her eyes.

“Time, for what?”

She crawled across the cushion toward him, her mouth quirked in a sultry half-smile. “Playtime.”

“Hm.” He grasped her by her shoulders and dragged her against his body. His cock rose to greet her from inside his pants. “There is something we must discuss first.”

She chuckled. “Oh, yeah? And what’s that, my rock-hard alien?”

“When you will meet my family.”

“Oh.” She frowned and pushed away, putting an unfortunate distance between them. “You mean you haven’t told them about me yet?”

“No.” There was much the two of them must discuss first.

Disappointment rose in her eyes. “Are we good, Baatar? Because I thought we were more than fuckbuddies.”

“Fuckbuddies?”

“A quick fling. Each other’s itch-scratchers. Whatever you want to call it.” She lowered her gaze to where her small hands splayed against his chest and gave her shoulders a shrug that was too casual. “But I guess if you want to end it. You have a life, I have my sis—”

He surged to his feet, bringing her with him, then turned and pinned her to the wall with his body. She wrapped her legs around his hips and made a small squeak. If it was in protest or surprise, he did not care.

“It is not ending.” Not ever.

He molded his mouth to hers, pushed his tongue against the seam of her lips until they parted to give him access to her sweetness.

If this was how he must explain the depth of his emotions for her, so be it.

What had bloomed between them aboard the cruiser was too good to ignore.

Not all were given the gift of love as his parents shared.

She tightened her legs around his waist and met his tongue with her own, dueling for dominance.

He could not stop the smile and pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. “Not. Ending.”

“Not ending.” She breathed out the words.

“Not just a fuck either.”

“It might be more than that.” She raised her gaze to his, the sultry look back. “We should go someplace private and figure this all out.”

He placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I love you, my little empress.”

“I love you too, my bad-ass warrior. Now, you may carry me to your room and show me how much.”

“You presume I asked for your permission.” He slipped one arm under her bottom, then hefted her up and over his shoulder.

“Aah. You asshole.”

“That is a feature of yours I have yet to explore.”

She froze.

“Really?” The word was laced with breathless hope.

“If I am in the mood for an itch-scratch.” Which he was.

She slid her small hands down his back, under the waistband of his pants, and gave his cheeks a squeeze. “I’m getting a head start back here, so you’d better hurry.”

A laugh burst from him as he strode from the room.