"There'll be two cakes—one for me, one for the baby—but the spotlight is on Kellie.I've always loved hosting."Ancelin's eyes sparkled with anticipation."It'll be wonderful.Maybe the start of real friendships here."
"After yesterday, I'm worried she might not feel up to socializing.I just hope the baby wasn't harmed."
"A party is exactly what she needs right now.Count us in—I've already got some baby gifts in mind.Can I contribute anything else?We stock sodas and several flavors of ice cream."
"Ice cream would be perfect with the cake," Ancelin said, her eyes brightening.
"Fresh batch coming tomorrow morning."Katie's smile was bright and sincere3."Thank you for including us, Mrs.Vallex."She glanced toward the kitchen."The lunch crowd will be here soon—I should get back to the kitchen."She turned to leave.
"Katie," Ancelin called after her, "friends use first names."
They finished their meal in comfortable silence.When Krammer brought the bill, he waved away Krevan's credits with a firm shake of his head.
“I’m sorry you couldn’t enjoy your meal in peace, and I’m grateful your wife has brought Katie so much joy.Thank you for inviting us.I’m thrilled Katie finally has something to look forward to—she’s been so down, always talking about going back to Earth.Thank you, Mrs.Vallex—sorry, Ancelin.”
“My Ancelin is sweet through and through,” Krevan said with a proud hug.“See you tomorrow afternoon; I’m looking forward to some social time.”He guided her to the door, his hand settling possessively on her lower back, warmth seeping through her clothes.She waved goodbye as he walked her back to the vehicle they’d driven in that morning.
“Lock the doors and wait here.Honk, if anyone approaches.I’ll transfer our purchases into my car and pay Krammer for patching my tires.When I’m done, you can follow me home—sound good?”Krevan shut the door and peered in through the driver’s window, his expression radiating masculine certainty.“I hope you can handle this vehicle.If not, I’ll have Krammer give you a hand—just say the word.”
“I can drive, boss,” Ancelin teased, sticking her tongue out.“I drove all the time on Earth.I’m not a little girl, nor helpless under normal circumstances.”
"Are you certain about that, darling?"Krevan asked, his pause suggesting he genuinely awaited her response."That tongue of yours—is it promising something I'd find...pleasurable?"With a wink, he turned and strode back toward the store.
"What happened to the sweet girl I used to be?"Ancelin whispered under her breath.The driver's door flew open without warning, making her jump.
"Krevan?"The name escaped her lips in a startled gasp.
“I owe you an apology,” he said, stepping in close.“I tried to stay calm and not hurt him, but I never meant for anyone to die—or for you to be upset.Nobody’s ever punched me square in the mouth before,” he admitted, “and him hitting his hand on my fang was just bad luck for him.I still can’t believe it happened.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“Thank you for that.”Krevan nodded.“You’re kind in every way, and it pains me to see these events changing you.No matter what goes on around you, you’ll always be sweet—maybe a bit fussy, at times, but sweet.”He leaned in and kissed her softly.“I’m here for you now.My father is already looking into your father’s death—he’ll update me once he uncovers why they’re after you.”
"Thank you and all you’ve done.One thing I can do is drive," Ancelin said flatly.
“That’s good.”Krevan shut the door and disappeared into the store.Minutes later, he emerged, waved, and climbed into his own vehicle.She followed his dust trail out of town, keeping a careful distance on the rough road.Twenty minutes later, they pulled into the garage one after another.
Krevan swung open her door with a grin."Not bad for your first Verrian drive.No casualties, no hijackings, and you kept up nicely."He offered his hand with a wink.
"I navigated Los Angeles freeways for years," she said, taking his hand and stepping out."I may need protection from whatever lurks in the darkness, but behind a wheel, I'm perfectly capable."She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.Krevan responded by pressing her against the vehicle, his kiss hungry and possessive.When they broke apart, she whispered, "Let's unload quickly.I can't wait to see that waterfall you promised."
“I’m excited too—but not for the waterfalls,” Krevan teased, pressing himself against her.“Pack lunches and some water, then let’s go.We’ll take the spare vehicle.I’ll unpack your purchases later.”
He swung open the door to the house.Ancelin slipped past him into the kitchen.“I still have those blankets from last time,” she reminded him as she set to work.
While she made four sandwiches and filled two jugs of water, Krevan disappeared into his office.When she’d finished gathering everything for their picnic, she knocked and stepped inside.He was on the Satphone but waved her in without missing a beat.
"Father, I understand," he said into the receiver, his voice shifting to a formal cadence Ancelin hadn't heard before."Ancelin will forward the necessary details."He glanced at her, lips curving into a smile that didn't reach his eyes."Yes, we're taking precautions.No, she's quite content here."His shoulders tensed slightly."We'll schedule a SatView once you and Mother return.Though tomorrow might be chaotic with Ancelin's celebration."A laugh escaped him."The Judicial Review Committee's interest changes everything."His voice softened, revealing genuine emotion."Eight years is too long to be exiled from Triaxe."After disconnecting, he turned to her, expression carefully composed."That was my father.Earth detectives have reopened your parents' case.We'll likely need to travel there—my parents are eager to meet you.My sentence permits Earth visits, but Triaxe remains forbidden territory."
Ancelin thought for a moment.“I don’t mind, going back to earth as long as you’re there.I still own my parents’ house—it hasn’t sold.Maybe your parents could see it; there might be clues inside.I can’t bear to enter it myself, but perhaps you could talk to the real-estate agents.If the price is right, someone might buy despite the tragic history.But what about the Judicial Review Committee?What are they saying?”
Krevan perched on his desk.“They found the judge abused his discretion and that the verdict may have been against the manifest weight of the evidence.I’m no legal expert, but it sounds like mumbo-jumbo that could overturn my conviction.”
“That’s amazing!”Ancelin exclaimed, throwing her arms around him and bouncing on her toes.“I’m so happy for you.”
“If that happens,” Krevan said, his grin broad, “I could go back to Triaxe and lead a normal life.Next time I talk to my father, I’ll mention your house again and have him send someone over to look through it for clues.”
“Okay,” Ancelin said, turning toward the door.Krevan rose and followed her out.
