His breathing heavy, his skin slick withperspiration, Isar found the strength to roll off his beloved bridebefore his massive size did her harm. Kara, her breathing just aslabored and her skin just as slick, felt his emotions and rolled upagainst him. Within seconds, they were both fast asleep.
Unconscious though they were, their bodiesmanaged to tangle even in slumber. They were one now—forever andalways.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, aboard ship…
“Sweet goddess,” EmperorZor panted. “Leastways, we now know for a certainty what happenswhen a High Mystik wears the bridal necklace.”
“’Twas the biggest spurt ofmy life,” King Dak groaned. “Geris will kill me.”
King Kil crawled on all fours to where histhree brothers lay. He looked grimly at King Rem. “We have no timefor sleeping!”
But Rem was already snoring—deeply and fullysatiated.
“Mayhap we have all beenremoved from ournee’kaso’er long,” Zor managed to say between pants. Hisexpression was that of an Emperor defeated. “Dak and Kil! I forbidyou to fall aslee—”
‘Twas the last words Zorsaid before falling into slumber.
A High Mystik had the ability to makeeveryone within a certain distance feel her arousal as though itwas their own. Kara had done so whether aware of it or not.Hopeless and helpless, Dak and Kil gave up the fight. Withinseconds they were snoring alongside their brothers.
Princess Dari walked aroundthegastrolight-cruiser’smain compartment, dodging sleeping warriors leftand right. She sighed as she crossed her arms and stared down ather own sleeping husband. Gio was, as Kari—now Kara—would say,totally out of it.
“Warriors,” she muttered.She shrugged her shoulders. “They are nigh unto wimps.”
Chapter Four
The Zyr Star System
The highspeedgastrolight-cruiserwasmoving faster than the Empress had known possible, but it wasn’tgoing fast enough to suit her. She paced back and forth, snappingan order at the warrior-commander to navigate the spaceshipquicker.
“We are already travelingat breakneck speed, Your Highness. Leastways,” thewarrior-commander informed her, “do we go any faster we could alldie.”
“Kyra,” Queen Geris saidcalmly and quietly, “I know what you’re going through, but we haveto be patient.” She laid a steadying hand on her best friend’sshoulder. “We’ll catch up to them soon.”
Kyra sighed. She briefly closed her eyes. “Ican’t imagine how you must be feeling.” She put her hand atopGeris’. “I’m sorry I keep making this all about me.”
“Girl, please. This ain’tthe Victim Olympics and I’m not competing for the gold.” At Kyra’sbemused snort, she said seriously, “We’re both hurting and pain ispain. I want my daughters back. You want your sister back—a sisterwho, I might add, I want back too.” She playfully nudged her.“Maybe I should compete after all. I’d have the gold locked up andput on layaway.”
“Goof.” Kyra grinned, herdimples identical to Kara’s popping out. “Let’s do something totake our minds off everything.”
“Holo-dice?”
“It’s either that or eatagain.”
“Hm… both?”
Kyra pulled Geris in for a firm hug. “Soundsgood.”
Geris hugged her back. “It’ll be all right.We just have to keep believing that everything will be allright.”
“That sounds goodtoo.”
“Your Highnesses,” thewarrior-commander announced. Both women turned to look at him.“’Tis aholo-communicationtrying to come through.”
Kyra and Geris practically ran to where hewas still busily navigating. “Is it my husband?” Kyra asked.
“’Twould appear so.Leastways, we should be able to receive the communiqué withintheNuba-hour.”
