“Bye,” she said, the pressure on her chest rising to constrict her throat, her power of speech.
With a general farewell wave, she followed her brothers and Casey to their ship and strapped in for the journey to Tiraq.
For once, she’d participated in a full-out adventure.Now she understood the dizzying fear and crazy peaks of celebration, she hated to return to dreary days researching prospective guests and checking them in on arrival.
“Did he hurt you?”Felix asked.“If he did, we can return and break him.”
She laughed, but even to her, it sounded forced.“We worked together.No one kicked anyone’s butt apart from that purple prince.The man was delusional.He wanted to repopulate the planet with children, and I was to be his broodmare.”
“Poor man,” Sly said.“He had no idea what he was getting into with you.”
“Is that arm sore?”Leo asked.“Shouldn’t it have healed by now?And what is up with your eyes?”
“The eyes—no clue.I guess I’ll consult with you, Casey, but my vision is perfect.”Scarlett frowned at her bandage.“The itchiness in my arm drove me crazy before the insect things burst out and killed the prince.It’s a relief to have them gone.Believe me, a scar is a small price to pay.Talon knew the truth, but I’m glad I didn’t understand I was playing host to creepy-crawlies.Well, not at first, anyway.”
“I hear you,” Leo said with feeling.
Scarlett reached over and squeezed Leo’s arm because he’d had experience with a Spiderus alien.He’d understand her turmoil at the idea of being a host for an insect.
“I can’t wait to get home.”
A lie.It was time to inform her family of her wishes, to get her plan on track.Yes, the first quiet moment she had, she’d consult her lists and add a new bullet point—tell Saber and Mum about my plan to open a jewelry shop on Dalcon.
Twelve cycles later
Today.Scarlett could not bear this tedium for one second longer.Mungo, Joe’s mate, could deal with the guests.With visits to the resort in high demand, two of her cousins had joined the research team, and they were naturals.They didn’t require her help.
She’d updated her business plan, and her to-do list, and the premises on Dalcon were hers if she wanted to forge ahead.All she needed to do was pay the first half-rotation of rent in advance, and the biggest hurdle—inform Saber of her plans.Yet, she hesitated, waiting for a sign, one of her premonitions, and they weren’t forthcoming.
“Scarlett.”
Scarlett blinked and focused on her mother.
“You haven’t been to see me this morning,” Anna Mitchell chided.“I wanted to check on your arm.”She shook her head.“It’s difficult getting used to your brown eyes.”
“My arm is fine.”Scarlett rolled up her tunic sleeve to prove it.
Her mother tutted as she prodded the two red marks.“You will have a scar.”
“Honestly earned, Ma.Those are fine badges to wear on a body.”She supposed she should inform her mother about her upset tummy, but the last thing she wanted was one of her mother’s nasty potions.
“I thought a girl would be easier after having five boys,” her mother said with a rueful smile.“That’s what I told your father.I bet he’s cackling away in heaven after watching your adventure.You’re as impossible as your brothers.”
“Ma, look.There’s Hew Grantlach.He’s heading this way.”Her mouth twisted at the thought of her father.Hopefully, he hadn’t seeneverythingbecause she’d misbehaved, and it had been fun.She missed Ransom—talking to him, sleeping next to him, touching and kissing him.
Faint color crowded into her mother’s cheeks.“Is my hair all right?”
Scarlett returned to the present.“You’re beautiful, Ma.Why don’t you take Hew for a walk on the private beach?Take a picnic lunch?”She and her brothers approved of the Grantlach.
Her mother nodded.“I might do that.”She hurried to intercept Hew and embraced him.They hadn’t seen each other for a while, although the pair spoke via com-circle.
“Hey, Scarlett,” Mungo said in her adorable Scothage accent, reminiscent of a Scottish drawl.She set down her aromatic soup drink.Her brow furrowed.“What’s wrong?Ye’ve gone pale.”
“Ever since I arrived home, I’ve suffered from a queasy stomach.I didn’t say anything to Ma because I didn’t want her to foist a potion on me.”
“She’ll be busy with Hew for the cycle.Casey might help ye.Take the cycle to rest.”
“I need to speak with Saber, anyway,” Scarlett said.“Are you sure?”
