The queen stroked her husband’s cheek. “We’re a good team.” He played the role of the angry monarch, she the conciliatory one. Their strategy never failed. Rullok acted like the bad guy, but he was, in fact, the biggest softie. He would have spoiled their sons terribly if not for her. Their children had no idea she was the one with the will of steel.
“I love you so much,” the king said.
“I love you, too. I will contact the officiant and confirm the ceremony for tomorrow.”
“When do Jaryk and Kismet return from their honeymoon?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Perhaps we should delay the ceremony until then. The sisters are close. Perhaps Karma would like Kismet to attend the wedding.”
“You’re right! I should have thought of that. And I’m sure Jaryk would like to be there for his brother.” She smiled at her husband affectionately.We are a good team.Jaryk and Kismet showed the same potential, and she had high hopes for her younger son and Karma.
She’d thought of Cosmic Mates the instant she’d seen the news report. Their son’s happiness ranked paramount. On the rare chance she was wrong about the couple’s feelings for each other, she did not wish to force them into a permanent marriage. Cosmic Mates offered the perfect solution.
A trial marriage would give them the time to come to their senses.
Chapter Five
“How was the honeymoon?” Karma asked her sister.
“Wonderful! It wasamazing. Kaldor is beautiful, and Jaryk and I enjoyed our time alone together.”
“Great!” She feigned enthusiasm. “Can I borrow a black dress?”
The wife of the crown prince, Kismet had a wardrobe to match her status. She had more clothes than she could wear in a year. Karma had only the clothing she’d brought from Earth, and as she preferred bright colors, she didn’t have anything suitable for a funeral.
“Sure. For what?”
“I’m getting married tomorrow.”
Kismet blinked. “What?”
“I’m getting married.”
“To who?”
She still hoped this was a nightmare, and she’d wake up in her old life. How could this be happening? “Falkor.”
“You are?” Kismet squealed and hugged her. “How did that happen? Tell me everything! I thought you didn’t like him. I can’t believe it! Wait—why do you want a black dress?”
“For the wedding.”
“You’re going to wear black?” Kismet looked scandalized.
“To symbolize the death of my dreams.”
One year. I can do a year.Breathe,breathe.She’d been on the verge of panic since the edict. The king and queen wereforcingher to marry their reprobate son! She wasn’t a Kaldoran citizen! They had no right.
Might trumped right.
“Okay, what happened? I was gone for two weeks!” Kismet ushered her to a sofa. “Sit. Tell me what’s going on.”
She summarized how she got stranded, spent the night in his suite, and the ensuing fallout.
“I’m sorry,” Kismet said. “Would marrying him be so bad?”
She gaped at her twin. “You’re kidding, right? He’s the last man on two planets I’d pick!”
