Destined for Two by Trista Ann Michaels Read Free Book Online Page B

sets my blood on fire, Jorel. I’m not about to let her go, regardless of the test results.”
    “Then heaven help the both of us,” Jorel murmured.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Devlin sat at the computer screen staring at side-by-side images of Rhia and Queen Tray. If he went by looks alone, there was no doubt Rhia was the princess, but he needed more than that and, more than likely, so would Rhia. How was she? Was she frightened, angry? He had no way of knowing. For the first time since he’d been responsible for her, they were so far apart he’d lost her mental connection. The blank space where her emotions should be made him uncomfortable and lost.
    With a sigh, he ran his hand down his face and scrolled through more images of the king and queen of Phelisine. The ship’s engines purred softly as they glided through space,
    31
    the motion dampers keeping everything still and silent. The only indication they moved at all were the stars speeding by outside the windows.
    “She looks just like her, doesn’t she?” Damon asked from the door, startling Devlin.
    He glanced up at the older man with a slight smile. “Yes. She does.” Shaking his head, Devlin shut down the small computer and turned his chair to face Damon as he came farther into the room, taking the chair opposite him at the long conference table. The Vultair, Taron’s massive deep space cruiser, had been prepped quickly, enabling them to leave Tilarus in record time. Unfortunately, the speed of their departure had done nothing to ease Devlin’s mind.
    “I’m having a hard time with this, Damon. How can Rhia be the princess? Why did it take them this long to find her?”
    “Veenori sits within the outer rim. It’s on the opposite end of the charted galaxy from Argonia. There is also the fact she didn’t know who she was. Argonia and Phelisine also don’t register their people since they’re not part of the Senate, so that could be why we never found a match for her DNA in the galactic database. I did some more research and it was rumored her nanny ran with her. It is also rumored Argonia was behind the rebellion and the attack that killed her parents.”
    Devlin frowned. If the Argonians were behind it, they could want Rhia for reasons other than marriage. Such as her death. “I’m not sure I like the implications of that,” Devlin growled.
    “I don’t believe that’s why they took her. They need her to restore peace between the two planets. Killing her would only strengthen the wedge.” Devlin drummed his fingers against the cold marble of the conference table. “How much longer until we get there?”
    “Two days, I’m afraid. That’s as close as the transport gate can get us. The gate cannot cut through the Klitus Belt or the Fongor shipping lanes, so we’ll have to travel that sector at impulse speed. Slow going, but it’s the shortest route.” Devlin nodded. “If it takes us two days, it will take them that long as well.”
    “More than likely.”
    “Were the women upset being left behind?”
    Devlin’s lips quirked as he thought of the short-tempered Marcone women.
    “Upset puts it mildly,” Damon replied with a smirk and leaned his chair back. “They were about ready to mutiny.”
    Laughter rumbled through Devlin’s chest for the first time in hours. He could just picture it -- three women determined to be a part of the rescue -- determined to be there for Rhia.
    “I informed Sidious and he offered to help as well.” 32

    Devlin shook his head. Sidious was the youngest of the Marcone brothers, but also the most intimidating. He made Devlin look like an angel in comparison. “I hope you told him to stay with his wife. He and Mikayla had been planning that trip for months.”
    “I did,” Damon said with a nod. “He told me to tell you the lake house is yours if you need it.”
    “Why would I need the lake house?” Devlin asked.
    “It’s a good place to hide.”
    “Hopefully it won’t come to that.” Devlin