Scorcher by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

raise your child here as a child of the Alliance. It will also have citizenship with the Nyal Imperium so it will be well protected.”
    Sarah blinked. “Dual citizenship? You don’t even know if Athon is the father.” She was just throwing it out there to see if Athon had mentioned her. It was pathetic, but she wanted a bit of proof that their time together had stuck in his mind as it had hers.
    “You are joking. It was obvious to me the day you stood outside the tank that you two had a bond that went far beyond a one-night stand, or whatever you call it. It was not a mating of convenience, it was a true bonding.”Audril was looking irritated and Kathak looked shocked. “Ignore my mate. He is an idiot when it comes to women. I should know.” She rubbed her horns in agitation.
    “Okay. That was a cheap shot. I am sorry. Yes, it is his child, but I don’t know how I would make a life for myself here. The Citadel contract will call for me to attend more worlds that require me.”
    “Not for five years. We have bought you some time.” Kathak had gotten over his shock.
    His skin was still flushed though, nothing like a woman who knows you inside and out to embarrass you in front of witnesses. She absorbed that and grunted as the baby gave her a solid boot to the ribs. “Does Athon know I am here?”
    “No. We found out your condition while on assignment and diverted immediately. We have not been in communication with him since we last left.” Kathak was blushing even harder now.
    Sarah pondered it a moment and then got a sinking feeling in her stomach. “You have been trying to get him to match with a Nyal woman?”
    He muttered unintelligibly and almost ran into the house, leaving the women staring at his retreating back.
    “Don’t worry. We have to approve any matches that Athon makes as his parents. He hasn’t requested our presence yet so there is still time. He will be here tomorrow for dinner. Perhaps we should get you situated.”
    “Wait. So he doesn’t know I am here? And he is dating? And he doesn’t know I am pregnant? Geez. That is a lot to take in. I think his horns may blow off.” She rubbed gently at the scars left on her shoulder from his bites. She still wore his marks, but if he was interested in this next woman, she would surrender him for his own good. Eh, who was she kidding. He was in for the fight of his life. 
    Sarah’s stomach was so knotted that she could barely contemplate dinner, but she dressed formally in clothing provided by Audril and delivered by Ona. The maid had been efficient and didn’t even mind the head butt provided by the mystery bump when she bent forward to help straighten the hem on the formal robes.
    She merely smiled, rubbed at her head and said, “It’s a strong one. Athon will be proud.”
    “I am just glad that the horns will grow in later, if at all. If I hadn’t found out that tidbit, I may have freaked out.” She turned to look at her reflection swathed in layers of jewel coloured silks. From the waist up, she didn’t even look pregnant. She could pull this off.
    Ona led her through the cavernous house and to the formal dining room. She was seated and talking with Audril and Kathak about trade formalities between Nyal space and the Alliance when a skimmer sounded outside and the main door opened a minute later. Sarah felt cold. This was it.
    As the footsteps came closer, she fought the urge to bolt. Kathak put his hand on hers and held her in place. The warmth seeped from his skin to hers and calmed her.
    When Athon came into the formal dining room, her heart leapt in her chest and then sank as she noted the Nyal woman curled around his arm. She was too late.
     
    * * * *
     
    He was stunned. She was here, the woman who haunted his dreams and the only one he could imagine in his bed, was sitting with his parents. In his home. One hundred and thirteen feet from his bedroom. Before he knew what he was doing, he started forward only to be brought up