Planet Mail by Kate Pearce Page A

child and its mother.
    He tried to reform the scattered memories in his mind. Lillian’s body gripping his cock, the pain of her fingernails digging into his biceps. He frowned at the thought. Had she even been a virgin? He had no recollection of it and no memory of any spilled blood. He looked up and caught Douglass’ interested gaze on him. By Thor. He loved her. How in hell was he going to explain this mess?
    She gave him an encouraging wink. He straightened his spine.
    “If it pleases you, Lillian. I will ask my physician to examine you before we make this news more widely known.”
    Sven grinned. “I should imagine it’s too late for that, Sire.”
    Marcus bowed. “I still wish to make sure.”
    Mistress Freya put her arm around Lillian’s shoulders. “Are you saying my daughter is lying?”
    To Marcus’ relief, his chief minister, Thorlan the Peacemaker, stepped forward, his calm face wearing a smile.
    “Of course not, Lady Freya . The king meant no insult. You must understand that claims are made each year that the king has fathered a child. It is our duty as the king’s Council to make sure that each particular claim is fully investigated.”
    Marcus waited until Lillian and her entourage was escorted from the room before he sat back in his chair. He should be feeling excited at the prospect of fatherhood. He’d dreamed of it all his life but the bitter taste in his mouth refused to leave. Why now when he believed he’d finally found a woman he could love?
    Thorlan cleared his throat. “My King, you do not seem overjoyed by this news.”
    Marcus studied him. “Is it that obvious?”
    “Do you deny having sex with this woman?”
    “No. She was offered to me as tribute when I visited Hammersford .” He noticed Douglass frown at his words. She’d expressed her opinion of his planet’s outdated views on women on more than one occasion.
    “Then what is the problem?”
    “The woman drugged my wine. She believed the rumors that I was incapable of performing and that I would kill her if she didn’t conceive.” His lip curled in self-disgust. “She gave me a powerful aphrodisiac to make sure I managed the job.”
    “But, excuse me, Sire, you penetrated her, yes? You left your seed in her?”
    “I was so desperate for release I must have.” Marcus couldn’t bear to look at Douglass now. What would she think of the rumors that he was not only impotent but a mad despot who killed when he didn’t get what he wanted?
    Thorlan sat down with a thump, his robes swirling around him. “Are you suggesting she duped you in some way?”
    Marcus rubbed at his eyes. “I don’t know. She seemed too desperate for my liking. I tried to send her away but after the drug took hold of me, all I could think about was fucking.”
    A heavy silence unfolded over the room.
    “If she was that desperate to have sex with you, perhaps she had something to hide.”
    Marcus looked up as Douglass spoke.
    Thorlan intervened before Marcus could reply. “King’s consort, your opinion is not required.”
    Douglass ignored Thorlan , her gaze fixed on Marcus. “Perhaps she—”
    Thorlan stood up. “Sire, this woman is your lover. Anything she says could be biased. Of course she doesn’t want to have her position usurped by your future queen and mother of your child.”
    Douglass got to her feet and marched toward Thorlan . She poked him in the chest with her finger. “Listen up, buster. I’m a woman, I know how women think. I’m perfectly capable of having a balanced opinion.”
    Thorlan kept talking. “With all due respect, you are an outsider. The Council is here to advise our king as to what is best for our planet. We cannot allow our personal preferences to influence a decision that might be vital for the future prosperity and very survival of our race. The hope of a child for the king would bring hope to everyone.”
    Marcus stood up. “He’s right, consort. Perhaps we should allow my physician to examine Lillian