older man looked grim, standing abruptly. “It’s a classified subject,
but since apparently that word means nothing to your friend, York, ask him.
For my part, I am going to see you’re all three given standard issue Rapt
One military uniforms, arrange so you have independent transportation and
weapons, and do as Governor Kartel requested and use you to help solve
this problem. Need I say the sooner the better?”
Before any of them could answer, he strode from the room.
72
Annabel Wolfe
Chapter 7
The place was one of those quiet dark places he preferred, jeweled
lighting by the tables the only illumination. Soft music, modern and
understated, played, and when they sat down at the elegant table, Larik
arched a brow in Aspen’s direction. “Since the Rapt One government is
buying, this seemed a good choice.”
“Something other than rations sounds good to me.” Trey gave a small
laugh. “I still can’t believe we’re out of our quarters early. Not arguing it,
don’t get me wrong, but it feels a bit surreal.”
Aspen, once again looking like the cool, professional soldier in a black
and gold tunic, her gleaming raven hair coiled neatly at her nape, said dryly,
“And here I was convinced Larik’s activities were going to get us in more
trouble, not less. I think you owe a lot to Ran Kartel.”
She was probably right. Larik nodded, not saying anything more as they
studied the illuminated menu and made their choices. The drinks arrived and
Aspen gave them each an ironic look as her innocuous beverage was set
down. “When I think about the inequity in how we breed, I have to wonder
if we are as advanced as our civilization thinks. Why is it males just
experience a moment of pleasure, and females endure months of symptoms,
restrictions in diet, and at the end of it all, I’m told, considerable
discomfort.”
If she indeed was gestating, it was still too early for her to have to go on
official leave, which Larik couldn’t decide if he was happy about or not. On
the one hand, he wanted to protect her. On the other, she was intelligent and
well-trained and could handle a weapon better than either him or York.
If they were unofficially assigned to do this, they needed her.
“Whatever the limitations,” he told her with sincerity, “the condition
agrees with you. I am not sure how it’s possible but you’re more beautiful
than ever.”
The Covenant: The Starlight Chronicles 2
73
Luminous violet eyes looked at him and her soft mouth quirked. “Be
sure and tell me that in a few months.”
“It’s true.” Trey backed him up, his long fingers idly toying with the
stem of his glass. “And I agree with Larik, I’m not sure how it’s possible.
Not to mention I’d never thought about breeding before this, but it’s sexy as
hell you carry my baby.”
“Or mine.” Larik wasn’t precisely jealous because he was well-aware of
how Trey felt about her, but he agreed in that he wanted the child to be his
with a surprising intensity.
“We’ll know soon enough.” Aspen took a small sip from her glass,
dismissing the issue. It was very hard to tell if she favored him or Trey
more, and at a guess, she didn’t know either.
But if there was one thing about the alluring Lieutenant Thorne, it was
she wasn’t just a gorgeous female but had a very well-functioning brain. She
looked at them both, the iridescent lighting playing over her lovely face in
lavender and gold shadows. She said, “What we need to do now is decide
how to proceed. For one thing, I think Larik needs to explain whatever
Acadien is and how it pertains to Ravenot and the current problem of
possible mantonium theft.”
“I wouldn’t mind knowing also why when you asked about The
Covenant the governor had such a reaction.” Trey regarded him over the rim
of his glass.
Fair enough. Larik wasn’t military and had no interest in doing real
battle with what he knew to be a ruthless enemy.
but since apparently that word means nothing to your friend, York, ask him.
For my part, I am going to see you’re all three given standard issue Rapt
One military uniforms, arrange so you have independent transportation and
weapons, and do as Governor Kartel requested and use you to help solve
this problem. Need I say the sooner the better?”
Before any of them could answer, he strode from the room.
72
Annabel Wolfe
Chapter 7
The place was one of those quiet dark places he preferred, jeweled
lighting by the tables the only illumination. Soft music, modern and
understated, played, and when they sat down at the elegant table, Larik
arched a brow in Aspen’s direction. “Since the Rapt One government is
buying, this seemed a good choice.”
“Something other than rations sounds good to me.” Trey gave a small
laugh. “I still can’t believe we’re out of our quarters early. Not arguing it,
don’t get me wrong, but it feels a bit surreal.”
Aspen, once again looking like the cool, professional soldier in a black
and gold tunic, her gleaming raven hair coiled neatly at her nape, said dryly,
“And here I was convinced Larik’s activities were going to get us in more
trouble, not less. I think you owe a lot to Ran Kartel.”
She was probably right. Larik nodded, not saying anything more as they
studied the illuminated menu and made their choices. The drinks arrived and
Aspen gave them each an ironic look as her innocuous beverage was set
down. “When I think about the inequity in how we breed, I have to wonder
if we are as advanced as our civilization thinks. Why is it males just
experience a moment of pleasure, and females endure months of symptoms,
restrictions in diet, and at the end of it all, I’m told, considerable
discomfort.”
If she indeed was gestating, it was still too early for her to have to go on
official leave, which Larik couldn’t decide if he was happy about or not. On
the one hand, he wanted to protect her. On the other, she was intelligent and
well-trained and could handle a weapon better than either him or York.
If they were unofficially assigned to do this, they needed her.
“Whatever the limitations,” he told her with sincerity, “the condition
agrees with you. I am not sure how it’s possible but you’re more beautiful
than ever.”
The Covenant: The Starlight Chronicles 2
73
Luminous violet eyes looked at him and her soft mouth quirked. “Be
sure and tell me that in a few months.”
“It’s true.” Trey backed him up, his long fingers idly toying with the
stem of his glass. “And I agree with Larik, I’m not sure how it’s possible.
Not to mention I’d never thought about breeding before this, but it’s sexy as
hell you carry my baby.”
“Or mine.” Larik wasn’t precisely jealous because he was well-aware of
how Trey felt about her, but he agreed in that he wanted the child to be his
with a surprising intensity.
“We’ll know soon enough.” Aspen took a small sip from her glass,
dismissing the issue. It was very hard to tell if she favored him or Trey
more, and at a guess, she didn’t know either.
But if there was one thing about the alluring Lieutenant Thorne, it was
she wasn’t just a gorgeous female but had a very well-functioning brain. She
looked at them both, the iridescent lighting playing over her lovely face in
lavender and gold shadows. She said, “What we need to do now is decide
how to proceed. For one thing, I think Larik needs to explain whatever
Acadien is and how it pertains to Ravenot and the current problem of
possible mantonium theft.”
“I wouldn’t mind knowing also why when you asked about The
Covenant the governor had such a reaction.” Trey regarded him over the rim
of his glass.
Fair enough. Larik wasn’t military and had no interest in doing real
battle with what he knew to be a ruthless enemy.
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