Page 6 of Rule

“I don’t think so,” Candy said. “The Draaxare actually pretty nice, and they love and respect females.”

“How do you know that? You don’t evenspeak their language,” I said.

“Yeah, but,” Candy glanced at the bedroomand lowered her voice, “I’ve fucked plenty of them and they come across asreally nice.”

I laughed, and Candy blushed. “I know thatsounds stupid but it’s true. I don’t really know how to explain it.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “I’ve alreadysigned the contract for the lifetime program. If I try and back out, I’ll goto prison.”

“When do you leave?”

“The agency is picking me up at eight onTuesday morning.”

“What? So soon?”

I wiggled my eyebrows at her. “Apparently,I’m what they call a guaranteed breeder. My bloodwork returned as highlycompatible.”

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah, and get this. I’m being, uh, matedto a king.”

“Shut the hell up!”

“It’s true.” I was terrified of leavingeverything I knew, but I couldn’t help but grin at the look on Candy’s face.“I’m to be married or mated or whatever the heck they call it, to the King ofthe Western Province. His name is Quillan or Killen…something like that.”

“You’re going to be a queen,” Candy said.

“Yeah. Weird, huh?”

“I can’t think of anyone who deserves itmore, sweetie. Even before you saved my son’s life.” She gave me a giddy lookof excitement. “He’s not going to die, Evie. He’s going to grow big andstrong, and live a good life.”

“He is,” I said.

“Because of you.” She was starting to cryagain.

“Don’t cry, honey.”

“You really have no idea what this means tome. I love you, Evie.”

“I love you too, Candy.” We sat in silencefor a few minutes. “Anyway, the king needs an heir and thanks to my superior babymaking abilities, I was matched to him.”

Candy grabbed a tissue and blew her nosebefore staring solemnly at me. “Listen, I know it’s going to be difficult toleave Earth, but I promise you that your life will be better with the Draax.”

I picked at the fraying hem of my shirtsleeve. “Yeah, I know.”

“Are you anxious because you’re leaving Earth,or is there something else?” Candy asked.

“What if the Draax king is like Troy orAlex?”

“He won’t be,” Candy said.

“How do you know that?”

“I just do. I’ve been with a lot of themand they’re all very…kind in bed and out. They can be demanding and dominantduring sex, but they would never hurt you, Evie. Women are special to them,you can tell.”

“Do they think we’re special? So many of themcome to Earth just looking to fuck a woman.”

“I know, but can you blame them? Thebreeding program has saved them from extinction, but it’s not like women arejust walking around on their planet, available to date or whatever. Women thatare on the planet are already claimed by a Draax, so of course they’re going tocome to Earth to get laid. They have high sex drives.”

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