Page 41 of Her Lawless Prince

Payton took a deep breath. Frustration filled her. “No—”

“Yeah.” Ryland arched a brow, challenging her. “Doesn’t yourhusbandget a say?”

There were several responses Payton could give to that. None of them made her look very favorable. If she pointed out that their grandfather, King Attor, never had to ask his wives before taking more wives or lovers, she would be comparing herself to one of the most deeply flawed rulers in their history. If she admitted she was wrong, she would be saying her time with Nyle was a mistake, and no part of it felt like a mistake. If she suddenly denied Yevgen was a half mate, she’d look insane.

The full impact of her careless decision not to deny Yevgen when he announced their connection struck her like a fist to the chest. At the time, it had almost been a joke. She wasn’t laughing now.

When Yevgen had declared that she was his half mate, she honestly hadn’t cared. Why not let him have it? He wanted so badly to love her. Maybe he did, in his own cyborg way. What was love anyway but a belief?

Her eyes met Nyle’s. Her heartbeat quickened.

No. That was wrong. Love was much more than a belief in something. It was a feeling.

“I…” Payton took a deep breath.

She couldn’t look away from Nyle. Her entire life, she’d never met anyone who made her think she might want marriage or a family, who could make her heart beat faster and her thoughts spin. She liked running in the forest, the freedom of not having to answer to anyone but herself.

“I am done talking about my personal life,” Payton stated. “We need to get Yevgen back to the palace before the Federation shows and attempts to muscle their way back onto our planet over some technicality. We all know they were only on Qurilixen because they claimed guardianship over the Cysgodian people in Shelter City. If we don’t prove they abused their power, they’re going to use our throwing them off the planet as a reason to create a permanent base.”

“There was nothing else King Kirill and King Ualan could have done.” Rick crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the table. “I remember that day the Federation came to ask for help on behalf of Cysgod. They said they would provide housing but did not mention they planned on setting up a base on-world. In hindsight, everyone should have guessed it. If there is a way to screw someone, the Federation will find a way to do that and more.”

“It was those pictures of the children.” Dev entered the mess hall. Being as he was half Belvon, a demonic-looking race with intensely red skin, the man could strike fear into most aliens—and with good reason. Belvons weren’t exactly known for their kindness. However, the man’s human half gave him a compassionate perspective. “And the fact the blue radiation was one of the few things that seemed to help. Even if they suspected the Federation would try to take over part of the planet, the kings would not have said no.”

“It’s true,” Nyle said, taking a step back from Ryland. “The blue radiation saved them.”

Ryland sat back down. “According to Qurilixian honor, to do so would have been the same as killing the alien survivors themselves.”

“Since you weren’t in Shelter City with the others, how did you survive the sickness?” Rick asked Nyle.

“The virus was harvested on his cloned organs,” Yevgen answered for him. There was a gossipy quality to his tone.

Payton frowned. “Those are the same organs you carry.”

Great, nowshewas bickering with Yevgen.

Rick seemed to sense her need to end the conversation. “We’ll get you back to the planet. We’ll call the palace and let them know we’re on the way as soon as we get a clear signal.”

Payton nodded.

“We should make a copy of the files,” Dev said. “If something happens to the cyborg, we’ll be able to prove what was inside him.”

“I do not think—” Yevgen tried to deny.

“Do it,” Payton broke in. “The future of Qurilixen is on the line. We’re not taking chances.”

“Come with me.” Dev motioned at Yevgen. “I’ll hook you up in the communications room, and we’ll start the transfer. Might take a while. It’s an old ship.”

Payton listened to Yevgen’s heavy steps as he followed Dev.

“You look tired. Come on, I’ll show you where you can rest up.” Rick draped his arms over her shoulders and steered her toward the corridor. “You too, Nyle. Unless you want to stay here and get interrogated by Ryland?”

“I think—” Ryland began to say.

“Quiet, cadet.” Rick grinned. “I’m captain of this ship. Listen to your elders and let your sister rest, or I’ll make you swab the decks.”

“What does that even mean, old man?” Ryland muttered. “You are so strange.”

15

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