The Impatient Lord Read Online Free Page A

her sister’s resulting expression was grateful or an attempt to hide her disapproval.
     
    * * *
     
    Finding a ship that was going immediately to the outer regions of the Y quadrant, to a primitive planet called Qurilixen that rarely allowed anyone to land on its soil, and a ship that also happened to be landing on the half of the planet that was inhabited by the Draig and not the half inhabited by a race called the Var, proved to be surprisingly easy. One hacked database search later and Riona had such a ship. It was taking passengers. It was close enough for them to reach in the stolen Federation cruiser and if they flew smart they would have enough fuel to land. And, best of all, it wouldn’t cost them a single space credit to get onboard the luxury craft. If she believed in the gods of fate, she’d say they were smiling at them right now—or they really didn’t like Range.
    Glancing to the chair next to her where her sister insisted on sleeping, she frowned. Unfortunately, there was one very big, very un-Aeron-approved catch. In order to hitch a ride, they had to be contracted as potential brides.
    Assured that Aeron slept, Riona pulled up the Galaxy Brides advertisement she’d found in a magazine chip and read to herself, “Wanted: Galaxy Brides Corporation seeking 46 fertile humanoid-compatible females of early childbearing years and A5+ health status for marriage to strong, healthy Qurilixian males at their annual Breeding Festival. Possibility of royal attendance. Must be eager bed partners, hard workers. Virginity a plus. Apply with official health documents, travel papers and IQ screen to: Galaxy Brides, Phantom Level 6, X Quadrant, Earthbase 5792461.”
    The Earthbase was close and, by the departure date listed on the screen, they could just make it. Luckily, the corporation seemed more worried about filling a quota than the actual screening process. They accepted the forged documents Riona transmitted to them from her counterfeit ID papers. Pulling up her sister’s documents proved to be a little trickier, but she managed. A forged signature later and they were in business. Within seconds, Galaxy Brides confirmed their booking with a long welcome letter and assurances they’d made the right decision for their future happiness.
    Riona thought it best not to mention the details to her sister until it became an unavoidable conversation. There was no reason to get Aeron all worked up about the trip. She would never admit it, but the moment Aeron had mentioned the possible destruction of a planet, a knot had formed inside her, constructed partly of memory, partly of fear and partly of an overwhelming sense of helpless need.
    Riona ha d witnessed the end of her home world, and since Aeron had showed up, the nightmares of it had come back. She looked at her sister, wishing more than anything the woman had kept her distance. But now that Aeron was here, Riona couldn’t turn her away. If there was a planet in trouble, she couldn’t ignore it. Aeron wouldn’t approve of Riona’s methods, but it was the only way she could think of to help. And maybe, just maybe, if she helped stop this disaster the nightmares of her past would never come back.
     
    * * *
     
    Galaxy Brides spaceship, six weeks later.
    “ Oh, come on! Seriously, why else would the Qurilixian men call their wedding ceremony a Breeding Festival ? It is so laughably obvious. It has nothing to do with love and everything to do with a planet full of horny males, with no females of their own, who need to find release,” Olena announced, continuing her ongoing monologue about their future husbands . The more Olena drank, the funnier she became. Riona liked her. A lot.
    The w oman had the most brilliant flaming-red hair—much brighter than Riona’s auburn locks, the sides of which were pulled up into a center knot to cascade down her back in curls. Riona had admired the hairpin sticking out of it, only to be told that Olena used it to handle her