Page 129 of Smuggler's Beauty

His heart shattered as Nannette’s face went still, her faint smile fading away. Like she was suddenly carved from marble. Evelyn reached out and grabbed her hand.

“And I want you to understand that that is not something that we are going to allow to happen,” she continued softly. “He claimed to recognize you from some clip that got picked up. From what I understand, your face didn’t trip any of the recognition software, it’s just . . . dumb luck. I am so, so sorry. You worked so hard to keep me safe and that exposed you. I want to return the favor. I’m willing to completely abuse my power to keep you protected, if it comes to that.”

Mathias stopped pretending to look at the piano. The strong, smart, confident woman he’s spent the last few hours admiring was pale as a sheet. From a spitfire to a deer in the headlights in moments.

Unacceptable.

He crossed back to the table and squatted down next to their chairs.

“I think I know how we’re going to fix this,” he said. He looked at Nannette. “You’re going to hate it.”

Cairn pilotedthe jump ship for Evelyn and Aiden later that night. They were headed to an orchard miles from the capital. Evelyn had memories of watching the apples swell to life as her father walked the rows of trees with the farmers who owned them.

The ship landed gently, without fanfare. Leave it to smugglers to know how to get around a planet without causing a stir.

Aiden followed Evelyn off the jump ship. Cairn stayed behind, preferring to read the last few chapters of the novel he had started last week. Aiden wondered if Cairn ever would get used to the casual use of psychic skills in those around him. If he was going to be around Tanalians for any length of time, he was going to have to let go of that particular misgiving.

Exposure therapy might be good for him.

Evelyn strolled through the alleys between the trees, reaching out to graze a branch every so often. Aiden was content to walk with her in silence. The night air was crisp, scented by the apple blossoms on the trees and the earthy musk of the rich soil beneath their feet. There was no light pollution out here, and the stars shone brightly, their glow illuminating the path with ease.

“This feels like as good a place as any.” She stopped walking and knelt in the alley, pressing her hands into the soil. Aiden watched as she was illuminated with that telltale golden glow she emitted when she worked with energy. Her entire body shimmered as a faint stream of golden light poured from her palms into the ground beneath her. He watched as Evelyn gaveEmil to Tanalia. The pride he had in his woman, his warrior, his queen was immeasurable.

Eventually, the light faded. The glow dimmed, and Evelyn was merely kneeling in the ground surrounded by lush apple trees, their boughs suddenly heavy with fruit. The grass that lined the alleys was taller than it had been when Cairn had landed moments ago. Evelyn rose, brushing off the dirt from her hands and knees.

“You ready to go home, dollface?” Aiden reached out his hand to her.

She grabbed it, smiling up at him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I already am,” she whispered against his lips.

So was he.