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EventhoughGruxtriedto keep it from her, Scarlett knew their identities had been discovered. She was really pissed, and though she gave him gruff answers and whispered snips, she knew now wasn’t the time to make a big scene. She stayed quiet while the nurses took samples for testing and tried to relax.
“What are we going to do?” Scarlett whispered as the medical staff left the room.
Grux shrugged, taking her hand. “I heard my father called the hospital,” he finally admitted, confirming her fears. “Maybe Father won’t interfere now that he knows you are pregnant—with an heir to the throne.”
“Is there really much of a chance of that?” Scarlett asked.
She wanted to believe him, but she was skeptical of his answer. He seemed to have more faith in his father than she did, and she couldn’t understand why he thought his father would back off. The baby didn’t seem like a good reason to her.
When he looked at her with very wide, worried eyes, she knew that he didn’t believe his own words. She took a deep breath, hoping she would be able to leave soon so they could avoid the king.
After dozens of tests, the doctors and nurses left them alone. Time ticked by, and soon Grux and Scarlett were both tired of waiting. They couldn’t afford to hear the results if it was going to take hours. As hard as Scarlett tried to stay calm, she was beginning to feel it was already too late.
As Grux supported her out the front doors to head toward the cruiser, she looked up to see three imperial vessels landing in the middle of the road. Behind them, hospital staff were gathering, pointing, and whispering as they watched the royal guard approach.
Scarlett felt Grux’s hand tighten on her waist. They both knew there was no getting away this time.
“Your Highness,” one of the guards said as he stepped forward. “We are here to escort you and your—the Terran—back to the palace.”
“Of course, you are,” muttered Grux. Scarlett kept taking deep breaths as she tried to stay relaxed.
He makes it sound like he’s doing us a favor. From his perspective, he probably is.
The guards circled around the two of them and began to walk slowly toward the hovercraft. Scarlett felt as though she and Grux were sheep being herded by farmer’s dogs.
She kept her head high as they got into the hovercraft and kept a tight hold on Grux’s hand. He leaned over and kissed her gently as the vehicle took off.
“I’m so sorry, my love,” he whispered.
She shook her head. “It’s not your fault. We did what we had to do.”
The trip back to the palace was not very long but tiring enough that Scarlett felt exhausted by the time they arrived. She tried to walk in with her dignity intact, but when she stumbled, attendants immediately appeared with a wheelchair.
“My lady,” one of them said. “I am Nyla, and I’ll be your personal servant from now on. I am a trained nurse, and I am to care for you and your child, on command of the king.”
“And my guard?” Scarlett snapped. Nyla bowed her head, not bothering to argue.
Instead of being taken to the throne room, the guards directed them to a smaller conference room where the king waited. Grux was obviously tense, barely holding himself in check as they entered the comfortable study. Scarlett thought the king might be trying to disarm Grux. The throne room would certainly have put him on defense.
The study was set up with refreshments and comfortable chairs. Scarlett stayed in her wheelchair, watching as the king hurried over to them. He had a big, warm smile on his face, but his eyes were cold and calculating.
“My dear,” he said, walking toward her with his hands out. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were pregnant? This is such fantastic, joyful news. My son, we must celebrate! How could you hide this from me?”
The king came closer to them, reaching out as if to embrace Scarlett. Before she could recoil, Grux stepped in front of her.
“What are your intentions, Father?” Grux asked. The king smiled and shook his head.
“What do you mean? This is a great event. I intend to celebrate, of course.”
Scarlett wrapped an arm around her belly, hating the idea that her innocent child was going to be used as a pawn in these horrible political games.
“The Xoyosans,” Grux began, but his father cut him off, shaking his head and waving his arms.
“You have nothing to fear from them. I would never hand over my son’s mate! Such an idea is preposterous.”
Even though Grux had his back to her, Scarlett saw the tension streak through Grux’s shoulders. He didn’t believe his father was genuine. Neither did she.
They exchanged a few more tense words before Grux was given leave to go to their shared quarters. As well as her attendant and guard, Nyla, five members of the royal guard were stationed outside their suite.
