Accidental Surrogate

Borrowed Trouble Ella I feel the poor human woman’s shoulders shake and I take a deep breath, remembering my duty to her as well. “Come on,” I say, trying to keep my voice light as I turn her and her daughters away. “I’m so sorry about this – let’s get somewhere more peaceful.” And as we begin to walk away, I leave my faith in Sinclair to settle this as he will.

But I hope to hell the Atalaxians know what’s good for them, because my mate?

He won’t hesitate to fight, if they push him to it. And if they do? I shake my head, considering how fast each of them will lose.

But I put this out of my mind, chatting lightly with the woman as we move away, asking her name. The woman introduces herself as Tempest Bowers, a journalist and the wife of an elected official of one of our eastern provinces.

Genuinely pleased to meet her, I begin to ask more questions about their lives as we move to the head table, where I know for certain that there is plenty of candy for the girls to take.

But before we can get there, someone hits my shoulder – hard as they pass, making me stumble. My ankle twists in my high heel and I lose my balance, threatening to fall, gasping and holding Rafe tight to me.

Tempest grabs my arm just in time.

“Oh my goodness,” she says, her eyes wide as she helps me regain my balance. And then both of our eyes move to follow the hateful old man my uncle, of course who hit me hard with his shoulder on his way out. He does not bother to look back and apologize.

Of course, why would he? He did it on purpose.

frowning after the man, and the woman to my surprise – bursts out

piece of work,” she says, nodding along and dropping

him?” “He’s my uncle,” I say with a grimace, making her

So, I can emote with that.” I smile genuinely at her then, liking this woman very much. We finish crossing to the table where Sinclair and I had our dinner and I hand the girls as many candy bars as I can find left on the

her hands out and laughing. ” Go find dad, all

I say as I watch them

I’ll leave you to this,” she says, gesturing towards him. “But it was very nice to meet you, your highness – and thank you, very much, for your help over there. I apologize for any trouble – we really didn’t know – ” “Please,” I say, my eyebrows going up. “You did nothing wrong. And please call me Ella,” I say with a grin. “After that? We have to be on a first name basis.” Tempest laughs and

“Is she?” “She seems well recovered,” I say, pleased, “though I wish it hadn’t happened at all. I mean honestly, why would the Atalaxians even come to a party of mixed

to pick their fight for them. I mean, come on they had to know he’s at the

be done,” he sighs. I look up at Sinclair to ask why, but we’re

handing him over to her, pleased to see how much Rafe’s auntie loves to have him close by. “What was all that?” Roger stands solidly next to Sinclair and I turn my fond gaze to him now. He’s not as familiar with human wedding traditions as Cora and I are, but I have to admit – he makes quite the handsome

stands there listening to Sinclair recap the events? He’s every bit the King’s responsible

breath, so grateful again for my family, but I’m distracted from this pleasure

out.” “Really?” I say, taking a step forward, my face falling. “Is he…do you know what he has planned?” “I don’t think he has a plan,” Calvin says, his eyes immediately on me and only on