Character Insights Archives - Page 3 of 11

Oh no. This is going to be trouble. Excerpt from Lights Out #SciFi #MFRWhooks #FreeBook

Kayelle Allen 07/28/2021 Character Insights 6 Comments

From across the bar, Ravenstongue sauntered toward him. "Why you here?"

Tornahdo kicked back in his chair. After stretching out his legs, he crossed his ankles. "Why do you care?"

"Big ops tomorrow. Lights out in ten. Time for you to go home and go to bed."

Behind the bar, the keeper closed up shelves and battened down doors.

"Yeah?" Tornahdo flicked a hand toward the door. "I'll follow you out."

"I'm not leavin'. Didn't you hear? We passed inspection with the highest scores. Got a free night out." Ravenstongue jabbed a finger toward Tornahdo. "But you gotta go home like a good boy."

In no kingdom in the galaxy would that happen.

Ravenstongue lifted two fingers, signaling his cohorts.

The keeper ducked behind the bar while the goons flanked their wannabe boss, imbecilic grins in place.

A pair of demons usually sat on Tornahdo's shoulders. The bad demon laid out strategy while the good demon discouraged action. Tonight, the good demon flipped a middle finger toward Ravenstongue with a not-so-subtle suggestion to kick his ass.

Tornahdo took his time rising, slid his chair under the table. "What did you say?"

"I said, 'You gotta go home like a good boy.'"

Hanging his thumbs in his belt, Tornahdo gave him a slow smile. "Go back to the bar, finish your drink and we'll pretend we're all friends and leave together. This is your last chance for a peaceful end."

"Peaceful." With a scoff, Ravenstongue jerked his head toward Short Goon. "You hear that?"

"Yeah. Maybe we oughta do what--"

Ravenstongue jabbed him with an elbow.

"I mean, yeah! I heard that." He leaned closer to his boss. "We gonna?"

"No, you idiot. Shut your face and back me up."

How did these hotheads enlist? Ghost Corps must have been desperate for bodies. Literally. A fighter's corpse they could reanimate. Which was a sobering thought.

Was that what the corps thought of him?

Lights Out by Kayelle Allen

He can save mankind. After he does one important thing. Die.
Join the Ghost Corps, they said. You'll live forever, they said. You'll save mankind, they said. They didn't say that to do it, first he had to die.
When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he's assigned duty on the space station Enderium Six.
He's facing his most dangerous mission yet, the very reason the corps exists.
Do they expect him to win? Fat chance. Tornahdo and his team are already dead and this mission is codenamed "Lights Out." No, there's more to this than he can see.
To discover the truth, he must face an unbeatable, unkillable enemy, and this time--somehow--find a way to keep himself alive...

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A first-time father reminds a toddler of a rule #Excerpt A Stolen Heart #SciFi #MMRomance

Kayelle Allen 07/14/2021 Character Insights 6 Comments

In Luc's hoversine on the way to shop, he taught Senthys an important rule to protect him. Now that they've arrived, how well did the first-time-father get it across?

At the entrance, two women who were leaving both greeted the boy. One wiggled her fingers at the tyke, and each gave Luc an appreciative once over.

He'd grown used to that over the years, but this appraisal had a different impact.

More sweet than sensual.

Interesting. Women found a man attractive because he was with a child. How had he missed knowing that?

Inside, the store had a clean smell, like freshly pressed linen and well-oiled wood, with an undertone of vanilla.

Senthys drew in a lungful. "I want some cookies."

"It does smell like cookies in here, doesn't it?"

A selection of clothing displayed various sizes and colors of sportswear, casualwear, and in the back, a sign designated formalwear. Formalwear for kids? Did boys need tuxes?

Before Luc could investigate, Senthys tugged at his hand and pointed to a play area near the front of the store. "I wanna go see that."

"What was the rule?"

The boy stuck a finger into his mouth, rocking himself side to side. "Stay with you."

"That's right."

"If you go see it, I can see it." He tilted his head. "Please?"

Luc could find no fault in that logic, nor resist the appeal. "Since you asked politely. Let's go see."

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“Why I like you is beyond me” #Excerpt #SciFi #MMRomance #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 06/23/2021 Character Insights 6 Comments

Imperial Palace, the Stable
Keeper Wing

As the door opened, Alitus turned to face it, lowering both hands to his sides. If he released his pheromones now, it would lower Rudy's resistance. The pheromones gave Alitus a distinct advantage. Using them to coerce, however, was not in his nature.

The man stood in the doorway, blocking the groom's entrance behind him, and made a small gesture. "I got this, Byrin." The door shut behind him.

Alitus steeled himself for confrontation, hyper-aware of Rudy's stillness, like the motionless menace of an animal poised to strike.

Rudy took three steps into the room and halted. He wore gym shoes, socks, loose shorts, and a white towel around his neck. A white headband held dark hair out of his eyes. A fine sheen of sweat covered him. Rudy was built like Alitus, but more athletic, his muscles more defined. Alitus was blond; Rudy brunet. Both blue-eyed, Alitus's were ocean dark, Rudy's, sky pale. Alitus had been bred for intellect, and Rudy for natural earthiness and sensuality.

"How you doin', Alitus?" The man lifted a corner of the towel and wiped his face, dabbing at his nose, which had a bluish tinge on its left side. The color had seeped into the area below his left eye as well.

"This will never work." Alitus shook his head. "We're far too different."

"Yeah, well, nice to see you, too, you smartass." Rudy jerked open the door.

Outside, Byrin stood like a guard dog off its leash, waiting for a finger snap from its master.

"Wait." Alitus held up one hand. "I'm sorry."

No answer at first. Rudy studied him. "For what? That I'm leavin' 'cause I don't have time for your bullshit? Or that you didn't break my nose?"

"Neither." Alitus gestured for him to shut the door, which Rudy did. "I'm sorry we got off to such a bad start. I should have begun this conversation by saying I was sorry."

"Oh, yeah?" Rudy folded his arms. "That supposed to make it all 'better,' Better?" Before Alitus could answer, Rudy put in, "Let's get something straight right up front. I'm doing this for Her Majesty, not you. I don't need your apology or want it, so if that's all you came for, you can go. I'll fill in for you because she asked me to. I don't need another reason."

"Fine, then."

"Fine." Rudy jutted his chin upward.

Neither spoke. Neither looked away.

Alitus let out a long sigh. "Damn it, Rudy, I was a smartass."

A grin stole across the man's face. "You've got a mean right hook, you bastard."

"If it makes you feel any better, my hand still hurts."

The two men met in the middle of the room and shook hands, Alitus still gloved. When Rudy squeezed, Alitus winced

The other man didn't let go. "What the hell were you thinkin', man?"

Alitus withdrew and rubbed his hand. "She makes me crazy. I didn't think."

Rudy cuffed him on the shoulder. "If I used an excuse like that I'd get thrown out of here."

"Haven't got one better."

"Punny." Rudy wrapped his hands around the ends of his towel. "You do realize what a problem this veil thing is going to be for droid security, don't you? I've been reading up on them. The stuff that keeps the pheromones inside makes it so droids can't read through them to know who's who. An assassin could walk right up to Her Majesty and no one would be the wiser until it was too late."

"I know. That's why they're limiting Better access to her. We won't be able to get an audience until we've been screened. Another way to screw us."

"On a different note, how am I going to get from the Stable to your office without being seen in that Veil thing?"

He lifted one shoulder. "Use the passageway from the Stable to my old office and then go from there. It's the one right outside hers."

Rudy gave him a puzzled look.

"You know." Alitus gestured. "The passage you use when she calls for a Jade during the work day." When no response came, Alitus sighed. "You mean she's never summoned you for a quickie?"

"You bastard." Rudy twisted his mouth in a sardonic grimace. "I'll bet she called you. Which is another reason for me to dislike you."

Alitus rocked on the balls of his feet.

"You smug son-of-a-bitch. Why I like you is beyond me."

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That feeling when you have to apologize for being right #Excerpt #SciFi #MMRomance #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 06/16/2021 Character Insights 6 Comments

In this scene from Alitus, Tales of the Chosen, the spymaster Alitus visits the Stable, a harem of male pleasure slaves called Jades kept by the Empress, whom he serves.

The night before, a physical altercation with Rudy, one of the Jades, resulted after the Empress suggested Rudy could fill in for Alitus.

Betters -- enhanced humans like Alitus -- are now required to wear a veiled garment, so having the "normal" Rudy replace him set off the temper of the usually placid Alitus.

This moment takes place the next day.

Imperial Palace, the Stable
Keeper Wing

Alitus presented himself at the Stable groom's office.

Byrin Arual oversaw the literal army of identical androids involved in caring for the Jades. The middle-aged human was handsome enough to be a Jade himself, yet Byrin's relationship with the Empress always seemed professional. She'd never shown the least interest in him.

Byrin welcomed him and gestured to a chair in the small office. "Sit. Great to see you again, Alitus. Is this imperial business?"

"Personal." He started to strip off his gloves, decided against it, and smoothed them back over his fingers. "I came to see Rudolf Brakovsky."

Byrin perched against the edge of the compact desk. Monitors filled the opposite wall, revealing the Jades in various activities. "If this is about the bloody nose from the other night it's my duty to remind you that any provocation between Jades is prohibited. I know you're no longer a Jade." He held up a hand to prevent interruption. "But Rudy is. I don't want to put him in a compromising situation."

"I won't touch him." Alitus crossed his legs. "I owe him an apology."

Byrin studied him a moment, his expression grave. "If you didn't represent Her Majesty the way you do, I wouldn't permit this. Rudy's a good guy."

He resisted the urge to hang his head and instead, met the man's unflinching gaze. "Yes, he is. Which is why this is important."

"I never expected violence from you, Alitus. When you lived in the Stable, you were the one everyone looked up to, even though you were the youngest. From the first day you entered the Stable, they called you 'Mr. Perfect.' When you were out of earshot, of course, but the guys like you despite the fact you were special to Her Majesty."

"I..." Alitus tugged his gloves on a little tighter. Liking him was an after-effect of his pheromones, but Byrin didn't need to know that.

Would Alitus ever have a true friend? One who liked him without being influenced?

Byrin stared as if waiting for a reply.

Alitus cleared his throat. "Thank you. I don't know what to say."

"Hell, man." Byrin threw out his arms. "She created the 'Lover' level so she could put you above the Keepers. No one else has ever been in it. You know how crazy that makes these guys? Yet not one of them would say a single bad thing about you. And that isn't because of the rules here. You know that?"

Alitus lowered his lashes.

"What the hell got into you?"

"I'd rather not discuss it, Byrin." Alitus smoothed the crease in a pant leg. "Consider it a momentary lapse of reason and let it go, please. Her Majesty has. I'm here to ask Rudy for forgiveness. Isn't that enough?"

Byrin glared as if about to argue, but then brushed off his pants, and stood. "All right. Suit yourself. Take it easy while I go find him. At this hour, he's working out." Byrin searched the bank of monitors for a moment before he excused himself and left.

Alitus thrust himself to his feet and paced. He could do this. Get it over with and get back to work. For two days, he'd done nothing but argue with himself about coming here. Time to put it in the past and move on. How could he have doubted Her Majesty's intentions?

She had not chided him. Although she had not told him to apologize, she had to expect it. "Jealousy does not become you, Alitus. You know you have my respect. You know that. I would never dishonor you."

Clasping his hands before his mouth, he tapped them against his lips. He must control himself. He was going to need Rudy's help.

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No, you may not call me Pi! #PiDay #PietasFans #SciFi

Kayelle Allen 03/14/2021 Character Insights

Bringer of Chaos

This scene from Bringer of Chaos marks a major turning point in the story.

Six and Pietas have been reluctant enemies, and now move into being reluctant friends.

It still doesn't mean Six trusts him enough to tell him his name.

Excerpt "My Name is Pietas"

Days passed into weeks.

Six spent time hunting, fishing, gathering wood for the fire, hauling water. The man gave no indication of impatience, ever. Six was at his side, offering, assisting, without Pietas having to ask.

One evening after dinner, they stretched out side by side near the fire, staring up at the stars.

"Thank you, Six."

"For what?"

"You've been good to me. I appreciate it. I don't say that enough."

He folded his hands over his waist. "No problem. Glad to do it, Three Point One Four."

"Three point..." Pietas grappled with what the number might indicate. "Pardon?"

"I've decided that's your name. Now that we're friends."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your name." Six sat up. "Since you call me Six, I'm going to call you Three Point One Four."

"I fail to see the significance of the number."

"Really?" A big smile crossed Six's face. "And here I thought you were good at math. It's pi."

"No!" Pietas sat bolt upright. "I forbid you to call me that. I am Pietas. Pee-ah-toss."

"I dunno. I'm partial to Pi. I think I'll keep it."

"No. You may not call me Pi. My name is Pietas."

"Why not?"

"It is not my name!"

"Oh, you mean like Six isn't my name. It's a number."

"Simple remedy. Tell me your name."

The quiet lengthened, but then Six stretched both arms over his head, and gave a wide yawn. "Nah. I don't think so."

"Fine, then." Pietas settled himself on the ground once more. "Six it is."

"Guess I'm stuck with it." He grinned at Pietas as he stood. "Pi."

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He should eat. But he headed for the bar #Excerpt Surrender Love by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #GayRomance #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 12/02/2020 Character Insights 10 Comments

Surrender Love
Antonello Brothers: Immortal

Reprint - previously published under the same title (as erotic)
Genre: Scifi Romance, Gay Romance

Length: Full novel (130k words)
Heat level: Mainstream, sweetly sensual (PG13)

A little feral, a little innocent, all male, Izzorah Ceeow flees a world that denies him basic rights. Forced into a human society blind to his needs, the young Kin male lives for his music. When a freak accident throws him into the care of Luc Saint-Cyr, the most powerful human in the empire, the attention Izzorah receives is beyond anything he'd ever dreamed. But is the attraction he feels toward his rescuer gratitude, lust, or a deeper, abiding call to yield all that he is?

The prestige of Luc's power, wealth, and influence direct an empire scattered across the stars. His word shapes the foundations of business and his financial prowess is of mythic proportions. Yet beneath the myths beats the heart of a man who craves what he has never given and is certain he will always be denied -- steadfast, faithful love.

This will take more than love. It needs full out surrender...

(This heavily edited second edition includes many new scenes and over 7k additional words).

Excerpt from Surrender Love

In this scene from the beginning of the book, Luc is arriving home from work, where "friends" have spent the day telling him how sorry they are he recently broke up with his lover. Aggravated beyond words, he runs into McDoth, his android major-domo, a stickler for rules who's been appointed watchdog by Luc's king, who is worried about him.
---

Outside the entrance to his home, Luc stopped, fingertips against his brow. He lifted his head, straightened his shoulders, and opened the door. The scent of polished wood and fresh flowers greeted him. A hint of baking bread beckoned and his stomach growled in answer. He should eat.

Instead, he headed straight for the bar.

As usual, McDoth lay in wait. The attentive butler / major-domo was as predictable as his immaculate tuxedo uniform. With his graying hair and wrinkles, most people mistook him for human. A kindly, aging grandfather who still worked for a living. Like his driver, James, the android was firepower mixed with grit. More tyrannical than a nagging wife and more tenacious than a steel weed. No matter how far Luc went, McDoth would follow, protecting him, serving him, while refusing to let him forget a single detail, rule, or obligation.

Were it his choice, Luc would fire McDoth tonight. In truth, the android deserved a medal. His tolerance and patience knew no bounds. Their relationship had lasted centuries and would for a thousand centuries more.

If their king had his way, Luc would never be rid of the human-shaped ball and chain. Which was the point of a referee. They kept you honest. At least...as much as they could.

"Welcome home, sir." The refined accent programmed into McDoth for this lifetime fit the look of a staid butler.

"McDoth."

The android dropped a few ice cubes into a tumbler and set it on the bar. "For your whiskey, sir. Do try to limit yourself to one this evening."

And there it was. The daily lecture. You drink too much. You eat too little. You work too late. You never stay home.

Luc reached past him and picked up a fresh bottle of his best whiskey, a Kelthian brand from a distillery he'd bought a few years prior.

"Allow me to take your overcoat." The butler reached for it.

He turned to give his servant access, changing the bottle from one hand to the other as he slipped off the garment.

"It's quite late, sir. You must be tired." McDoth folded the coat over his arm. "How was your day?"

"Same as yesterday. Busy, but I accomplished nothing." He darted toward the stairs.

"Sir?"

He halted, gripping the banister so hard he expected to see marks when he let go. The promise of solitude in his chambers above beckoned, but there would be no ignoring the interrogation. He checked an impatient sigh and turned back. "What?"

McDoth came to even sharper attention, his habitual passivity giving way to concern. "It is good to have you home, sir. We see little of you. Shall I bring you dinner? No records show you ate today, unless the earlier visit to your club included dining on someone else's account."

"I'm capable of asking for food if I'm hungry and I don't need a reminder you keep electronic tabs on me. I have no illusions about being your true employer. I'm not hungry. I'm fine. Stop fussing over me."

"As you wish, sir." The butler brought him the tumbler. "Remember, just one."

Luc lifted the bottle of whiskey and wagged it right in the android's face. "I will."

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Prevail over the breath of your enemies #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 10/21/2020 Character Insights 11 Comments

During the first few months of exile, every day, Pietas worked on his compulsion ability. He had no one to target but Six, a human.

Prior to imprisonment, for practice, Pietas would ask for some item he needed, such as a stylus. He wouldn't say which one or what type, but instead, as whoever was near reached for one, Pietas extended a wave of compulsion to choose the desired item. It never failed. Each person always picked the one he wanted. People who entered his presence would turn around and leave without Pietas saying a word. Practicing with small things made the big things second nature.

He had once turned a whole division and made them attack their comrades. But coerce Six? Might as well ask the sun for ice. Was it because he was reanimiated? A ghost? Or was it inherent in his nature?

Pietas sent Six a strong wave of compulsion to come to him, but the ghost continued filleting a fish without the least pause.

Casting himself back onto the grass in a fit of pique, Pietas stared up at the sky. He'd had more control as a child! Would he have to start over and relearn everything? Was the gift lost? He'd honed it for centuries. Surely, it was not lost. Please, let it not be lost...

No matter how hard or how long it took, he would reclaim every power, every gift, and every ability. He would own everything he'd lost. No one robbed Pietas ap Lorectic, First Conqueror, War Leader of the Ultras and got away with it. Humanity had tried to rob him of his birthright, but they would not prevail.

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Bringing Pietas to Life #Voiceover @voicesbyzack #Cosplayer @nitsvetov #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks #MFRWorg

Kayelle Allen 09/09/2020 Character Insights 6 Comments

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Ready: Fight! Choreographing a fight scene #SciFi #MFRWhooks #PietasFans

Kayelle Allen 08/26/2020 Character Insights 6 Comments

What did I do to ensure I got all the hits and bumps right? You can read about it in this post. In Lights Out, Tornahdo (as Six was known then) was one of eight special ops soldiers. They had all been in fights with immortals before this, but none of them had faced Pietas, the immortal king. Here's the scene from Lights Out, Tornahdo's POV.

Tornahdo has entered a closed section of a space station. It's been several minutes since all the air has been removed. Pietas is on the ground, but he's where cameras can't get a good look at him. While Tornahdo and the soldiers can hold their breaths a long time, no one is sure just how long the king can accomplish this feat. Immortals can manipulate human emotions, so to protect the ghosts, they've been fitted with a chip to suppress emotion.

Inside, as instructed, Tornahdo stayed near the back. Two of the eight ghosts closed in on the pod.

Pietas lay on the floor behind it. His body showed, not his face.

Tornahdo tingled with a fighter's high. The mix of anxiety and excitement kept his instincts on maximum alert.

Beside Pietas, a ghost stooped. The change in lighting angle showed the Ultra, limp on the floor. When turned, the body flopped. The ghost pressed two fingers against the throat.

With a jerk, Pietas yanked the man down while thrusting a hand up.

A pierce of mindless fear stabbed Tornahdo. He'd faced that snap of terror before. It meant two things. First, the Ultra was controlling their emotions. Second, the chip was worthless.

Pietas tripped the next ghost, jabbed an elbow into his neck.

Another spurt of fear and confusion.

All that training. Days of suffering, learning control. For nothing.

Pietas flashed into speed mode.

Tornahdo's world moved in slow motion.

A blur showed where the Ultra had been. Pietas halted, braced both hands on a pod and kicked a pair of ghosts behind him.

They flew backward. Slow.

Momentum carried the Ultra straight toward Tornahdo.

Stumbling out of the way, Tornahdo went down in a tumble, taking out the ghost beside him, who knocked down the last two.

From Origin of Pietas: Bringer of Chaos

Pietas's point of view, same scene. No air means no sound.

Crowded as the space was between his life-pod and the wall, two ghosts crept into it. Six spots of light showed on the other side. Eight ghosts then. That would be a much better fight. One nudged him with a foot.

Suppressing a smile, Pietas continued to play dead.

Ghost One bent down, turned him onto his back.

Pietas let his body flop.

The guy came in closer, checked for a pulse.

Pietas opened his eyes.

The ghost's alarm fed Pietas energy.

He yanked him down, hard, while jamming the heel of his hand up. The ghost's head snapped back, and Pietas felt his bones crack. He shoved him aside and went after Ghost Two.

Pietas gripped his leg and tripped him. He jammed an elbow down onto the man's neck. Bones broke. The ghost's stab of dying fear spiked the energy from the first, and Pietas mixed it with his gift of chaos. He flung the vortex of emotions outward, broadcasting confusion and terror.

He activated his ability called zip. The pseudo speed meant he could move at a regular pace, but humans perceived him as a blur. They could not focus on him long enough to get close. To him, everyone moved in slow motion.

He flipped onto his feet, braced both hands on his pod, and kicked Three and Four square in the chest.

He pushed off the pod, and the momentum carried him straight into the arms of Five and Six. They stumbled backward, tumbling Seven and Eight onto the floor.

Writing different points of view

As you can see, the two viewpoints tell the same story, but the emotions reveal levels of attachment that are quite different.

Tornahdo knows he's had.

Pietas has hope he can escape.

Each is facing a person who refuses to quit, no matter how hard the going gets. Which will prevail?

Read the full story in Lights Out: Bringer of Chaos, and follow through with Origin of Pietas and its sequel, Forged in Fire.

If you like Pietas, you're in luck. He's in most of the Antonello Brothers series set in the far future from the Bringer of Chaos series. When you're immortal, you come back over and over and over. But does that mean he wins the fight in this scene? What's the word for damned if you do and damned if you don't? Hmm, how about screwed...

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Could her diplomatic immunity save his brother? Excerpt: For Women Only #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks #MFRWorg

Kayelle Allen 08/12/2020 Character Insights 13 Comments

The chill in the room had nothing to do with air temperature. Now that Mehfawni knew about her brother's death, Khyff felt the collective gaze of her all-female staff stab into him. He didn't need telepathy to read their thoughts. Their body language shouted at him.

Be gone, alien. Get out. You don't belong here.

Fawni's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him.

Khyff melted. No matter how much the others hated him and wanted him gone, he couldn't leave her alone with this kind of news. What if it had been Senth who'd died? That possibility was all too real.

Khyff wrapped both arms around her and held her tightly against him, his cheek against her hair. "Oh, Fawni, I'm so sorry."

She clutched his leather jacket and clung to him as if all the strength had seeped out of her. He stroked her hair and kissed her brow.

"This can't be true." Her voice was muffled against his jacket. She turned and faced Kata. "There's been a mistake. It has to be wrong."

Kata didn't lift her gaze. "I'm sorry, Eetzesar. The news came directly from Tzesar Ehldani."

Khyff expected Mehfawni to crumble. He could feel her shaking. But she drew herself up to her full height and took two steps away from him. With one hand on Kata's arm, she looked around the room at her staff. Ten Kin gazed back at her, their expressions full of pride and sorrow.

She cleared her throat. "Thank you. All of you. Kata, when do we return home?"

The young assistant looked up, revealing the tracks of tears on her face. "At dawn, Eetzesar."

He wanted to hold Mehfawni, bring her back into his arms, but she kept her back rigid, her head high.

"Good, Kata. I'll need you to help me with a few things." She told the others, "Get some rest. We'll all need our strength when we get home."

Her staff dispersed quietly, and Mehfawni reached back and held Khyff's hand while she talked softly to Kata in her breathy native language.

What am I going to do now? Images rose in Khyff's mind. Senth swathed in bandages, lying in the hospital. NarrAy trapped in a glass cage. Both depending on him for their freedom. For their lives. And all he could do was stand here and hold Mehfawni's hand while the hope he had for saving them made arrangements to leave.

"Senth Antonello."

Khyff's attention riveted to Mehfawni's words. "What?"

She looked up at him. "You're such a male, Khyffy. Here I am making arrangements for your brother and his fiancée, and you're not even paying attention."

"Arrangements? What kind of arrangements?"

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?"

"Well, you were speaking Felis, so I couldn't understand you."

"Oh." She touched her chin. "That was rude of me. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. You're upset. It's natural. What arrangements?"

"I can't leave you, Khyffy. I want you to come home with me."

His stomach went all hollow and his head light. His chest ached. He couldn't catch his breath, couldn't speak.

Felidae? Kin. Enemies. And...Mehfawni. He breathed. "I... Mehfawni, my brother... I--"

"Khyff, I know you can't leave when you're worried about your family. I couldn't do that either. So Kata's going to make sure my diplomatic immunity is extended to Senth and his fiancée. NarrAy's a Better, isn't she?"

"Yes, but--"

"Then your brother is addicted to her. He'll need her pheromones if he's going to heal properly. We need to get her out of prison so they can be together."

"Mehfawni, I don't understand." His heart pounded so hard, he was afraid he wouldn't hear her answer. Is this what hope feels like? Is there some way to keep Sen and NarrAy safe and escape the Conqueror's choke hold?

Mehfawni gave him a look that said he should try to pay attention, and then she grasped his hands. "I read their story in the news, remember? It wasn't fair of the police to imprison her for defending her mate. At the time, I thought there wasn't anything I could do, but now that I know it's your brother, I can do something. If you come home with me as part of my entourage, you'll have diplomatic immunity, which extends to your family as well, if I wish it." She squeezed his hands. "And I do wish it."

Not if Mehfawni found out what he'd been sent to do to her, she wouldn't.

Khyff floundered, awash in a sea of emotion. His hope dashed on the rocky shore of reality, but he drew her hand to his mouth and kissed it. Maybe, if he could buy some time, he could think of a permanent solution.

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Lights Out by Kayelle Allen

Origin of Pietas

Forged in Fire

Lights Out

Thieves' Guild Academy

Tales of the Chosen

Tales of the Chosen

Bringer of Chaos

Excerpt "My Name is Pietas"

Lights Out

Origin of Pietas

Forged in Fire

Surrender Love Antonello Brothers: Immortal

Excerpt from Surrender Love

The Antonello Brothers Series

Prevail (definition):...

Origin of Pietas

Forged in Fire

Lights Out

Bringing Pietas to Life

What's your experience?

Origin of Pietas

Forged in Fire

Lights Out

Ready: Fight!

From Origin of Pietas: Bringer of Chaos

Writing different points of view

Origin of Pietas

Forged in Fire

Lights Out

Diplomatic Immunity

Antonello Brothers Series

Categories

Surrender Love
Antonello Brothers: Immortal