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Tag: Khyff Antonello

Khyff Antonello, brother to Senth, partner to Mehfawni Ruh, “son” of Luc Saint-Cyr.

When the bouncer asked for ID, he flashed the Harbinger’s hand sign #Excerpt #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

When the bouncer asked for ID, he flashed the Harbinger's hand sign #Excerpt #SciFi #Romance

She's addictive. He can't touch her. But what if he kissed her just once...

At the Mercy of Her Pleasure

To free his enslaved brother from a cruel master, an all-party-fun-and-games thief must take on the hardest assignment of his life: stealing from the Empress.

To make matters worse, he has no choice but to work with a by-the-book rebel captain whose addictive pheromones could jeopardize the mission and destroy his will. When the unthinkable happens and the captain professes her love for him, he must decide if what he feels is real.

Can he trust this woman? If he loves her back, can he still save his brother? Or will he end up at the mercy of her pleasure forever...

In this scene, Senth and his brother Khyff are heading to a nightclub where they'll meet Senth's adoptive father. But at the door, Senth has a little trouble...

Excerpt

As Senth approached The Ghost, the club's beefy Kin bouncer put out a hand. "Hold up, kid. You--" She motioned toward Khyff -- "Wait over there. Now..." She motioned Senth aside. "You got ID?"
Senth opened his cloak, revealing the lining with its unmistakable Thieves' Guild insignia, a skeleton key inside a slashed circle. He gave his Sen'dai's hand sign, showing the back of two fingers placed together straight across his waist.
"Ffffftt!" The bouncer made an apologetic shrug. "Sorry. Why didn't you say you were the Man's right up front?"
"His shouldn't have to." Senth brushed a hand down the front of the cloak. "And I'm no kid."
"Sorry, sir." She opened the door for both of them and bowed.
Once inside, Khyff held out one palm, and Senth slid his down it, hooked his fingers as Khyff did, and with hands clasped, gave one downward shake.
"C'mon, Bro." Khyff led the way past the darkened foyer.
Inside, music pulsed like a living entity. Throbbing bass tickled Senth's chest, and he coughed. Drums pounded. Colored lights swept the cavernous room. Strobes flashed across the congested dance floor, highlighting bobbing heads and upflung arms. Light glinted off human bodies slick with sweat, while bared and damp Kin furskin stuck out in points, laden with glitter.
"Stay close," Khyff shouted over the pounding music, standing next to Senth. He headed for the rear and left no chance to argue. They skirted around the crammed dance area. Senth liberated a few loose credit stubs clipped to belts and stuffed them into the pockets of his cloak.

Antonello Brothers

Click covers for the buy link. Click text for the website page and excerpts.

Series page https://kayelleallen.com/antonello-brothers-immortal

#SciFi #Romance

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.



Welcome to Book Hooks!
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
It's a chance each week for you to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors.
Thank you for stopping by. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

It took only one word to stop him in his tracks #Excerpt from A Broken Heart #SciFi

A Broken Heart - Thieves' Guild Academy #SciFi #SpaceOpera

The Thieves' Guild tech Senth is about to claim will make him invisible.

There's just one problem.

It can't hide him from the truth...

A Broken Heart

In this scene, Khyff is about to bolt for freedom when his client says one word that stops him cold.

As usual, Khyff's master hadn't allowed him to eat until he'd met his quota. First up: shower, clean clothes, food. Not necessarily in that order. He kept a few stale crackers hidden in his room for emergencies. He'd satisfied his last client, and was unscheduled the rest of the day. Or at least the next six hours.

Khyff bolted toward freedom.

"So you're an Antonello."

The way the client said it drew Khyff's attention. This particular client was one of the less odious. He didn't grab or cling, he was--thankfully--clean, and he tipped well. Still, the guy was paying for sex and Khyff had no choice. Being a pleasure slave meant you serviced the clients sent to you, or you suffered for it. In Khyff's case, refusing meant risking prison.

He would never go back there, no matter what they made him do here.

Khyff clenched his teeth and pasted on a smile. "Pardon?"

"Your last name." The guy continued getting dressed, seemingly in no hurry. "It's Antonello, right?"

"Why?"

"I never noticed before. It's right here on my receipt." He picked up his mobile and turned the screen toward Khyff. "I mean I've been here what... five times now?" He poked at the screen. "Whoa! Seven. Huh. I should have a free visit after three more."

Khyff choked back a retort. His master was giving away free visits with him? It would take hundreds of client visits to earn enough in his Freedom Savings Account so Khyff could buy himself. If his master was giving him away, it would take forever.

Khyff jerked open the door.

"You don't look like the other one."

Half a step into the hall, Khyff's heart stuttered. He made a slow pivot. "Other one?"

"The other Antonello. You look different."

The world went silent. Khyff came inside, shut the door and leaned against it. "So I'm sure I heard right. You know another Antonello."

"Yeah. I saw the name, and figured you had to be related. Antonello's not common. Not on Kelthia. I'm guessing you don't have much family here."

Good guess. More than three quarters of the world's population was black-skinned. Khyff had blond hair, blue eyes, fair skin.

Could this be a link to his missing mother? Did the client know her? Khyff fought the hope that rose within him. It had been how many years? No, he would not allow himself to hope. When you hoped, people could hurt you more.

Thieves' Guild Academy

Thieves' Guild Academy #SciFi #MMRomance #WriteLGBTQ

#SciFi #WriteLGBTQ #MMRomance

A Stolen Heart: When your king is immortal—and your ex—how do you guard your heart?

A Broken Heart: He's invisible, but he can't hide from the truth...

A Divided Heart: In a school filled with hackers and thieves, how do you trust your heart?

Thieves' Guild Academy Bundle 1 Honor above profit. Skill above chance. Family above all. #SciFi #MMRomance #WriteLGBTQ

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


Reading in bed? Yes. Liking free books? Also yes. #Romance #Paranormal #SciFi #BookFair

Reading in bed? Yes. Liking free books? Also yes. #Romance #Paranormal #SciFi

Book Fair has ended

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


A window on a new world. Sneak peek at Crystal Clear Truth #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

A window on a new world. Sneak peek at Crystal Clear Truth #SciFi #Romance

One of the fun things about writing a series is that you get to use some of the same settings in different books.

The Royal Arms Hotel has played host to characters in two books and the one I'm writing now features it as well.

In each of these scenes, a character is looking out a window toward Tarth City Park, a wide stretch of park that splits the entire city.

At the Mercy of Her Pleasure - NarrAy

Once they reached the Royal District, the car pulled up to the front of the luxurious Royal Arms Hotel. Shaped like a giant arrow being driven into the ground, it displayed Tyran engineering at its finest. Like their suite on the ship, the empire-class suite at the top sported a common living area and four bedrooms with private baths.

NarrAy's corner room had a breathtaking view of vast Tarth City, showcase of the empire. Impossibly tall spires drove through the clouds. Steady shuttle traffic climbed into the sky to the west, near the starport. The wide swath of Tarth City Park divided the metropolis in half all the way to the horizon, and the Cyr de Typhin River meandered through the center, its bright blue water glinting in the sun.

For Women Only - Mehfawni

Mehfawni's hotel room overlooked Tarth City Park, a green strip of manicured garden that cut the city in half as far as the eye could see. The family servants unpacked her belongings while she stood at the window and gawked like a child. Seventy stories below, ground traffic crawled, and trains snaked out of holes and zipped halfway up the sides of buildings into more holes. In the distance, shuttle traffic cluttered the sky. Slender towering structures speared the clouds. Closer in, right on the edge of the park, a massive black building towered over all the others, dominating the view.

Why didn't it fall over? It looked too big, too flat. Mehfawni went to another window, straining to get a better view. The tallest building on Felidae rose six stories. Her family still used horse-drawn carriages, even though all of them owned modern hovers too. She'd marveled at the starport in Ruh Township, a provincial outpost compared to vast Empire Central on Tarth. She'd slept through the jump to Sanity IV and missed the wonders of seeing the vast array of habdrills taking the planet apart.

Crystal Clear Truth - Joe

By the time Joe reached his room, darkness blanketed the world outside. Out on the balcony, he braced his hands on the railing and drew the moist evening air deep into his lungs. It had been ages since he'd experienced Tarth City's cool evenings. Every bit as good as he remembered. If he had to live anywhere other than Kyrenie, he'd pick here. A whisper of wind shivered across his skin, and he rubbed his arms.

His room lay on the one hundred and tenth floor of a building shaped like the letter V. Tyran engineering ensured it stayed upright, even during the worst storms and earthquakes. Nothing ramshackle. Pure genius, especially considering they designed for people with legs, while they, themselves possessed haunches and hooves.

Lights along the outside raced from the topmost floor downward, giving it the appearance of some gigantic arrow, burying itself. Up here, with fog starting, the light created an ambient glow.

Considering the size and population of Tarth City, the fact that he smelled fresh air and not filtered blankness spoke to an outstanding municipal plan. Creating a city that harmonized with nature began with masterful terraforming.

The major drawback of a megalopolis -- lights stretched from horizon to horizon, blotting out the stars, with the single moon making no more than a thin crescent of silver.

A vibrating rumble tickled his chest. Off to the west, a sleepliner descended toward the starport. That it made only this much sound meant powerful buffers held vibrations at bay. No matter how many times he visited this city or where he went within it, the sight of a massive ship landing almost soundlessly never ceased to amaze.

He'd have stayed out here all night, but he had a workshop to teach the next day, so he dragged himself back inside.

Here's the blurb so far for the new book. I plan for this to be the last book in the Antonello Brothers series. We'll see! Sometimes characters have other plans.

Crystal Clear Truth - Antonello Brothers series #5

His entire life, Joe worked for this moment: Terraforming Specialist First Class, assigned to the firestorm planet. Yet tragedy mars the day with the accidental death of both parents. Grief-stricken, he plods through family decisions and moves forward, surviving day by day. While reading his mother's handwritten diary, he discovers a folded flatpic of a teenaged girl and the cryptic words, "our son's mother." He searches for details, determined to know more.

When a friend asks Shohn to help a locate someone, she jumps at the chance. She's researching the firestorm planet for her employer, who seeks access to eyes-only information. Helping Joe might be her opportunity to uncover long-hidden secrets.

A window on a new world. Sneak peek at Crystal Clear Truth #SciFi #Romance

As their unexpected friendship deepens into more, each mystery they solve reveals yet another hidden layer. The truth they seek could immobilize interstellar commerce in the empire. To protect the Empire they both love, they must solve the riddle behind the elusive young woman in the picture, and trust one another.

But how can they trust when the "truth" they've been fed is a lie?

A slow-burn, forced proximity romance set in the far, far future in an empire full of treachery, mystery, and long-hidden secrets...

Antonello Brothers

Click covers for the buy link. Click text for the website page and excerpts.

#SciFi #Romance


JOIN US FOR BOOKHOOKS
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
It's a chance each week for you the reader to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors.
Thank you for stopping by. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


Have some fun with a Free Fantasy, PNR, Sci-Fi Book Fair #SciFi #PNR #Romance

Have some fun with a Free Fantasy, PNR, Sci-Fi Book Fair #SciFi #PNR #Romance

PNR, Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Fair for Free books

A bundle of high-caliber authors for lovers of SF/F.

This special event showcases all subgenres of sci-fi and may include cyberpunk, dystopian, fantasy, young adult, hard scifi, military, paranormal, post-apocalyptic, robots, sci-fi romance, soft scifi, space opera, technothrillers, time travel, urban fantasy, and more.

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Antonello Brothers

Click covers for the buy link. Click text for the website page and excerpts.

#SciFi #Romance

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


Deleted Scene: Khyff and Fawni Dine with Family #SciFi #Romance #Excerpt For Her Only by Kayelle Allen

For Her Only by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

This was deleted from For Her Only. I always liked the scene, but it didn't add to the story, so it ended up on the cutting room floor. I saved it for a rainy day, and decided it would work on my blog.

Setting up the Scene

Here's a peek at Khyff and Mehfawni on her homeworld as they're getting ready for dinner with her family. Unknown to Fawni, her grandmother has threatened to kill Khyff, which is the real reason he is afraid of the woman.

He can't tell her or he'll blow his cover. Tight situation for him.

"Fair warning, Khyffy." Mehfawni fastened his shirt and slid her hands across his chest. "My grandmama will be there when we go to dinner."

The sharp spark of his fear pierced the air. He quelled it immediately, but she could not miss the sensation. "Um, Fawni? Will I have to sit next to her?"

"No. I'll put you between me and my father. Tovar will be across from you. But we don't eat at a table the way humans do."

"I've been to a Kin restaurant back on Tarth. They had a pit under a low table where you put your feet." He cocked his head. "Is it like that?"

"Yes."

A hint of pleasure wafted from him as he smiled.

"Our utensils are like yours. Sharp knife, spoon, a piercer. Like a fork but with two tines. Napkin. But we're not as dainty as humans. We burp after we eat. It means the food was good."

"You burp?" He scoffed. "You're such a lady. I can't imagine that."

"Me?" Mehfawni covered her mouth and giggled. "I'm a warrior, Khyffy. Oh, I burp. I thought you were too polite for such things."

"Trust me." He rubbed his nose against hers. "I manage an awesome burp now and then. Usually when I'm around other guys."

"Fawni." Her father's voice sounded through the door. "Dinner time."

Khyff offered a faltering smile. "I'm ready."

She took his hand and smiled back. "Let's eat."

Antonello Brothers

Antonello Brothers Sci-Fi Romance Series by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

Click covers for the buy link.

Series page https://kayelleallen.com/antonello-brothers

Support me by buying direct https://kayelleallen.com/buy-direct/buy-ab/

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At the Mercy of Her Pleasure #SciFi #Romance

For Her Only #SciFiRomance by Kayelle Allen

Her Crystal Clear Truth by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

The Antonello Brothers #SciFiRomance #EnterTheEmpire

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


If You’re Bad in Hell… Deleted Scene from For Her Only #SciFi #Romance #Excerpt For Her Only

For Her Only #SciFiRomance by Kayelle Allen

This is a deleted scene from the book For Women Only, a Science Fiction Romance. Khyff is a master of pleasure with a tortured soul. Mehfawni wants to redeem the man her people destroyed. His fragile trust could be a response of love and a healing heart -- or a ruse for revenge.

Setting up the scene

Khyff is under orders to seduce Ambassador Mehfawni Ruh, or his brother will be allowed to die. If Khyff obeys, his brother will live.

All his life, Khyff has been forced into one compromising situation after another. Now, after getting to know Mehfawni, he is torn about hurting her. But what can he possibly do?

I deleted this scene because it didn't add to the overall story, but I've always liked it.

"Have you ever been to Kyrenie, Fawni?"

"No. Isn't that the firestorm planet? Have you been there?"

Khyff nodded.

"Lucky you! I've heard it's beautiful. What was it like?"

"Lucky? Do your people believe in hell?"

With a gasp, Mehfawni covered her mouth. "Yes."

"If you're bad in hell, they send you to Kyrenie."

She caught the flicker of a smile in his eyes. They both laughed.

"I'm sorry, Khyff." She slid her fingertips down his cheek and along his chin. "But I promise, you will never have to go back."

He pressed his brow against hers. "Thank you for saying that."

His relief smelled like the sweet fragrance of Vulits, clean and fresh. "No one will ever make you do anything you don't want to do again."

His scent abruptly changed and he turned his head. Why didn't he believe her? Was there some part of what she'd said that he thought was a lie? Mehfawni stroked her fingers into his hair and drew him closer for a quick kiss. "I want you to believe me, Khyffy." She pressed her cheek against his. "I want to make you feel safe."

With a sigh, Khyff took her hands and rested his brow against hers. "Please don't promise me anything. Promises only break your heart. Just love me."

Antonello Brothers

Antonello Brothers Sci-Fi Romance Series by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

Click covers for the buy link.

Series page https://kayelleallen.com/antonello-brothers

Support me by buying direct https://kayelleallen.com/buy-direct/buy-ab/

#SciFi #Romance

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At the Mercy of Her Pleasure #SciFi #Romance

For Her Only #SciFiRomance by Kayelle Allen

Her Crystal Clear Truth by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

The Antonello Brothers #SciFiRomance #EnterTheEmpire

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.


New Year, New Worlds: Fantasy & Sci-Fi #Fantasy #SciFi #BookFair

New Year, New Worlds: Fantasy & Sci-Fi #Fantasy #SciFi #BookFair

Sci-Fi Special Price Book Fair

A bundle of high-caliber authors for lovers of SF/F. All books are at a sale price.

This special event showcases all subgenres of sci-fi and may include:
cyberpunk
dystopian
fantasy
hard scifi
military
paranormal
post-apocalyptic
robots
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soft scifi
space opera
technothrillers
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urban fantasy
and more.

Join us! Special Price Book Event

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Find your next read in Romance, Science Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Adventure at a multi-author Book Fair #Romance #SciFi #WomensFiction #BookFair

 

 

Find your next read in Romance, Science Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Adventure at a multi-author Book Fair #Romance #SciFi #WomensFiction #BookFair

A Book Fair for Lovers of SF/F Romance

A bundle of high-caliber authors for lovers of SF/F Romance.

This special event showcases all subgenres of sci-fi and may include:
cyberpunk, dystopian, fantasy, hard scifi, military, post-apocalyptic, robots, soft scifi, space opera, technothrillers, time travel, and more.

Join us! Romance Book Event

[bctt tweet="Find your next read in Romance, Science Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Adventure at a multi-author Book Fair #Romance #SciFi #WomensFiction #BookFair https://storyoriginapp.com/to/bgt7DYk" username="KayelleAllen"]



 

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

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

The diplomatic immunity of an alien ambassador might be the only thing that saves Khyff's brother...

Diplomatic Immunity

In this excerpt from For Women Only, Ambassador Mehfawni Ruh has just discovered her brother, Dallon, has been murdered. She must return to her home planet. But she's Khyff's only hope of saving his brother.

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.

Check the links below to find more authors in this blog hop.

Antonello Brothers Series

Each book in this series is standalone and each has a happy ending. No cliffhangers.
When read together, the stories reveal a detailed tapestry of events woven by immortal characters in the background.

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.


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Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It's a chance each week for you the reader to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors. Thank you for stopping by. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.