Free Toss of a Coin [Other World 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Dakota Dawn Page A

for a couple of minutes. When she noticed the pretty brunette clutching her abdomen, she asked, “Are you okay? Does your stomach hurt?”
    Alicka looked down and eased the grip she had on her midsection. “I’ll be fine. I just think it’s the stress. What if I have to be returned? Will they short Earth a shipment of medicine? I can’t be the cause of someone dying.”
    A masculine voice drifted over to them. “We’d never short Earth on needed medicine.” Prince Kalen walked over to them. He took Keneese’s hands and growled softly as he touched his forehead to hers. He then nodded to Alicka and took a seat. “Why are you concerned about being sent home?” Kalen’s voice was soft and calm.
    Alicka stood and placed a hand on her heart and then bowed to Prince Kalen. Sitting back down, she waved her hands as she talked. “I’m too short and plump. I’m getting older as well. In a few months, I’ll be thirty. I’m not good enough to represent Earth.” Alicka’s leg started shaking again.
    Kalen pushed to his feet and went to Alicka, he knelt in the blue-green grass and placed his large hand on her leg. It stopped bouncing immediately. “Now we’re getting somewhere. Did Tor tell you why he picked you?”
    The cute brunette bit her lower lip. “He said because I passed the test and because his gut told him to.”
    The prince looked into Alicka’s bright blue eyes. “Tor’s gut has never failed him. You are here because you were meant to be here. As soon as you know more about our world, we’ll introduce you to more males. Give it time. Your mate is somewhere on this planet and he’s going to think you’re perfect.”
    Alicka’s eyes brightened. “You think so?” Hope filled her voice.
    “Yes, I do,” Kalen assured her in a tone that eased the last lines of worry from the pretty woman’s face.
    Kalen’s communicator beeped. He pushed a button on it and patted Alicka’s leg. “I have to go. Let me know if you ever need any help. I don’t want you worrying needlessly.”
    Alicka gave Kalen a shy smile. “Thanks for talking to me. I feel better.”
    He gave her a short nod. “Any time.” Kalen looked at Keneese. “It’s good to see you, princess.”
    “You, too. Thanks for coming so quickly.” She hadn’t been sure he’d show up at all. That he did endeared him to her.
    He grinned widely. “How could I refuse the chance to hang out with two lovely ladies?” His device beeped again. “I’ll see you two later.”
    Keneese watched Kalen leave. An idea popped into her mind. She looked over at Alicka. “You have a computer you study on, right?”
    “Yes.” Alicka looked quizzically at Keneese.
    “Let’s go get Zallion to help us set it up so that we can send each other messages. If you’d like, you can come over to my place or I’ll come over here at set times to study together.” She was getting excited about helping Alicka through this rough time. In the Human Resources department, she’d helped people every day and she’d loved it. If this worked out with Alicka, she’d have to see about helping all of the females that came through the palace.
    Alicka nodded eagerly. “I’d love that.”
    With satisfaction humming through her veins, Keneese looked forward to a future here.
     
    * * * *
     
    Keneese was excited about going to see a breeder of lukpas. Luken had been too busy the last few days to take her. Today, he’d cleared his afternoon.
    A guard had given Alicka a lukpas to make her smile. Alicka loved her pet and had named it Mr. Tickles because it loved to tickle every person and thing with its long, fluffy tail. The animal had brought joy to her new friend.
    Luken was going to show her one of the top breeder shops. She could get one if one caught her attention.
    The sound of footsteps coming down the hall alerted her to Luken’s homecoming. She hung their clothes in the closet and as she left the large area, he walked into their bedroom.
    His eyes sparkled with