Free Unexpected Mates (Sons of Heaven) by Brenna Lyons Page A

came to mind. “Tell me about your town.”
    Parrin’s eyes got a faraway look to them. “Sutrane is a lovely little town. A farming community. An artisan colony. We have live music and theatre, museums, and expansive markets with both food and cloth. Most people walk from place to place instead of taking transports. Children have ponds and fields to play in. Of course, we have a constabulary to make sure unattended children do not injure themselves.”
    “Close to the mountains?” Hayley’s memory for every town on Sakk was weak, but she remembered that there were several farming communities near the western mountains.
    His smile was warm and wistful. “Not far. Half a day’s walk or less than an hour by transport.”
    She considered what to ask next. “Are you an artist or a farmer?”
    “A little of both, I suppose. My family owns a small farm. Not one of the largest in our area. I enjoy the arts, so my free time is spent sculpting and painting.”
    “You have brothers and sisters?”
    “One of each. Both younger than I am. My brother Jerrol is only a few yans younger than I am. My sister was a late addition to the family. Abia will reach puberty in a little over a yan .”
    Parrin’s eyes lit up when he talked about his family. Hayley realized this was what she’d missed meeting men in that circus their laws demanded.
    And it’s worse on their world, where men still fight to choose mates. Parrin was someone she could like, but how could you tell that when every move was regimented and watched by dozens of other hopeful suitors?
    “Have I said something wrong, Hayley?” Parrin asked.
    “No.” An idea occurred to her. “So your town is a small one. There aren’t many Sakk males from your town here on Earth then.”
    “Four others, I believe.”
    “Perfect.”
    He hesitated before he answered. “Is it?”
    “I believe it might be.”
    Parrin seemed taken aback, but before he could ask her what she meant, the doors parted, and Sakkra entered the medical bay. The prince waved Parrin away, and the young guard left without more than a bow to his prince.
    One of the healers rushed to bring a chair for Sakkra, and the prince settled into it. “My apologies for this deplorable scene, Hayley.”
    “They were beating each other senseless. I thought that was only supposed to happen on your home world.”
    Sakkra winced but didn’t reply.
    “And now I hear you’re going to punish them. I have to admit, I’m not really comfortable with that, despite what they did to each other.”
    “Precisely what I needed to speak to you about.”
    That stole whatever would have emerged from her mouth next. Hayley stared at him.
    “The reason the two males got into the fistfight is that Storel believes Jamil knocked you off your feet.”
    “When I fell?” she inquired.
    He nodded. “If it was a misunderstanding, the worst they receive will be a reprimand. If it—”
    “A misunderstanding,” she assured him. “The heel of my shoe got caught in my hem. Jamil didn’t hit me.” Hayley sighed. “Maybe I should wear a shorter dress for the next meeting day.”
    “You’re willing to continue then.” He seemed relieved to hear it.
    The Sakk males were probably upset that I might choose not to.
    But there were still issues to be resolved about that. “Which is what I wanted to talk to you about.”
    He tensed slightly, and the healers went quiet, shooting nervous looks at each other.
    “About?”
    “I figure...if someone wants something to change, someone has to talk to the head honcho.”
    Sakkra cocked his head to one side, then nodded. “I would imagine that is true, assuming I am a head honcho.”
    “You are. I met a man today.”
    His eyes gleamed at the news.
    “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not prepared to make a choice this second.”
    “Very well. What are you saying...or asking?”
    “Today’s meeting was a zoo.”
    Sakkra looked around as if seeking input from the healers. “Zoo? I don’t