Free Fighting Lory (English Edition) (Lords Of Arr'Carthian 2) by Cathy McAllister Page B

path running between tall, thick trees. The path ended at a high wall. A massive door was opened at Kordan’s command and they entered a huge, well-maintained park. Before them was a huge palace with high turrets. There were three wings and the building was three storeys high. It really did look like a fairy tale castle and for a moment Lory just stood still and stared at the splendid building. As a child she had sometimes dreamt that a prince in shining armour would take her from her horrible foster family and ride with her on his horse to his castle.  
    “Come on!” Kordan’s gruff voice tore her from her dreams.
    Indignantly she started to move again. She kept looking at the ground, swearing quietly to herself. She barely registered the fact that Charly was waving at Solima and laughing, and then ran on.  
    “Just so that it’s clear straight away, Lory,” Kordan cautioned her. “You are my mate and will live with me in my chambers. I didn’t stop you on the ship but here in the palace you will not embarrass me by …”
    Lory had stood still and was staring at him in disbelief. What was he on about? Was he out of his mind? Rage rose within her and she sank her finger into his broad chest.
    “Only … over … my … dead … body,” she hissed, poking him in the chest at each word.
    Infuriated they glared at one another, then Lory turned round abruptly and stomped off. She knew that Kordan was following her but right now she did not care at all. She stopped next to the small group of people sitting on the terrace next to the palace. Keela and Amber were there, as well as a few others. The only person who interested her now was the older man who must be the king.  
    Solima, Charly and Amano came up to the group at the same time as she and Kordan. The king rose and smiled at them amiably.  
    “Welcome! We’re pleased that you’ve finally arrived safely with us. I hope you will be happy here and recover from the adventures that lie behind you.”  
    “Safely,” snorted Lory quietly, casting a poisonous glance at Kordan.
    “Thank you for your lovely welcome, Your Highness,” said Charly much more diplomatically. “It was so good of you to send your men to our rescue.”
    “Just call me Mortociar, my child. We consider you girls as part of the family. Do sit with us and take a little refreshment.”
    “I need to make something clear here,” Lory interrupted, ignoring Kordan’s admonishing look. “I am not here of my own accord and I’ve already told this ox here that I do not intend to share a room with him and that I am not his possession just because I’ve slept with him. I don’t know how that all works here but where I come from sex alone is not a promise of marriage. I do not expect a luxury suite or any other privileges. If I could have a little room and if someone could help me find a way back to earth I would actually be very grateful.”
    “Dear Lory – that’s your name, isn’t it?” began the queen, and as Lory nodded in confirmation, she continued: ”I apologize for any trouble that you’ve had to endure up to now. I can understand your agitation. Please take a little time to calm down and consider your movements carefully. Of course we’re happy to help you get home, but this may take a long time. At the moment we don’t even have any idea where your planet is. I will instruct our astronomer to sit with you to solve this problem, but we can’t involve ourselves in matters between you and Kordan. As long as you’re here on Karrx7 Kordan is responsible for you and I hope that you can put your problems aside and that you will perhaps stay with us after all. The two of you are clearly mates even if you cannot yet recognize and accept this right now.”
    “Mates? Is everyone here completely mad?” asked Lory in disbelief. “I’d rather go into the forest and live there than spend the rest of my life with this … Arrgh, put me down, you ox!”
    Kordan had picked Lory up and