Free Favored by Felix by Shelley Munro Page A

room?
    Jealousy sprang to the fore, taking her by
surprise. She didn’t have the right. Casey twisted her head to survey the other
pillow, satisfied when there was a distinct dent. Felix had slept beside her
throughout the night.
    More laughter sounded.
    “You’re awake,” Felix said. “Would you like
some breakfast? We have coffee too. Do you drink that?”
    “Yes.” Casey hesitated and glanced past
Felix to see a woman.
    “Good,” she said. “You’re up. I was
starting to wonder if you were ever going to rouse.”
    Felix put his arm around the woman. “This
is my sister Scarlett. Scarlett, this is Casey Seonaid. Scarlett organized your
bags to be delivered to my rooms. All your clothes and possessions are here.”
    “But what about Eva? It was my idea to
bring her here for a treat. She’ll be worried about me.”
    “Eva Henry?” Scarlett asked.
    “Yes.”
    “She’s with my brother Saber, exploring the
other side of the island. He said they’ll be several days and won’t have com
access.”
    Disappointment seared through Casey and her
shoulders slumped. Her chest tightened, and she had to force herself to breathe
through the pinch of pressure. “I’m glad she’s enjoying herself. She needed to
focus on her business but I sort of shanghaied her into coming on this trip.”
    Because she’d been too much of a coward to
admit the truth to Eva. That she’d never see her again.
    A knock sounded on the door and it burst
open.
    “We have a problem,” Joe said.
    His twin stood right behind him, a grim
expression on his handsome face.
    “Do you need me?” Scarlett asked.
    “Someone cut a hole in the fence again,”
Joe said.
    Casey’s gaze cut to Felix. His eyes had
gone hard. “Any zylon get through?”
    “None that I scented,” Sly said. “One of
the other guys is watching the hole.”
    “Right.” Felix turned to her and drew her
close, then, right in front of his brothers and sister, he kissed her. The
exchange wasn’t as long or as heated as usual, but when he lifted his head, she
was still breathing faster. “Scarlett has a project she wants your help with. I’ll
try not to be too long.”
    She acknowledged his words with a nod, but
all she could think was he’d kissed her in front of his family. He’d offered
his affection without coercion, without concern, without shame. Her fingers
rose to her tingling lips and she touched them as Felix followed his brothers
out the door.
    He’d kissed her openly.
    Scarlett chuckled. “You have it bad for my
brother. You should see your expression. You look stunned.”
    Casey felt heat creep into her cheeks.
    “Don’t act all embarrassed. I think it’s
cute. Felix is my favorite brother. Do you want something to eat? Ma suggested
I take you to her rooms, and we’ll eat together while we explain our idea to
you. Ma’s idea, really,” she added. “What are you going to wear today? You have
some gorgeous clothes.”
    Scarlett’s cheerful chatter pelted her,
another layer to add to her shock. The Mitchell family was nothing like hers,
and it made her start to wonder. Why did a person have to live their life in
such isolation? Just because the general shouted louder than her, louder than
her brothers, louder than her mother, did that mean he was always right?
    His order for her to undergo gender change—he’d
made it sound logical, sensible. The only decision possible. He’d made it seem right .
    “Put on this one,” Scarlett said, pulling a
dress in shades of gold and bronze and silver off a hanger. “Where did you
purchase it? I haven’t seen anything like this in Dalcon. I’m obviously
shopping at the wrong shops. Sanitizer unit is through there.”
    Casey forced something resembling a smile
and fled into the privacy of the unit. While she waited for the cycle to
complete, her mind jingled with random thoughts.
    The Mitchells were friendly, affectionate,
wanted to spend time with her.
    No one, apart from Eva, had ever attempted
to seek