Terran Times Second Wave # 10 - Liberty Read Online Free PDF Page A

in the mirror with the deep red lips, the eyes that were heavy lidded and sensual and the gown that both teased and concealed.
    Her hair was controlled in a variety of braids that looped and pulled back from her face. She had felt them being crafted but had been unable to see anything with the buzz of activity around her.
    “It is… appropriate for the day I suppose. Shoklek, where is my first start?”
    “The physician is waiting for you in the medical offices.”
    She folded her hands in front of her. “I suppose I am ready to go.”
    Shoklek looked down at her and smiled. “You look lovely. Let’s go.” He inclined his head toward the door and led the way.
    Moments later, they passed the duke’s guarded doorway, and from there, Libby tried to memorize the path to the medical offices.
    When they arrived, the doctor took charge of her and Shoklek faded out the door as was his custom.
    Scans were performed, measurements were taken and then Doctor Tuermlin turned to her and smiled. “Here is a light hypo to help you fully acclimate to our world.”
    Libby made a face. “Is it necessary?”
    “The duke insists that you become one of us as quickly as possible. This shot will help, but you will need boosters every morning for a week. Can you make me your first stop of the day?” He pressed the injector to her skin and it hissed.
    “I suppose so.” She felt a tingling in her arm where the shot had been administered.
    “Excellent. We will have your system in sync with Miexhar in no time, but don’t miss a shot or we will have to begin all over.”
    She nodded and flexed her fingers. “Right. Do you know what I am supposed to do now?”
    “I believe that the duke has sent an escort for you. You will be taken to your next appointment.”
    Libby made a face at the thought of being handed around like a pet that needed monitoring, but she nodded and left the medical offices with as much dignity as she could muster.
    The escort took her down the halls, through security and finally through a large doorway guarded by two men.
    It was a private dining room, and the duke was sitting at the table, going through documents on a tablet. He smiled at her as she entered. “Good morning, Liberty.”
    She bowed. “Good morning, Your Grace.”
    He sighed and put the tablet down. “We are alone, Liberty. Use my name.”
    She blushed and pulled out a chair. “Fine. Good morning, Rajon.”
    He was out of his chair and behind her in seconds. He held her chair for her and helped her settle in.
    The moment he was seated again, he rang a bell, and it began a progression of platters that were set out in front of them.
    He beckoned to her, and she held out her plate while he filled it with a selection of what seemed to be eggs, fried meat and pastry.
    The pastries were topped with fruit and cream. The moment she had a sample of everything on the platters, she stuck her finger into the cream and tasted it, closing her eyes in delight.
    When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her, his hands paused as he filled his own plate.
    With a rueful grin, he finished loading his meal onto the lightweight metal.
    “Why are you smiling, Rajon?” She stuck her finger into the pastry and licked it clean again.
    “I have the feeling that I am going to engage in a journey of self-control, and I have never been very good at it.”
    She chuckled and nibbled at a piece of fruit. “It seems to me that you have a lot of patience if you have waited this long to go in search of a mate.”
    He quirked his brow. “I am unsure of your meaning.”
    “I have read up on you as much as I was able. Your control over Miexhar has been measured in centuries.” She finished the fruit and picked up her utensils. “You could have lived your life with your mate at your side for hundreds of years.”
    He smiled and settled in to eat his breakfast. “Maybe I just hadn’t met the right lady.”
    She didn’t know what to say to that, so she ate her meal and wondered