GALLANT (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 3) Read Free

aboard his ship without answering any questions, he was going to have to perform a little magic . Because it was another of his necessary secrets, he only used his special ability in extreme circumstances and, much to his frustration, this was turning out to be one of those times.
    * * *
    The solid kick in the ribs jolted Romulus out of a deep sleep. "Drek! That one hurt." He rolled toward Aster and massaged the spot on her taut, swollen abdomen where their baby had called attention to itself. Whether it was his large, warm hand or the calming thoughts he was sending, the fetus soon settled back down.
    Aster placed her hand over her mate's. "I'm sorry, love. That one was a surprise. I didn't have a chance to block it from you."
    "And I told you to stop trying to spare me. You've got enough to do just dealing with your own discomfort. Roll onto your other side and let me rub your back." As she happily obliged, he chuckled to himself. When they had joined ten years ago, they were not only bound physically but spiritually and mentally as well. Aster's pregnancy was the first time since then that he was less than pleased by the results.
    Although Innerworld's medical achievements were far beyond anything she had known in Outerworld, carrying a child for nine months wasn't much easier. The first bouts of morning sickness before Aster was treated for it left Rom weak as a baby himself. Later in her pregnancy, Aster prevented him from feeling most of her aches and pains and did her best not to relay her cravings and mood swings, but even the little she had not blocked was enough to let him know how uncomfortable she was. However, it would all be worth it in the end.
    Attempts had once been made to fully develop the fetus outside the mother's womb but the babies' minds and bodies were never quite as healthy as when it grew inside its mother. As Rom kneaded away the tension in her lower back, he felt his own muscles relax. At least they would not have to tolerate the kind of pain a woman in her world would during their daughter's birth.
    Their daughter. The first child born of a mixed joining between a Noronian and a Terran. She wasn't even born yet and her responsibilities were already overwhelming. He stopped himself from thinking along those lines. There would be time enough for that later.
    Though her gender was known, her physical characteristics were not. Genetic control had been limited to defects several centuries ago after a series of experiments went awry. He couldn't help but wonder what she would look like.
    She'll be beautiful, of course, Aster thought back to him. Rom was six foot three, she was five foot ten and they both had imposing physiques. Their child would undoubtedly grow to be a statuesque woman. She would probably inherit dark hair as well, but there was no way to tell if hers would prematurely turn silver in her twenties as Aster's hair had.
    The baby's eye color was the only real unknown. Aster's eyes were an unusual midnight blue and Rom's were a green-brown shade of hazel... most of the time. Like many Noronians, his eye color changed with his emotions—a characteristic Aster had learned to use to her advantage shortly after they'd met.
    It had been years since she gave more than a passing thought to the circumstances that brought her to Innerworld and Romulus. They were of two different worlds and a joining between their races was forbidden by law. Yet the Noronian mating fever struck them both, proving they were soulmates, destined to be together for eternity.
    Unfortunately, the same prejudice that had existed when Aster first arrived in Innerworld still simmered in some corners of the colony. Only the support of the Ruling Tribunal of Norona prevented the bigots from speaking out too loudly.
    Aster prayed that their daughter would be strong enough to withstand whatever trials lay ahead for her.
    Rom stopped rubbing her back and snuggled up behind her. With a soft kiss on her cheek he assured her