Page 54 of Alien Disgraced

After hugging Lomax, the queen embraced me. “My son contacted us from the ship and relayed what you did for him. We are forever in your debt,” she said.

Then King Saar approached. Everyone parted, letting him through. Trepidation curled in my stomach. The man intimidated me. He grabbed Lomax in a hug, thumping his back hard. “My son, I worried about you.”

Then he turned to me. “Welcome home…my daughter.” He smiled.

Dumbfounded, I mumbled something appropriate, and then Lomax wrapped his arms around my shoulders. “Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. We’re so glad to be home. We’ve had a long journey.”

“Of course you have. You must rest,” the queen said. “Dinner later?”

“Sure.” He grinned. “I’m certain it will go much better than the last time.”

Everyone laughed.

Lomax kissed his mother on the cheek, hugged his father, and grabbed my hand. Around the corner, away from curious eyes, he swept me off my feet and carried me through the palace.

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