Their Rebel Mate [Helan Universe 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Lynn Tyler

the mate of the ambassador. In fact, aside from the royal females, Kim would be the best-dressed woman on Helan.
    “She hasn’t agreed to come back to Helan with us when we leave,” Thantos said, not turning away from the window. “And she’s your mate, too, remember?”
    Kerek blew out a breath he hadn’t even known he was holding, instantly alerting Thantos to the fact that something was wrong. Thantos spun on his heel, his long red hair swinging. “What are you hiding?”
    “I’m sorry, talan . I didn’t want to alarm you but…” It was easier to drop his mental shield completely rather than actually say the words.
    Shock made Thantos’s eyes widen. “You didn’t bond with her? At all?”
    Kerek shook his head and caught Thantos up against him. “We’ll work it out.”
    The comm system beeped, chiming the pre-set alarm that Kerek had set before he’d taken Thantos and Kim to bed earlier. It was time for Thantos to get ready to leave for his afternoon lecture. If he didn’t leave now, he would be exceptionally late, and that did not look good for an ambassador’s reputation. “Time for us to go to the shuttle. Well, once you get dressed, anyway.”
    Thantos sighed and nuzzled into Kerek for a moment until he pulled away. “King Jaron has assigned me a couple of personal bodyguards. There’s no need for you to come with me.”
    Kerek’s gut tightened, although he wasn’t sure whether it was because of the thought of Thantos going to the planet’s surface without him or the idea of another couple of trips in the shuttle if he did go with his mate.
    His decision was made for him when the comm beeped again. Instead of the automatic alarm, it was the bridge. “Chief Kerek?” It was Consort R’oan.
    “Yes, Consort?”
    “I know you would prefer to accompany Ambassador Thantos to the surface, but you are needed on board. Our Chief of Communications is needed in the sick bay for the rest of his shift. You will also need to draft a new announcement.”
    The relief that shot through him was almost comical. At least it made Thantos lose that haunted look and smile a little. “Can I ask what new announcement I need to draft?”
    R’oan’s voice reflected his enthusiasm, even though they were only on audio. “Our Chief of Communications has just told me that his female mate has conceived.”
    Oh gods, what a miracle. This was one announcement that he couldn’t wait to give. Now no one, not even the woman in the other room, could deny that humans were compatible with Helans. “That’s wonderful news, Consort.”
    “Oh, it gets better.” R’oan’s voice actually went up an octave with his excitement. “D’Arik has sent a message. Apparently, Dr. Sathon has confirmed that Queen Jacy is expecting a set of twins. Both girls.”
    Kerek almost fell off his chair at the news, and Thantos’s sharp intake of breath echoed in his ears. Girls. The Helan species finally had a real hope of survival.

Chapter 9
     
    The sonic shower was the absolute coolest thing she’d ever seen. Kim had had to stop herself from flinching when the beam crept closer to her toes, but she’d barely felt anything except a slight vibration. The sensation was not altogether remarkable, and she certainly would have felt fresher and more relaxed if she’d been able to shower with running water, but the sonic shower was lightning-fast, and her hair had come out clean and shiny, without even getting damp.
    She’d wrapped a towel around her chest, right under her arms, even though there was no moisture on her skin at all. Grimacing at her image in the mirror, she leaned forward and tried her best to finger comb her hair into submission.
    When her hair was as neat as it was going to get without a comb, she took a deep breath and walked into the bedroom. There, against the far wall, was a huge rack of clothing, just as Kerek had promised.
    God, they were all dresses made of silks, satins, velvets and any other luxurious material she