QSFer A.R. Moler has a new MM Sci Fi/MPREG romance out (bi, gay): “Hope for the Future.”
Can an arranged marriage between a prince and a Terran Alliance Marine change the future of a star system?
Prince Phindarius Valea Janus Duranda is the fourth child of the king of a small star system known as The Brel Domain. He’s resigned to the kind of diplomatic marriage that princes must endure. His life is destined to be about service to the throne and to Brel. It doesn’t matter how he feels about it.
Major Kellan Rhodes’ life is about the Marines. Currently, the Marines require him to marry a prince and seal the deal between the Terran Alliance and the agriculturally rich Brel star system. He doesn’t love the idea of an arranged marriage but he does love his career. So, as Marines do, he’ll get the job done, no matter what gets in the way—or who.
But the King of Brel’s star system is engaging some tricky manipulations, trying to push reactionary Brel into a modern universe. Love doesn’t enter into political decisions. But emotions aren’t like business deals or diplomatic negotiations. Revolution is in the air. Plots and coups are hiding behind aristocratic manners. Can Phin and Kellan find a way to love and starting a family? Can they even stay alive?
Warning: mentions of sexual predation
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Excerpt
Apparently, a brief meeting in private between Phin and Major Rhodes wasn’t in the cards, which annoyed Phin to no end. The best Phin could come up with in replacement was sending Kane to bring Rhodes to the terrace outside, while the pre-wedding reception was going on. There were only a handful of people scattered about the exterior space. That seemed to be as close to private as they might get.
Rhodes was delivered by Kane, and Kane withdrew to the far side of the terrace, maintaining line of sight but offering a hint of privacy.
“Your highness,” Rhodes said. His tone sounded a little uncertain.
“When we’re alone, just call me Phin. I have too much pomp and circumstance in my life already.”
“Thank you. I go by Kellan, or Kel’ if you’re shouting down a hallway at me.” Rhodes promptly shut his mouth, looking like maybe he thought he’d been too informal.
“I had hoped to speak to you alone before the ceremony tomorrow, but … fifteen minutes out here is all I’m likely to get. I wondered if you had an opinion on when you want to consummate this. We have three days, but I didn’t know if you wanted to do it tomorrow night once we finally get left alone, or if you wanted to get a good night’s sleep and pick a time the next day…?” Oh great. Now the man looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“You mean having sex.”
“Yes, of course. I was told you had been informed that siring a child for me was part of the contract.”
“I was. I guess I just assumed we would discuss this… later. Uh, I didn’t know there was a … time limit.”
“I assumed you had been briefed on the general schedule of events.”
“Not really.”
Thrilling, Phin thought. “Alright then here’s a basic outline. Ceremony tomorrow at noon. Massive banquet after so everyone can do their toadying and dealing. Then we are sent to Newgale along with my honor guardian and yours. I confess I didn’t expect a woman in that role.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No, not for me. For some of the diplomatic corps… enh, not my problem. Tell her to be prepared for … a level of lack of cooperation.”
“Okay. What’s Newgale?”
“The eastern royal residence. It’s significantly smaller than the palace here and will become our primary house. Once there, we will be left alone, except for the honor guardians and some servants for three days. After that, I will be tested for confirmation of our act.”
Kellan glanced at the ground before looking back at Phin. “Should I assume that this will be your first time having penetrative sex?”
“Hell no. I spent seven years at university off world. I’m an adult. I behaved like one. Anyway, the next ten days or so will involve you meeting with various military leaders to begin the project of improving their training and organization. I will be preparing for our trip to Gepa IV. I’m the designated negotiator for the purchase of a very large cargo ship for shipping livestock from Brel III.”
“Depending on how many hours the banquet goes on for, I am leaning toward the next day.”
“Fair enough. Until tomorrow.” Phin inclined his head toward Kellan and then went back into the reception.
Author Bio
A.R. Moler is a chemistry professor at a community college, a homeschooling mom and an avid science fiction fan. She is a devotee of first hand research for her writing whenever possible and to this end has – learned to fire a handgun, been rappelling, ridden with both EMS and the police, flown a helicopter, bought a motorcycle and learned to ride it. She has traveled to nearly all the places where her stories are set and taken hundreds of photos for documentation. She has been writing since her high school years.
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