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wasn’t going as planned. “Has something happened? The king told us we could leave today. We are ready to leave today. I don’t understand. If there has been an accident, I need to get out there to contain it.”
    Tori frowned at the guard. She’d spent only one night in the palace and the whole of the morning packing her supplies, doing her best not to run into Prince Quinn before she left. She didn’t wish to
    “discuss” anything with him. That man was more complication than any woman needed--especially a woman like her who had more than two brain cells in her head.
    To her shame, she dreamt of the prince the night before and it hadn’t been completely innocent. Okay, there was nothing innocent about what they’d been doing in her mind--or in what positions they’d been doing them in. Tori swallowed down the blush the memory brought to her cheeks. She was never, ever, ever telling a soul about that one. Some things were better left taken to the grave.
    “I’ve got all of my supplies readied,” she said needlessly, motioning to the crates behind her.
    “There’s no accident,” the guard said in a low tone. He smiled at her, causing her frown to deepen.
    Every time one of the Var men looked at her, she felt like a piece of meat about to be pounced upon.
    “Today is a day of celebration, not work. No one will be traveling from the palace until tomorrow, perhaps the next day if the celebration is done right. A guard cannot be spared to guide you.”
    “What celebration?” Tori asked.
    “I heard the king is getting married,” Simon offered at her side.
    Dr. Grant and Dr. Vitto came up behind the older scientist. They didn’t look ready to go. It was clear someone had already told them of the change of plans. Tori bit her lip in irritation. She was in charge, not these bozos! She would definitely be having a talk with someone to point that little fact out. Shivering, she realized that someone was probably Quinn.
    “Yeah, all guests are expected to attend the feast.” Grant rubbed his hands together, throwing out a careless, pretty boy smile at her. It’s how he looked at everyone, so she ignored it. Turning to Vitto, he chuckled, “I heard they have a harem full of beautiful women who’ll be attending.”
    Vitto grinned, but said nothing. Tori turned to glare at him.
    “What?” Vitto demanded, lifting his hands up like a scolded kid. His lip jutting out in a pout, he asked,
    “What did I do? Grant said it.”
    “Hey,” Grant pushed Vitto in the side. Then shrugging, he laughed, “It’s true though. They do have a harem. They said the women are lonely since the old king died and are looking for ... er ... manly comfort.”
    Vitto laughed. Even Simon’s ears seemed to perk up.
    Tori sighed. Under her breath, she muttered to the ceiling, “They’ve sent me children. I asked for scientists and they gave me children.”
    “Hey, we’re all adults,” Grant said, knowing Tori only teased them. They’d spent a lot of time together and felt more like siblings than colleagues. “Listen, I’ve been frozen in an ice block for only God remembers how many months with only you guys.” Tori lifted a brow and he quickly added, “Sorry, Elliot, but you don’t count ’cause you turned me down. Now, I’m counting you as a guy because of it.
    Unless of course you’d like to reconsider my very tempting offer?”
    Tori made a gagging motion at him and he shrugged. Vitto slugged him lightly in the shoulder.
    “Your loss, babycakes,” Grant answered, unhampered.
    “I know you didn’t just call me babycakes,” Tori grimaced, trying to hide her laughter.
    “What? Me? No, sweetcheeks, I’d never be so disrespectful. You’re lead scientist on this expedition and we all know that order must be maintained at all times, right, love button?” Grant grinned. Her mouth opened and he hurried before she could interject. “We’ve been working really hard and we all deserve a little S and M, Dr. Elliot, sir,