Restoring the walls’ natural appearance with a terse command, Kage Razel finally faced his visitors. He was much younger than she’d expected. His features were sculpted, less brutish than many of his followers. She didn’t find him appealing but understood why others would. His tall, muscular body was clearly outlined by his uniform. The clingy top was solid black, pants a strange combination of black, white and gray. The color combination was different than she’d seen before. The females must not be the only ones benefiting from the recent upgrade to the manufacturing database.
“Have a seat.” He swept his brawny arm toward the sitting area on her right. The sides of his head had been shaved, while a dark swath down the center had been woven into a tight braid that hung past his broad shoulders. The choice was odd, nothing she’d ever seen in the underground. Despite the obvious attempt to contain his hair, a stubborn lock angled across his forehead, softening the severe style. His eyes were even darker than his hair, his gaze intense and assessing.
They all sat down, Arrista and Torrin on the sofa, Kage facing them in a large, armless chair. “If my men had not taken you from the underground, what would have become of you?”
It wasn’t much of a greeting, but she hadn’t expected pleasantries from this warmonger. “General Alonov would have taken out his anger on me.”
He acknowledged her answer with a solemn nod. “Isolaund frequently claims that the Sarronti are peaceful and have no use for war. If that’s so, why is there a Sarronti military?”
His questions were direct to the point of rudeness. Clearly, this was not a social visit. “You are not the first to trespass upon Sarronti lands. We do not instigate aggression, but we will defend ourselves.”
“The karron attacks and kidnappings indicate otherwise,” he pointed out.
She raised her chin, though her heart thudded anxiously within her chest. “Both were the acts of individuals. You asked about the military, and it only responds to verified threats.”
“How have we threatened you? I don’t remember launching an attack on the underground. In fact, the only time my people have been inside your fortress was to rescue a kidnapped female. And even then, my soldiers used the least amount of force possible.”
“Many of my people feel your being here at all is an act of aggression.”
“Are you among them?” He stroked his bristly jaw, gaze dark and assessing.
Damn, the male was unrelenting. “No. I believe we can come to some sort of agreement that will allow each side what they need.”
His expression didn’t change as he asked, “Did the Guiding Council order Isolaund to negotiate with me?”
Arrista tensed. Lady Isolaund had defied a direct order by not even attempting to negotiate, but how had the overlord know? “Why do you ask?”
“General Alonov said as much at the meeting. He was shocked and angry that Isolaund refused—”
“It is quite rude to refer to her with such familiarity. She should be addressed as Lady Farr, or Lady Isolaund at the very least.”
Torrin cautioned her with a look but remained silent.
She couldn’t help feeling defensive. The overlord was more intimidating than all of hell's creatures.
“Fine,” the overlord muttered. “Why did Lady Isolaund refuse to negotiate if that’s what the Guiding Council wanted?”
Already he was asking about things she shouldn’t explain. Revealing these details could endanger her people. Her life might have been dismal in the world below, but it was the world, and the people, to which she’d been born. It felt wrong to betray them. Not all were self-serving and cruel like the Ayrontu. “I’d rather not say.”
“Why?” When she didn’t answer, he scooted to the edge of his seat and looked deep into her eyes. “Some would consider this unkind, but I’m going to be brutally honest with you. As long as there are distinctions in the underground, we have more to offer you than the Sarronti.”
Her only response was stubborn silence and a defiant stare.
“Do you have family?” he asked after a long, tense pause.
She’d already told Torrin about Merella, so she admitted, “A sister.”
“Is she also Niffal?”
The question revealed how little he knew about Sarronti distinctions. The only way for one born into the Niffal to change his or her distinction was to form a life bond with someone from a higher rank. That never happened. The Niffal, especially female Niffal, were used and discarded like garbage. She quickly slammed the door on the past before memories could overwhelm her.
Ignoring his question, she asked, “What does my sister have to do with anything?”
“Would you better her circumstances if you could?” The challenge in his tone was unmistakable.
“I have likely done so already,” she responded.
“How so?”
“Merella will most likely replace me as Lady Isolaund’s handmaiden. The position is coveted and brings with it many comforts most Niffal will never experience.”
Kage slowly pushed to his feet, dark eyes gleaming. “And will Lady Isolaund cripple Merella’s mind with a ruthless compulsion that ensures her obedience?”
Dread cascaded through Arrista like ice water in her veins. “Merella is not as outspoken as me. She will obey without...” Would she? Merella had grown bolder lately, more defiant. Arrista nervously licked her lips and dragged her gaze away from the overlord’s handsome face. Why hadn’t she thought of this before? She could not allow her precious sister to fall into the trap from which Arrista had just escaped.
“I don’t want war with the Sarronti,” the overlord stressed. “I want to co-exist on this planet with your people. Tell me how I can make that happen.” He returned to his seat and watched her silently, waiting for her reaction.
Merella’s lovely image was solidly lodged in Arrista’s mind. So innocent and trusting, just like Arrista had been in the beginning. She would feel guilty for taking Arrista’s position, but sleeping on a cot instead of the floor and wearing clothing that hadn’t been mended over and over would gradually wear her down. She would taste real food for the first time and be dazzled by the world Lady Isolaund took for granted. Eventually, Merella would consider herself lucky and serve willingly.
A strange tightness gripped her belly. Even that conclusion was uncomfortable. She didn’t want Merella to bow and scurry about seeing to another’s needs. She wanted Merella to experience freedom and make decisions for herself. That would only happen if someone showed the Niffal what they were missing.
She swallowed past the considerable lump in her throat and dragged her gaze back to the overlord’s face. “I will help your people, if you help mine.”
He didn’t seem surprised by the proposal. “Do you mean the Sarronti or the Niffal?”
“The Niffal,” she admitted. “I did not realize how restricted we are until I experienced life in the world above.”
The overlord nodded, his gaze surprisingly kind. “If you help me avoid war, I will offer my protection to any Niffal who wishes to leave the underground and live as we live.”
“They will need the protective lotion I was given, or the offer would mean far less.”
“We can manufacture as much as you need.”
She fidgeted, feeling restless and anxious. If she stepped over this line, there would be no going back. Even if Alonov and Lady Isolaund were overthrown, she would be a traitor to the world below. She looked at Torrin, and a bit of the tension eased. There was much to resolve between them, but more and more she suspected that her future lie with him. “The Guiding Council has only been in existence for the past seventeen season cycles. Before that, the Ayrontu controlled everything and everyone.”
“Why did it change?” the overlord wanted to know.
“There was an uprising when I was a child. The rebellion was long and bloody, costing many lives on both sides. The Guiding Council was the result of that uprising. Each designation now has a place at the table. However, ma
ny within the Ayrontu liked it better as it was before.”
“Of course they do,” the overlord mused. “No one likes to dilute their power.”
“The resentment has been festering for the past decade and hostilities are ready to explode. All it will take is for someone to step forward and declare themselves the leader of the new rebellion.”
“And you believe Lady Isolaund is the one who will lead the rebellion?”
She shook her head. “Lady Isolaund is much too shrewd to rush headlong into danger. She will remain in the shadows carefully manipulating the leader to her advantage.”
Pushing to his feet again, the overlord began to pace, hands locked behind his back. “It might work to our advantage to sit back and let it happen. If the Sarronti are busy attacking each other, they will be less likely to harass us.”
“That’s very cynical,” she pointed out.
He didn’t seem insulted by the conclusion. Instead, he said, “Tell me more.”
And she did. For the next three hours, she told him about family dynamics within the Ayrontu houses and conflicts between councilors. She detailed the layout of the underground, explaining that the “stronghold” they’d located was one of many scattered across the planet. She patiently answered all of his questions and offered details he hadn’t thought to ask.
“Your only hope of securing an alliance is with the younger set of councilors,” she concluded. “You should contact Indrex Farr, Lady Isolaund’s younger brother.”
The overlord just nodded, clearly absorbing everything she’d told him.
“We know the Sarronti have been to other planets,” Torrin said as Kage fell silent. “Do they travel by ship as we do, or can they teleport?”
“I do not know that word. The Sarronti open doorways from this planet to the next. I have heard about these doorways, but I have never seen one.”
“Do any of the Sarronti command magic?” the overlord asked.
“Some do. Those sorts of abilities are becoming less common, and no one is sure why.”
“Do you have magic powers?” Kage asked with a friendly smile.
“I am able to heal some injuries and speak mind to mind, but that’s about all.”
His gaze sharpened as he asked, “Does Isolaund?”
Her instinctive need to protect her ex-mistress was gradually lessening. Thinking about Merella in the clutches of Lady Isolaund made it easier to say, “I do not know the extent of her powers, but she can definitely command magic. She was careful not to use her abilities often or to allow others to know exactly what she could or couldn’t do. It is possible she can actually do very little, but I think it more likely that she hides vast potential that she will unleash when no one is expecting it.”
“After seeing her handiwork, I agree.” Coming to a stop right in front of her, the overlord held out his hand. “Thank you. You have given me more than I anticipated, and I appreciate it.”
His apparent sincerity surprised her. Lady Isolaund had never been so gracious to anyone. Arrista placed her hand in his, noticing how tiny and pale hers looked surrounded by his long, tan fingers. They shook, and he finally returned to his seat.
“Are you enjoying working with the cubs, or do I need to find you something else to do?” His tone was casual now, almost friendly.
She still found him intimidating. “No, sir. I enjoy the cubs very much.”
“And are you satisfied with your cabin assignment?” He hesitated over the phrase as if he were going to say something else.
Unsure why he asked, she glanced at Torrin in time to see him roll his eyes. “My cabin assignment is satisfactory,” she told the overlord.
Kage chuckled, dark eyes twinkling. “Is it all right for me to assign the other officer’s cabin, or shall I leave it vacant?”
“She has agreed to let me court her, but I intend to take things slow,” Torrin said firmly before she could decide how to respond. “If you could leave it open for a while longer, we’d appreciate it.”
The overlord clearly heard what Torrin said, but he still looked at her. “Is that okay with you?”
It was a wise precaution, but it made her feel cowardly. How much effort did Torrin intend to put into their relationship if he wouldn’t let go of the escape route? His continued resistance to their attraction filled her with determination. She’d been stifled by the compulsion for many season cycles. It was long past time for her to fight for what she wanted.
“For now,” she said with a sly smile. “Give me another day or two to work on him. I think I can change his mind.”
TORRIN STILL FELT SORT of dazed when they reached his cabin. Arrista hadn’t spoken to him since they left the overlord, so he wasn’t sure how she was taking the interrogation. She’d seemed defensive at first, but once she made up her mind to help them, she appeared much more relaxed and confident.
Her last comment to Kage still echoed through Torrin’s mind. Give me another day or two to work on him. I think I can change his mind. It was a not too subtle reminder that she’d agreed to let him court her, which also meant the first move was his. So, how should he proceed? He’d shared pleasure with females before, but this was completely different. He wanted Arrista as his mate, not just a temporary diversion.
The thought was thrilling, yet intimidating as hells. Having a mate would allow him to feel part of something, an emotional state he’d never thought possible before. The Outcasts tolerated him because he had useful skills, but they didn’t really accept him. If he claimed Arrista, perhaps even produced offspring, the others might see him as a person rather than a cyborg assassin.
Claiming her was obviously beneficial for him, but what did she gain by bonding with him? That question was not so easily answered. He would protect her with his life, but that was true of every Outcast on the planet. He would work hard to ensure her contentment, yet she wasn’t even sure what she needed to be happy. How could he provide something she’d yet to identify? Even with the circuitry augmenting his mental capacities, he was struggling to understand how best to please her.
She strolled around the living room, pausing every now and then to look at him. Her ethereal beauty mesmerized him, and he found it impossible to look away. Her expression was troubled, which wasn’t surprising, but he wasn’t sure how to break the tense silence. Social awkwardness had plagued him his entire life. He was confident and secure while ankle-deep in blood, but send him to a party, and he became quiet and withdrawn.
“If the Guiding Council finds out what I just did, they will order my death.” Regret, not bitterness, shaped her tone.
He closed the distance between them and placed his hands on her shoulders. “We will protect you. I will protect you.”
“You’ll try.” She looked up at him, her eyes wide and shimmering with emotion. “But you have not yet seen the full capabilities of Sarronti warriors. I’m not sure you can stop them.”
He pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “Then I will die trying.”
“That’s what frightens me.” She pushed back far enough to see his face without leaving his embrace. “If my life is forfeit, so be it. The Ayrontu must not be allowed to regain control of the underground. But I do not want anything to happen to you.” She slid her hands up his chest, curving her fingers around his shoulders. “Many nights I lay in my cold, lonely bed imagining what life would be like if I had a different designation, maybe Layot or Sestaul. I never pictured myself as Ayrontu. I did not need wealth or power. I wanted a simple life with family and friends. A mate to love only me, and children I could care for and adore.”
He pressed his hand to the side of her face, brushing his thumb over her petal soft lips. “I can give you that and more. Well, I’m not sure about children. Dr. Foran sees no reason why we wouldn’t be able to produce offspring, but simulations are not always right.”
“Do you want children?” Her gaze drifted toward his mouth, and she absently licked her lips.
Desire ca
scaded through his body, instantly tightening his muscles and hardening his cock. “I only want one thing more.”
Her dreamy smile assured him that she understood the inference. “And the rest? Your life has been filled with action and adventure. Will you be content to stay in one place?”
“My life has been filled with death and destruction. I am more than ready for this change.”
Rather than respond with words, she took him by the hand and led him into the bedroom. She seemed to need some level of control, so he reined in his urge to take over and let her set the pace. She didn’t activate the lights, but the door to the outer room was open so he could still see her clearly. Her heart rate sped and her body temperature gradually elevated. His little elf wanted him.
He wanted her too, had since he first saw her. But something she’d said to Eddon at the barracks bothered him. “Earlier you said that Sarronti females choose when and with whom they conceive. Is that really true? Do we need to worry about getting you pregnant?”
Her brow furrowed, and she tilted her head as she stared up at him. “How do human females prevent pregnancy?”
“On Earth, there are a variety of ways. The ones on this planet don’t need to worry about it because Rodyte hybrids must form a bond before conception is possible. I’m not sure how it will work with us.”
“The Sarronti form similar bonds, but they are instigated by the female. What I said is true. I will not conceive until I’m ready.”
He accepted her statement with a nod and moved a little closer. Dr. Foran would have scanned her for diseases. It was standard procedure with any new patient. There was nothing left between them but their clothes and the uncertainty in her lovely blue eyes.
A smile curved her lips, yet she tensed. “May I undress you, s—” She stopped just short of saying sir.
It broke his heart to realize what she was remembering. He took her face between his palms and tilted her head back. “You can do whatever you want with me, love. I’ll be your mate, if you accept me.”
She lowered her lashes, shielding her gaze. “I’ve never been with anyone I chose. I’m not sure what to do.”
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