“You know what I have to do.” Andev and Tylan had discussed the council’s plan briefly. After all, Andev had to play a part, and Tylan would be one of the few people who would know it was a lie.
“Yeah.” Tylan sighed and pressed his hands into his upper eyes. “It’s just—” One of his palms slapped the table in front of him. “This isn’t right for any of us.”
“I need you, Ty.”
“You know the council probably planned this,” Tylan snapped.
“She needs you.”
“Damn you, Andev.”
“If you could have seen her—” Andev’s voice cracked. She’d been so hurt, so filled with despair.
Tylan studied Andev. “Does she know about us?”
Andev shook his head. “I didn’t tell her.”
“Shit,” Tylan said under his breath. “She won’t understand.”
“Fuck, even I don’t understand,” Andev said suddenly. “We should have been able to—”
“But we weren’t,” Tylan interrupted. “The council forbade it, said it was a genetic dead end.” He grinned. “Hell, we should have been punished for our defiance, but they let us get away with it.” His smile faded. “As long as we were discreet.”
Andev’s stomach clenched. His whole life he’d been thwarted, ignored and underestimated. Maybe he should have told the council to fuck off and made a go of it with Tylan.
But Tylan never seemed to take any of it seriously. Their encounters had been typically male—aggressive and fast. Tender feelings didn’t seem to be a part of the equation. So, Andev had hesitated, not wanting to force Tylan into making a choice between him and the council.
“Tylan—” he started
“Well, at least she’s gorgeous,” Tylan said with a wicked smile. “I’ll have to study all those vids of her. I hear there’s some wild ones out there.”
“It’s funny. That’s not the woman I know.” The contrast between Andev’s dreams and Shasta’s reality was huge.
“Plus, she saved my life. I owe her one,” Tylan continued with a wink.
“I’m not sure if I’m relieved or worried by that statement,” Andev said wryly.
“You know, you could find out a bit more about her.”
Andev snorted. “From the vid streamers? It’s hard to avoid vids of the Pasquels.”
Tylan shook his head. “You’re pissed about what she said, aren’t you?”
Okay. Andev had to admit it. It bothered him. Shasta was clearly attracted to him, but she acted like being mated to him was worse than death. What male wouldn’t be a little irritated by that? No, she hadn’t asked for this, but her reaction seemed so bitter, so angry. Even in their dreams, she still didn’t see him, didn’t recognize him as the lover who had touched her for years.
“It wasn’t exactly complimentary,” he said.
“Stop thinking with that head and think with the other one,” Tylan said seriously. “There’s more to her than what the vid streamers play. You ought to know that.”
“What I know is I’m probably going to regret asking you to help me.”
Tylan grinned, and Andev’s heart flipped. Stars! How the hell had it gotten so complicated? “That’s what you get for waking me up. Trust me, my friend. She has a lot more going on underneath that perfect skin than meets the eye.”
“She’s not the only one.” Andev lifted an eyebrow. “Who would have thought you’d have a thing for a human woman?”
“Are you kidding?” Tylan’s eyes widened. “Human, Dormrelian, whatever. That woman has got it going on.”
Andev groaned. “Step carefully or I’ll have to kick your ass.”
There was no smile on Tylan’s face when he said, “I look forward to it.” Then, he clicked off the vid screen.
Morning light streamed through Andev’s window. It was the right thing to do. Tylan would take care of Shasta, help her understand Dormrelian culture, make her smile when it all seemed overwhelming.
After all, he’d been doing it for Andev for years.
* * * *
With the morning, came more questions for Shasta. Why was the council so intent on this mating? No one had an answer. Why was the Sidharta a danger to her and not to Sierra? No one had an answer. She tried to talk to Merek, but he was so cagey that it was like talking to her father about politics. After all, Merek had to be circumspect about what he said. He was an ambassador to Asberek. His diplomatic answers were driving her nuts.
And Sierra wasn’t much better. Pregnant and worried, her sister deflected Shasta’s questions and diverted her. But there was only so much of the dry Dormrelian history Shasta could stand.
Planted in front of a computer screen, she started to search for answers her own way. That proved even more frustrating. Many of the programs weren’t in Standard and the Dormrelian language was gibberish to her.
She gritted her teeth. It was imperative she show them all she was capable. After all, there was plenty of evidence to the contrary.
“Shasta?” Her mother came into the room. “Someone is here to see you.”
“Andev?” she said hopefully. Maybe he would answer her questions.
“He’s not allowed to see you, so he sent a representative.” Her mother frowned. “I’m told it’s a common practice on Dormrela. He’s some sort of attaché to the council as well. You’ll have to see him.”
“Fine,” Shasta grumbled.
She changed her clothes into some formal Dormrelian robes that Sierra loaned her, trying to appear as the intended mate of some Dormrelian warrior. She left her hair long, not willing to spend the time to braid it in the manner the women did on Dormrela.
Her mother led her into the living room, and a Dormrelian rose to his feet, a big smile on his face and some strange, exotic flowers in his right upper fist. “My lady,” he said with a bow to Shasta’s mother. “And Ms. Pasquel. Let me say how nice it is to see you again.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Have we met?”
The Dormrelian grinned. “I understand I have you to thank that I’m still alive to torment my parents and kiss the girls.”
A reluctant smile lifted Shasta’s mouth. “It was a happy accident,” she said. “Tylan Ryar, right?” She stretched out her hand, and he took it. Her mind spun. If it hadn’t been for this man and his relationship to Andev, she never would have ended up here, about to be mated, alone, miserable.
“At your service.” He handed her the flowers, and she took them.
Her mother stepped in and removed the bouquet from Shasta’s grip. “I’ll put these in water. Very nice to meet you, Tylan.”
“The honor is mine.” Tylan’s tone suggested the same deep respect all the Dormrela had shown Shasta’s mother. When Elise was gone, Tylan turned his stare to her.
“Andev is unable to see you, of course, but he sent me in his stead.” Tylan bowed.
“Oh?” Shasta couldn’t help it. She had to tease the man a little. “Are you supposed to relay messages?” She stepped closer, and Tylan straightened. When she stared up at him, he held her gaze.
“That is the usual custom,” he said formally.
“All messages?” she said in a low voice.
His mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “Is there a message you’d like to send?”
For two seconds, Shasta thought about sending one that would shock both men. Tylan seemed to have read her mind. He bent down and pressed his lips to her cheek.
The kiss shocked Shasta. Not because she thought Tylan was taking liberties, but because her reaction was a deep, intense hunger she hadn’t expected. Attracted to two Dormrelian warriors? What were the chances?
When Tylan lifted his head, she smiled. “Was that from Andev?”
He shook his head. “No. That was all me.”
She laughed, and he smiled. For the first time in days, she felt the weight that had pressed on her lift. “Sit down, Tylan Ryar. I’d like to know a little bit about you.”
“Me?” he said, his eyes wide and
innocent. “I’m boring.”
She chuckled. “Sure you are. You’re an attaché to the council? That’s what my mother said.”
They sat down, and Shasta relaxed. The huge warrior made her feel safe, protected. He didn’t touch her, but sat near her so she could feel his warmth. “My family has been involved with the Dormrelian government for a long time. I’m just another Ryar doing my part.”
“You saved Andev’s life.” Shasta hadn’t meant to blurt it out, but she wanted to make sense of what she’d seen in Andev’s mind.
“And he saved mine.”
Something in Tylan’s voice told her to change the subject. “What exactly does my future mate do anyway?”
Tylan frowned. “Well, I guess you would call him a trainer. We call it Dimor. Loosely translated, it means ‘Leader’. Andev worked his way up and now, he teaches others.”
Shasta wondered if the men on his ship had been his students. How difficult would that be? “Is he considered…important?” Her father had been important. It meant constantly being on guard, surrounded by people. Being important had meant no privacy, no chance to screw up without the entire universe knowing about it.
“Does that matter to you?” Tylan asked, his voice deadpan.
“Only because I’d rather not be.” She twisted her fingers together. “Stupid, right? It’s not that the vid streamers will leave me alone if I mate to someone obscure.”
“But if you mate to someone who also draws attention—”
“Then, they’ll be relentless,” she said, and heard the strain in her own voice. Damn it. She should be used to it by now.
Tylan was silent for a moment, and then, he took her hand gently. “Andev is from an important family, but they don’t recognize him.”
“Don’t recognize him? You mean, they reject him?” She was outraged. Andev was a brave warrior with honor and integrity. Shasta could see that. Why would his family turn their backs on him?
“His mother—” Tylan tightened his hold on her hand. “His mother was human. Many didn’t know. She had beautiful scales, and even in her human form, they shone with green swirls in the light.” He seemed to be lost in memory. “But she took too many chances because she loved Ser Juno. They told her that she was risking her life to have children.” His gaze focused on her hand. “Back then, it was much more dangerous to have more than one.” He glanced up and met her stare. “You know about Ana”
“I saw—” She didn’t want to talk about that video. “I know.”
“I was eleven when Ana was born and Olina died. My own mother was killed in an Ang raid when I was a baby. Olina had been…kind to me.” Tylan’s voice was filled with emotion. “She never tried to replace my mother, but she made sure I wasn’t lonely.” He gave her a weak smile. “Listen to me. I’m being maudlin. I’m sure this isn’t the message Andev meant me to deliver.”
“Why does the Juno family reject Andev?” Shasta persisted.
Tylan took a deep breath. “They blame Andev for being alive. His grandfather believes Ser should have mated with a pure-blooded Dormrelian, not some human freak. He hated Olina for the deception and despised his son for allowing it. The family was forced to become privy to the secret because of Ana.”
“None of that was Andev’s fault.” How unfair, thought Shasta. A little boy who lost his mother, now rejected by his only family. “What about Olina’s family?”
“The Ang had wiped out most of them,” Tylan said bleakly. “There are distant relatives, but I don’t think Andev knows them.”
“Why does the council want this mating so much, Tylan?” she asked bluntly.
“I wish I could tell you,” he answered. “I will tell you this, Shasta. Andev is a good man. Whatever he says or does, just remember that.”
“That sounds ominous,” she said lightly.
“Now, we’ve covered the depressing topics.” He dropped her hand and scooted closer. “Let’s talk about something else.” Two of his hands slid around her waist. Shasta was frozen. Should she protest?
“Tylan—”
“Shh. It’s a message. From Andev. Perfectly harmless,” he whispered, his mouth now a millimeter away from hers.
“Are you sure—” She never finished.
Tylan’s lips brushed hers once, twice, and a third time. Just tantalizing touches and she moaned. His scales were smooth and hard, but warm as she dragged her fingers over his jaw.
He lifted his head and held her gaze for several heartbeats. Then, he blinked rapidly and backed away. He cleared his throat and said, “Hard liquor or wine?”
She laughed and allowed Tylan to draw her into less important conversation, but in the back of her mind, the sad story of Andev’s childhood and Tylan’s tender kisses left a deep impression.
* * * *
Work was unbearable.
Andev snapped at several of his warriors before he realized he was tense, angry, frustrated. One more day. Whoever had come up with the seventy-two hour tradition was a sadistic bastard.
His grandfather had contacted him twice. The first time, he confirmed that Andev had been ordered by the council to mate this human. The second time, he called to subtly find out what his grandson’s feelings were about it. Andev was vicious in his complaint. He only hoped Shasta never heard the lies he’d spouted to Pater. At least everything seemed to be going according to plan.
When he got home that evening, Tylan was waiting for him, lounging in a chair.
“How the hell did you get in here?” Andev snapped.
“That’s no way to talk to a man who has a message for you.”
“You saw her.” Andev was a raw nerve. “What did she say? Does she hate me?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Tylan stood up and walked across the room to crowd Andev. “You were right. There’s more to her than the vids.”
In all the years of their friendship, Tylan had been light and easy, almost flippant about sexual relationships. This was the first time Andev had seen him so serious. “What happened?”
“She—” Tylan frowned and thrust a hand through his dark hair. “I thought she’d be simple, easy to understand. I mean, I’ve known a lot of party girls in my time.” His smile was a faint echo of his usual grin. “But she isn’t.”
“You went to see her and…” Andev prompted.
Tylan stared at him. “She sent you a message.”
Impatience made Andev clench his fists. “Oh?”
For a moment, Tylan just held his gaze, not moving. Then, two of his hands shot out and gripped Andev’s head. Tylan swooped in and took possession of Andev’s mouth.
Hungry, needy and frustrated, Andev took over. He yanked Tylan closer, banding his arms around the other man’s waist. Tylan’s fingers twined in Andev’s hair, and they groaned in unison.
Tylan broke the kiss, his breath hot and fast on Andev’s face. “Nice message, right?” he said.
Andev blinked and wouldn’t let go of Tylan, even though the man tried to move away. “Did you fuck her? Did you?” His voice was husky, and he wasn’t even sure if he was offended, aroused or jealous at the thought.
“No. You and I both know I won’t. Unless you tell me to.” Tylan’s stare challenged Andev.
“Tylan—”
“Let me go, Andev.” Tylan strained away from Andev. “I can’t stay. You know that.”
“Damn it,” Andev burst out as he dropped his hold on Tylan.
“I’ll pick you up after it’s done.” Tylan started for the door and then turned back to glare at him. “Just remember, she hasn’t had much of a chance at happiness, my friend. And you’re about to make that worse.”
“What the fuck am I supposed to do?” Andev asked, frustrated.
Tylan raised an eyebrow. “Don’t assume you know all there is to know.”
His friend left. What the hell did that cryptic remark mean? Tylan had the ear of the council, so it was possible he was privy to information Andev didn’t know. He tried to eat something, but the
vision of Shasta’s tearstained face, so miserable, so resigned to her fate made his stomach churn. He pushed away his plate of food and thought about going to bed early.
Maybe he just needed a good night’s sleep before he played an asshole for the whole planet.
His thoughts were jumbled, confused. Since he was twelve, he’d dreamed of her, touched her. They weren’t the fantasies of a boy, unrealistic and silly. She’d been solid to him, a person. Not that he was the type of warrior to think about his feelings or anything, but he’d counted on those dreams, held onto them during the bleak time after his father’s murder and his extended family’s rejection. She was always there, ready to go down any sexual path to fulfillment.
Yet, he’d held back with her, never giving into those darker desires that surfaced in real life. Tylan had been Andev’s partner in those things, ultimately playing dominant/submissive games. It was as if something had clicked into place for both men. Tylan was able to surrender completely and Andev was allowed full reign to his dominant needs.
Why had they always kept it so light? Both men had balked at exploring the deeper aspects, the more emotional ties that were wrapped up in their complicated relationship.
No, it wasn’t just a few games of “hide the dick”. They’d been closer than that, more connected. Now, he didn’t know what to do to keep either of them—the woman he’d dreamed of all his life, or the man who had been his friend and lover in reality.
Unable to sleep, Andev continued his vid search for information on Shasta Pasquel. There had to be more than just the vid streamers’ version of her. In desperation, he opened up his search to a wider range and discovered a vid in his own planet’s archives. Strange.
When he clicked on the link, his mind froze. A dry narrative voiceover explained that Shasta Pasquel and her sister Kinley had been kidnapped by Sidharta, a conservative group advocating genetic purity on Dormrela. The plan had been to sell the two Pasquel girls and a little human boy to the Ang in return for weapons.
In the background, a very young Shasta lay in a fetal position, bruised, stunned. The emotionless voice stated all three children were in shock, psychologically damaged. When the Dormrelian warrior stepped toward Shasta, her screams shattered Andev’s nerves. How did he not know this? Why wasn’t he told?
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