Christophe hadn't changed much, though he was more serene and happier than she'd ever seen him. Zevon, however, had changed outwardly and inwardly, his shaved head an evidence of increased aggression against any threat to her or Christophe. Yet he was more tender, more loving now than he had been when the three of them declared their love.
In truth, Andia held out little hope for their enterprise. Her outfit should have warned Christophe that she wasn't taking any shit. She'd dressed in full Mistress regalia: leather boots, vinyl jumpsuit, and black eye shadow. She declared her preference loud and clear but kept her mate mark hidden beneath her long sleeve.
The palace hall was interesting, but nerves kept her focus on the woman at its zenith. Tall, red-haired, and clad all in white, Princess Sera Placido was a regal, beautiful woman. There was authority in her walk, her gaze. This was a woman who understood power.
Yet Andia's instincts screamed that Princess Sera, as powerful as she might be, was a sexual submissive. Perhaps it was the way she glanced at her consort.
Leo Eyler. Would he recognize her? It had been three years and several hair colors ago. Chances were he wouldn't. Andia wasn't sure if she wanted him to remember or not.
The hall was empty except for the famous couple and one guard, a tall man with hazel eyes and impressive pecs. He was shirtless and wore a ceremonial knife at his waist. She had no doubt that he could use it effectively.
Leo had changed somewhat, but his blond hair, blue eyes, and the long scar on his cheek were recognizable. He barely glanced at her, probably believing the story the three fugitives had given.
They stated they were from Atuano, that they were fascinated by Placidian culture and wanted to join the booming Placido population.
Half the battle seemed to be won when Leo whispered something to his royal mate and disappeared through a side door.
"Welcome to Placido,” the princess said and smiled.
Andia shot a glance at both her men. If they showed one little sign that they were attracted to the woman, she'd have to strip their hides and tweak their nipples.
The three stepped forward and bowed their heads. Zevon spoke first. “We thank you, Your Highness."
The princess strode forward. “Your request for sanctuary on my planet seemed unclear to me. You are having a child?” Her attention focused on Andia like a laser.
"I'm three months pregnant,” she answered.
Princess Sera glanced at Zevon and then toward Christophe. “And who is the father?"
Of course. This was always the question. Andia stiffened and tightened her lips. “Is this relevant?"
The other woman's perfectly plucked eyebrows rose. “Don't you know?"
Andia ground her teeth. She turned to Zevon. “It's no different here than anywhere else. Why waste our time?” She spun on her heels and strode toward the exit. Her stomach rolled and pitched. Shit. She was going to hurl on the woman's pretty floor, and she didn't care.
"Mistress,” the woman said, halting Andia's escape with that one word.
Tears stung Andia's eyes. Damn them all. She only wanted acceptance for who she and her lovers were. Not that it really mattered to her. She was willing to live her life with only Zevon and Christophe as company, the rest of the Universe background noise to the symphony of love with them.
But she'd watched Christophe change, his easy social manner becoming morose and a sadness marking his face. He longed for a place to call home, to be loved, to be accepted.
Some of it, she knew, was because he'd been a male sub on Nylar, hidden, rejected for the thing that made him who he was. Where Zevon had flipped off Nyral restrictions, Christophe had bowed his head and lied.
She wanted him to be able to shout his truth, to be himself with no apologies, no awkwardness, and, most of all, no judgment.
Andia slowly turned back to face Princess Sera. Her two men had followed her, no questions asked, and stood beside her. She reached out and clasped Christophe's hand. “I am a Mistress. I am his Mistress,” she said and focused on Christophe.
His smile was sweet and loving, like the sun breaking through the clouds. Andia glared at the princess. “And I am a submissive,” she stated as she reached for Zevon's hand. “I am his submissive.” She glanced at Zevon, and her heart leaped at his lopsided grin. “And occasionally I am his Mistress as well."
She swerved her gaze to the princess. “We had heard that you were open to less...conventional couplings. Apparently we heard wrong."
Princess Sera glided forward. “Open? Certainly. But we require openness in return."
Zevon stiffened. “Meaning?” His deep voice was hard.
The princess stayed focused on Andia. “You feel it, don't you? The planet."
Yes, she felt it. All around them, a subtle power flowed through every molecule of air, every atom of substance. Andia sensed the restrained violence, the velvet caress of strength that hid an iron fist.
Princess Sera nodded. “It is unique. Those who feel its power are fated to belong here.” Her blue eyes narrowed. “But it reveals deception. It tells me your name is not Fallon."
Andia froze, fear tripping over her nerves. Zevon wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and Christophe stepped forward, shielding her. “It is my given name,” she said. And it was. It was her middle name, rarely used and never remembered.
"It is not the name by which you are known.” The princess glanced at Zevon. “Nor is this man's name Zebediah shortened to Z. Nor is this man's name Christopher, shortened to Chris.” The woman reached out and touched Andia's sleeve on her right arm. “Won't you show me who you really are?” Princess Sera stroked Andia's mark through the material.
"We've spent three years hiding, Your Highness,” Zevon said. “The Brotherhood would love to know where we are. Why should we risk it?"
The princess studied all three of them for a moment before she answered. “Because trust is a two-way street.” She smiled. “Sometimes it's even a three-way street."
Andia shook her head. “This was a mistake."
Zevon concentrated on the princess's face. “We trust each other, but to trust others takes time."
The woman kept her steady gaze on Andia. “You don't have time."
"There are other planets,” Andia snapped. “We've survived this long. We'll make it."
The planet beneath their feet rumbled and shook. The power of it ripped through Andia. Even Zevon and Christophe felt the jolt. The princess, however, seemed unconcerned and unsurprised.
"I don't doubt that you will,” the woman commented. “But this planet can offer you something others can't. Complete protection from the Brotherhood."
Andia glanced at Christophe. “And what about our coupling? Will it be recognized?"
Princess Sera stared at her for a full minute. “As what?"
Andia tightened her lips. “As a bonded triangle."
"Do you need my recognition?” the princess said calmly.
"We need to know that we won't face bigotry and judgment,” Andia snapped. “I will not allow my submissive to be ridiculed or rejected ever again.” The words had slipped out. Shit. It was too close to the truth, too close to revealing their origins.
Princess Sera's expression was filled with sympathy. “Mistress, on Placido, if you are honest with us, we will be honest with you."
Andia lifted her chin. “Which doesn't answer my question at all."
Princess Sera took a deep breath. “There is no judgment here. This planet accepts all forms of bonding."
With a painful squeeze to Christophe's hand, Andia nodded. “Okay.” Quickly, before she changed her mind, she dropped Christophe's hand and unbuttoned the cuffs of her sleeve.
As she rolled up her sleeve, Zevon kept his arm around her shoulder. The mark beneath was revealed.
The princess studied the elaborate comet and then glanced at the two men. “Which of them bears the same mark?"
"Both of us,” Zevon answered.
His answer startled her
. “Both?"
"Both,” Christophe said firmly.
Princess Sera frowned. “Is that even possible?"
Andia gave an exasperated sigh. “Show her,” she ordered the men.
Christophe and Zevon dropped their pants and showed the mate marks on their inner thighs. Princess Sera reached out to touch Christophe's skin, and Andia stepped in front of him. “He's mine. No touching."
The mark on Christophe's thigh flared red, glowing with arousal at Andia's declaration. Stars, she loved that he was turned on by her possessiveness.
The other woman focused on Andia. “Mistress Andia Cyrus.” A whisper of power rippled through the hall. “That is your name.” She glanced at Zevon. “Zevon Maco.” Then, she swerved her gaze to Christophe. “Christophe Onnis."
Andia tensed. Had this been a trap?
The princess nodded slowly. “Of course. That explains your caution.” The woman turned her head and raised her voice to call for her guard. “Shaun, every amenity for the new Placidians."
Andia slightly relaxed, and the princess took her hand gently. “You are most welcome here, Mistress Andia. Leo had wondered what happened to you."
Tears rose, and Andia tried to squash them. “We came because we saw how you defied the Brotherhood."
Princess Sera glanced at Christophe. “You know that you are a hero."
"Me?” Christophe blinked.
The woman smiled. “Yes, you. Many male submissives from Nylar have spoken of your bravery."
"But why?"
"Because you defied the council. Many on Nylar believed you would come home after Pavlik's downfall, denounce your submissive side, and capitulate to the bigotry.” Princess Sera linked her arm through Andia's. “But then, they hadn't met Mistress Ball Breaker, had they?"
The princess led them down the hall to a large table set with glittering silverware and rich food. “The three of you are legends to many who have settled here."
"We aren't looking for fame.” Andia shot a nervous glance around the room.
"It was rumored you were marked mates, but no one, including me, guessed all three of you were marked,” Princess Sera commented.
Still wary, Andia studied their hostess. “We didn't realize we were being discussed so intently."
"Tell me something,” the princess said casually as they all sat down. “My guard doesn't see how a menage can work with two dominants. Can you elaborate?"
Andia was definitely amused. She'd heard of Princess Sera's reputation for kinky entertainment. “Are you asking for a demonstration?"
"Would you give one?” Princess Sera said bluntly.
The same faint smile was on both her men's faces. It wasn't the first time they'd been asked. Apparently footage of several of their early encounters had circulated. Andia particularly liked the one the Primarians had sent all over the vid streams. She loved watching Zevon dominate that defiant sub. Though Andia had seen his meaner side, he'd never unleashed it quite the way he had in front of those Primarian soldiers.
"Now?” Andia quipped.
The princess laughed. “No. I think we can wait. It would be an excellent introduction. And, I hope, a lesson to my guard. He has much to learn about Mistresses."
They ate a good meal and were escorted by the stubborn guard to their temporary quarters. Several people nodded to them as they walked the wide boulevard.
"Does she really want a demonstration?” Andia asked the guard, Shaun.
One side of his mouth jerked up. “We all do, Mistress,” he said politely. “Placido is home to many who have no acceptance elsewhere. Your presence here will encourage them."
"Because we're so different?” Zevon snapped.
Shaun's gaze was steady. “No. Because you possess something many of them haven't found or have lost. A sense of belonging."
"What do you mean?” Christophe asked with a frown.
The guard stared directly ahead of him. “No one who is in your presence can help but feel your connection to each other. You belong together. You...love each other.” His hazel eyes were dark and unreadable. “It is something many of us have never known."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Nineteen
Nervous, Christophe pulled at the collar he'd chosen. He'd worn it many times in private and a few times at club settings. But this time, he'd be leashed and collared in front of a whole slew of people.
He wondered how Placido practiced Christmas. His memory wandered back to that strange first Christmas and the Placidian Star Andia had wished on to save Zevon. No gift, no celebration had ever quite lived up to that first one.
All three of them had continued the tradition, though. Last year, Andia had bought him several vids that made him blush to think about. It was almost impossible to find good porn featuring dominant females and submissive males.
He knew she must have spent a lot of time looking. And that had made him hard as a fucking rock. It had been a memorable Christmas.
This year he'd found a rare glass dildo for her. Once commonplace, they were considered antiques now. He'd also found a beautiful set of earrings that were dangling falling stars. Christmas was only two days away, and he was glad he'd done his shopping early. He had a feeling Zevon hadn't bought her a damn thing yet.
The princess had asked them to come back to the hall for their demonstration. The palace hall had been decked out with tables and food, filled to capacity with citizens of the planet.
The entertainment had been sexual from the start, with several couples displaying their connections. Some were marked mates, some weren't.
When the evening breeze drifted through the open doors, the princess stood and raised her wineglass. “I would like to specially welcome our newest citizens. Mistress Andia, Master Zevon, and Christophe, their submissive.” She bowed her head in their direction. “Welcome and please, allow us a deeper look into what we can only glimpse."
Andia stood and stretched her hand out to Zevon, who rose and took it. Then she clipped the leash on his collar and tugged gently.
The three of them stepped into the center of the room, Christophe on all fours behind his Mistress. They hadn't really planned what they would do tonight. What made him the most nervous was Zevon's silence. Christophe had known this man for six years. He had something up his sleeve.
He glanced at his two dominants. Zevon had dressed in his favorite black slacks and black shirt, no frills. His dress shoes shone in the dim candlelight. Yet it was his intense regard that compelled Christophe and always had.
Andia was clad in a stunning black dress that seemed to cling to every curve of her body. Stars glittered in the material and twinkled when she moved. She wore her hair up in a clip. Christophe longed to see her hair down, flowing over her skin. He was sure Zevon would insist. Her shoes were impossibly high heels made of some sparkling color that glittered in the light.
She bent down and whispered in his ear. “I owe you a spanking."
He glanced at her and decided to be a little bratty. “What for?"
Her smile was wicked. “For your present you bought me for Christmas."
He gasped. “You peeked."
"I did. And now, I'm going to spank you for it."
"For a glass dildo?” he whispered harshly back.
"You got me a glass dildo?” She grinned. “You'll never be able to play poker, love.” Then her smile dropped. “And I can spank you for whatever reason I want or no reason at all. You're mine. Have you forgotten?"
"No, Mistress,” he whispered.
"I'll make you remember.” She brought out his favorite. The belt.
It was Zevon's thick leather belt. It smelled like him, and when she used it, it bruised Christophe's ass for weeks.
Without another word, Zevon yanked Christophe's pants down, exposing his ass. Then he stood at Christophe's head and unbuttoned his pants.
"You suck on that cock, Christophe. Don't stop, or I'll punish you worse than she will,” Zevon said in a hard tone. H
e pressed his dick against Christophe's mouth and moaned when Christophe wrapped his tongue around his length.
Andia hit him with the first blow. The pain, the arousal all flooded him. The smell of Zevon's sweat, the sound of the belt against his skin, and the sensation of pleasure and pain combined sent his system into overdrive.
Stars, he might come before the second blow. The last time he'd come without permission, she and Zevon had fucked him all night long.
Zevon's fingers tangled in his hair. “You'd better not come, Chris. Stars, you feel good."
Andia hit him again, and Christophe grunted against Zevon's cock. With the third strike, he floated, drifted; the only reality was the cock in his mouth and the belt on his ass. And the love he had for the two who dominated him.
With his cock buried deep inside Christophe's mouth, Zevon struggled to hang onto his release. They'd done this before, but not in front of an enthralled audience. Murmurs of approval were adding to his intense arousal.
But he knew Christophe was close too. He gripped his lover's hair and jammed his dick deeper, reveling in the scrape of Christophe's teeth.
Andia was spectacular, her dress sparkling every time she swung the belt against Christophe's ass. Any other time, he might have been jealous of Chris, wanting some of Andia's cleansing pain for himself. But tonight he wanted to top.
And tonight, he had a surprise.
When Andia struck Chris the tenth time, he slid his cock out and stepped toward her. It wasn't part of their usual routine, and he had the satisfaction of seeing her look startled.
He took her hand and tugged her closer, until she stood beside the prone Christophe. Then, he knelt down, both knees, and bowed his head. “In honor and faith, I pledge to you all that I am,” he stated loudly.
The familiar words from the Nyral marked mate ceremony made Christophe's head snap up. Zevon continued. “I am marked by you. I belong to you. To Mistress Andia Cyrus and Christophe Onnis. I am yours. Will you take me?"
Tears streaked down Andia's cheeks. “Zevon,” she whispered.
Marked for Surrender [Marked 4] Page 16