by Rachel Clark
Even though it felt so real to her, Kimberley wasn’t silly enough to believe she was the exception to the general rule. Ewin and Dayved undoubtedly cared for her, but they were happy together. They didn’t need or want a wife in their lives.
Both men startled awake when the doorbell chimed. Dayved rolled over to grab the remote to the surveillance system, his eyes widening when he saw who their visitors were. He grabbed her, holding her close as some sort of unspoken agreement passed between the men. She tried to get a look at the video monitor, but Dayved thumbed the off button before he let her turn around.
“Get dressed,” Ewin said as he rolled out of bed and dragged a pair of pants on.
She was a little surprised by the order but also a little relieved. Kimberley knew Desconians were comfortable being naked in their own homes, even with visitors, but she wasn’t certain she was ready to try it. But when she dragged on her clothes, Dayved merely pulled her into his arms and held her close.
“Who’s at the door?” she asked in a whisper. She couldn’t really explain why she felt the need to talk quietly, but it seemed somehow like she needed to hide.
Dayved shook his head, and held her closer.
* * * *
Ewin opened the door aggressively and gave the startled couple an angry look. He knew his size could seem intimidating to people who didn’t know him—it was very handy on the job—but he usually at least tried to make people feel comfortable.
These two people, however, deserved no such consideration.
“What do you want?”
“We want to speak to our mubellabina,” the man said in a nasally, arrogant voice. Ewin looked the owner of that voice up and down. Hollank, one half of the Desconian couple Kimberley had come here to marry, was an attractive-enough man, but it was the sneer and condescending attitude that made him seem very ugly.
“She’s not yours any longer,” Ewin said through clenched teeth, trying to rein in his temper, “or did you forget abandoning her the day she arrived on an unfamiliar planet?”
“We shouldn’t have done that,” the woman said quietly. Ewin dragged his emotions under control, not willing to upset a pregnant woman. “Please, we would like to apologize to Kimberley. It was a very strange day for all of us.”
“It has taken weeks to track her down,” the man said with an irritated sigh. “The least you can do is let us speak to the woman.”
“How did you find her?”
“You are not the only one with contacts in the royal guard,” the man said with enough arrogance for Ewin to want to punch something—hard, very, very hard. “Why they even let Kimberley go off with a security guard is completely beyond me.”
Obviously the man didn’t realize Ewin was part of the royal guard. For the moment Ewin decided he could keep his misconceptions. His next words proved Ewin’s instincts right on the money.
“I could have Eric of Riley, Firstborn son of King Adekai and Loukie-riana of Ezra, Firstborn daughter of King Gordenak here with a simple call.” He gave Ewin a look of disdain, tilting his head back to sniff dismissively. “Will you let us in, or shall I report your behavior to them?”
“Fine,” Ewin said, trying to sound annoyed—not exactly a challenge since he was majorly pissed. “Would you like to come in?” Every alarm-bell instinct he owned was clanging in his head. It was possible they were just trying really hard to find the woman they’d abandoned. It was even possible that they really just wanted to apologize. In the end anything was possible, but his gut told him there was far more to this story than met the eye.
“Where is she?” the man said as the three of them stepped into the living area.
“She’s sleeping at the moment. Would you like some refreshments while you wait for her to wake?”
“No,” the man said, glaring at him contemptuously. “Wake her up. We’re busy people.”
Ewin noticed the bedroom door opened just a crack, and he sincerely hoped that Dayved was listening to the conversation but also remained ready to protect Kimberley physically if it was required.
“Thank you for taking care of Kimberley,” the woman said as she took a seat. “Has she been well?”
“Very well,” Ewin said, smiling at Juna’s attempt at caring. It was too little, too late, but at least the question seemed genuine. “I understand that you and Hollank are pregnant. You must be thrilled.”
“Yes, it’s wondrous news. I could scarcely believe it when they told me at the hospital. It took quite a while for the news to sink in.” Her hand hovered over her belly protectively, and Ewin couldn’t help picturing Kimberley swollen with his and Dayved’s child. Juna smiled softly. “My parents are thrilled they have a grandchild on the way. Hollank’s cousin and his wife have been trying for many years. They were extremely happy when they found out we were able to have a baby without our mubellabina, but you can imagine their disappointment when they learned we had abandoned Kimberley.”
“Where is she?” Hollank interrupted, apparently feeling that his wife had said a little too much.
“Sleeping,” Ewin said, using the full force of his personality to stare the man down. Hollank proved he at least had a small amount of self-preservation when he sat down next to his wife. Ewin was hard pressed not to laugh when the man glared back like a frightened child.
“So you’re tracking down Kimberley so you can introduce her to your cousin and his wife?”
Juna paled slightly, finally realizing she’d said too much.
“Well, we…um…Hollank’s cousin is a nice man…and his wife is…um…really nice…and they’ll…”
“Enough,” Hollank said, rising to his feet once more. “Fetch Kimberley. She belongs to us. We will take her home now!”
“You think she belongs to you?” Ewin said as the door to the bedroom was opened and Kimberley stepped out. Dayved was beside her, but it was obvious that leaving the bedroom was not his idea.
“Juna,” Kimberley said as she moved to the sofa where the woman still sat. Juna reached for her hand, pulling it into her own, her affection for Kimberley quite obvious.
“I’ve missed you,” Juna said, her eyes glassy with tears. “I’m so sorry for what happened. Can you ever forgive us?”
“Of course,” Kimberley said easily, no hesitation in her words. “I’m very glad that you finally have a baby on the way. You must be so excited.”
“I am,” Juna said, glancing at her tredella. “We both are.” Juna leaned over, giving Kimberley an obviously awkward, but affectionate, hug.
“Good. Now that we have that sorted out,” Hollank said, as if they’d come to some sort of conclusion, “go pack. We leave in five minutes.”
Ewin was about ready to snap the guy in half, but Kimberley’s fake smile at Hollank managed to still his reaction.
“Maybe in a few moments, Hollank,” she said sweetly. She turned back to Juna. “What is this cousin like? Do you think he and his wife would be happy to welcome me into their family?”
Anger roared through Ewin like a brushfire. Why was Kimberley even considering this? Didn’t she understand how much she meant to him and Dayved?
“They would love for you to join them.” Juna nodded enthusiastically. “From the moment they learned that we wouldn’t need you, they wanted you. They’re desperate to have a family of their own.”
“A family? As in children? Have they applied for a human mail-order bride?” Ewin ground out, trying to get to the bottom of this situation quickly. It was obvious that Hollank considered Kimberley a means to an end, not the valued member of a triad that the human mail-order brides were supposed to be.
“I don’t know their plans,” Juna answered carefully, way too carefully for Ewin’s liking. It was obvious the woman knew more than she was telling.
“It takes so long to go through the process,” Hollank said dismissively. “It’s easier if we just give them Kimberley.”
“Give them?” Dayved asked angrily. “You think she’s a toy you can pass on
to your friends once you no longer need her?”
“Fine, let’s drop the pretense, shall we? She’s a breeder. Desconian couples need children. She can provide them. I don’t see what your issue is. She’s only human.”
Hollank barely got the final word out of his mouth before running into Dayved’s fist.
“Dayved!” Kimberley exclaimed in shock. She glanced at Ewin, perhaps wondering why he’d made no move to stop Dayved. The truth was if he’d gotten close enough to Hollank to hit him, the man wouldn’t be getting back up without medical assistance. Kimberley wrapped her arms protectively around the other woman as she glared at Dayved. “Please, you’re upsetting Juna.”
“What? You want to go with them? You want to be the party favor all his friends beg to borrow?”
“Not really,” Kimberley said, biting her lip as she looked at Ewin and then turned her attention back to Dayved where he stood over a cowering man who was blustering about reporting them to his close personal friends the prince and princess. Hell, even in his rant he didn’t acknowledge the royal triad’s human mubellabina, Cindy.
“Then why are you defending him?”
“I’m not. Not really, but I can understand a little of what he’s saying. I can make many couples happy by giving them the children they so desperately want. Maybe it’s time I stopped being so selfish and started thinking of others.”
“Selfish?” The word roared out of his mouth even before he realized he planned to say it. “Selfish?” he asked again, trying to moderate his tone. “Kimberley, you are the least selfish person I’ve ever met. Even on the day they abandoned you—leaving you homeless, penniless, and with an uncertain future—you were willing to wish them well. Baby girl, you’re more generous and more giving than I ever imagined a person could be, but he has no right to ask this of you.”
“I know he has no right,” Kimberley said in an emotional voice. “But I could spend the next ten years of my life looking for someone to love me when I could be helping others to fulfill their dreams instead.”
“What about my dreams?” Dayved asked quietly, his eyes filming with tears as he stared in shock at the woman they both loved.
“Your dreams?” Kimberley asked, looking completely bewildered.
“Our dreams,” Ewin added, making certain that Kimberley knew Dayved spoke for both of them.
“What about the fact that I’ve fallen in love with the bravest woman I’ve ever met? Or how about that I can’t imagine a life without her? I can’t bear to lose you, Kimberley, especially not to a man who will never treasure you or give you the love you deserve. Please stay here with us. Have our babies. Build our family and know that you will always be loved and cherished and supported by two men who’d do anything to make sure you’re happy.”
“You love me?” Kimberley asked, her eyes filling with tears as her gaze bounced between them.
“Yes,” Juna said, watching all three of them closely, “they really love you. I can see it in their eyes.” She wrapped her arms around Kimberley the same way Kimberley had done for her only moments ago. “I’m so very glad that you found somewhere you truly belong. Stay here, be happy.” She wiped the tears from her face as she smiled at the woman she obviously held great affection for. “I hope we can keep in touch. Perhaps one day we might even find a way to be friends.”
“This is ridiculous,” Hollank blustered from his position on the floor. “Kimberley, you are coming with us. End of discussion.” He glanced at Dayved and Ewin, careful to stay out of arm’s length. “Don’t be surprised when you find yourselves unemployed. You will regret crossing me.”
“Was that a threat?” Ewin asked, taking a step toward the pathetic excuse for a man. The man scrambled to his feet but managed to stay several arms’ lengths out of reach. It was obvious that he was a coward, a liar, and a bigot. He held no respect for the woman who would have given him her love and the children they’d wanted. The best thing he’d done for Kimberley was abandon her.
The chime of the doorbell saved Hollank from answering. Ewin checked the surveillance camera and smiled when he saw who stood at his door. Dayved was a very smart man.
It was almost comical that Hollank didn’t recognize the very people he’d boasted about knowing, but when Loukie stepped up to him, screwed up her face in distaste, and leaned around him to address Dayved, Ewin couldn’t help but laugh.
“Is this the one who claims to know us?” she asked Dayved.
“Yes,” Dayved said with a smile on his face. “Apparently he can get us both fired with a single call.”
“I don’t see how,” Loukie said, shaking her head. “You don’t even work for me.”
“We were just about to explain that,” Dayved said. “Of course you’re welcome to view the video logs. Hollank has been quite helpful in incriminating himself under charges of slave ownership and human trafficking.”
“Serious charges indeed,” Eric said, glaring at the man in question. Ewin knew enough about Desconian law to know that without any proof that he’d already done it, Hollank’s charges would be downgraded to intent and conspiracy. It wasn’t much, but it would make the man’s life uncomfortable at the very least and certainly make it more difficult for anyone he knew to get approval to claim a human mail-order bride.
Dayved had his back to Kimberley, but Ewin saw the concern on her face as she held Juna’s hand.
“Of course,” Ewin said, stepping into the conversation, “we’d be willing to take into account the fact that Hollank and Juna are pregnant with their first child and are under a considerable amount of stress.”
Dayved turned angry eyes on him, but when Ewin tilted his head toward the woman they both loved, Dayved finally saw what he did. Their woman’s heart knew no bounds when she cared for others. She was an incredible person, and he had no doubt that she would shrug off Hollank’s outburst as an idea badly delivered but conceived of desperation. She’d spoken on more than one occasion on the disappointment she felt that human women were too worried to leave the planet for fear of never being able to return. Clearly, their mubella—he was determined that she was theirs whether they’d officially claimed her or not—saw people, really saw them. She understood the anxieties of human women wanting to come to Descon and the longing more and more Desconian couples and triads felt when faced with life without offspring. She had an amazing heart.
But he was damned if he would give her up.
She spoke quietly to Juna as Eric and Loukie shuffled Hollank to the farthest corner of the room to discuss the video logs Dayved had given them. It was obvious the man realized he was in a whole lot of trouble, but Juna’s whispered, “He’s a good man,” reached Ewin’s ears over and over. Dayved settled on the sofa next to Kimberley and held her close as Ewin went to join the other discussion.
* * * *
Kimberley leaned back into Dayved, her mind a jumble of confused emotions. They loved her?
“Are you happy here?” Juna whispered quietly.
Kimberley nodded. She’d been happier here than she’d ever dared hope. Ewin and Dayved were caring and loving men who’d taken their responsibility to protect her very seriously. She’d just never suspect that they might fall in love with her. It was the one thing she’d wanted more than anything but something she’d never considered actually happening.
But then the timing of Dayved’s declaration finally hit her.
Neither man had mentioned love until after she’d offered to be an incubator for childless couples. It was more likely they were trying to offer her the one thing they knew would keep her here. They were sacrificing their own happiness to protect her from her own decisions.
The ache in her chest took her by surprise. She wanted to accept their offer and pretend everything was okay, but she couldn’t hurt them in that way. Neither of them had ever mentioned wanting children. They’d never even considered applying for a mail-order bride. Their life together was perfect before she disrupted it. The kindest thing she could do was le
t them go.
She lifted away from Dayved, trying to get off the sofa so that she could think more clearly. He reached for her, but Juna shook her head quickly and stood up to lead her into the kitchen.
“Kimberley, what is it, honey?” she asked, looking concerned. It had been so difficult to get to know these people long distance, but it was nice to know she’d been right about Juna. The jury was still out on Hollank, but at least her instincts had steered her correctly with this woman.
“They’re just trying to save me,” Kimberley said haltingly as she tried to breathe through the pain in her heart.
“Why would they do that?” Juna asked, looking confused.
“Because they’re nice guys who’ve been looking out for me since I landed on this planet.”
“Is that truly what you see?” Juna asked, tilting her head to the side as she assessed Kimberley’s face. “I see two men deeply in love with you.”
“But they didn’t say anything until you arrived. They’ve been trying to find me new partners ever since I got here.” Except that statement was no longer true. In fact, it had only been the first couple of weeks that they’d introduced her to suitable Desconian couples. After that, they’d simply settled into a routine all three of them were very comfortable with.
“Have you shared their bed?”
A little bit embarrassed by the question, Kimberley at least owed this woman the truth. She nodded. “I was curious. They were happy to teach me.”
Juna gave her a soft smile. “Honey, I think maybe you’ve underestimated how seriously Desconians view sex. If Ewin and Dayved invited you into their bed, it was because they wanted you there. Not a random female—just you. Kimberley, it’s obvious to me that they love you. Stay here. Give them a chance to show you how special you are to them.”
“Oh.” It wasn’t much of a response, but it was the best she could do under the circumstances.