Mated in Treason

by Christa Paige

  “Kiz, what are you doing out here? This smog is terrible for your skin,” Nadia grimaced as her mother took short steps toward her, the twill of her skirt hampering longer strides.

  “Tonight,” she whispered into the phone.

  “When can I see you?” Gunnar asked, his eager pitch matching the same enthusiasm rushing through her.

  Nadia closed her eyes, trying not to show the anxiety of her meeting later with Ivan. She’d have to see Gunnar afterward. “I’m off work tonight. How about our usual, three fifteen?”

  Gunnar chuckled. “That’s too long.” He exhaled roughly. “I’m an impatient son of a bitch. I want you right now.”

  Turning away from her mother, she put space between them so her nan couldn’t hear any of the sacrilegious stuff coming out of her mouth. “You’re not the only one who’s impatient.” And nervous, and a little bit scared… but she chalked all that up to the whole state of being a virgin. “I’ve never,” she tripped over the words as apprehension welled inside her.

  “Fuck, Nadia.” He groaned, and it was preternatural, animalistic. “Where can I meet you?”

  The middle of the night gave them little options for a place to hang out and besides, she wanted to spend every second possible with Gunnar alone. “I’ll come to your place, if that works?”

  “It works perfect. I’ll text you my address. Again, I’m counting the minutes until I see you.” His voice sounded playful but the gravelly arousal hadn’t diminished.

  “Me, too,” she rejoined with a grin. “Goodbye.”

  “See you later, kjaere.”

  It took great effort to disconnect the call but she felt her mother’s presence creeping closer and she didn’t want to risk anything by exposing her relationship with Gunnar to anyone, especially her nan.

  “What was all that about?” Dalia waved a hand at Nadia’s phone.

  “Work,” she hedged. “Looks like I’m needed at the hospital tonight.”

  Dalia’s face took on pure defiance. “You will not miss this meeting with the Kartal.”

  No, of course not. Nadia wasn’t that stupid. “Afterward, Nan.”

  “Hopefully, you’ll feel up to it.” Her mother harrumphed as she ambled with awkward steps in the foam slip-ons toward the metered parking area. She delicately reached into her purse and extracted her keys. “We’ll go to the seamstress now and ensure your suit is perfect, and then we are off to the stylists. Hurry now, kiz, there’s much still to do.”

  At the very least, Nadia now had something to look forward to tonight. It would bolster her during the meeting with Ivan and help her to stay grounded as she carefully side-stepped any impending ceremony. Afterward, all thoughts of council determined matings and blood-rites would vanish because she’d be with Gunnar. And, what they had planned gave her the excitement nothing else could. Tonight, she’d be in his arms, where she belonged.

  ∙•∙

  Gunnar only gave himself a few more hours of sleep before the erotic dreams made him jump out of bed and head straight for a cold shower. He had stuff to do and people to see, and he wanted everything done hours before Nadia came over. There would be no distractions tonight.

  Priority was finding out about the whole sex angle without the blood bond. Eager to ferret the details, he wrapped his towel around his waist and headed for the corner of the apartment where he conducted business. He wanted to make sure he did nothing to endanger Nadia. If it meant buying a box of Trojans and wearing a damned football helmet to avoid biting her, he would do it. Hopefully, it was that simple. He sat down at his desk and propped his bare feet on the shiny surface. He dialed Dominic and waited with complete impatience for the doctor to pick up.

  “I’m pretty sure the rooster has yet to crow, Nakani. This better be important.”

  Gunnar didn’t play around with platitudes, “Need to keep this hush hush. I’m working a case for the kraliyet. Intel gathering on the uprising.”

  The doctor made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. “I’m all for that. Nothing worse than seeing younglings murdered in cold blood. What can I do to help?”

  Gunnar licked his lips needing to tread carefully. “Seems the rebels want to subvert the mating practices, find their own partners, and eliminate council manipulation.”

  “That’s nothing new, for centuries we’ve seen them try but they only end up killing females with toxic blood consumption and end up abandoning the clandestine matings for the council’s scientific process.” Dominic snickered. “It’s always a shame to lose a female to these crazy attempts but it serves them right, attempting to subvert the Council’s knowledge is beyond idiotic.”

  Anger simmered in Gunnar’s veins. Even the doctor believed the bullshit Kool-Aid that the Council had all the answers and did everything right. If Dominic thought losing a couple females for the greater good was better than allowing matings to happen because of love, Gunnar had an uphill battle ahead of him. So did the uprising. He inhaled slowly and cleared his throat. “What if they forgo the blood bond and simply unite their bodies?” Please say nothing will happen. Please. Gunnar braced for the doctor’s reply.

  “You mean screw like common humans?” The disdain in the doctor’s tone laced each syllable of his query.

  “Yes, sex straight up.”

  “While there is no precedent for physical relationships without the biological connection amongst the Kan Asma, there are historical records of it happening.”

  Count to three and don’t sound eager, Gunnar instructed himself before asking, “And?”

  “There are always numbskulls who can’t control their urges and end up biting into a vein, injecting serum into an unprepared bloodstream. Though catastrophic, it isn’t going to kill the female but it definitely outs her to the council because she will need to seek medical treatment to avoid long-term issues of such exposure.” The doctor took in a long inhalation. “You don’t need me to describe what happens to the male.”

  No need for any explanation. The males of his species had it tough. The moment they drank from the vein of their female, she would be it, for life. If she took his blood and the process stopped there, he’d be tied to her and only her forever. The consequences forced a monogamous connection whether he wanted one or not. Females were not tied to such a fate. She could reject her mate and walk away with his blood infusing her veins. It didn’t make her celibate. Though, she would always feel his presence within her, a kind of sadistic parting gift that promised to torment her if she refused to adhere to the bonds of their biological connection. Once the trifecta of the female ingesting the male’s blood, the male taking hers, and the serum infused within her veins, there was no more going back. All of this culminated together in the intimacy of sex, a primal claiming which made the bonding complete and unbreakable. “Are you saying these radicals can have sexual relationships if they don’t succumb to the physiological connection?” Gunnar needed the reassurance from Dominic, he had to hear it.

  “I’m sure it happens more often than I’m aware. Certainly, among humans. Many of the American-born females have come to me for advice regarding their human lovers. None have ventured into the territory of sleeping with an unmated male but I believe that is due to the stigma associated with such behavior. I’d have to report it to the Council and the consequences are heavy. Using a condom would be imperative because I’m guessing the genetic matter excreted through sex plays a great part in the completion of the bonding. In any capacity, I’m afraid biology will trump any physical desire. If a male can control himself, he should be commended. Personally, I’ve never once seen a successful union without a slip-up. Our DNA wants to mate through an irrevocable blood bond. Primal need supersedes any human cognizance. It’s like playing fucking Russian roulette with a full barrel.”

  “Could they develop the technology to test compatibility?” Gunnar figured it best to attempt some type of information gathering, for himself and his duty to Traian. Kane’s scientists must have the expertise to assi
st them with their stance on providing love matches or that platform would crumble. “Our methods are so damned archaic.”

  “Debatable,” Dominic stated firmly. “The council scientists have been doing this since the First Mates experienced unfortunate losses. To prevent further deaths and the ensuing trauma, they instituted biological matings and did away with love and passion. It’s about survival of the species, not romance. I always counsel my patients to set aside their notions of human affection and desire. There’s nothing quite like the blood bond. They just need to accept it and move on.”

  Like. Fucking. Hell. Gunnar swallowed back the snarl as it barreled up his throat.

  “As for technology,” the doctor continued, oblivious to Gunnar’s aggravation. “A microscope and petri dish can only show so much. There is an element of tissue absorption and the process of digestion that occurs. Our tests allow for a mingling of essence in a deeper, more thorough manner.”

  Right, and it also left telltale scars. “This has been very helpful, doctor. I will be using this information to assist in the investigation.”

  “Anything to help,” Dominic added. “Feel free to call if you have any other questions. I hope you find those sons of bitches and Ivan puts them down like the lowly mutts they are.”

  “Me too,” Gunnar added, but he was far too distracted to really care. He had what he needed now. Nadia would be safe if he only took her to his bed and made love to her. No fangs, no blood, and definitely no serum. He could do it. He could.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Nadia fidgeted with the lacy cuff of her sleeve, apprehension sizzling low in her belly. At the moment, everything about her felt fake. Her clothes weren’t even close to the comfortable style she wore, the make-up made her face seem clownish, and the tight bun at the nape of her neck had so much hairspray and bobby pins it had to be a fire hazard. She’d been buffed, polished, and even waxed. Now, she was being taken to the showroom floor to be appraised. The humiliation of this event stained her cheeks bright red and, of course, her mother had to notice.

  “We’ll have to do something about that blush before you meet Mr. Komar.” Dalia clucked her tongue in utter antipathy while smoothing a loose tendril of Nadia’s hair back into place. “Try to be amiable, kiz.”

  Her mother’s use of the pet name for daughter seriously got on Nadia’s nerves. The word itself evoked images of a little girl in frilly dresses and hair bows, not an almost forty-year-old professional with an RN license.

  The elevator chimed as it climbed the western tower of Komar Industries. The glass and chrome building sprawled an entire city block and had a variety of parking lots, attendants, and entryways. The contemporary décor of the foyer showed the ambience of great wealth but when the car arrived at their destined floor and the doors parted wide, she had to blink at the sheer affluence of the Kartal’s office. It spanned the entire length of the tower with a glass conference room built into the middle. Flat screen monitors hung from steel rods at each corner of the room and the screens displayed some ritzy graphs about investments and capital gains. She followed her mother across a highly polished, gray cement floor to a modular black reception desk. A female sat in an ergonomic chair leaning forward at the raised computer station. Wouldn’t that be nice for the back strain she got during charting at the end of the shift? Nadia kept her sigh to herself.

  “We’re here to see Mr. Komar,” Dalia spoke in a refined tone, all business and proper. Nadia tried not to roll her eyes.

  “Yes, he’s expecting you.” The female swiveled in the chair and smiled warmly. “You must be Nadia,” the receptionist stood and offered her hand. “I believe we spoke the other day regarding Gunnar Nakani. I’m Karina.”

  The youthful face and bright smile didn’t match the no nonsense tone of Karina’s voice. It was smooth and cultured. Dignified. She was stunningly beautiful, with shoulder-length blonde hair that curled at the ends in a perfect curve. Pale skin and an oval face reminded Nadia of a runway model and her brown eyes held a depth to them that showed a wealth of intelligence.

  “I’m Dalia. You were the one who sent me the email for tonight’s appointment.” Nadia’s mother insinuated herself into the conversation.

  Karina’s eyelids slipped down veiling her eyes. “Yes, and you were the one sending me multiple messages to relay to the Kartal.” The female tipped her chin and stared at Nadia with a look of sympathy.

  “Well, it is beyond time he sees my Nadia. She’s ready to find her mate.” Dalia toyed with the business card holder and shifted from one foot to the other.

  “That’s what they all say.” One side of Karina’s mouth tipped up and she gave a subtle roll of her eyes. “Please take a seat in the lounge and I’ll inform Mr. Komar that you’ve arrived.”

  Dalia pivoted on her thin stiletto and ambled to a bank of leather seats where she perched with impeccable posture. Nadia took a step toward the sitting area but found her nerves quaking and took to pacing the corridor where a variety of black and white photographs hung on the wall. She read the little captions of each picture with hands clasped behind her back. God, she might throw up right there on the pristine floor since her apprehension grew by the second.

  A door to her left opened, and before she could scurry to the safety of the waiting area, she found herself staring up into vivid blue eyes.

  “It’s the naughty little nurse.” Mikhail grinned. This close the dimple in his chin seemed even more severe and those black eyebrows gave him a devilish air. The beat-up bomber jacket and utility pants added to the bad boy vibe, but Nadia winced at the realization that now she’d been seen here. She had one thing on her mind and that was making sure that Gunnar had no idea she was there.

  “He’s not here, doll.” One of Mikhail’s brows arched as he narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her. “You clean up nice. Not that my brother will care.”

  Nadia groaned. This can’t be happening. “It isn’t like I can show up in hospital scrubs to meet with the Kartal.”

  Mikhail laughed and it was throaty, deep and sarcastic all at the same time. “You could wear pajamas and he wouldn’t give a frog’s fat ass. Unless he has some purpose for seeing you, everything else is inconsequential.”

  She took a deep breath and stepped closer. Mikhail was a charmer, a total playboy, but she could sense that he meant her no harm and she needed to just find someone in this place who understood her plight. “I’m to be interviewed, to determine if I shall be mated.”

  His head dropped back and a look of pure disgust twisted his beautiful features, “My condolences.” He scratched his cheek and licked his lips, “Nakani know about this?”

  All Nadia could do was shake her head.

  “Do you want him to know about this?”

  Again, she shook her head but tears burned her eyes and she blinked to stave off the moisture from spilling over.

  Firm fingers caught her shoulder and squeezed. “You’re tough, you can get through this. Word of advice, tell Gunnar. Trust me, it’ll be much better coming from you versus him inadvertently seeing something here when he’s at work.”

  Nadia swiped away a tear that escaped and pressed her palm to her lips to hide their trembling. She didn’t need to tell him about this. They were going to subvert the rites and be mated way before Ivan summoned her for an actual blood rite ceremony. Today was just a meet and greet. There was no need to worry Gunnar when soon they’d be together in any way possible.

  “If I found out the female I was throwing everything away for had been summoned by my asshole brother, and afterward she showed up at my place without telling me, I’d lose my fucking mind. And, I’m the sane one in this fucked-up bunch of males.”

  God, Nadia quickly attempted to enact some type of mental blockades so that Mikhail would stop plucking through her mind and stealing her thoughts.

  “You’re an open book, sweetheart, but don’t sweat it. Your secrets are safe with me.” He reached down and grabbed her wrist, tugging her a step clos
er. Bending near, his breath escaped feathering the hair across her ear. “Ivan could have you mated by this weekend. Play along with him. Don’t give him one reason to think you might harbor any duplicity. Be docile. Just get through this and tell Nakani. He deserves to know.”

  She took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.” But thinking about facing a Goblet Ceremony in the next few days had fear choking her up and the stream of tears she’d had little control over broke free, coursing down her cheeks in hot rivulets. Before the mascara could leave a trail, she swiped the moisture away.

  “I can’t promise you it’ll be all right, but I’ll inform Traian, and you know he’s got a bit of experience in this type of subterfuge.”

  Nadia twisted the hem of her sleeve between her fingers and glanced at Mikhail’s face, meeting his concerned gaze. “He’d do that for me?”

  Mikhail’s shoulders lifted as he snickered. “Sorry to burst your bubble, Nurse Nadia, but he’d do it for his mission. Brother Traian’s got a score to settle, and nothing’s going to get in his way, especially not Ivan’s genetic maneuvering.”

  Silly her. Of course Traian wouldn’t care about a lowly-reared female like her. Guess he didn’t even care about Gunnar’s plight, either. She bit into her lip and simply replied in her thoughts since Mikhail was listening to them anyway. “I understand.”

  Mikhail’s smirk curved into a full-blown smile and she had to blink at the beauty of his appearance. It was striking. Angelic, yet dark. Intense.

  “Karina is scanning the room for you. Time to go.” He tapped his temple, “Shore up those thoughts, you don’t want Ivan getting a gander of those erotic fantasies with Nakani. Hang in there, Nurse Nadia.”

  She reached out and caught his hand, squeezed his fingers. “Thank you, Mikhail.”

  He paused and went still. A serious glint lit up his eyes and he pursed his lips for a moment before saying, “Be brave. It’ll be over soon.”

  With that, he took long strides and moved into the corridor heading toward the bank of elevators. He didn’t look back or pay her any heed as she backtracked and made her way into Ivan Komar’s waiting room.