Camryn woke suddenly, at a loss to explain what had disturbed her slumber. A click directed her attention to the door. It opened before she had a chance to hide.
“Hello, my dear,” the governor said.
The woman with the orange, yellow and red hair stood aside to let the tubby man enter.
“It’s very early. I didn’t think you’d be awake.”
“So why did you come here?” Camryn demanded, moving away from the bed. The gleam in the man’s eyes made her uneasy. Surely he didn’t expect her to welcome him? “I need my beauty sleep.”
“Enough,” the woman snapped, her gaze hard. “You will not speak to the governor in that manner. Some respect please.”
“When he earns it,” Camryn gritted out.
The governor ignored her outburst and surveyed her as if she was a new purchase and unfamiliar. “She smells. Arrange a bath and the usual grooming. Clothes—I’ll leave to your discretion.”
“Don’t I have a say in this?” Camryn asked snidely.
The governor chuckled. “No, my dear. No choice whatsoever.”
“Very well,” the woman said and her nose wrinkled as if she didn’t relish the chore. “It will be done.”
“I will visit tomorrow night,” the governor said with a lingering look at Camryn.
Camryn suppressed her shudder. She knew what thoughts ran through the pervert’s mind. At least Ry had given her a choice and hadn’t forced himself on her. She’d taken one look at the hunky alien and hadn’t been able to take her eyes off him.
“Sweet dreams, my dear,” the governor said. “I look forward to tomorrow night.” He walked out with the woman following two steps behind. The door closed and the lock clicked into place.
Camryn closed her eyes, despair creeping up on her. No! Ry and his crew would find her. She knew they would.
Ten minutes passed. No longer tired, Camryn paced. The lock slid back again and the door opened. The boss woman entered along with two men bearing a large tub. Several other ladies followed, carrying buckets of steaming water. The men set the tub down and moved back against the wall while the ladies poured the water into the tub and left the room.
“Strip,” the woman in charge said.
Camryn glanced at the two silent men and frowned before returning her attention to the woman.
“If you do not strip the men will do it for you.” Amusement colored her voice and Camryn sighed.
Slowly she let her cape drop away. “I will need help with the buttons.”
“Georges, help her with her buttons,” the woman directed.
Camryn could tell by the curl of her lips the woman expected an argument. A glance at the two men told Camryn there was no point offering resistance. Better to pick her fights.
Georges walked over to her, and Camryn offered her back. His big fingers fumbled the buttons and soon her gown gaped, only held up by her hands at her breast.
“Continue,” the woman said.
Camryn let the dress slip to the ground. She stepped out of the pool of fabric and rolled down her stockings.
The ladies arrived again with more water. One added a vial of oil to the bath and soon a floral scent reminiscent of lavender filled the room. Another placed a small container of something on the lip of the bath while another carried towels.
Showtime, Camryn thought with a wry twist of lips. She unfastened her stays and chemise, tossing both aside. Her nose rose in the air when she glanced at the woman in charge. “I presume the bath is for me?”
“What is that on your back?” The woman grabbed her shoulder and roughly turned her to face to door. A gasp of horror escaped. “Out,” she ordered. “Everyone out. You, take her dirty clothes with you.”
The two men halted their perusal of her breasts and snapped to attention, marching from the room at the order. After gathering her soiled clothes, the ladies with the buckets followed. The door shut, leaving Camryn alone with the agitated woman.
“You wear the mark of the cat.” Accusation shaded her words and her brow creased in a mighty frown.
Camryn didn’t understand her acute about-face. What did the tattoo mean? Ry didn’t know. His strange tattoo puzzled him. Mogens knew nothing, or if he did, he wasn’t saying while the rest of the crew hadn’t seen the tattoo. Mogens thought it related to Ry’s race. Lately he kept muttering about mates.
After a long pause, Camryn decided to follow gut instinct. She lifted her chin. “Yes, I do.”
“This changes everything. Take your bath. A maid will bring you clean clothes and food.” Then she strode from the room.
Camryn waited for her to lock the door but didn’t hear the click announcing her imprisonment. She darted forward to test the door and found it open when she twisted the handle. Whatever the mark of the cat meant, it had rattled the woman. She shut the door, frowning. Difficult to go anywhere without clothes. Camryn walked to the bath, deciding to take advantage of the warm water. The water splashed when she climbed in. Warm and fragrant, it came up to her breasts. She leaned back with a soft groan of pleasure. She scrubbed the dried mud off her feet and washed her entire body. Although tempted to linger, she climbed out. Heedless of the puddles she left, Camryn marched over to the bed and dried herself, wincing at the tender spot on her back. The mysterious tattoo. She wished she could see it properly. The tender didn’t have mirrors, and she’d had to rely on Ry and Mogens to describe it—a leaping black feline, according to them.
The door opened and a woman entered bearing a set of clothes. A second bore a tray of food. They stared at her back, their gazes full of curiosity.
Camryn accepted the clothes and yanked on the chemise, frowning at the lace and silky fabric. Fine and transparent, meant to attract a man. Her scowl intensified. No way did she want to entice the fat tub of lard. Every time she looked at him, she pictured a frog.
The woman handed her the stays and dress that went on the top. Bother, no panties again. Going around naked beneath her clothes made her nervous. It made her worry about a reversion to childhood clumsiness.
Camryn pulled on the stays—this one laced from the back—and silently presented her back so the woman could lace them. The dress went on next. White stockings secured with lacy garters. She stepped into the matching slippers. Once dressed, the women left her alone without locking the door.
When the woman’s footsteps receded, Camryn sneaked from the room to start her clandestine exploring. There had to be some way out. She smiled. Her brother would never believe this when she told him. Her sister-in-law would probably want to sign her up for rehab.
* * * * *
“Ry, slow down,” Jannike called.
Ry grunted and slowed his lope to a trot. The trail smelled faint. He wanted to hurry before people started pouring from their houses to complete their morning business and obliterated the trail. He trotted down the street, slowing when he neared the jail to scent again. Relief filtered through Ry when he located her scent continuing past. Stories and gossip indicated harsh treatment at this particular jail. He scurried onward, footsteps behind indicating his crew still followed.
The trail took them into a better part of town, through a marketplace—empty at the moment—and into streets of imposing houses built by the rich merchants who made Ornum their home. The trail petered out at the doorway of a smart townhouse. Ry halted, flicked his tail.
Camryn?
Ry? Is that you?
Ry bared his teeth in a feline smile when he heard the excitement in her voice. Who else were you expecting?
The governor. This is where he houses his harem.
Ry growled, low and fierce, making his crew stiffen in alarm. If he’s touched you—
No, he intends to come back tonight night after the wedding celebrations.
A snarl rumbled up Ry’s throat and his top lip curled to display fangs. There’s not going to be a wedding. Not when you’re my mate.
Whatever, Camryn thought with impatience. When you’re ready, I want to lea
ve.
How many guards?
One on the door. I’ve seen two other men. The woman who runs the place brought them with her to encourage me to undress when she wanted me to take a bath. We need to take a look at the diary and the gold box again. They freaked out when they saw my tattoo. The woman called it the mark of the cat. It meant something to her. She said she’d need to talk to the governor.
If they’re worried about the tattoo, the real thing will upset them, Ry told her. Where are you now?
Upstairs. I’ve sneaked out of my bedroom. I’ll creep downstairs.
Stay where you are. I’ll come to you.
Ry blocked Camryn’s protests and stood back to give Jannike access to the door. A bark of impatient demand escaped. He wanted to touch Camryn, to hold her. He wanted to mark her with his scent and exert his ownership. No matter what Camryn thought, what she said, she belonged to him. Time she acknowledged the fact. When Jannike stopped beside him, he stalked up behind her and gave her an impatient nudge.
“Don’t you think we should stake out the place first?” Kaya asked.
Ry let out another impatient bark. They needed to work out a better system of communication. When Jannike still hesitated, he nipped her leg.
“Ow! Dammit, Ry. There’s no need to bite,” she snapped. “What do you want me to do? Knock at the door?”
He grunted and gave her a sharp push with his paw.
“You’ve put a hole in my trews,” Jannike protested.
His growl grew impatient, and with a scowl in Ry’s direction, Jannike pounded on the door.
“Nobody is home,” a voice said through the door.
“There must be a rear entrance, a servant’s entrance,” Nanu said. “We should enter that way.”
Ry didn’t think much of the idea. He wanted Camryn. A sharp snarl gave his opinion.
“I think we’re going in the main entrance,” Nanu said dryly.
Jannike pulled out her gun and fired at the lock. She fired again before the door flew open. Ry lunged inside, following the scent trail direct to Camryn, leaving his crew to deal with the man at the entrance.
Camryn met them at the top of the stairs. “About time. What kept you?”
“Where’s the rest of the staff?” Jannike asked, pushing the guard into his chair.
“They’re frightened of the woman,” the guard said, his eyes bulging. “Nothing frightens Madam Riches. Apart from her.” He pointed at Camryn. “The staff take their cue from Madam.”
“I don’t know why,” Camryn said. “I didn’t bite. Not once.”
Ry barked and prowled over to her to rub against her legs. A loud, happy purr rumbled from him.
“Keep the cat away from me,” the man said when Ry’s tail slapped him across the face.
Ry scrutinized Camryn, mesmerized by the blinding smile that spread across her face. She clicked her fingers at him. “Come, Kitty.”
Jannike smothered a chuckle. Nanu laughed outright.
Camryn sashayed out the front door, her ass swaying in a sexy manner. A low grumble sounded deep in Ry’s throat when he stalked after her. He’d see how brave his mate was when he faced her man to woman.
* * * * *
“I don’t know why you’re insisting on my presence.” Camryn’s eyes narrowed. They’d returned to the hotel to change before heading to the governor’s mansion. “Is this a punishment because I called you ‘Kitty’?”
Ry glared back. “You are the most stubborn, infuriating woman I’ve ever met.”
“So why do you want to keep me? Why won’t you take me home?”
“Because I need you.”
Camryn fell silent, thinking about his words, remembering the panic and anxiety she’d felt while locked in the harem. Okay, she conceded. He might have a point about them being mates, but she didn’t have to embrace the fact. “I’ll change clothes first. And we should take a look at the diary.”
Ry’s gaze raked across her, his eyes darkening with clear interest. “No, you look beautiful. We’ll check the diary when we return.”
“I stand out like a traffic light. I don’t want to attract attention.”
“We might need you to distract the governor,” Jannike pointed out.
Camryn exhaled noisily, feeling half naked in the dress even though she knew they were right.
“Ready?” Ry asked, taking in his crew.
At their nod, he moved.
“The ghost has gone,” Mogens said to her in an undertone. “He has passed on his message and is at rest.”
Camryn stared at the seer, chill bumps prickling on her arms and legs. “Gabriel?”
“Yes,” Mogens said. “He knows you’re safe now.” The seer strolled away, leaving Camryn staring after him in consternation.
“Camryn, is something wrong?” Ry’s brow furrowed as he reached out to cup her cheek.
“I’m fine.” She ambled after the crew, trying to sort out her thoughts. That had really been Gabriel. She’d loved him so much. Still loved him, but now she felt at peace and the sense of blame for his death had lifted. Camryn didn’t understand what had happened and decided not to mention it to the others, to embrace the serenity instead and just be. Yeah, it was weird but in a list of bizarre occurrences, a ghost didn’t stand out any more than aliens. Snorting softly she hastened to catch up with Ry.
It took them half an hour to walk to the governor’s house. Camryn wondered about the bride, if she’d be disappointed. Gweneth looked forward to marriage, even though she didn’t know a thing about her prospective husband. What sort of a father gave his daughter away to a man neither of them knew?
A chain gang of prisoners jogged to the manufacturing plant for their day of work, guards snarling at any male or female they thought moved too slowly.
A woman stood on a street corner, selling pastries. “Meat pasties for sale. Get your meat pasties here.”
Other men and women were setting up their produce.
Ry stopped a few houses away from the governor’s mansion. “Remember, this time we’ll enter via the rear.”
“We know the plan,” Nanu said.
They slipped down an alley and found the gate of the governor’s mansion open to receive a delivery. They were inside before the servants realized anything was amiss. Jannike and the others held the servants while Ry and Camryn hurried off in search of the prospective bride.
“Which way?” Camryn asked. “The next floor?”
Ry paused to sniff. “Yeah, up the stairs.”
Camryn followed him up the curving staircase and to the right. She heard voices coming from a room about halfway along the passage.
Ry pressed his finger to his lips. They crept closer, pausing outside the doorway.
“Do not take your mask off, girl. I do not care to see your face.” The governor’s distinctive tones.
Camryn and Ry exchanged a glance and by common consent waited.
“It’s not my fault I take after my mother,” a woman said in a pained voice. “Don’t you think my bridegroom will want to see my face when we are married?”
“You are nothing like your mother. Not with the abominable mark on your face. It’s the mark of the damned. You will marry with your face veiled. I do not care to see you.”
The cool dismissal in the governor’s voice was in direct contrast to the pain in his daughter’s voice. No wonder she wanted to leave.
You can’t leave her with that abominable man.
I’m not going to marry her when all I can think about is you.
Tough decision, Camryn mocked.
No decision at all. Ry strode through the door, indicating she should follow. “Hello,” he said in a hearty voice.
“You!” the governor said in clear shock on seeing her standing beside Ry. His gaze slid down Camryn’s body and back up to linger on her shoulder. He backed away until the wall halted his retreat.
“Did you think I’d stay in the harem and wait for you?” Camryn asked in a sweet voice.
“They won’t come,” Ry said. “My crew is downstairs. Besides, Camryn is my woman. I don’t like stealing.”
“Your woman,” the daughter said.
“My woman,” Ry confirmed with conviction.
“My daughter belongs to you now,” the governor said. “If you don’t take her I won’t give you the dowry.”
“Go and get the currency,” Ry said to the governor. “Come straight back or I’ll make you sorry.”
“You and whose army?” the governor asked with a sneer.
A standoff. Camryn knew Ry and his crew needed the currency. They’d talked about setting up a base—a real home to return to at the end of a long journey. A spike of pain hit her then. A shock of truth. She loved the annoying kitty. But she also wanted to return home.
Ry, she thought. Shift to cat. The tattoo of the cat on my back scared them. Maybe a feline in his face will switch his thinking about this matter.
Maybe, he answered.
“The currency,” Ry said.
“As long as you stick to your end of the deal,” the governor said. “My daughter goes with the currency. You must take both.”
“Why don’t you just send her away?” Camryn tilted her head to stare at the tubby man. “If she offends you so much.”
The governor seemed to shrink at her words.
“He can’t,” Gweneth said. “He promised my mother he would see me safely married. He promised her on her deathbed and fears bringing a curse on himself.”
“What curse?” Camryn asked.
Gweneth glanced at her father before speaking. “The cat will stalk through the land. It will wreak havoc and destroy all those who stand in its way.”
Did you hear that, Ry? Is she talking about you? It would explain why the woman in the harem quarters panicked on seeing my tattoo.
“I won’t marry you,” Ry said, turning back to Gweneth. “I am already mated. But you can come with us as part of the crew.”
Gweneth turned a searching gaze on Camryn. “I remember speaking with you at the ball. Is he an honorable man? Or would I suffer if I join his crew?”
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