* * * * *
Nasrin stared at the holodisplay, not sure if she should laugh or cry. It had taken her three days and an obscene amount of money to secure this information, but she finally had an answer to the burning question she’d been unable to ignore. Who was Cinarra Mazodie?
Should she tell Eagin what she’d learned, or did it benefit her more to… No, Eagin needed to know. This would solidify their approach to the final conflict. In fact, it worked incredibly well with what she had planned.
“Computer, where is Eagin?”
“Eagin is in the green guestroom.”
“Is he alone?”
“Yes.”
Shocking. Had he worked his way through all of her servants already? She powered down the display and hurried along the hallway toward the room Eagin had been using ever since he came to the Fire Islands.
Her palm scan would open any door in the palace, but she chose to knock instead. The door slid open a moment later and she stepped into the room.
Eagin stood beside the bed, a towel wrapped around his lean hips. “At the risk of sounding like a cliché, I have a splitting headache. Can we postpone this until morning?”
“Not to worry. I’m not here to warm your bed.”
“Really?” He dropped the towel and stood there naked, giving her plenty of time to appreciate his toned physique, before he lifted the covers and climbed into bed.
She barely registered the appeal of his long, lean body. It was getting harder and harder to see past his personality, which was the primary reason she’d encouraged him to sample the favors of her staff. “I wasn’t satisfied with the information my sources had given me regarding Cinarra Mazodie, so I did some digging on my own.”
Eagin’s brows drew together and he made an impatient sound. “She’s Indric’s mistress. What more do you need to know?”
“Cinarra Mazodie came into existence nine years ago. Indications of her past have been scattered through various databases, but if you tug on any of the frayed ends, it quickly unravels.”
“And this affects us, how?”
Any guilt she’d felt at her chosen course of action was quickly melting away. How she’d put up with this arrogant ass for so long, however, would remain a mystery. “I ran her image through every facial recognition database I have access to. She doesn’t exist.”
“Again, why should I care? She’s going to be dead in a few days, so what difference does it make?”
“She’s a Rodyte spy.” She just threw it out there and waited for his practiced indifference to fall away.
“She’s what?”
“You heard me. I had to bribe half of the criminal elements on four planets, but I finally found someone who recognized her face. She’s a Rodyte operative. Her last official assignment placed her undercover on Ontariese, but somehow she crossed paths with Indric. She had several procedures to make her look as Ontarian as possible, but they couldn’t fake the rotation of Ontarian eyes. In fact, if you really look at her eyes, the bright blue Rodyte rings are still visible.”
“Is it possible Indric doesn’t realize he’s banging a Rodyte?”
“If they’ve been together for nine cycles, it’s highly unlikely. It makes more sense that he fell so hard for the little tramp that he’s hiding the fact from everyone.”
He stroked his chin and gazed off into the distance, clearly processing the possibilities. “So, do we still kill her or is there a better way to use this to our advantage?”
Suddenly it was “we” and “our” again. She guarded her expression, making sure her annoyance didn’t show. “This is perfect for what we already have planned. Rather than rushing in after the tragedy to lead a devastated region, you will risk your own life as you attempt to save your embittered half-brother from his own foolishness. After Indric and his whore are killed, you’ll reveal that she was a Rodyte spy and her handlers were forced to kill her when she refused to follow orders and kill her lover.”
“That’s diabolical.” He grinned. “I love it.”
“DNA targeting will keep you safe, and being there when it happens will make it seem less likely that you were involved. You’ll hold your brother in your arms as he breathes his last, wailing with sorrow that he never gave you the opportunity to prove how much you’ve changed.”
“I can picture it now.” He laughed, resting his head back against the wall. “It will be so dramatic.”
Yes it will. She carefully shielded her excited thoughts as she pictured the actual scene. Indric would rock the lifeless body of his Rodyte whore and what was left of Eagin would be scattered nearby. Indric’s reputation would be shredded once the secret was revealed. He’d have no choice but to form a strong alliance as soon as possible. And with his mistress no longer clouding his judgment, he’d finally realize the wisdom of joining forces with the Fire Queen.
* * * * *
Charlotte walked into the room carrying a massive bouquet of Bilarrian wildflowers, a broad smile showcasing her even white teeth. “Where shall I put these?”
“Anywhere you like. It’s your house.” Cinarra sank deeper into the thickly padded chair and stared out the window of Charlotte’s guestroom. The room overlooked the backyard, but Cinarra wasn’t interested in the scenery. She’d been in self-imposed isolation for the past six days. Charlotte had tried numerous strategies to penetrate Cinarra’s gloom, but none of it had made any difference. Anger required too much energy and Cinarra was tired of crying, so she sank deeper into depression with each passing hour. “Why is he doing this? He made his desires abundantly clear. ‘You have to leave’ wasn’t exactly subtle, especially while he shoved me out of the room.”
“Even a monarch is allowed to change his mind.” Charlotte placed the flowers on the table beside Cinarra then rested her hip on the chair’s wide arm. Wild flowers were Cinarra’s favorite, as was the spiced wine he’d sent yesterday and the chocolate-covered pinaranuts that arrived two days before that. He’d known her for nine years and he was using that familiarity to wear down her defenses. “Talk to him. He’s commed you numerous times. Why won’t you accept any of the transmissions?”
“I don’t see the point.” She dragged her gaze away from the tranquil vista and looked at her sister. “Everything he said that night is true. His enemies will have a field day if they find out about me. His family has ruled the San Adrin for countless millennia. I can’t compete with that.”
“If Tal and I had given in to that sort of thinking, I’d be married to his brother Trey right now.”
The light floral scent teased Cinarra’s nose as she looked at her sister more closely. “What are you talking about?”
“Ontarian tradition stated that the high queen must choose her life mate from among the heirs of the great houses. The eldest son of House dar Aune was Trey not Tal.”
“I thought I knew everything about you. Why is this the first I’ve heard of major rule breaking?”
Charlotte smiled, yet wistfulness shaped her expression. “It was right after I arrived on Ontariese. I hardly feel like the same person I was all those cycles ago.”
“Tal is the most traditional Ontarian I’ve ever met. How did you convince him to buck tradition?”
“We not only bucked tradition, we rewrote the law. We were meant to be together and nothing was going to stand in the way of our love, certainly not an outdated, obsolete tradition.” She chuckled, obviously lost in yesteryear, then her expression grew serious. “You can’t avoid Indric forever. He’ll come claim you if you keep ignoring him.”
Maybe that’s what I want. She didn’t intentionally share the thought with her sister, but as upset as she was, chances were pretty good that her thoughts were broadcasting to any telepath in close proximity.
“He obviously cares about you,” Charlotte persisted. “Why won’t you give him a chance?”
“The first time around was all me. He crooked his finger and I came running. It’s going to take more than flowers and candy if he really wa
nts a second chance.”
“He’s trying not to pressure you, to give you enough space so you can make up your mind.”
“I’m not the one who changed their mind.” Anger flared through her depression and she snatched a bright orange blossom from the vase. “I was willing to be his mistress when I wanted so much more. He’ll not get me so cheaply if and when he tries again.”
“But that’s what he’s doing. He has caged the beast and he’s courting you like a gentleman courts a lady.”
What if she didn’t want the “beast” caged? Her last night with Indric had easily been the most exciting night of her life. She’d never felt so invigorated or so connected to another person. She didn’t want to go back to sensing his reserve and watching him struggle to contain the full scope of his desire.
Rather than explain the nature of her thoughts, she asked, “When did you become Indric’s cheerleader?”
Charlotte laughed again and stood up. “Good question. Why am I encouraging you to join with a Bilarrian? I’d much rather have you here on Ontariese. Torment him as long as you like. I’m sure he deserves every sleepless night.” She bent down and kissed Cinarra’s cheek. “But don’t forget that he’ll be here tomorrow. His head steward confirmed Indric’s plans to attend the gala.” With a smile still lingering on her lips, she walked from the room.
Perfect. Cinarra sighed as she raised the flower to her nose. She’d been looking forward to Charlotte’s gala. They’d decided to officially launch Cinarra’s public persona at the event. But if Indric was going to be there, it would complicate everything. Rather than a relaxing evening with her family, she’d be avoiding Indric at every turn.
With a heavy sigh, she pushed to her feet and stuck the flower back in the vase. The bright colors and pleasant fragrance peeled back another layer of her melancholy. The flowers really were beautiful. Each of his gifts had been thoughtful and personal. And she found it harder to remain unaffected by his gestures.
She crossed to the window and leaned her shoulder against the frame. The tree-lined perimeter obscured her view of the Conservatory, but she knew it was approximately two miles to the east. Only Mystics were allowed within the complex and Charlotte frequently hosted visiting dignitaries, so Tal and Charlotte had built their home at the west end of Mystic Valley.
Much to Cinarra’s disappointment, she’d learned that Betaul had been taken to the Conservatory. Apparently, Krysta’s protestations hadn’t been enough to keep Tal from taking control of the boy’s education. Cinarra hated to admit it, but it was probably for the best. One person alone would never be able to safeguard and train someone with Betaul’s potential. Still, she missed him and the simple life they’d shared for the past nine years.
Change was inevitable. Children grew up and time marched on, with or without permission. She turned from the window and headed for the bathroom, tucked away in the corner of the guestroom. It was too early to go to bed, so she decided to take a long, leisurely bath.
She turned on the water to fill the tub as she took a quick shower. Charlotte had done her best to draw Cinarra out of her dark mood, but what Cinarra needed most was time and distance. The hypocritical thought made her smile. What she needed most was Indric.
The water soothed her tense muscles but did little to calm her troubled mind. Every time she closed her eyes, his image appeared, drawing her, haunting her. Charlotte was right. It wasn’t fair to ignore him. She needed to tell him what she felt and what she wanted, let him know that sex—however amazing—would never be enough for her. She wanted it all, or she wanted to move on.
As if it would be that easy. She sank lower in the tub, hoping the water’s heat would soak away her loneliness. Betaul’s awakening power had taken him away from her and now she was likely to lose Indric too. What did that leave?
Sorrow welled within her, momentarily stealing her breath. She felt squeezed, suffocated, as if all the oxygen had been sucked from the room. She didn’t want to want him this badly, hated the idea of being defined by her love for a man. The useless thought made her smile and she was able to relax her chest enough to draw a deep breath. She’d always been defined by her love for others, first her daughters, then Betaul, and now Indric. As long as she found contentment in the nurturing role, how could that be wrong?
This wasn’t working. All the stillness only focused her mind on her emotions. She triggered the drain and rinsed the soapy residue from her body, then pulled a towel off the heating rack and stepped out of the tub. She needed to read a book or watch an entertainment vid, anything to keep her mind busy.
Humidity from the tub had fogged the mirror, so she grabbed a hand towel and wiped the surface clean. Then she dug a comb out of the top drawer beside the sink and looked into the mirror. Indric’s reflection greeted her unsuspecting eyes and she gasped, spinning around as the comb slipped from her fingers.
“What are you doing here?” Her pulse raced, but she couldn’t begin to unravel the myriad emotions twisting through her consciousness. “How did you get in here without triggering an alarm?”
“I didn’t.” He bent and picked up the comb, holding it out as his gaze caressed her face. “I politely knocked on the shields and your sister let me in.”
“Of course she did.” She snatched the comb from his hand and turned back around. “Charlotte is suddenly your biggest fan.” Trying to ignore him was pointless, but her pride demanded that she at least pretend.
“Really?” He crossed his arms over his chest and watched her in the mirror. Rather than his habitual ivory and gold, he was dressed in solid black. Well, what few clothes he wore were black. The pants hung precariously low on his lean hips and the vest did more to accent the sculpted contours of his torso than cover them up. Even his feet were bare. It was obvious he didn’t plan on leaving her quarters.
“What do you want?” She dragged the comb through her wet hair, stubbornly focusing on her reflection.
He moved closer, lightly resting his hands on her bare shoulders. “Has that ever been in doubt?”
“Yes.” She twisted out from under his hands and faced him again. “‘You need to leave’ doesn’t make anyone feel wanted.”
“I meant for a few minutes while I gathered my thoughts. I was shocked and angry and didn’t want to say something I’d regret for the rest of my life.” She started to reply, but he shook his head. “Let me finish. You were right. You tried to tell me several times and I shut you down. I never wanted you to leave the palace, much less the planet.”
Damn it. How was she supposed to stay angry when he was being so reasonable? “Nothing has changed. I’m still a weapon any of your enemies could use to destroy you.”
“I don’t care. We’ll forewarn the council, as you suggested. The threat is powerless if the secret has already been revealed. We won’t make a public announcement or anything, just let a few more people in on the secret in case it becomes an issue at some future date.”
“You came here to tell me that?” She tossed the comb into the sink, needing to look at something other than Indric, if only for a moment. He reached for her face but she batted his hand aside. “Don’t. I didn’t respond to your coms because there is nothing we can say that will change the reality of our situation.”
“You didn’t answer my coms for the same reason you ran away. You wanted me to chase you. You needed to know that I want you enough to fight for you.” He eased his fingers inside her towel and grasped the material, dragging her forward as he said, “I’m here to fight for you.”
The brush of his fingers against her bare skin made her breasts ache and her nipples tingle. Gods how she wanted this man. “I’m still trapped in the body of your enemy. How will we ever resolve that?”
“I’m not in love with your body. I’m in love with you.”
I’m in love with you. Her heart latched on to the phrase and wouldn’t let go. They’d spoken of desire and sharing emotions, but he’d never before used those exact words.
“Why do you look shocked?” He framed her face with his warm hands and tilted her head back until their gazes locked. “I’ve loved you since the moment I met you. Surely that can’t come as a surprise.”
She closed her eyes, blocking out his handsome face and the tenderness so apparent in his gaze. “They’re just words. Your people will never accept me.”
“My people will have no choice.” His thumb brushed her lips as he kissed her forehead. “You’re the woman I want at my side and that’s all that matters.”
Reinforcing her determination to make her desires known, she slowly opened her eyes. “I won’t be your mistress. I want to share your life in every way, or I want to end this now.”
He slid one hand to the nape of her neck as he lowered the other to her waist. “It was always your choice. The council will be less inclined to meddle if you’re only my mistress. There are very specific codes of conduct and traditional expectations of a consort. Are you sure you want to subject yourself to all that?”
“I’m sure.” She’d expected more of a fight.
“There is another complication.”
“I’m listening.”
“The link required to solidify a life bond must be anchored in your mind. It’s not something I can pass to you. If you want to be my consort, you’ll have to let me in.”
She tensed, a bit of her anger returning. “Is that an ultimatum?”
He lowered his hands and took a step back. “I would never manipulate you like that. Yes, I long to share our emotions freely, but I was simply stating fact. I am required to form a life bond before any woman can become my consort. There are no exceptions.”
“Why is it required?”
“Conception is impossible without the bond.”
“And producing an heir is the primary expectation of a consort?”
“Yes. Which is why I thought you’d be happier as my mistress. It doesn’t mean I’ll love you any less, it just frees you from all that pressure.”
She moved toward him and placed her hands on his chest. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot over the past few days.”
Consort (Beyond Ontariese 6) Page 16