by Sadie Carter
“It means you’re no angel. You forced me to take that serum. You lied when you first brought me here. You told me we were mated. That I couldn’t remember things because I had hit my head. Yet, you expect me to fully trust you, don’t you?”
He looked slightly disturbed.
“So I guess we’re at a stalemate, huh? You can’t trust me. You don’t want to be mated to me. Hell, you can barely even look at me. So where do we go from here?”
“I do not know.”
She rolled back over. “Just go away and leave me alone.”
“I am sorry I hurt you.”
“Yeah, and I’m sorry I let you have the power to hurt me.” She turned back to him. “Things can’t continue as they are, Macon. We are going to tear ourselves to bits. Maybe we should just call this mating thing quits.”
“There is no quitting a mating. It is forever.”
“Well. Doesn’t that suck.”
Chapter Ten
“You will need to pack a bag.”
Annabel glanced up at Macon’s words, choking on her mouthful of food.
“W-what?” Was this it? He was finally kicking her out? She’d been half expecting it. They weren’t exactly the model of marital bliss or should that be mating bliss? The only time he ever let that cool demeanor drop was when he was mad at her or when they’d fucked. She couldn’t call it making love. That would imply there was some affection between them. Something more than a weak mating bond and lust.
Still, even though she’d been expecting it, something pierced her deep.
“Yes. We must go with Dex and Zoey to Regency.”
Regency? “Isn’t that a small planet to the south?”
“Yes.”
“Jeez, slow down, take a breath, I can’t get a word in for all your yabbering.”
“Yabbering?”
“Macon, you think you could ever learn to talk in more than one-word sentences?”
“Yes.”
She moved her to plate to the side then banged her forehead on the table. Once. Twice. A warm, rough hand slid between her head and the table. She drew herself up to find him scowling down at her.
“You will stop that before you harm yourself.”
She sighed. A long, exaggerated sigh. “You are so frustrating.” He hated her, yet he wouldn’t let her leave. He didn’t like her, yet he didn’t want her harming herself.
“I believe that goes both ways.” He gave her a disgruntled look then gathered up the plates and took them to the cleaning station.
She would say one thing for him, he was tidy. And he didn’t expect her to slave away after him. Mind you, wasn’t like she had anything else to do all day. Locked up here in her cold prison.
“Why are we going to Regency?” she asked his back.
He didn’t turn around. “There is a gathering they are attending. The Emperor must attend a few meetings, and there will be a social function one evening.”
Okay, so at least he’d moved to full sentences. But she still didn’t fully understand.
“I get why you’re going, you’re Dex’s bodyguard. But why am I going?”
He turned, his face shuttered.
Suddenly, she got it. “I’m going because you don’t trust me, right?”
“Would you try to escape while I am away?”
Too right. “Yep.”
“At least you are honest.”
She laughed. “I thought that was our problem? That I’m a liar and untrustworthy.”
“You are honest when you wish to be. The issue is that your loyalties lie with another.” He left the room, and she looked after him sadly. Actually, her loyalties were stretched between two men. Stretched so thin she was pretty certain she was about to snap.
***
Annabel sat quietly on the shuttle. Alone. Not that it bothered her. She preferred to be alone.
Really.
Because Regency was only a few hours’ flight away, they’d taken one of the Zerconian’s smaller shuttles. There were just twelve people besides the pilot on the shuttle. Her and Macon. Dex and Zoey. Boris. Rastian and baby Elodie. Racar. Then the other guards, Jaxan, Safan, Que and Marix. There weren’t many places to sit, yet they all managed to avoid sitting next to her.
Suited her. Wasn’t like she had anything to say to anyone. She’d just mind her own business. Except, each time baby Elodie giggled, her head turned to the sweet little girl. She sighed, wishing she could hold her. Just for a minute. Instead, she forced herself to look out the window. How much longer could this trip take?
***
Macon stared at his mate, trying to understand her. He had noticed her looking over at Elodie. Even seen a look of longing on her face.
“How long will you punish her for?” Jaxan asked. Everyone knew she had been sent to spy on them. Hagartha had seen to that. He had come to see a side of Hagartha he did not like. And he now thought perhaps it had been a blessing that he had not mated her.
“Punish?” He was not punishing her.
“Yes. It is obvious that you are still punishing her for her deception. I just wondered how long you intend to continue to treat her this way. She looks very lonely.”
“Lonely? Annabel? She is not lonely.”
“Not lonely? You keep her confined to your quarters. She is alone day after day. Even now, in a shuttle full of people, she sits alone.”
“She has visitors. She can leave my house whenever she wishes.”
“When is the last time anyone visited her? Or the last time she left the house?”
Macon thought. He could not remember her guards reporting any visitors since…since the first week.
“Everyone believes you are punishing her. They take their cues from you. They believe you lock her in your house on purpose. That the guards are there to keep her in.”
They were not there to keep her in, but they were there to watch her. Because he worried she would attempt to leave him. His stomach clenched as he remembered her clinging to the cliff face, so close to plunging to her death.
Jaxan nodded. “I can understand where it would be difficult to trust her. But as her mate, it is your duty to see to her happiness. Her health.”
Macon turned to scowl at him. “Are you trying to imply that I am not taking care of my mate?”
“I am not implying. I am telling you. That female is not happy. Her eyes are filled with sadness, and if I am not mistaken, she has lost weight. You must see to her health, even if you cannot forgive her.”
Forgive her? He had already forgiven her. It was himself he could not forgive. His treatment of her had been unconscionable, and he had not found a way to make that up to her. To ease the distance between them.
He studied her closely. Her hair was tied back and hung down her back, her green eyes were wide in her small face, her cheekbones more pronounced.
Jaxan was right, she had lost weight. And she was pale. Too pale.
“She is now living in a strange place with no friends, no family, and a mate who does not trust her. I do not envy her. Not at all.”
***
Annabel looked over at Zoey, almost feeling nervous. They were waiting for Macon and Dex to come for them. The four of them were attending a dinner and dance tonight. It was the final night of the gathering on Regency, and truthfully, she’d be glad to get back to Zerconia.
Wasn’t like anything was different here. She still had guards watching her every move. At least Macon had arranged a dress for her. She had nothing suitable in her wardrobe. So he’d had a sample of dresses sent up from the market, and she’d chosen this one. It shimmered under the lights, an interesting shade of black that looked almost purple in some lights. The main reason she’d chosen it, though, was because she could move easily in it. There were large splits up the sides, meaning she could run if she had to. The front went right up to her neck, making her look almost severe. It wasn’t until she turned that you saw the back was almost completely missing, cut right down to her ass. She couldn’
t wear a bra, but then she had bugger all to support anyway.
She had tied her hair up on her head, letting some strands fall down to soften her face.
Zoey sat across from her, dressed in a bright blue dress which flattered her tucked-in waist and curvy hips. She didn’t suffer from a lack of boobs the way Annabel did, and her dress was cut to show her cleavage.
“How are you, Annabel?” Zoey asked suddenly, actually giving her a sympathetic look.
“Um, I’m good.”
“We never see you.”
“I can’t exactly come and go as I please. I’m constantly under guard.”
“Dex said that Macon requested the guards remain even after you were mated.”
“Because he doesn’t trust me.”
“Macon still likes to abide by the old rules. Many Zerconian females still have escorts when they leave the house.”
“But I bet they don’t have guards outside their doors. Or an alarm that goes off when they try to leave out the window.”
“I doubt any of them attempt to climb out their windows.” Zoey’s lips twitched. “I’m sure the guards would escort you wherever you wanted to go.”
“And where would I go? Everyone thinks I’m a spy.”
“But you are, aren’t you?”
“I’m not sure what I am anymore. I was a spy, but I never leaked any documents. I was a pretty crappy spy once I decided I liked you guys. Now, I’m, well, what am I? Macon’s mate.”
“Why did you do it?” Zoey asked suddenly, surprising her.
“Because I’m an idiot who listens to her brother.”
“What? Your brother?”
She sighed. She shouldn’t tell her. She shouldn’t betray her brother that way. Even if he had gotten her into this mess.
“I won’t tell anyone about your brother,” Zoey said.
“You tell Dex everything.”
Zoey laughed. “And if you believe that then you must still believe in Santa.”
“I never believed in Santa. I knew he wasn’t real the first Christmas Day I was old enough to understand and raced into the living room to search for presents. Only there weren’t any. I didn’t live in a rich area, not even close, but even the poorest of kids got something. Even if it was just from the flea market.”
“But you didn’t?” Zoey looked at me, eyes wide.
“My mom was always sick. For as long as I can remember, she struggled to get out of bed most days. Air sickness we called it, even though it’s got some fancy name.”
“Pollucinits,” Zoey muttered. “I’ve heard of it. But I thought only the elderly suffered from it.”
Annabel shrugged. “And the weak, I guess. Mom didn’t have the best constitution. I don’t know if she was always that way or it happened after she discovered my father wasn’t going to leave his wife and kid to play happy little family with her. I guess at least he had the decency to pay our rent and send us some grocery money. We had enough to survive.”
“But not enough for Christmas presents.”
She shrugged. “Even if we had, she wasn’t well enough to go shopping.”
“Who bought your groceries? Clothes? Shoes?”
“I did.” Wasn’t that obvious? Oh, maybe she thought that she had a sibling. “It was only mom and me. Until Rich found me.”
“Rich?”
“My brother. Half-brother. He was part of that family my dad wasn’t going to leave. Rich and his mom. Our dad left a will when he died. Rich’s mom had died a few years ago. I was mentioned in the will. Rich didn’t even know about me. He tracked me down, brought me back to his house with my mom. Got her the best care he could. I know she lived a lot longer because of him.”
“And he’s the reason you’re here?”
“Rich’s full name is Reginald Richmond Rogers. It’s a horrible name. He goes by Rich with family and friends.”
Zoey’s face filled with recognition. “He’s the councilor who lost the bid for High-Councillor.”
“The one and same.”
“And you’re here because of him? Because you felt indebted to him?”
“Yes and no.” Annabel leaned forward. “See, you need the whole story—”
The door to the sitting room opened, and Dex stepped in, looking handsome in his pants and white shirt. But he wasn’t the reason her heart skipped a beat, her breath left her in a whoosh. Behind him, stepped in Macon. He was dressed all in black. His shirt was perfectly tailored, showcasing his wide arms, thick chest, and trim waist. His gaze intense as he sought her out.
Annabel stood.
“To be continued,” Zoey told her with a sharp look.
Shit, she’d already said too much. Bad Anna.
She slid her feet into the stilettos she’d bought to match the dress.
Macon frowned down at her. “Should you not wear shoes that are lower? With a thicker heel?”
“Jeez, Macon. You really know how to turn on the charm,” Zoey told him. She waved her hand in front of her face. “Too many more compliments and we’ll have to hose Annabel down.”
Annabel smiled. “I’m fine, Macon. I won’t fall and embarrass you.”
“I never thought you would embarrass me.”
He’d been different the past couple of days. Every time she saw him, he was trying to feed her or was asking her if she was well.
“You look beautiful, my own,” Dex told Zoey, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
Zoey smiled and patted his cheek. “And you’re the most handsome Emperor in the land.” She turned to Macon. “Now, that’s the way you greeted your mate when she’d dressed to the nines and looking like sex on a stick. We should be trying to wrench you guys apart, not trying to figure out where the chill has come from that’s sweeping through the room. You do know she’s your mate and not your prisoner, right?”
“Zoey!” Dex gave her a small frown. “I apologize for my mate.”
“Hey! Don’t apologize for me. I can apologize for myself.”
They all stared down at Zoey. She threw her hands into the air. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to apologize. I have nothing to apologize for. I’m not the one treating my mate like she’s the enemy.”
“I do not treat her like the enemy.”
“Then how come she’s constantly watched?”
Macon looked down at her awkwardly. “I have my reasons.”
“Enough, my own.” Dex grabbed her arm and steered her away. “Let us go to this gathering before you cause an argument.”
“I never cause arguments. I’m the voice of diplomacy,” Zoey complained.
Lord bless her, the idea of Zoey being the voice of diplomacy was pretty amusing. Not that her amusement lasted long. Pretty hard to find anything funny, when your mate didn’t trust you.
Annabel knew she couldn’t stay. No matter what she did, she’d never be accepted by him. Zoey looked back at her, giving her a sympathetic look. At least Zoey didn’t seem to hate her.
She guessed that was something.
She could see her tombstone now:
Here lies Annabel Fisher.
She wasn’t hated by everyone.
Awesome.
***
A few hours later, Annabel was so tired of smiling and pretending to be happy, she was ready to pull her hair out.
“Come on. I need a drink.” Zoey grabbed hold of her arm and practically dragged her to the bar. “If anyone else gives Dex a pitying look for mating a little nobody like me, I’m not going to be held responsible for my actions.”
“You lookin’ to kick some ass?” Annabel asked her seriously. “Want back-up?”
Zoey gave her a wide-eyed look. “Well, no, I was just planning to tell them they looked fat in that outfit and wasn’t it sad that their hairdresser had messed up their dye job. Even if I did know how to kick ass, Dex would kill me.”
“Oh, yeah, right. Sorry.”
“Two Sola’s, please,” Zoey requested, handing one over to her. “I promised Dex I would stay a
t least four hours, but my patience is really being tested. What we need is something to get this party star—”
The sound of blaster fire had them both turning. Annabel’s eyes widened as she spotted masked men stride into the room. Some entered from the main doors, others from the service exit and the windows, which led out to a large balcony. They were armed with blasters, dressed all in black, and they quickly surrounded the unarmed guests.
“Zoey, down.” She grabbed Zoey’s arm and pulled her around the bar, tucking her underneath where the frightened bartender sat curled up. Annabel glanced around the side of the bar, shaking her head at Zoey as she tried to move.
“Stay there,” she whispered. “Macon and Dex will kill me if anything happens to you.”
She knew her duty. Macon might think her loyalties lay elsewhere, but she liked Zoey.
“Guards! Guards!” One man yelled. Annabel recognized him as the Emperor of Regency.
“No use calling for guards,” a deep voice stated. “They’re all out of commission.”
Oh fuck, no. She knew that voice. What was he doing here? She glanced down at where Zoey had pulled out a small communicator. Probably calling Boris. They hadn’t been allowed to bring guards with them, a stupid move by the Regency Emperor. Macon had told her that they were only going because Dex had claimed Macon was an advisor, not a guard, and that Annabel was a good friend to Zoey. Dex hadn’t liked the idea of attending without any guards.
Smart man.
But Macon was here to guard Dex. It was up to her guard Zoey.
Zoey stared up at her, wide-eyed. “I can’t use the communicator; they must have jammers.”
Of course, they did, this wasn’t their first rodeo.
“Stay here, Zoey.” She glared at the bartender. “You guard her with your life.”
Annabel peered over the bar, spotting a sharp knife the bartender had been using to cut up fruit. She grabbed it, then passed it to Zoey. “You stab anyone who isn’t one of us, got it?”
Zoey grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?”
“To see what I can do to get us out of this.” Annabel took off her shoes, holding them in her hands like weapons.
Annabel moved around the bar, sneaking behind some guests. She tried to get a visual on the leader, but people kept moving in her way. She managed to slide between two crying women.