by Ivy Barrett
There was really only one way to find out. Continue with the courtship. Spend more time with them and make damn sure nothing like this ever happened again.
Picking herself up off the daybed, she stuck her head out into the hall. The door to the master bedroom was open, but the light wasn’t on. Good. The males must have gone downstairs. She hurried into the master bathroom and grabbed the robe off the back of the door. Then she went to the hall bathroom and took a quick shower. She needed to appear calm and composed when she pleaded her case, even if she was shaking on the inside. She slipped into the bathrobe and combed out her wet hair, then headed downstairs. Trepidation slowed her steps and coiled like a spring low in her belly. This was going to be so humiliating. What if they didn’t forgive her? What the hell would she do then?
“You’re right,” Kellan’s deep voice reached her from the kitchen. “We can’t tell Bron.”
That was odd. Chancellor Savator was Kellan’s close friend. Why would he agree to keep anything from him? Curious now, Jasmine crept closer, without revealing her approach.
“This thing with Ram is unexpected but important,” Zilrath said.
What thing with Ram? Wasn’t Ram the head of the rebellion? And leader of the Yashonty! Oh, shit, this was bad.
“If we can get the gatekeepers onboard, it will create one hells of an alliance,” Kellan said, his tone hushed and thoughtful.
She shrank back into the stairwell, shocked and horrified. They were rebels! Kellan and Zilrath were part of the rebellion. She hurried back up the stairs, keeping her footsteps as soundless as possible. If they caught her spying on them, they’d probably kill her this time.
The thought sent a stab of sadness straight to her heart. She’d been so sure they would never harm her. How could she even think something like that? Because they’d lied to her about their loyalty. Zilrath said omission was the same as lying, so they were big fat liars!
She reached the spare bedroom and hurried inside. The door wasn’t much of a barrier, but it was doubtful they would bother her if they found it closed tonight. What in the world should she do now?
Ask them about it, her inner voice insisted.
But the Protectorate had been trying for months to gain control of the rebellion. She didn’t know the details, just what she’d heard through the grapevine, but her grapevine included the mates of both Bron and Governor Orellian. So her information was more accurate than most.
She sat down very slowly on the daybed. If she didn’t wiggle around, it wasn’t too painful. She needed to think, logically and without emotion. Yeah, right! These were her potential mates! How was she supposed to be objective about them?
Talk to them, her conscience chimed in again. You only heard part of the conversation. Let them explain.
Her spanking and what followed had been about trust. She hadn’t trusted them with her secret, so they reacted to misinformation. Was she about to do the same thing? Maybe they were undercover with the rebellion. There could be some other reason for what she’d heard.
Or they could be rebel agents.
With Zilrath it was almost understandable. He’d just lost his entire planet. But Kellan was highly placed in the Protectorate, and he’d been talking about betraying one of his best friends!
“Fuck!” She swung her legs up onto the bed and lay down on her side, the only position that was even sort of comfortable.
If she confronted them with what she’d heard, things could get ugly. Or they could explain the truth of what she’d heard. If she commed Nikki as soon as they went to bed, then Sintar could get a message to the chancellor. This could be the opportunity the High Command had been waiting for to end the rebel problem once and for all.
Only an idiot didn’t learn from life’s hard lessons. Her ass still ached from the worst spanking of her life, and she was contemplating the same damn behavior?
“Jesus, Jasmine. Grow the fuck up.” She carefully stood, accomplishing the maneuver without putting weight on her tender behind. She crossed the room and went downstairs, praying with each step that she was making the right decision.
* * *
“We should go comfort her,” Zilrath said quietly. He hated everything Kellan had done to their precious mate. Yes, she needed to learn to trust and confide in them, but Kellan’s tactics had been so violent. Tavorians believed in discipline, but the techniques Zilrath employed were far less... brutal.
Kellan shook his head, though his gaze was filled with emotion. “She defined the dynamic. If she wants it changed, she needs to come to us.”
“She lashed out in anger,” Zilrath argued. They stood in the kitchen, both too upset to sit. “She didn’t mean what she said any more than you did.”
Kellan’s chin came up and his eyes narrowed. “I meant every word.”
“Carnal companions are not sex slaves. They volunteer for the position, and most are treated like pampered pets, not... what you did upstairs.”
“I drew a stark contrast between what her life would have been and what we want it to become. I try not to repeat my lessons.”
After a long pause, Zilrath asked, “What do you want to do now? If she honestly feels coerced, she will never be happy as anyone’s mate.”
“She was coerced. So were we.” Kellan’s voice was dry, harsh. “Sometimes circumstances dictate actions you wouldn’t have chosen on your own. You find the rewards you can and make the most of the situation. I have always wanted a mate, but I wouldn’t have chosen to share her.”
“I understand the concept, but I don’t want an unwilling mate.”
They fell silent for a moment, then Kellan’s look turned fierce. “I’m sure as hells going to fight for her. Aren’t you?”
“Of course. She’s our mate, but you didn’t answer my question. What do you intend to do now?”
Kellan waved away the question with an annoyed look. “Anything and everything necessary to convince our stubborn mate that she belongs between us.”
Zilrath couldn’t argue with that, so he just nodded. He really needed to tell Kellan about Ram. He’d promised Vikrin not to inform the Protectorate, but Kellan was his podmate. Tonight was a good example of what happened when podmates kept secrets from each other. Still, he really wasn’t looking forward to Kellan’s reaction.
Dreading the conversation, Zilrath began, “The entire situation could have been avoided if Jasmine simply confided in us.”
Kellan looked at him as if he’d gone daft. “I’m aware.”
“Well,” Zilrath inhaled deeply, searching for just the right words. “I too have something I need to confess.”
“Celeste tried to recruit you to spy on me?” When Zilrath didn’t react to his sarcasm, Kellan asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Two days ago, or was it three? It was the afternoon when I had a meeting I couldn’t break.”
“I remember.” Kellan grinned. “You left me with Jasmine but asked me not to fuck her.”
“Yes. That’s the day.” Damnit, this was even harder than he’d thought. “My sister, Farina, asked me to meet with her away from prying eyes. I reluctantly agreed and when we arrived—”
“Who was with you?”
He had Kellan’s complete attention now, so he chose his words even more carefully. “The Prime Gatekeeper. His name is Vikrin. I don’t believe you know him.”
“Go on. Where did you meet her? What did she want?”
So Zilrath told him. He explained everything that had happened, Vikrin’s deal with Ram, and his agreement with Vikrin. “I know your first instinct is to tell Bron, but I gave my word that he would not find out until after Vikrin has spoken with the other gatekeepers.”
Through it all Kellan watched and listened without any outward reaction.
Zilrath kept waiting for him to explode in a fit of rage, to punch him in the face and call him a traitor. When Zilrath finally stopped speaking, it took Kellan another moment to gather his thoughts. Then all he said was, “What is th
e advantage of not telling Bron?”
“I’m probably overly ambitious, but I know many of the gatekeepers. I would like an opportunity to convince them that we can have both an alliance with the Protectorate and a joint operation with the rebels.”
Kellan finally smiled, but the curve of his lips was mocking, not mirthful. “Yeah, that’s not ambitious at all. So convince me. How can we have it all?”
“We want the same thing,” Zilrath stressed. “We’re starting on common ground, which is the hardest thing to find in any negotiation. We want to stop the Skarilians from devouring worlds, correct?”
“Correct.”
“So why not work together to achieve our mutual goal?”
Leaning back against the counter, Kellan shoved his fingers through his hair, urging the thick mass away from his face. “I happen to agree, but why would Ram even consider it?”
“Because the only way he’ll get the gatekeepers is if he agrees to work with the Protectorate.”
Kellan arched his brows. “And all you have to do is convince the gatekeepers to let you use them as bait?”
“Not bait, motivation,” Zilrath clarified. “Ram can’t do it without the gatekeepers, and Tavorians wouldn’t exist without the Protectorate. We have to stick together, or all is lost.”
After a heavy sigh, Kellan said, “You’re right, we can’t tell Bron.”
“This thing with Ram is unexpected but important,” Zilrath stressed.
“If we can get the gatekeepers onboard, it will create one hells of an alliance,” Kellan said thoughtfully.
“I appreciate the support, but I need to do this alone. The gatekeepers are untrusting by nature and—”
“It was a figure of speech. I’m well aware that going with you would be a hindrance, not a help.”
Thrilled to have the weight of his secret lifted off his shoulders, Zilrath went to the kitchen table and sat down. “This would be so much easier if I could just gather the gatekeepers into one place and hash it out with all of them.”
“Why can’t you?” Kellan joined him at the table but pushed his chair back so he could stretch his legs out in front of him.
“I have no way to contact them without alerting the High Command.”
“Let me think about that one. There has to be a way.” Kellan stretched out his back, then locked his hands behind his head. “Gods, I would kill for some viskara or even a mug of tarnok.”
“My shuttle is Ventori,” Zilrath reminded. “If those are Ventori beverages, you can probably print them.”
“Good point. I’ll be right back.” He made it to the transparent slider before he asked, “You want anything?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine.”
Kellan crossed the deck, then disappeared from view.
“Where’s he going?”
Zilrath whipped his head around and found Jasmine standing just outside the kitchen. She was dressed in his bathrobe, and her hair was wet. Wanting a shower was understandable after what Kellan had done to her. Zilrath sighed inwardly. If he had punished her, she would be just as upset. Tavorian discipline might be more elegant than Ventori, but it was just as impactful.
“He went to get us something to drink. Do you want something?”
She shook her head but didn’t move from her spot on the very edge of the living room. She had both hands shoved deep into the pockets of the robe, and she kept licking her lips. Without asking her again, Zilrath got up and filled a glass with water. He sat the glass on the table then went and escorted her across the room. “I’m glad you came down,” he said as he seated her. The table was square, so they each had an equal side. “Would you like something to eat? He can print whatever you’d like.”
“I’m not hungry.” She’d said she wasn’t thirsty, but picked up the glass and took a drink. It must have tasted good because she quickly took another.
Decision made, Zilrath got up again and slid the transparent door open. “Kellan, bring some sort of sandwich for Jasmine. If she doesn’t eat it, I will.”
Kellan stuck his head out of the hatch long enough to say, “Will do.”
“Is he still angry?” She took a quick sip of water as Zilrath returned to his chair. “Are you?”
“You were disciplined for your misbehavior. The issue is behind us, at least for me.”
“Good.” She said nothing more until Kellan returned a few minutes later.
Kellan set down a plate with a pile of sandwich wedges and three wineglasses, which he’d balanced with one hand.
“If the commander thing ever ends, you’ll make one hell of a waiter,” Zilrath teased. They each took a glass, and Zilrath chose a sandwich wedge as Kellan returned to his seat. Jasmine hadn’t looked all that comfortable before. She looked scared to death now.
Kellan paused for a sip of wine before he said, “Welcome back, mate?” His inflection made it obvious he was asking, not stating.
“I need to tell you something first.”
Kellan tensed and set down his glass.
Zilrath quickly cleared his mouth and set down what remained of his sandwich. He really didn’t want any more drama tonight.
“I overheard part of your conversation.” Her eyes were wide and filled with uncertainty. “Would you please explain what I heard?”
“What did you hear?” Zilrath asked.
Her expressive gaze dropped to the table as she explained. “Kellan said, ‘You’re right, we can’t tell Bron.’ You mentioned making a deal with Ram. Then Kellan said something about trying to get the gatekeepers onboard with the alliance.”
Kellan chuckled. “Damn. That makes us sound like rebels.”
Her troubled gaze flew to his face. “Are you?”
Unable to stop the rush of joy, Zilrath dragged her chair closer to his and kissed her mouth. “Thank you for asking us instead of presuming the worst.”
“Then you’re not?” she asked hopefully.
“We are not rebels,” Kellan confirmed. “Zilrath’s sister surprised him with a visit from Ram. Apparently, the Yashonty have located a massive Skarilian base, or maybe even their home world.”
“They need the gatekeepers to open a portal big enough to fly ships through, so they can attack the base. The only problem is Ram wants to do it without involving the Protectorate. I’m going to try to convince the gatekeepers to agree, but insist it’s a package deal. No Protectorate, no gatekeepers.”
“Things would be a lot easier if we could concentrate on the real enemy,” Kellan agreed.
“Thank God.” She slumped back in her chair and pressed her hand to her throat. “I didn’t know what to think when I heard what you two said.”
“But you trusted us enough to ask,” Kellan pointed out. “That’s a massive improvement over this morning.”
The observation made her blush. “I might be slow to learn at times. But once the lesson sinks in, I never have to be taught again.”
“Glad to hear it,” Kellan concluded. He paused for a long drink of wine, then said, “Now let’s settle the other topic once and for all. We desperately want to claim you. We want nothing more, but we do not want an unwilling female. If you honestly felt coerced into this courtship, it ends right now.”
Zilrath’s heart plummeted into his gut. What the fuck was Kellan doing? He’d vowed to fight for her! Kellan glanced at Zilrath, and Zilrath saw the cunning gleam in his podmate’s gaze. This was strategic. Kellan had no intention of letting her go.
“You’ll be safe until our thirty days have expired,” Kellan continued. “Beyond that, we have little control. However, we will pester Bron until he agrees to free you completely. Say the word, and you can walk away.”
She came up out of her chair and circled around to Kellan. Taking his face between her hands, she looked deep into his eyes. “I want you to court me.” She looked at Zilrath and stressed, “I want both of you to court me.” Her gaze shifted back to Kellan as she went on. “I was angry and terrified. I didn’t mean what I
said. I would much rather have mates than masters. I want the security and true intimacy of a lifelong relationship, and I’m becoming more and more certain that I want that with you and Zilrath.”
Zilrath grinned. She’d just reinstated the courtship but made it clear she was not yet accepting their claim. Good for her. She still wanted them to work for it. Well, he couldn’t speak for Kellan, but Zilrath was more than ready for the challenge.
Chapter Nine
The next two days were a surreal blend of tenderness and romance. Zilrath and Kellan were wonderfully attentive, each one carefully balanced fulfilling his responsibilities and spending time with her. Kellan’s first officer harassed him nonstop, but also he’d appreciate the flexibility when his month of courting came around. Jasmine ate every meal with one of her mates, usually both. After stocking the kitchen with basic staples and fresh ingredients, Jasmine cooked dinner for them. Tonight the males insisted she take a long bath, then surprised her with a freshly cooked meal as well.
They cuddled up and watched video files. They went for walks in the moonlight. The only thing they didn’t do was have sex, and it was starting to piss her off. Before their big blowup, they had been open and candid with her. Ever since that night, she’d sensed a distance and emotional barrier that hadn’t been there before. When this courtship started, she hadn’t trusted them. Now they didn’t trust her. It was frustrating as hell, but she wasn’t sure how to bridge the gap.
She finally confronted them about it while they were watching the Ventori version of an action film. “Are you still punishing me?” They sat on the couch together. Kellan had his arm around her shoulders, and Zilrath was holding her hand. All three were dressed casually in ‘Earth’ garments. They’d taken her shopping earlier in the day and had been perfect gentlemen. No PDAs or sexual innuendos. It had all been frustratingly polite.
Kellan didn’t take his eyes off the holographic fight sequence taking place in the middle of the living room courtesy of the digi-sheet. “We know you’re still unsure, so we’re trying to give you as much room as we can.”