Seized & Seduced

by Shelley Munro

  Her ears flattened, and she growled again. Her tail swished.

  “Stop that,” Lynx ordered. “We’re trying to help. Picture your humanoid self in your mind. Have you done that?”

  Another grumpy growl.

  “Concentrate,” Shiloh said. “Picture yourself. Your face. Your body. Your two legs.”

  She growled again.

  “Look,” Shiloh snapped. “Do you want to eat your meal with us or do you want Kaya to film you drinking a bowl of liquid?”

  Tough love, Lynx said in approval.

  Easy for you two. You’ve been doing this for rotations.

  And she’s back, Lynx said.

  “Let Jannike concentrate. What do you want? A seat at a table or a saucer on the floor?”

  A shimmer formed around Jannike’s feline body, and the tension seeped from Shiloh. It was going to be all right. Occasionally newly changed felines panicked and couldn’t shift back. Some remained that way for cycles, sometimes rotations. But this wasn’t going to happen to their mate. Her body transformed, bones cracking, reshaping. The black hair on her body receded. Jannike groaned then stood on two unsteady legs.

  Lynx wrapped his arms around her trembling body. “Good job.”

  A tap sounded on the door, then it opened.

  Gweneth poked her head into the room. “Here’s a robe. Oh, good,” she said and stepped inside. “You’re back. That was so cool.” She handed over the robe. “Everyone else is breaking their fast. Should I save some for you?”

  “Please,” Lynx said.

  “I need to go and bite Kaya,” Jannike said.

  Shiloh held up the robe for her. “Would you like to dress first?”

  “How was it?” Lynx asked.

  “Terrifying. Exhilarating. Deafening. So much extra sensory input.”

  “You shifted while you were sleeping,” Shiloh said. “We didn’t expect Ry to let you out before we could talk you through the shift back.”

  “You saved Camryn.” Lynx’s mouth twitched at the memory.

  Jannike shuddered. “What was that thing? It tasted disgusting.”

  “That was a mouse,” Shiloh said.

  “But there was no mouse. It—” Jannike scanned their faces. “Oh. Maybe I’ll bite Ry too.”

  Chapter Twenty

  They spent the last cycle before arriving on Viros cleaning, stocktaking and packing up belongings since they intended to stay planetside.

  “We should have told Jannike by now,” Shiloh said.

  “I know.” Guilt slapped Lynx around the ears. She wouldn’t take their news well. He knew it, which was part of the reason he’d shoved the topic to the rear of his mind. Running away. Again. The acknowledgement didn’t stop the roiling in his gut.

  “Told me what,” Jannike asked from behind them. “Did you contact your brother?”

  “Yes.” Shiloh controlled his start, but just. He glared when Lynx grinned. “I passed on the directions Ellard gave me for the new spaceport. I still can’t believe it.”

  Lynx shook his head, wondering who had convinced his father and the council to build a spaceport. They needed a medal. “We live at the castle—when we’re here on Viros.”

  Jannike stilled, scowled. “The castle?”

  “We’re about to land,” Ry interrupted over the internal communicator. “I want everyone strapped in, especially you, Jannike.”

  “Huh!” Jannike threw up her hands and wheeled away.

  “What does he mean?” Shiloh asked, halting her retreat.

  “Jannike keeps injuring her head because she’s not strapped in,” Kaya said. “I have the camera this time. I’ll be ready to film.”

  Jannike let out a distinctly feline snarl. Kaya shrieked—with humor and an impish smirk—and took off at a run. Jannike raced after her, a feline on the hunt.

  “I guess we tell her once we land,” Lynx said.

  The landing went smoothly, and with the Indefatigable secured, they prepared to board the tender, which Nanu had relocated to a neighboring landing pad.

  Two men dressed in navy-blue tunics and matching trews marched in their direction. “Who is captain? We have paperwork to complete.”

  Lynx froze at the familiar voice. He recognized the man, couldn’t recall his name. “The captain is coming.”

  “Your maj— Ah, Lynx,” the man said hurriedly, and Lynx recalled bloodying the feline’s nose as a youngster for insisting on using his title instead of his name. “D-did you arrive on this ship?”

  “Yes.” Hellfire. He needed to speak with Jannike.

  “We’ll do the paperwork later,” Shiloh said.

  “Yes, yes. Of course.” The second man almost stuttering in his haste.

  The pair backed away, stopped and bowed from the waist before departing at a trot.

  “What was that all about?” Jannike asked.

  Lynx shook his head. That had been weird. The subjects didn’t normally bow to him. “I’ve no idea.”

  “What did they want?” Ry arrived at the tender with two large bags.

  “They had paperwork but said we could sort it out later,” Jannike said.

  “Is everyone ready?” Ry asked.

  Camryn trotted over, carrying a smaller bag. “Are you sure your family doesn’t mind all of us descending on them?”

  Shiloh shrugged. “Ellard said there is plenty of room for ten of us plus the creatures.”

  “Let’s go.” Ry scanned the vicinity. “I’m eager to see some of Viros. You say the spaceport is new?”

  “Yes,” Lynx said. “I didn’t think there were plans to build one.”

  The tender door closed, and they all took seats. Nanu had them in the air in secs.

  “I can see the castle.” Gweneth had her face pressed to a porthole.

  “Lynx and Shiloh live at the castle,” Jannike said.

  Everyone turned to stare.

  Lynx swallowed, feeling both trepidation and guilt. They should have told Jannike earlier of their positions. “We—”

  “Ooh,” Gweneth squeaked. “Look at the trees. Kelvin, look at the trees. It’s so pretty here. I can’t wait to explore.”

  “You will not go exploring on your own,” Ry ordered. “You will take at least one of the crew with you, and you will inform me of your intentions. Is that clear?”

  Gweneth folded her hands demurely in her lap. “Yes, Ry.”

  Ry blasted her with his fierce expression. “I’m not joking.”

  “Yes, Ry.”

  Camryn giggled, and Lynx found himself smiling too.

  “The female portion of my crew are a bad influence on her.” Ry’s tone came close to a growl.

  “Yes, Ry,” Camryn said.

  “Yes, Ry,” Kaya said.

  “Yes, Ry,” Jannike said.

  “The next person who speaks will get my boot applied to their backside.”

  “Phrull.” Shiloh spoke into the weighty silence. “I’m so tempted.”

  “We’ve arrived,” Nanu called. “Where should I land?”

  Lynx unfastened his safety harness and strode over to Nanu. A silent Shiloh joined him.

  “There’s Ellard,” Shiloh said. “Nanu. He’s pointing over there. Phrull, he’s smiling.”

  “Where’s his arm?” Lynx asked, as Nanu maneuvered the tender into position and landed. “Goddess, is that Jarlath?”

  “He looks like you,” Jannike commented as she pushed between them. “Not as handsome, of course.”

  Lynx exchanged a puzzled glance with Shiloh. Both Ellard and Jarlath were wearing unadorned tunics. Dressed as they were, they could pass as commoners.

  “What’s wrong?” Jannike planted her hands on her hips. “Why are the pair of you looking so shocked?”

  “We’re considered the rebels in our families. Our brothers don’t welcome us with smiles.” Lynx didn’t understand this reception. “We receive lots of lectures.”

  The tender landed, and Nanu powered down the engine. Gweneth danced up to them, her pre
tty face alive with excitement and interest. “Is the big feline with one arm your brother, Shiloh?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can we disembark, Ry?” Gweneth asked. “Can we?”

  “Yeah, Ry.” Camryn’s eyes twinkled. “Can we go now?”

  Ry threw up his hands. “I’m the captain. You should respect me, not treat me with irreverence. Lower the ramp, Nanu.”

  “I’ll bring the presents.” Gweneth sashayed away.

  “She is going to give me gray hair,” Ry said to no one in particular.

  “Let’s go.” Lynx felt unaccountably nervous. “Jannike, with us.”

  “But don’t you want to meet your brothers in private?”

  “You’re our mate.” Shiloh slipped an arm around her waist and propelled her down the ramp.

  Jarlath grinned. At him? His brother looked younger, happy without the normal stick up his arse. Lynx blinked. Definitely a grin. As Lynx gaped, Jarlath shared a mischievous glance with Ellard. An instant later, they bowed.

  “Why is everyone bowing at you?” Jannike demanded.

  “I’ve no idea.” Lynx sucked in a quick breath. “Jarlath. Ellard. This is Jannike, our mate.”

  “Your mate?” Ellard stared at Shiloh. “Both of you are mated to Jannike?”

  “Yes.” Lynx swallowed, the truth more radical now that he had to tell his brother. What would he think? “Shiloh and I are mates too. We are three.”

  “A triad.” Jarlath chuckled then he beamed. Beamed at them, Lynx saw in shock. Jarlath seized Jannike in an embrace. Secs later, he handed her off to Ellard. He embraced Lynx in a fierce hug. “I’m so glad you’re home, little brother. So glad. We have much to discuss.”

  Did you hear Jarlath?

  Yes, Shiloh said. Are we in an alternative reality?

  Why shouldn’t your brothers be happy for us? Jannike asked in obvious confusion.

  “They’re mind-speaking again,” Kaya said.

  Ry inclined his head in greeting. “Ryman Coppersmith. This is my mate, Camryn. My crew.” He went through introductions.

  The markowls took off, rising into the air with excited squawks. Royal let out a screech and scampered off Kelvin. He raced to Jannike and jumped into her arms.

  A woman appeared, accompanied by three youths. She possessed pale green skin, brown hair and her golden eyes glowed with welcome.

  Jarlath held out a hand, his smile one of pride as he slid her against his side. “Meet my mate, Keira.”

  Keira curtsied to Lynx. “Your majesty. Boys, bow to the king.”

  The three boys executed perfect bows. Two bore the coloring of Red Mumbers while the third had similar coloring to Jarlath. Beyond that, Lynx didn’t recognize them.

  “Why is everyone bowing at Lynx?” Kaya asked.

  Jarlath chuckled and crinkles appeared at the corner of his eyes. “It’s a mark of respect for the king.”

  Lynx gaped at Jarlath—the brother who seemed like a stranger. Jarlath had a mate. A mate who wasn’t a feline. He finally recognized the scent and his hand tightened on Shiloh’s shoulder. She smelled like a Cawdor. Wait. “Father is dead? Why didn’t someone contact me?”

  “Father isn’t dead,” Jarlath said. “But he’s not well and passed his power to me. Mother doesn’t approve of Keira, so I agreed to abdicate. Congratulations, Lynx. You’re it.”

  “No.” Lynx’s gaze darted from his brother to his brother’s mate to Ellard. All three faces held the same expression. Certainty. “No.”

  Kaya started laughing. “Does that make Jannike the queen?”

  “No,” Jannike said in distinct horror. “I’m not staying here. I don’t like this planet. I’m just visiting.”

  “Yes,” Jarlath said with a twinkle in his green eyes.

  A twinkle, for phrull sake. Lynx clamped his mouth shut and groped for understanding. He frowned then brightened. “I’m mated to both Jannike and Shiloh. I love them, but neither have royal status, which means I can’t be king. Mother will make sure of that.”

  Jarlath shared a glance with Ellard before he turned back to Lynx. “Things have changed around here. I believe, given the situation, the council might agree to amend the constitution. I believe there is a clause about exceptional circumstances that might work for this situation.”

  “What exceptional circumstances?” Lynx demanded.

  Jarlath sobered. “The House of Cawdor attacked us with magic. They struck us from within by using magic and a triad to help power the attack. I believe the council and our parents might see the benefit of having a triad at the head of the House of the Cat. Ellard and I will approach the council later this cycle, but since I’m king until I officially hand over power, I can award Shiloh a title to give him higher status.”

  “Make him a duke, like in the books we read on Earth,” Gweneth piped up.

  “A king, a queen and a duke.” Jarlath beamed, and once again, Lynx found himself full of incredulity. Jarlath placed a hand on Shiloh’s shoulder. “I give you the title of…”

  Ellard whispered in Jarlath’s ear.

  “Perfect.” He tapped Shiloh on one shoulder and then the other. “Duke of Westbury. That’s a newly zoned district on the other side of mining area. I’ve been wondering what to do with it.”

  “No,” Shiloh said in clear horror. “Hellfire no. I can’t be a duke.”

  “King Lynx, Queen Jannike, Duke Shiloh,” Keira said. “Please come into the house. We’ve prepared a meal. You’ll want to discuss the coronation with Jarlath and Ellard.”

  “This is a joke,” Lynx said.

  Jarlath placed a hand on Lynx’s shoulder. “No joke. The House needs you. I’ve tried to do my best, but the House of the Cat requires your leadership skills, your foresight and your ideas to make us less vulnerable.”

  “Jannike’s right. We’re not staying,” Lynx said.

  “We’re leaving tomorrow. Got to collect our ship,” Shiloh said.

  “Running away again, brother?” Jarlath interrupted, and he grinned, as if he was enjoying himself. Lynx was beginning to hate that grin. “You’ve always done that. It’s time to stop running and put your ideas into practice.”

  Was that what they did? Run away? Lynx glanced at Shiloh who stood poised to retreat at his sign. They did leave home, instead of fighting for their beliefs. “Who built the spaceport?”

  “Ellard and I ordered it,” Jarlath said. “We’ve made other improvements but it’s not enough. We were vulnerable to the Cawdor before. Their trio of rulers almost destroyed our city. The three of you mated is a sign, which will resonate with the people. You’ll see. They’ll rejoice in your mating. We needed to change, to make advances to ensure our House becomes strong.”

  Lynx opened his mouth, shut it, opened it again. “Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?”

  A laugh burst from Jarlath. “Keira has everything prepared. Come inside. We’ll talk. I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “We’ll leave and give you a chance to talk,” Ry said.

  “No, there’s plenty of room in the garden,” Keira said. “Please, it’s good to have guests. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you since you contacted Ellard. Please stay.” She reached out a hand to Camryn. “Hilda, my cook, makes excellent pies.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Kaya said. “I might miss something important. Ooh, does that mean we can visit the castle since you’re the queen, Jannike? Please say yes. I can slide down the bannisters. I’ve wanted to try that since Camryn read that Earth story to us.” She curtsied. “We’re going to have so much fun.”

  “No.” Jannike turned to Lynx and grabbed two handfuls of tunic. She shook him. “Why didn’t you tell me this could happen?” She shook him again. “You should have told me you were a prince.”

  “I did,” he said.

  “I thought you were joking,” she shouted.

  “I…” Lynx trailed off and raked a hand through his hair.

  “He’s still the same feline,” Shil
oh said.

  “You’re his bodyguard, aren’t you?” Jannike asked. “You told me and I… I thought I could carry on being me, spending time with my friends. I want things to stay the same. I don’t know anything about being a queen.”

  Jannike squeezed her hands to fists. A mistake. The prick of her claws against her palms almost forced a yelp from her. Almost, but she managed to internalize her surprise. She glared at Lynx then at Shiloh. I can’t be a queen.

  “Don’t worry. There are no ‘queen’ rules,” Jarlath said. “You can write the book for queen rules. All I ask is you listen and consider the idea. Ellard and I are willing to help with whatever you need. We’ve made changes, but more are needed to drag the House of the Cat into the future, to make things better for all the people who live on Viros.”

  “Jarlath,” Keira said, with a smile of apology at Lynx. “We don’t have to discuss this on the doorstep. Give them a chance to think. Meantime we have pies.”

  Their friends wandered toward the house, chatting easily with Lynx’s and Shiloh’s family members.

  “Hey, this is getting heavy.” Gweneth stomped up to Ellard. “You. Carry this basket for me. It’s a gift for our host and hostess.” She thrust it at Ellard, and he grasped it with his one hand in self-defense. She smiled sweetly. “Thank you so much. Please take it inside for me.”

  “Gweneth,” Jannike snapped. “You can’t order Shiloh’s brother around.”

  “Why not?” Gweneth studied him as he walked away then turned back to them. “Do you think it would be all right to pinch his bottom?”

  Shiloh made a spluttering sound that might have been a laugh.

  “Why?” Lynx asked.

  “I like him. He has pretty eyes and a nice smile. Sexy. I wonder what happened to his arm. I’ll go and ask him.” Gweneth skipped off to catch up with Shiloh’s brother. “What happened to your arm?”

  “The Cawdor attacked and one of their soldiers shot me.” Ellard’s reply carried back. “They couldn’t save my arm.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said. “Here, let me get the door for you.”

  “Phrull, I can’t believe the Cawdor attacked,” Lynx said.