by Sarah Marsh
Mari smiled as Luca and Baelion got up and herded her to the side to sit down on a comfortable couch away from the others.
“What did the doctor say, Marisol? Is everything all right?” Baelion sounded worried as he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss, Luca following suit before he rested his hand against her stomach.
“Everything is great,” she told them. “He says I’m perfectly healthy.”
“That’s a relief.” Luca visibly relaxed.
“Did they figure out how to get me out of the contract?” Mari asked, looking over to the others, relieved when she saw a devious smile on Sally’s face as Kham outlined their plan. That had to be a good sign.
“Yes. It should be quite a simple process, Mari,” Baelion answered. “Kham was quite baffled that the councilman would even push things to a review in the first place. It seems odd that he would.”
“Well, Trikna’s delegate was pretty cocky the entire time that I spent with him, so it doesn’t really surprise me that he’s still trying to get his way.”
Mari’s face went red as she remembered how Delegate Bromm surprised her naked in her room after dinner, but she didn’t think from the suspicious looks on their faces that it would be a good thing to mention to Luca and Bae.
“Cocky how…exactly?” Luca’s eyes narrowed.
“Oh, you know, in the regular way—Sally!” She jumped up and went over to the table. “Are you guys ready? We should probably head over there, right?”
Sally looked up to her and then took a quick look at the seething dragons behind her and swiftly agreed.
“Let’s go do this, people.” Eve slapped her hands together and led them out of the room.
* * * *
Both Baelion and Luca knew Mari hid something when she’d spoken about the Dolovian delegate, but they’d just have to get it out of her later. They all made their way to the council chambers. Every Coalition planet had their own for this exact purpose—matters that needed to be debated over by council members could be done here. Some members would attend in person, while others would be participating via communication screens.
The Guild Matron would be speaking on Marisol’s behalf. Evangeline was there to assist, as well, and Sally had delicately told the men that they could sit in the audience seating directly behind them in the gally. To avoid any further complications, Sally wasn’t going to mention that Marisol had agreed to be their mate and was now carrying their child. This was to be strictly about the contract between Councilman Trikna and Marisol, the simpler the better for her case.
When everyone had been seated, Baelion looked toward the other side of the room, where the three red-skinned Dolovians stood out. There was an older male who he assumed to be the councilman, and beside him was a younger one acting as his aide. There must have been some kind of relationship between the two, because the young male was exceedingly doting on Trikna. The third male was middle aged and looked to have some kind of military status at least—he was also the one who looked much too interested in Mari for Baelion’s liking.
The Guild Master was sitting up with the panel of Coalition representatives. Khaman was seated next to him, representing his own home world of Dhuaat, and there were five other members looking in from the view screens set up. Finally, the crowd quieted down and the older Dolovian got to his feet to address the council.
“Esteemed colleagues, first let me say that we are all so very glad to have Marisol Lewis back with us, safe and sound from her horrific ordeal.” His wrinkled old face smiled at Mari, who only scowled in response, her arms crossed over her chest. “I’d like to report that we only suffered minor losses of life aboard my ship, thanks to the quick thinking of Captain Bromm. He managed to save hundreds of lives by getting the power back up and running after the pirate attack.”
It was infuriating to sit there and not say a word as the slimy bastard tried to gain sympathy with the council. This was precisely the type of behavior that made Luca and Baelion avoid these proceedings unless they were called forth as witnesses.
“Personally, I’m so relieved that Marisol is well and can continue with our binding contract and further the relations between the humans and the Dolovians,” he continued, his nasal voice grating on Bae’s last nerve. “I would also like to very generously offer a financial bonus as compensation for the trauma of what Miss Lewis has been through.”
Baelion could feel Luca’s tension and anger as he sat beside him. He placed his hand on his mate’s knee as a reminder to keep his composure.
“This is ridiculous,” Luca whispered furiously. “This male shouldn’t even be allowed to see Mari after his men left her for dead.”
“I know, love, but this will be over soon enough,” Bae quietly reassured him, “and then she will be ours.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Marisol couldn’t believe the garbage this asshole was trying to sell to the council. There were even a couple who were nodding their heads sympathetically. Unbelievable!
She was shocked that Sally looked so cool and calm sitting there beside her. Eve, on the other hand, looked mad as hell, which was no surprise. Once it was clear the councilman was finished with his speech, Sally cleared her throat, turned to the old red bastard, and let him have it.
“This is all quite simple. You have no claim here, Councilman Trikna. You’ve already violated your terms of the contract.” Sally kept her tone professional. “Once Marisol was in your custody, you were responsible for her well-being, and when she was handed over to murdering space pirates, you failed that responsibility.”
“Epic fail, douche canoe,” Eve added. She looked as though she wanted to kick the crap out of the Dolovian councilman personally.
“Your mate has no diplomatic skills.” She heard Arkenon lean in to whisper to the Dhuaation pharaoh sitting next to him. There were a few snickers from the other women close enough to overhear him, as well. Eve was rather famous for her robust personality.
“Trust me, we are very aware of that,” Kham quietly answered back, trying to hide the smile on his face.
“But as you can see, the female has no irreparable damage. Therefore, we see no reason why she cannot follow through with the contract as agreed upon,” the Dolovian representative said with a whine, seeming to think his explanation completely reasonable.
“Let me put it this way, gentlemen. Because of your lack of protection, one of my family had to lie on a gurney, paralyzed, while a doctor debated whether he could cut off her head and still keep her body alive to use it as an incubator.” Sally was finally losing her composure, and both Luca and Baelion were now full-blown growling behind them. “So let’s cut the bullshit. You are going to pay out the contract in full and will not be getting access to Marisol or her genetic material ever, and if those credits are not in the account by the end of the day, then you’ll be getting a reminder visit from our Collections Department.”
Sally gestured to the intimidating female standing guard a short distance away from them, and Kali simply nodded toward the male in question.
“This is Kalista Dax, of the former Assassins Guild on Tokka. I’m certain her reputation precedes her, even on Dolovia. She has been put in charge of the safety and well-being of all the refugees from Earth, and she was rather upset when she found out that your delegate handed over one of our people to be tortured and killed.”
Most of the observers watching the council meeting gasped at Sally’s bold threat, but Mari was surprised to see more than one of the council members had an impressed look on their faces. It was as if Sally’s sheer ferocity in the defense of her people had made her a force to be reckoned with, and that threat of violence had won their approval.
It was surprising how pale a vibrant red alien could get, but clearly, Sally had made her point. The three Dolovian representatives whispered furiously among themselves before finally turning back to the rest of the room. This time the councilman sat down and his young aide was the one who spoke.
“If w
e pay out the contract term, may we submit another contract to be considered? Councilman Trikna would still very much like the genetic material.”
“Enough!” Luca finally lost his cool and stood to glare at the councilman and his lackey. “Marisol is no longer eligible for your contract. She has been claimed by us.”
Oh God, Mari thought with an eye roll as the masses whispered as though they’d just heard the juiciest celebrity gossip. This was why she’d agreed with Sally’s plan to keep everything under wraps until this entire hearing was over. She didn’t want any more attention focused on her than what was already happening.
“Is this true, Guild Matron?” The councilman seemed outraged. “Did you already offer and accept a new contract before my claim was settled?”
“Calm yourself, Councilman. I’m not thrilled with your tone at the moment nor your accusation.” Sally tried to rein the situation back in. “Marisol has mated with the two Coalition operatives who were sent to retrieve her from Draxis, but it is a true mating. There is no contract to contest.”
“This is completely improper for her to accept a mating while my contract has not been settled.” The older man had stood again, facing the rest of the council.
“This hearing has nothing to do with Marisol’s mating. This is about the fact that you violated your oath to protect her under the terms of your contract.” Sally continued, “Therefore, you forfeit your claim and the agreed upon credits.”
“But—” The councilman tried to argue, but Kham interrupted him from the front of the room.
“I’m afraid I have to agree with the Guild Matron on this, Councilman Trikna. The terms of your contract were clear, and you are in violation.” Kham looked toward the rest of the panel observing from the view screens. “All in favor of Marisol Lewis being paid out and released from the contract?”
“Aye.” It was unanimous.
“Make certain the credits are deposited, Councilman.” Khaman turned back to the rest of his peers and bowed his head in dismissal. “I believe we are done here.”
Mari couldn’t believe it. Just like that, she was free to live her own life once again. She looked over at Councilman Trikna and could tell he was furious. His gaze never left the pharaoh who had dismissed his case, but Khaman paid him no mind.
It seemed as though he was used to making decisions that made enemies. What a frightful thought that anyone could get used to such a thing. But this new world Marisol found herself in was so different from what she was used to. In so many ways, all these beings living together under the Coalition in peace was so advanced from the way people thought back on Earth—but underneath all the diplomacy, she couldn’t help but wonder if the baser urges of greed and hunger for power were impossible to erase from some, no matter how skilled they were at pretending.
“Looks like you dodged a bullet with that one and his temper, Mari,” Eve whispered, nodding toward where the old man stood staring in a rage. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye out for my man, but I don’t really have to. My boys aren’t just pretty faces, you know.”
Mari smiled back when the redhead gave her a wink before she wandered off to approach Roan and Kai from where they’d been watching with Luca and Bae. Sally turned back to her with a smile and gave her a hug.
“Well, aren’t we glad that’s over with?” she teased. “It got a little dicey there for a minute, but overall, I think my first time in front of the council went well, right?”
Marisol’s eyes went wide as she tried to gauge whether or not Sally was joking.
“Jesus, Sal. Was that really your first time doing this?” she choked out, thinking about what could have happened if Sally hadn’t been able to prove her case. Shit, she could have been shipped off to Dolovia with the crazy old bastard!
“Nah, don’t be ridiculous, Mari.” Sally put her arm around her but wouldn’t make eye contact—which didn’t really give confidence that she had indeed been joking. “Now, why don’t you go spend some quality time with those hunks of yours? We’ll all meet up for dinner once Ark and I have things wrapped up here.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Luca was so relieved to have this council meeting over with. He just wanted to get Mari and Bae someplace safe where they could rest and begin to plan out the rest of their lives. Marisol obviously had many ties here on Sirus. This was where she would be happiest, so he and Baelion would simply make it their home, as well.
“Let’s go get our girl.” Baelion began to push through the crowd of people trying to leave the meeting chambers. They needed to go in the opposite direction to get to Mari.
“We should have just jumped down.” Luca growled, getting impatient. “Just let them go by, Bae.”
He could see Marisol speaking with Sally, and then the Guild Matron hugged her and strode toward the front of the room to speak with her own mate. At the same time, Councilman Trikna’s young aide approached Mari. His body language wasn’t threatening in any way, and Mari shook his hand when it was offered. When finally the crowd parted and they stepped down to the floor and approached their mate, Luca could overhear the conversation well enough.
“You made quite an impression on many of the young soldiers aboard Captain Bromm’s ship, Miss Lewis,” the young man gushed as he shook her hand. “They were all so very relieved to hear that you were in good health.”
“Thank you, Aide Carson,” Mari answered and smiled at the young male. “They were very nice and I enjoyed learning about your people.”
Marisol’s smile slipped a little. She seemed to be trying to take back her hand, and Luca wondered what was wrong.
“Of course”—the young male’s tone turned to something darker, and he drew her in closer toward him—“you are in no way worthy of contributing to Councilman Trikna’s heir. But I will make certain that doesn’t ever happen. He’s mine.”
Luca roared when he saw the Dolovian’s other hand move closer to his mate. There was something in it, and Marisol was in danger. He knew he should never have trusted her safety to anyone else.
* * * *
“What are you doing?” She struggled to draw back. Mari could see Luca and Baelion running toward her, but when she spotted the syringe filled with an almost neon-green liquid in Carson’s other hand, she knew they wouldn’t get to her in time.
“I am doing my part to keep our races pure, Earth whore.” He jabbed the needle into her arm. “Your filth will not corrupt Dolovia.”
She screamed as he began the injection. Fire lit up her veins, and then suddenly the entire room erupted into chaos. One second he was about to kill her, then a flash of silver and he was screaming on the floor, clutching his arm, blood spurting everywhere.
Mari felt a heavy pressure where the needle had entered her skin, and when she looked down, her heart almost stopped. The needle was still there, and still attached to it was Aide Carson’s severed hand. She followed the glint of metal in the corner of her eye and saw the knife embedded in the thick wooden desk, a trail of fine blood spatter indicating its path.
Her knees collapsed just as Luca and Baelion reached her side to catch her. They carefully took the syringe out of her skin. Kham wrapped something around the aide’s arm to stop the bleeding, but the man was screaming still.
“It doesn’t matter if you kill me. All it takes is a drop of that poison and her filthy blood will turn to acid!” the crazy man yelled.
“Carson! What have you done?” Councilman Trikna seemed horrified at the entire scene playing out. “Have you lost your mind?”
Mari’s pulse raced as the fire in her blood moved up her arm, and when she looked down, she could see veins of sickly green appearing along her skin.
“Marisol, are you all right?” Baelion’s panic was apparent as he looked toward Sally. “We need a medic now!”
“He’s coming. Oh God, Mari, I’m so sorry.” Sally looked frantically around. “Where’s Kali? How did this happen?”
Kalista was suddenly next to Mari, and she pulled
hard on the knife to retrieve it and take a closer look at the hilt.
“Is this blade one of yours, dragons?” she asked Luca and Baelion. They shook their heads no, and then Luca let out a huge breath.
“Look, the discoloration is receding.” Baelion sounded so relieved. “I think you’re going to be fine.”
“The baby,” Mari whispered, suddenly remembering the immunity her little one had given her. She could feel the pain dissipating slowly.
“Noooo!” Carson yelled. “She has to die! He said that she would die! Then I would get everything I wanted!”
“Who is he, Aide Carson?” Kham shook the man and then dared a glance toward Councilman Trikna.
“Don’t look at me, Pharaoh. I have no part in this madness,” the older man declared. “I still need her genetic material. Why would I harm her?”
“Take the boy to the infirmary. Get him stable and then into an interrogation room,” Arkenon directed his guards. “Kalista will find out who he was working for. Let’s get Marisol out of here first.”
Luca gathered her up into his arms and carried her to where a hover stretcher was waiting. He set her gently on it.
“I feel okay now, you guys. Really.” Mari tried to sit up and was pushed back down by both of the men beside her.
“We’ll let the doctor decide that.” Baelion leaned in to kiss her softly. “And then we’re locking you in our suite for safekeeping for the rest of our lives.”
She laughed—hoping that he was joking.
When the doctor ran the scanner over her arm, he seemed surprised.
“Miss Lewis, I can’t find any abnormalities in your blood at all,” he told her. “The contents of that syringe were exceedingly toxic. If any did enter your system, it should have killed you for certain.”
“Not with my little passenger on board.” She patted her stomach lovingly. “I guess he’s already taking after his daddies, saving my ass once again.”
