At the brief rap on the door, before it swished open, Maggie turned expectantly. She watched him stalk across the room, drop her food tray on the table, and pick up the one that she’d left untouched since the last time they’d acted out the exact same meal exchange.
“How long until I learn my fate?” she asked flatly, not really expecting an answer. Surprisingly, he grumbled a response.
“You’ll wait until you are summoned before the council.”
“Any idea when that will be?” she dared to ask.
“Until we determine if the Princep will survive. Your fate depends upon his.”
“What does that mean?
“If he dies…” He needn’t say more, and didn’t, while heading for the door.
“None of us set those bombs, you fool. Further, how could I, while under sedation in your infirmary?”
“You call me a fool? I did not take the Prima from her mate, silly earthling. Pray to whatever Maker you believe in that she isn’t too late.”
He’d stormed out, slamming the door with a resounding bang, leaving Maggie even more confused.
“What the hell does taking Eva away have to do with their Princep’s illness?” In an empty room, however, answers to her numerous questions weren’t forthcoming, and she didn’t expect them anytime soon, while her isolation continued.
With nothing else to do except stare at the walls or pace uselessly, she crawled into bed and slept, still exhausted. She didn’t stir when the grumpy guard returned with her supper, or in the morning with her breakfast.
“You must eat, female.”
“Why, so I can be hale and hearty when your council orders my death?”
“Death? What nonsense do you speak?”
She rolled to glare at him. “Isn’t that the fate you assign traitors to the king?”
He grunted. “Kerr is not a king, he is our Princep, and much to your good fortune, he lives. The Prima, his fated mate, brought him back from the brink. Our prayers to the Maker were answered.”
“His fated mate?”
“Yes, we knew they were a good match, but their transformation was delayed for some reason. No one knew, not the Prima or Max Kerr.”
“What happens now?”
“You still await the council. They may be less vengeful now, since our Princep recovers.”
“Lucky me,” she muttered. “When will that be?”
“After the Prima’s audience this morning.”
“Wait,” she said, rolling over as he started to leave. “I thought she saved him? Why is she appearing before the council?”
“Because she left him,” he replied as if she were dimwitted.
“Forgive me for not being up on all of your archaic Primarian laws, but what does one thing have to do with the other?”
“They are fated.”
She raised her brows, still not understanding.
“Didn’t you pay attention during orientation?” That was the second time she’d been asked that question and it was beginning to sink in that being distracted was a mistake. “Fated mates cannot be separated, or they die.”
“That’s true?” She frowned, remembering when she’d heard that before. “That was so inconceivable, I thought he was kidding.”
“Why would someone joke about something so critical.”
“You mean they must spend every moment of every day together?”
“No, but you were gone for several days, which was too long for the Princep.” He frowned at her. “When things return to normal, I am going to recommend you repeat your classes.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“You should thank me, and so will your future mate. If we can find one who will have you.”
His final cutting remarks left her speechless. She sat staring after him, trying to process all he had told her, when a wave of vertigo made spots appear before her eyes. Breathing deep, she decided it was foolish not to eat, as it was affecting her. Carefully she stood and crossed to the tray he had left. When she raised the dome keeping her breakfast warm, the aroma and the rainbow of colors melding on the plate made her stomach rebel.
She slammed it down and spun, rushing for the bathroom. With nothing to left purge, she staggered to the sink and splashed cold water on her face wondering what was wrong with her. It could be many things, the lingering effects of the alien gas, her lack of sleep, not eating, or the overwhelming stress. Or was it as basic as acclimating to the new, lighter atmosphere of Primaria? Whatever the cause, staring back at her from the mirror was a woman thinner and paler than a few weeks ago when this whole shit-show started.
Sleep, she decided was what she needed for it to pass; then, holding to the walls and furniture, she stumbled over to bed and practically collapsed on the pillows.
Roth paced the corridor outside the council chamber. He remained in case his friend needed his assistance. Weakened by the separation sickness, and nearly dying from it, the council had acted while he was still vulnerable, calling the Prima to face charges of treason against the Princep.
“Unbelievable,” he muttered as his agitated stride took him back toward the doors which remained closed, after Kerr had cleared the room except for three witnesses. He’d called upon an ancient law he’d never heard of, one that Kerr’s grandfather had pulled out from his robe like a magician in a stage show.
There would be more trials and public punishments as the other traitors appeared before the council, including some of the councilmen themselves who were opposed to the females’ presence, but that would come after Kerr had recovered, after he cared for his mate and the punishment he was even now giving when the council had forced his hand. What a Maker-bedamned mess!
The doors opened, and the three witnesses exited, one closing the door behind him.
“Max Kerr has asked for a few moments of privacy.”
“It is done?” Mordrun, one of the elders, inquired.
“Yes, in accordance with the laws, the Princep has disciplined his Prima before witnesses, she has sworn her loyalty to him, and he has accepted. We move on now.”
Roth, and the others waiting in the hall, breathed a sigh of relief. Kerr healthy and strong was an excellent leader. He would quash the rebellion and move them forward beyond this temporary discord and strife, into the peace that Primaria was known for.
The crowd began to disburse, leaving Trask, Lothar, and Roth, as well as Krager, to see Kerr safely back to his quarters if needed. It angered him that the council would pull this trick while he was still recovering from the brink of death, something that had also been instigated by the disloyal elders.
Footsteps drawing near, hurriedly, drew their attention. It was Jarlan.
“The Princep… I heard of the council’s ridiculous actions and was worried he would rush here and relapse.” His eyes shifted to the closed doors. “He is well?”
“Weary,” Trask replied, “but he was able to withstand their twisted games.”
“I cannot believe they did this.”
“It was Udo and Druan who called the hearing,” Roth explained. “It also came out they were behind the purist movement that led to the females’ escape.”
“We should have suspected.”
“Yes, but Kerr has had them removed, and they must face the council themselves to defend their actions.”
“Good.” Jarlan glanced his way. “I need to speak with you, Commander.”
This was a surprise. “What about?”
“Your mate.”
Startled, a laugh broke free. “My mate? I have no mate.”
“Well, that’s no exactly true. We have found a match among the Earth females, a highly compatible one.”
His amusement evaporated instantly as he frowned at the older man. “You know I’m not looking for a mate.”
“That’s quite unfortunate, since you have already bonded with her.”
“You breached one of the Earth females but didn’t claim her?” This angry accusation came from Kerr, who stood in
the open council chamber doors with his arms around Eva. Both were flushed and clearly shaken by the events that had taken place within.
“I didn’t.” His eyes cut to Jarlan as he demanded, “Which one claimed that I did?”
“None of them; one of my technicians recognized your mark upon her during an examination. Afterward, we analyzed both of your cell samples.”
“My mark?” he repeated, taken aback. “But that would mean we are fated? Impossible!”
“Apparently not,” Trask drawled.
“Which one, dammit?” Roth demanded, taking a step toward the respected physic who wasn’t known to ever be mistaken.
“It is the females’ captain.”
“Maggie?” Eva breathed.
“That is impossible. I didn’t breach her.”
“She has transformed,” Jarlan countered, “so you must have.”
“I believe I would know if I fucked a woman.”
“The Prima, Roth,” Trask warned.
“I apologize for my crude language, Prima. But this is insane.”
“You’ve had no contact with her?”
He paused. “No, we had contact, although I did not breach her. I swear.”
“Describe this contact,” Kerr ordered.
Roth hesitated, shifting his gaze to Eva, who was tucked into his leader’s side.
“I’m a big girl, Commander, and I’m also a scientist who has taken anatomy; you won’t shock or offend me.”
He looked over at Kerr, who was smiling down at his mate. “Go on, Roth, she has also been mated to me for a little while now. Trust me, you won’t shock her.”
“Kerr,” the Prima protested, blushing rosy red.
The others chuckled. Roth didn’t find any of it funny.
“We kissed,” he stated succinctly. After a moment, he added, “We were also very attracted to one another and things went further, but I stopped well short of breaching and bonding with her.”
“How much further?” Jarlan immediately shot back.
“Well short of breaching,” he repeated.
“Oral sex?” Eva guessed, then asked of Jarlan, “Is that possible? I thought penetration was required.”
“I’m finding many things are possible with you Earth females.”
Roth was unable to stifle his groan as memories of that night resurged.
“There’s your answer, penetration was involved, only not in the way you are thinking,” Trask observed dryly, obviously enjoying watching him squirm.
“Very interesting,” Jarlan replied. “I suppose the oral mucosa has the same properties of absorption.”
“Maker, take me now.” This time, the groan broke free.
“It seems you are mated, whether you wanted to or not, my friend,” Kerr replied.
“If this is true, why am I not affected?” He asked this while turning back to Jarlan, his mind reeling with questions. “We’ve been separated for days and I haven’t been ill or overcome by desire. Well,” Roth paused as images of that night came flooding back, “that’s not exactly true, but I haven’t experienced the hunger. Why?”
“I don’t know. I also don’t know why she had no such marking when I treated her illness. Unless you have been with her since, that would make more sense.”
“No, I haven’t touched her since I carried her onto the Dauntless days ago.”
“Hm… Another interesting anomaly of human-Primarian bonding, which will require more research.”
“Faex. I didn’t want a mate; it’s not fair to her or any children, if we are so blessed. With me traveling across the galaxy, how would I protect my mate? It isn’t right.”
“She’s a ship’s captain, Commander,” Eva reminded him softly. “Maggie lives for the stars, she’s wanted nothing else except to explore her entire life.”
“Your point, Prima,” Roth asked.
“Take her with you. I have my garden to make me happy and it helps me contribute; she needs to be exploring new worlds.” She angled her head up to Kerr. “Your males will find that if you give us what we want most, we’ll be much easier to get along with.”
“Indeed,” Kerr said, grinning once more. “There you go, Roth. Claim your mate, fully this time, then address this second incident of escape, and when you have done that, take her with you. Problem solved.”
“You’d have him punish her?” Surprise was etched on Eva’s face.
“As you were, sprite. This was a serious offense, as you know, and it cannot go unaddressed. Although, I’m sure my friend here will do it judiciously, with the care that is required of a mate. Isn’t that right, Roth?”
“You can trust me to always keep her safe, Prima.”
She frowned. “You have an odd understanding of the concept of safety on this alien world.”
“Alien no longer. This is your world now, and as its Prima, I’ll thank you not to use the word odd to describe it.”
“Strange?” she countered.
“No,” Kerr’s response was concise, but indulgent.
“Bizarre? Peculiar?”
“Eva.”
She sighed, leaning heavily into his side. “Can we go home?”
“Yes, sprite.” He bent his head and settled a kiss on her smiling lips, before glancing up at his men. “Now, before I fall flat on my face and lose every shred of dignity I possess, I’m going to bed with my mate, for at least a week.”
As they passed, Kerr clapped Roth on the shoulder. Trask and Lothar followed suit, unabashed humor written across both of their faces.
Mated while fellated. Faex! He’d never live it down.
Jarlan lingered with one request. “After you have fully bonded, I’d like to run a few tests on you both.”
“More tests, wonderful,” Roth grumbled as he watched him leave. “My mate is a huge fan of tests.”
15
A shift in the mattress behind her sent Maggie rolling half onto her back. Not ready to emerge from her pleasantly warm cocoon of dreams, she tried to shift while snuggling further under the covers and return to the dark-haired, violet-eyed sex god who held her under his seductive spell and was just starting to get to the good stuff. However, the blanket was stuck when she tried to yank it higher around her shoulders. Grunting, as it slowly began sliding down her body, she tugged harder. It didn’t budge.
“Maggie.”
Yelping in alarm, her eyes flew open. Had her dream man called her name or was she hallucinating? Another odd thing: the lights were on, but she specifically remembered activating the control that darkened the glass to a smoky denseness, blocking out the afternoon sun that was shining in her eyes and preventing her from much-needed sleep.
“Wake up, little one, we need to talk.”
She twisted around and saw the dip in her bed was caused by Roth, who sat on the edge, trapping her covers and gazing down at her with a serious expression.
“What now?” she groaned. “Am I to be brought before the council, whipped in the public square, strung up by my toenails? What is my fate, Commander? Please tell me because this waiting is killing me!”
“Who told you about the square?”
Her mouth fell open as her jaw dropped. “No one. I was joking. You mean you whip people in a public square? Dear heavens.”
“Mmmm… You’re very pale.”
“Do you whip people in this square?” she closely repeated. A punishment of this magnitude seemed to her like something this omnipotent council might order.
“You also have dark smudges under your eyes.”
Her hands came up to her face reflexively; fatigue always made the shadows appear. But she wouldn’t be distracted. “I’ll take no answer as a yes.”
“Public floggings are ordered only for the severest of crimes, and are reserved mostly for males. There have been a few cases where a female was ordered to the square, for deliberate defiance of the council’s order, I believe. In the case of treason, I would also expect an exception may be made.”
“My God! It�
��s like the Dark Ages here.”
“A turbulent time in your history, I imagine?”
“Yes, where corporal punishments were widely accepted. We have evolved beyond that, thankfully.”
“I’d be interested in hearing more,” he suggested, “if crime rates in your society are extremely low, like in ours.”
She didn’t reply—because the opposite was true, of course. Roth’s lips twitched slightly, which intensified the glare she was sending him.
“We’ve found public punishments to be an excellent deterrent, and highly effective, as are the spankings—uh, corporal punishments—we discussed before. And it is more civilized than housing the guilty in huge prisons, as some worlds insist on doing, putting a drain on society’s resources, making a good portion of its citizens non-productive and dividing families.” He shook his head. “All tried and failed techniques. And I won’t allow you to be subjected to a chastisement in the town square. Any punishment you are assigned will be carried out by my hand in private.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Yes,” he replied, clearly surprised that she had to ask.
“It doesn’t.”
“It will. As your mate, it is up to me to decide when and how, but it is also my duty to keep you from harm—”
“Wait. As your mate?”
“Yes, I wouldn’t allow another male, even a trusted one assigned by the council to do so.” His face tightened as if the thought of that, not the contradiction of what he’d said, bothered him. Before she could respond, he leaned forward and placed his hand on her forehead, flipping it over and running the backs of his fingers down her cheek. “You feel warm. Have you been feverish?”
Ignoring his question, she focused on what concerned her more at the moment than his planet’s convoluted approach to justice. “I need you to go back to the mate comment. What did you mean as your mate it was up to you to decide?”
“Any chills, dizziness, disorientation?” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken, while running his fingers over the pulse at her throat.
His By Command (Primarian Mates Book 2) Page 15
