Bren barked out a fit of laughter. “You really don’t understand this mating thing.”
“Isn’t her goal to bend me to her will? To show me what mates can be?” Amory shrugged.
“Zelda wants you to come around on your own. Nothing can change what we are to each other and she’s…lost too much not to grab onto that.” Bren shook his head. “The Mine is the only place she rules. The only place she knows she can keep safe. She won’t let you go home without us, because she’s not sure she would be able to keep you from harm. Not from everything in the galaxy she knows is out there.”
Amory snorted. “She’s not keeping me here to look after my body, unless it’s naked.”
“You won’t be naked until you choose it.” Bren hesitated a moment. “Since you’re her mate, I’ll tell you something about her. No one else knows her history. She locked down her files long ago.” Bren sat down by Amory. “When Zelda was a girl on the border territories, she lost three families. Her mother, father, and siblings were killed on a crop run that was raided. Zelda had stayed home to tend the animals.” He blew out a breath. “She was taken in by her aunt, uncles, and two cousins for three years. They were killed coming home from a fair by pirates. Zelda had been sick and hadn’t gone. She was then taken in by another uncle and aunt. Same thing happened, except Zelda was being punished and it was an animal auction, so was left at home again.”
Amory blanched. He’d lost his mother. What would it be like to lose three families like that? So violently. Such was life in the Union Alliance borders. Bigger planets and cities had more stability and law than smaller ones, but not much. And her losses made this rash action make a lot more sense. He’d backed Zelda into a corner. As a child, she couldn’t act to stop what had happened to her families. As an adult and ruler of the mine, she could take steps to ensure the same things didn’t happen again. With him.
“She went on her own after that, knowing all the dangers the galaxy had to offer. Until she came here to the mine and took it over. Here is where she controls what happens. Out there, she can’t control anything. She’ll leave sometimes. Rarely.” Bren stood up. “I only go off the mine with her. She’ll expect the same of you. She’ll not let you leave, unless she and I go with you. That’s a fact. And until we’ve bonded as mates, she won’t let you leave the mine, where she controls things.” He pushed the food closer. “Z and I don’t know how long we’ll be at dinner, but we’ll try and hurry it along. So we can come back here and spend time with you.”
Amory’s hand shook as he stabbed his fork into some sort of meat, while Bren headed out the door.
When he’d left them to pack, he hadn’t considered his situation. His mind had been awhirl with leaving. With arguing with them. When they’d first restrained him, he’d been too busy trying to pull himself loose. Now that he was chained and eating dinner, he could think of nothing else but the two of them.
Mated.
To Zelda and Bren.
The Fates had turned into cruel bitches. Maybe they had always been. He’d heard others curse the Fates before, but never understood why. Now he wanted to curse them himself, but couldn’t. Why couldn’t he? He should for doing what they’d done to him.
Would it be so bad to be mated to Bren and Zelda?
Yes.
Really?
He shoved a hunk of food in his mouth.
No.
Being mated to them wouldn’t be bad at all. Though he’d denied his emotions to Zelda and Bren, he couldn’t lie to himself about how he felt being mated to them. Exploring them, exploring the mating, wasn’t a deplorable thought. He liked them. Was attracted to them. Was coming to understand them even in the short amount of time they’d known each other.
That was what had made him want to run far and away from here as fast as he could. Away from them.
When he’d arrived on Settler’s Mine, he’d been so sure of what the future would hold. So sure what his life would be like. Find his heartstone. Go back home. Mate with Tania. Live long and grow old together.
From the moment he’d met Bren and Zelda, they’d turned him inside out. They’d made him question everything he’d ever believed about Tania and their relationship. Everything about himself. Finding his stone had polished off the change that had been happening since he’d arrived on Settler’s Mine. Finding his mates had meant he could no longer deny what was in his soul. In his heart.
He’d thought he’d known everything about everything when he’d arrived and now, he wasn’t sure he knew anything.
He could barely call Tania’s features to his mind anymore. He wasn’t sure of his feelings for her. They’d been so strong when he arrived.
They’d pledged themselves to each other. She had her heartstone already. They’d both been so sure once he found his, the heartstones around their necks would glow when he returned. Or maybe, it had just been him. He’d been a fool to make promises he now couldn’t keep.
A man’s word is his honor. Always keep your vows, no matter how hard. You will be judged honorable among men by making your vow your bond.
His father’s voice. How many times had he heard that lesson? Until he could recite it word for word.
He took another bite and chewed carefully.
What did Zelda and Bren see when they looked at him? From the looks they’d given him since he’d been here, they saw something inside that called to them. Just as he saw something about them that called to him.
Would it be so wrong to want to explore that? To see what they saw inside him? No one had ever looked at him the way they did. They were his mates. The only ones he’d ever get in his lifetime. He’d found them both in one sitting. Some looked their entire lives to find one, much less two at the same time. He could continue to fight them. Or he could give in to what was meant to be.
Yes, Tania waited at home for him. He’d made a promise to return to her. He’d always kept his word, as his heritage demanded. And they’d meant something to each other.
Didn’t his change of resolve about relationships mean he didn’t know his own mind? Shouldn’t he still be having pangs of feelings for the woman he’d left behind, instead of two people he’d only met a few weeks ago?
No, that means your heartstone has picked your mates, and they aren’t her. The piece of heart has now come into your life. Of course, you’re going to change. Something that huge can’t come to you and not affect you.
His fathers had told him life would come more into focus once he had his stone. They’d been right. Things had never been clearer.
He needed to explore the situation with Zelda and Bren. Those mated by stones, and separated for whatever reason, felt like they’d lost a piece of themselves. Missing them if he left was a given.
So don’t leave them yet.
Tania thought he was coming home to her.
He had to keep his word. He owed that much to her. To tell her in person how his life had changed.
But, once he’d journeyed home and taken care of his affairs, he could explore everything that went along with being mated.
His chest loosened. He’d not even noticed how constricted it was. Lightness sprang into his being.
He’d vow to them not to leave for a week. Give their mate bonding that time, though he’d not completely bond with them until after he’d seen Tania. He’d not have sex with them both, an integral part to making a threesome bond. He owed Tania for breaking the vow he’d made. If they wanted to journey with him home after the week, maybe if things had gone well, he’d let them.
* * * * *
As the waiter brought out the food, Gemini surveyed Zelda and Bren. They sat together across from him in the small bistro near the Settler’s Mine entrance. The restaurant was new to the station. Before, there had only been the bars.
The restaurant was small, simply decorated in an art deco style. Wooden tables rested on carved stone floors. Michipi, the bistro’s owner, greeted everyone who came in either at the entrance or by walking around to tables. She remin
ded Gemini of a Saracosian he’d known once. Only much prettier. Michipi had green eyes, looking like dew on a flowercup, and the most flawless features Gemini had ever seen, topped by a mane of purple hair.
She stopped to say hello before moving on to the next table.
Gemini watched the sway of her hips as she moved down the line of tables. Such a sweet upthrust to her rear. He cursed his body’s lack of reaction to such a beautiful creature. So unfair. He should be able to experience his own body without the need of that stone. Yet, he couldn’t get it up.
He narrowed his eyes at the couple on the other side of the colorfully painted table. Might not be their fault but they capitalized on everything that was wrong about the heartstone society they lived in.
Two happy lovebirds. Sickening to watch. But, even he noticed they were distracted. Not paying good attention to the conversation that had dominated the evening so far. Their minds drifted over something else going on.
What was it? Whatever it was, it was good for him. The two of them not paying attention was what he wanted. And it looked like he wouldn’t have to work hard to get what he needed to make his plan work. Maybe the pagings of Bren had been successful in planting some doubts in Zelda’s mind. And in Bren’s mind about her. Maybe the trouble his men kept causing weighed on them by having to handle each and every piddly encounter. Or maybe they had something else going on.
Regardless, for once, the Fates had been kind to him.
“Are you enjoying your visit to the station?” Zelda took a bite of something that had lived in a sea.
Gemini wrinkled his nose. Hated fishy smells. They turned his nose inside out. And now her breath would smell like that. He bit back revulsion. Had to stay on task to get his job done tonight. That meant being nice to fish breath. Once he took over the mine, he could sew her mouth shut so he wouldn’t smell the scent ever again or any other scent for that matter. Ban all sea dishes from the mine. Before he destroyed it. “I am. I’d always heard about Settler’s Mine. The hustle. The bustle. Now, I see it for myself.” He played up the asinine mine as something bigger than it was. Doing that better help him in the end. Something had to make sucking up worth doing so he wouldn’t be sick for no reason.
“Yes. It’s a busy place.”
Bren leaned back in his chair after having cleaned his plate down to the last drop. No wonder he’d grown so huge. “Any luck on your stone?”
Gemini gritted his teeth together, keeping the smile plastered on his face. “Not yet. You know how it is.” Bastard.
“That I do.”
“You have any luck finding a security chief yet?” Gemini laughed to himself as Bren wrinkled his face up. Two could play at the games of asking questions that weren’t fun to answer.
Zelda paused with her bite of food. “No. We haven’t looked too hard, though.” No, they hadn’t. They’d been too busy running the station, so Gemini had been told. Gave him the perfect opportunity to present something they wanted in a package to them.
“Too bad. It’s hard on a station to operate without one.”
“Z and I are doing just fine.”
Sure you are. If they’d been paying attention, they would already know things about Gemini. That they didn’t said their system wasn’t working just fine. He waved a hand. “Oh, you two do fine. I just know being so busy and having to do both your own jobs, plus handle security, must keep you busy. Hell, my guys alone keep you jumping.”
Zelda’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, about that. You’d better keep them more in line. Or, you’ll be calling them dickless wonders soon.”
Gemini lowered his head as though he were ashamed. “I’m upset with them myself. Can’t get good help. That’s what I’m saying. About you two. Shame such a pointy bastard left you high and dry.”
“We’ll get by.” Zelda’s arms flexed as though she’d squeezed something. Must be Bren’s hand. “We always do.”
“Yeah. But too bad you have to.” Gemini snapped his fingers. “You know…” He waved a hand. “Nah. I’m not looking for a job.”
Bren pressed his hand down on the table. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s an off the wall idea.” He’d make them drag the notion out of him. That would leave them more inclined to do what he wanted, while thinking it was their idea. Stupid saps. And what a rush duping them.
“He wants us to offer him the job of our security officer.” Zelda took a chug of her water.
Gemini’s eyes simmered before he blinked to clear them. Leave it to the bitch to take away his moment. Hadn’t she always? He broadened his smile. “I’m not really looking for a job.” He shook his head, as though he couldn’t believe he’d said anything.
“We haven’t offered any position to you yet.” Zelda took her last bite of food and chewed methodically.
She was such a pain in the ass. He’d take great delight in her coming downfall. “Well, you need a security chief, even if it’s for the short term. Maybe I could be persuaded to take it. To help you out.” Because of her, he couldn’t win them over with a flourish.
For a moment, the atmosphere seemed to grow chilly, not a good indication of his progress. Perhaps he’d overstepped his bounds. Hell. He’d wanted to reel them in more carefully than this.
Zelda swallowed. Fishy breath blew out of her mouth like stinky fire when she exhaled deeply.
Gemini managed not to cough, but only by forcing himself. He’d grown up on the shores of Bbay lake. He’d never thought he’d ever get the stench off of him. Hated these smells in any quantities.
“You’re interested in being our chief.” She shushed Gemini when he started to answer. “Don’t BS me about not wanting a job. You wouldn’t have brought up taking it if you weren’t interested.”
His jaw clenched, but quickly released. Positivity. They needed to see only that from him. Nothing negative. Until it was too late. “I just thought of the idea tonight. But I think it could be beneficial for both of us. You need a security chief. That would put me in a position to handle my men even more stringently than before.” How many times had Zelda come to talk with them? Quite a few. They weren’t doing anything that would get them tossed off the mine. Only annoyingly simple things designed to piss off Zelda.
“How long are you staying?” Bren moved forward with a thoughtful look. Good thing he’d had the roasted pegellion, a roasted pork-like meat. Nothing fishy there.
The waitress came by with the bill. Gemini snatched the paper up before Zelda could reach.
She huffed. “I’ve got this, Gemini.”
“No. It’s my treat. It was my invitation.”
She tilted her hand over. “OK. I’ll handle the tip.”
“And in answer to the question, I’m here until I find…my peace.” Gemini would find his peace, one way or the other, while taking the mine down. They would think he said, “piece” as in “piece of one’s heart.” He didn’t elaborate, but looked carefully at them. “It’s no skin off my nose if you aren’t interested in hiring. If you want to do all that work yourselves, instead of running the mine. Securing people’s heartstones. Earning platinum.” That would motivate them. Nothing moved around here without the desire for cash.
“What are your qualifications? For a security chief.” Zelda folded her hands together in front of her plate and studied him.
“I’ve been one before. On Heroza.” She already knew his record, the bitch. No one came onboard without her checking their identity. But he played the game and answered her questions.
Bren tipped his chair back. “The huge space station?”
Gemini nodded.
Zelda cocked her head. “Impressive.”
Not for him. Only impressive for the real Gemini, who had gone on to better things long ago, when his identity had been taken over. After all, couldn’t have two Geminis running around confusing everyone. He’d been presented with the opportunity to start new. “It was a job.”
“You realize before I hire you, I’ll have to veri
fy some references.”
“By all means, do that. Whatever you need to do.” They’d find nothing of interest. Gemini had been boring as hell. Until about four years ago. Gemini had lived without a heartstone, too. He’d been a secretive bastard who hadn’t liked photos or identification either. So, it had been easy to assume Gemini’s identity. Well, that along with some facial surgery. He looked enough like Gemini to pass to anyone who’d known him. The bastard hadn’t had close friends who kept up with him, so any changes could be attributed to being apart for so long. Yes, becoming Gemini had been perfect for his plan. So many years in the making. And, now, he was close to seeing it through.
“If your story checks out, you want to stay around and be our security chief?” Zelda pushed back from the table as the waitress grabbed the ticket. “Keep it all, Cin.”
A huge tip given to an employee Zelda called by name. Gemini kept from rolling his eyes. What a overdoing-it bitch she was. “I think that would be the opportunity of the century for both of us.” The opportunity to get what I want.
“How come you aren’t shooting for a bigger place?” Bren pushed back, too, seeing Zelda was getting ready to go.
“I’ve done the big station. I’m ready for something a little different. This won’t be permanent. Just to help you folks until you find someone else.” Or the station went up in flames. Which was much more likely to happen first.
Zelda got up. “Nice dinner, Gemini. I’ll get back to you on the position. I hate to eat and run, but we have something to check on.”
Or somebody. Gemini suspected their distraction came from the man who by all accounts had captivated them. And disappeared.
Bren confirmed the suspicion without hesitation. “Actually, someone. We’ve found our third mate.”
Zelda glared a minute, then relented. “Yes. And, it’s time we got back to him.”
The tri-mate bond was the most important one in Union Alliance eyes. Only one other was more prized over two men and one woman. His stomach rolled, not just because of the breath being directed at him, but because they’d found three mates, while he couldn’t even find a hellish heartstone. The Fates were most unkind. But, these three mates wouldn’t be lasting long.
Settler's Mine 2: The Lovers Page 9
