“That is actually an incredibly…you humans would call it romantic. An incredibly romantic gesture. He is showing you that he wants you to be safe.”
“Please,” Violet scoffed. “He doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body, and he doesn’t care anything about me.”
“Of course he does.” Zura looked surprised. “Can you not tell? I have seen how he looks at you. I have seen the change in his behavior, just in the very short time that he has known you.”
“What kind of change?” Violet asked, surprised. “He seems very…angry. Focused and intense.”
“Pshaw.” Zura snorted. “You have not seen him angry. His dark mood is lessening. I can see it in the way he speaks to people, and I can feel it in his energy. Our family has some psychic powers, and we can sense each other’s moods and emotions.”
“That’s not necessarily because of me,” Violet protested.
“It most assuredly is.”
“He told me that I am not his true mate,” she protested.
“I know.” Zura looked downcast at that. “But still, you are the only woman he has shown any interest in, in my memory. I have tried to introduce him to many potential mates over the years, and he has always rejected them.”
Irrational rage burned through Violet at the thought of Treffon being with those women. Had he touched them the way he’d touched Violet? Kissed them? Made them cry out his name?
“Oh, do not worry, he has never actually spent time with any of the women I have introduced him to,” Zura said, as if she were reading Violet’s thoughts or feelings. She opened up a flask and gulped down half its contents in one swallow.
“Ooh, I’m parched. Is that stuff any good?” Violet asked.
“It is a brew that cannot be metabolized by humans. Lorn! Bring the human a drink!” Zura called out to a nearby Thorolf, who hurried off to obey her command.
“Thanks. It’s just that I… If I’m not Treffon’s true mate, I’d always feel that I was second best,” Violet said.
“I believe that you two could make each other very happy,” Zura said to Violet. “Not all Vulfans are lucky enough to meet their true mate, but they can still make successful matches with someone else. They can enjoy, ahem, certain activities with each other, and take pleasure in each other’s company. You know about the population wars? When the cyborgs released the virus that killed off ninety percent of our women, thirty years ago? Many of our men lost their true mates and were forced to make matches that were more for breeding purposes, or to keep their sanity.”
Shouts rang out from the field, and Violet turned to look at the fight.
One of the men had shifted back into humanoid form…and hurled a spear directly at Treffon. The spear lodged in Treffon’s flank, and his fur was instantly stained red. The attack sent a shockwave through Violet, and she felt her own ribs throb in sympathy.
“No!” she screamed. All her annoyance at Treffon was forgotten. She leaped off her seat and ran towards the field.
Chapter Eleven
“I don’t believe it,” Violet repeated in amazement.
Treffon stood on the sidelines of the field, back in humanoid form and stark naked.
The wound on his right side had already sealed itself up, leaving behind an angry red scar. As she watched, the scar faded to pink, and then white, and then vanished altogether, leaving unmarked skin. The entire process only took a few minutes.
“Reginar genes. We are superior in that way,” Madok’s voice boomed from behind the bench seats on the sidelines. He and Reznik strode over to them from the other side of the field, flicking a glance at Treffon. Zura straightened up and her brows drew together in a scowl, but she said nothing. Violet could tell that their estrangement went deep.
“Of course,” Reznik said, with a hint of self-satisfied boasting that set Violet’s teeth on edge, “ideally, one would not allow oneself to be speared.” It was as close to insulting Treffon as he dared get, and from the smirk on his face, he obviously thought he was being terribly clever.
“He did it on purpose, you idiot,” Zura scoffed. “To practice healing. The same way he let you stab him.”
Then, deliberately turning her back on her father and brother, she addressed Violet.
“Your instincts are good,” Zura said approvingly. “You wish to defend your mate. However, you have made a cultural error. You could not have known. But it is important for you to understand – you must never interfere with a sparring match or attempt to defend him in any way, unless you are fighting side by side in battle. It gives the appearance that he is weak.”
“Zura!” Violet and Treffon cried out at exactly the same moment.
Zura smirked. “You prove my point,” she said. “You two are in sync already.”
“You will stop meddling in my affairs,” Treffon growled. “Leave at once. Go spend the day with Voljaki and his guards. Run through some attack scenarios.”
Madok sucked in his breath and glowered, but said nothing.
Zura stiffened and grimaced. “I beg your pardon, Reginar. I have already scheduled orientation and training with the new members of the 10th Division.”
The look Treffon gave her could have shattered stone. “Then reschedule it. Or have someone else do it. I have spoken.”
“Yes, Reginar.” Zura turned as if to go.
“I do not like my daughter to spend time with such filth!” Madok apparently couldn’t contain himself any further. “They…look at her inappropriately. It is an insult to my family’s name!”
“I have never observed this, and I trust that Zura is more than capable of taking care of herself if necessary,” Treffon said, with an edge of steel to his tone. “Would you like to challenge my decision?” He gestured at the field.
“Two against one?” Reznik said hopefully. “I will join in.”
Both Madok and Treffon gave him scornful glances, which drew a pout and a scowl from Reznik.
“Twenty against one,” Treffon replied. “Choose the best warriors from your clan.”
It looked like a possibly fatal family feud was about to break out right in front of her, and Violet bit back a groan of frustration. She couldn’t argue with Treffon in front of everyone, including the dozen or so pack members who were watching the scene unfold. She understood pack hierarchy; calling out the Reginar in front of pack members was never going to end well.
“Treffon!” she said brightly. “I am very, very sorry to interrupt, but I actually have a request. I was hoping that Zura could do some self-defense training with me this afternoon. Yes, I know I already trained with you this morning, but maybe she can give me some unique female perspectives on it.”
Everyone looked at Treffon expectantly.
“And I really would like to do it today, if possible,” Violet added. “The sooner I improve my ability to defend myself, the safer I am. Also, you did point out that I’m terrible at self-defense, so the more practice, the better.”
“Yes,” Madok said hurriedly. “The human female speaks the truth. If someone succeeds in assassinating a guest of the Thorolf pack, it will bring shame on us all.”
Gee, thanks, you’re all heart, Violet thought.
Treffon nodded, his face impassive. “Very well, then. Zura, you will work with Violet this afternoon.”
Zura appeared to relax a little bit. “I will train her out in the forest,” she said.
The two of them headed off. “Can we check on the Eeplings?” Violet asked once they were out of earshot. “Also, go easy on me with the training. Treffon already beat me up pretty hard this morning. Shut up, I meant when he was training me!” she added as a smirk played across Zura’s lips.
“I know what you meant. Also, I see certain marks on your neck and chest that could not have been caused by training.” Zura was still smiling to herself as she headed off through the forest.
Violet broke into a jog to keep up with Zura, whose long, lean limbs sliced through the underbrush.
“Hey, warrio
r princess, slow down! Anyway, I really only asked for the training session so that you wouldn’t be forced to hang out with the Wor-Lans. It seemed like you really didn’t want to.”
Zura nodded and slowed her pace. “I know that’s why you did it. And Treffon knew as well. That was masterful negotiating on your part; a crucial skill for the pair-bond of a Reginar.”
“I’m ignoring your continued attempts to marry me off. Are you and my great-aunt conspiring together?”
“You are saying she is an ally? Hmmm.” Zura looked thoughtful.
“Argh! No! Forget I said anything. Anyway…I wish Treffon could be a little less…I don’t know, sometimes he comes off as a bully when he’s disciplining pack members.”
“He would be offended that you think it is only sometimes.” Zura glanced at her. “I know he seems harsh to someone who does not know our ways. Believe it or not, though, his leadership has been an enormous change for the better. You never met his father…fortunately. He was a brutal leader. He was what you humans would call a sadist. There were many times that Treffon considered leaving and starting his own pack. He only stayed because he knew that many of us would remain out of loyalty to their clan, and Zaar, Treffon’s father, would have been even more brutal than ever without Treffon’s influence.”
“Life is harsh here. I’m sorry you had to endure that.” Violet glanced at Zura as they walked. She looked pale and tired. “Are you all right? You seem…stressed about something.”
“These are stressful times we live in.” Zura avoided her gaze.
That wasn’t an answer, but it was obviously the only answer she was going to give at the moment.
Ahead of them, they heard cries of, “Eep, eep!” They came out into a clearing and found Allison and Kroi sitting with the Eeplings.
The Eeplings were making odd arts and crafts out of vines and branches. They sent up a happy chorus of high squeaky noises when they saw Violet.
Allison shot Violet a dirty look as she walked over to the group. “Your crazy aunt shocked my Kroi,” she said indignantly.
“I am already healed.” Kroi shifted, and winced in pain. “Mostly healed. Think nothing of it,” he assured Violet.
“It was entirely my cousin’s fault,” Zura said. “Treffon meant well, but…” She glanced around, then said in a lowered voice, “Since it is just us here, I will admit, sometimes he is a bit of a thick-skull.” Then she added quickly to Violet, “But he is a thick-skull with many excellent qualities, who would make a most wonderful mate.”
“Again. Ignoring the attempts to marry me off,” Violet said firmly. “So, Allison, nice job with the arts and crafts! What are you having the Eeplings make?” The little furballs were all running around waving strange little stick contraptions.
“No idea. That’s all them,” Allison said. “I’m not able to teach them, since we can’t communicate. I’m just turning out to be a babysitter. It’s okay – they’re fun to hang out with.”
An Eepling plopped down next to Violet, and she tried to examine the tangle of sticks it was holding. It snatched the stick contraption away and handed her a leaf instead.
“Veep veep,” it said, pointing at the sticks.
“Veep veep, that’s me,” she agreed. The Eeplings screamed with laughter. They slapped their sides and their bellies and fell on the ground and rolled around, kicking their legs.
“Yikes,” she said to Allison. “I probably just told them some horribly inappropriate X-rated joke.”
“Don’t worry,” Allison said, “you might have just declared war on their people or sold them your kidneys or something.”
Violet snorted. “Yeah, that would be much better.”
“We should train,” Zura reminded Violet, who groaned.
“Or we could just not do it and I could curl up right here and take a nap. I’ve had a hard day. I already ache all over.”
“Or we could train,” Zura repeated, and pointed at an open grassy patch. “Now. I must teach you how to stay safe. If you are murdered, my cousin will be in a very bad mood for a long time.”
Violet reluctantly let Zura show her some basic self-defense moves for the next half hour.
She had to admit, it was actually easier to train with Zura. Sparring with Treffon was nearly impossible, given that every time he touched her, she nearly orgasmed just from the physical contact.
Finally she went and sat down next to the Eeplings. She caught her breath as Zura stood there and chugged her weird-smelling drink.
The Eeplings were very tactile little creatures, crawling all over her, patting her, and cheerfully eeping to each other.
“Have you made any progress in contacting their parents?” she asked Zura.
“My understanding is that we succeeded in sending a holovid to their colony,” Zura replied. “We showed the Eeplings here playing, and gave our planet’s coordinates. Unfortunately the only way to speak with an Eepling is by using a universal telepath, and we don’t have any here.” Her comm beeped, and she said, “Excuse me," and got up and walked off to answer it.
The Eeplings suddenly seemed agitated. A chorus of shrill cries pierced the air. Violet looked around and saw that they were pointing into the woods. She squinted and saw the tall, dark shape of a Vulfan, mostly concealed by underbrush, watching them from a distance. As if realizing that he’d been spotted, he hurried off and vanished into the forest.
Was that the leader of the Wor-Lan guard?
She walked over to Violet. “I think I saw Voljaki in the woods just now,” she said. “It looked like he was watching us.”
Zura gave Violet a sidelong glance. “I am sure he was not watching us specifically,” she said. “I am sure that he was just passing by. Perhaps scoping out the terrain for future training exercises.”
That was odd. Zura hated the Wor-Lans…didn’t she? But right now, it sounded as if she were making excuses for him. If Zura hadn’t seen Voljaki, how could she say that Voljaki hadn’t been watching them?
Perhaps Violet was just being paranoid – having multiple near brushes with death would do that to a woman.
A flutter of suspicion rippled through her. Was it possible that Voljaki or Zura were in any way involved in the attempts on her life? It wouldn’t make sense…but then the attempts on her life made no sense anyway.
When she thought about it, it seemed as if it would have to be somebody from Ilyria who was behind the attacks. No human could have followed her from Earth to Ilyria, and she’d been attacked in both places.
She didn’t want to think that it was Zura. But what was the Thorolf woman hiding?
Chapter Twelve
Back at the castle that evening, Treffon sent word that he was busy reviewing security procedures for the pack, but would see Violet in the morning.
She spent a restless night, tossing and turning and replaying scenes of their lovemaking in her head again and again.
There was a knock on the door, far too early, and then Treffon bustled in to her room.
She sat up, hiding a yawn behind her hand.
“Sometimes when people knock, they wait for the other person to say ‘come in’ before they barrel through the door,” she said reproachfully.
“Such people are not responsible for your safety. You did not answer quickly enough and I feared that you had come to harm.” Treffon smiled politely.
Violet kicked the covers off and gave an unladylike snort of disbelief.
“Or you just wanted to see me in my nightie.” She was wearing a lacy white nightgown that barely skimmed her thighs.
“That was an unexpected bonus.” Now his smile grew sensual, and his gaze roved over her body. She felt a rush of moisture between her thighs. Actually, it wasn’t so bad that he wanted to see her in her night-clothes, was it? She loved how sexy he made her feel.
“I came to offer to show you the grounds, but there is no hurry.” He raised his eyebrows. “We could take our time.”
She inclined her head towards the other
side of the room, where Dorcas slept in a separate bed concealed by sweeping curtains.
“Ahem. I am sharing a room with my great-aunt.” And right now, she really wished she wasn’t.
“Oh, don’t mind me!” Dorcas yelled out from behind the curtains.
Violet gasped in outrage. “That’s it! You need to go,” she said to Treffon furiously. “I will meet you for breakfast after I get dressed. And you, Dorcas, you should be ashamed! You’re supposed to be a good influence on me!”
She thought she heard Dorcas mutter, “Good luck with that.”
Treffon left, laughing quietly. It wasn’t until after he’d left that she realized this was the first time she’d seen him really laughing; it was something of a miracle to get him even to crack a genuine smile.
After breakfast, she left Dorcas behind with strict instructions – which she was sure her great-aunt would ignore – not to cheat at cards.
Then she and Treffon climbed into a small mini-hovercraft, and they glided out to the far edge of the pack property.
Their craft set down next to what looked like a small village set among the twisting spiral trees. Rows of neat cabins built of the planet’s red-black wood were set amongst the curling tree trunks, with gravel paths running between them. There was a larger building, long and low with a sloped roof, that Violet guessed was a schoolhouse or town hall. But everything was eerily quiet, and when she peered in through the windows of the nearest little house, she saw that it was abandoned.
“What a beautiful little town! But where is everybody?”
“Nobody lives here. It is one of the places where we stage war games,” Treffon said. “However, do not be alarmed. I have instructed my men not to stage any surprise attacks while you are with me. Since you do not seem to enjoy that kind of training.”
Violet looked at him in astonishment. “Would they normally?”
“Of course. On my orders.”
“So you can’t even take a nice relaxing walk without someone jumping on you and trying to kill you?” She was appalled.
The Vulfan's Dark Desires (Starcrossed Dating Agency Book 3) Page 8
