I didn’t want to think too much about that. He was still set on making me choose between them, on walking away if he couldn’t have me to himself. I wanted him, but I wanted Zed and Axon, too. I wanted all three of them. But Calder had other ideas. The idea of losing him broke my heart into pieces, but I didn’t want to think about that. Not right now.
Not with Axon openly admiring me like I was the most beautiful creature in existen
ce. His gaze made me feel beautiful. Perfect. And I couldn’t help the urge to reward him, so I rolled my shoulders back which lifted my breasts and thrust them out for his inspection. Pretending to stretch up and cling to Goran’s leg, I ignored my sister’s mate and only used him for balance as I teased the one who did belong to me. Axon. He was the one who would stay by my side no matter what the other two decided.
He was, in truth, the only one who was truly mine.
“Councilors, shall we begin?” That was High Councilor Tark. He was a big man. Brutally handsome with dark hair and eyes. He was what a Greek god should look like. I could see the appeal for the woman from Earth, Eva. She’d been hidden away after the attack on Mindy, which was a shame, since I really would have loved to meet one of Mindy’s new friends. And another woman from Earth would be really nice to talk to.
But she was pregnant and I would not have a baby put in danger.
The room went quiet and I looked up as Goran spoke, as he’d instructed me to do. He’d given me a list of ways a Trion mate behaved. I was supposed to look at him like he was the stars and the moon. The love of my life. The man I was so devoted to I would allow him to stake me to the ground like a pet, practically naked and in a room full of complete strangers.
Yeah, right.
But I did it. For Mindy. I titled my head back and stared up at Goran like he was mine, like the need simmering in me was for him and him alone. I stared at his lips and thought of the way Zed’s strong touch made me feel safe, of the way Axon’s charm and gentleness always soothed away my worry, of the way Calder’s wild passion made me want to beg for more. Made me want more.
I didn’t look for my mates. Hell, I didn’t even listen to what Goran or any of the other men were saying. Several serving women walked the edge of the circle, pouring wine or water, serving small bites of food as the men held their meeting.
I wasn’t hungry or thirsty. I had one job to do—convince whoever had tried to kill my sister that I was Mindy, alive and well and totally, utterly and completely in love with the dominant and powerful General Goran. Unless someone knew of my existence, knew that Mindy was an identical twin, they would be deceived. This might be space, where technology far exceeded what was on Earth, but as far as I knew, duplicating a person was still beyond anyone’s abilities.
Zed
I didn’t give a shit about the political machinations of Trion. It had nothing to do with me, nothing to do with anything except trade negotiations between sectors, of the challenges of the drovers, whatever the fuck they were. After about five minutes of the debate between the group of men, I paid them no attention. I was focused solely and completely on Violet.
On her hair arranged back in a simple tail that fell over her shoulder. Goran had stroked the silky strands, even once tugging on them so Violet was forced to look up at him. He smiled at her, the look of a mate well pleased, and she smiled in return. Only then did his gaze return to the men before him.
I knew she was faking. That smile was solely for me. For Calder and Axon.
Then there was her clothing. Clothing was meant to cover a body, to offer modesty and warmth. What Violet wore did neither. It was as light as air, thin and gauzy which was perfect for the desert heat. But it was completely sheer. I could see everything…and so could everyone else who’s eyes settled upon her. And I knew every male’s gaze had been fixed on her from the moment she’d entered the tent a step behind Goran.
The gown flowed to the ground and was cinched by a narrow strip of leather at her waist, but her breasts were fully visible. So was her pussy. She’d had a trimmed thatch of dark hair covering it. Before. Now, she was bare and her pussy lips were discernible. But it was her nipples that jutted forth, both of them protruding through cut-outs in the dress, the fake rings prominent. Swinging beneath the fabric was a thin chain and some gold disks. I’d learned they were Goran’s familial seals, proof that Violet—no, Mindy—had been mated and claimed. They were permanent adornments for Goran’s mate, but for Violet, a temporary display.
For once she was back on Viken, I’d show her how I liked her nipples, bare and hard. And in my mouth.
I was hard as a rock. I had been ever since I’d poured a liberal quantity of oil in my palms and spread it over every perfect inch of her body. Neck and shoulders, back and breasts, belly and even down her delectable thighs. She glowed beneath the lighting in the room. Slick and tempting. I knew her pussy was wet. I ensured that before I finished my ministrations. While she knelt before Goran and looked up at him with the need I’d stoked, I knew it was because of me. For me.
If she had to be adoring and desperate for Goran, then I’d help her fulfill that. I didn’t want the fucker to be the one to bring that look to her face. No. He didn’t want it either. They might look identical, but his mate, the one who responded to his touch, his command, was healing still.
Violet was mine. Ours.
I fucking hated her like this. Exposed. Sharing her with Calder and Axon was one thing. Letting these males from Trion ogle her was another. And the asshole Bertok…fuck. I didn’t need to have him pointed out to me.
He was old as fuck and as lecherous as they came. Other males had admired Violet, I could easily see their cocks at attention through their robes at the vision she made, but it was Bertok who studied her with evil intent. His pale blue gaze roved over her as he licked his lips. I had to wonder if he had a mate and if she were still alive. The poor woman, if she were.
When this was over, I’d soothe the ache I’d stoked in Violet. I could see her hard nipples—so could everyone else in the fucking tent—and knew from her slight squirming that the seed power was upon her, that she was in need of more. It had been half a day since I’d fucked her in the med unit on Viken. Far too long for a new mate to last before she needed more. And for Violet, with three mates fucking her, her need would be intense.
It was something Goran would not understand, only believing her to be an incredible actress. I knew she needed that dress lifted, her thighs spread and my mouth on her. I’d taste the sweetness of her pussy, get my mouth and chin coated in it. My fingers buried deep in the source, work it from her so I had to lap it up until she came, again and again.
I would make her beg. Order the others to pleasure her as I watched those eyes, those emotional eyes, tell me what she needed. Her body was my temple, and I would make sure she was properly worshipped. Over and over until she was too destroyed by us for more. Goran’s gold and adornments were nothing. Empty marks of ownership. Did he understand that to truly own a woman, he needed her heart? Her surrender? Her absolute trust? Or were the chains and disks just outward pride to show everyone who she belonged to? It was something Calder would understand more than I.
I thought of the tormented look in Goran’s eyes as he leaned over Mindy’s ReGen pod, his hair in disarray, deep lines of pain around his eyes and mouth.
Yes. He knew. He understood. Mindy was truly his…and he’d failed her. But she would heal. She would be whole and his again.
Still, I would not make the same mistake or go through the same anguish.
Violet was beautiful and playing her part very well indeed. The trust and need shining from her eyes absolute, but not for Goran. For me. For her mates. We were all here, and she was trusting us to keep her safe, not stare at her feminine curves or get lost in fantasies of bending her over, spanking her ass and fucking her until she screamed her release.