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  “You will be safe here, and even if you choose to ignore Kebril, you are my kinswoman. You have a place on Yacaro. A safe place.” Rhoda linked arms with her and hauled her off into the surprisingly delicate structure that appeared to grow right out of the mountainside.

  Hawk and Under were removing their masks and talking with Charm about what they had missed during the day they had been negotiating for Meena’s freedom.

  The world started to get fuzzy after the hot shower and by the time she was tucked between clean sheets, she had no interest in a tour of the building. She was about to tell Rhoda as much, but she fell asleep.

  Chapter Three

  “Where is she?” Kebril tried to act casual, but his body was humming with eagerness to see its mate.

  Rhoda shook her head. “She is asleep, but she isn’t on board with the whole picture of destiny thing. I used a hand scanner from the medic kit on her, and she has a lot of bone-deep bruising and a few hairline fractures. Those three weeks where I couldn’t find her, cost her.”

  He looked down at his usually determined sister-in-law. “You did everything you could. You drew a dozen portraits until you were able to find the image that let us track her.” It had been the image of his mate holding a sword stained with deep green blood that had been the final clue. They researched blade attacks on the Yinshin and found Meena. Once they knew her name, he used his ambassadorial status with the Nyal Imperium to get her freed into his custody, via the Guardians of Yacaro.

  “I will take her to the medical centre.” Rhoda sighed. “Which one? The Genaran centre will want you to treat her with nanites, and you can do that here just as well as in the city. If you take her into the Nyal-populated city, you will have to deal with immigration officials and contagion officers who want to test her.” Kebril’s body hummed at the thought of kissing his mate and passing along the gift of regeneration.

  His brother’s wife smacked him on the shoulder. “Pay attention. Can you do it without waking her up?”

  He frowned. “I suppose. I could even do it without kissing her if you like.” She sighed in relief. “Good. Do that then.” Kebril grimaced and headed for his mate’s quarters. Rhoda may know many of the family secrets, but there was one that was not for public consumption. Kebril had the same talents as his younger brother. He just was bound by duty, honour and family succession to the land and the world of Yacaro. He wished he could use his skills the same way Drehl did, but he had to confine his control of the nanites to re-sculpting his home and working with fabrics, though even his brother was not privy to that one.

  He opened the door silently, using his talent to lift his feet a few inches off the ground. He glided up to her and focussed on programming the nanites for a moment before he caressed her arm with the lightest touch he could manage.

  He could see the slight glitter of the bots as they left his skin and absorbed into hers. They had orders to heal damaged tissue and rebuild her into fighting condition.

  Kebril looked at the tangle of rich brown hair, the straight little nose and the pouting of her lips as she slept. He swore he saw her mouth flex slightly, but he shook his head at his fanciful imaginings as he left as silently as he came.

  * * * *

  Meena sat up as her door closed. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her body was tingling.

  It was the man from the portrait, and she definitely had a reaction to him.

  She touched her arm where his finger had trailed a moment earlier. He had the perfect opportunity to make free with her body, but instead, he had touched her arm before he stared at her.

  Even that had been quick, and then, he left her to her rest. She yawned and nestled back into the sheets and blankets. Now that she knew she definitely found him attractive in person, the idea of intimacy with a strange grey figure was far less unappealing. He certainly dressed well. She had seen the detailed embroidery on his vest and the exterior of his trousers through her slitted eyes.

  She let sleep overtake her again, comforted in the knowledge that he didn’t mean her harm or trauma. Already, he was head and shoulders above most of the men she had met in the Nyal Imperium.

  “So, you were picked as a Volunteer because you liked to play with knives?” Rhoda was blinking in surprise.

  “Well, daggers at the time. But yes. I have an affinity for knives, swords, blades of any kind. I worked in the Alliance for a while, but there are far more opportunities for a blade proxy here in the Nyal Imperium.” She sipped at her tea and smiled.

  They were sitting in a garden located inside the castle under a huge glass dome. Hawk, Under and Charm were all off on a mission somewhere.

  Meena was wearing a lovely wrap gown that Rhoda had provided, and they were having a casual brunch and a heart-to-heart.

  “Ah. The same here. The more refined sensibilities in the Alliance make my kind of talent akin to witchcraft.” Rhoda wrinkled her nose.

  “Can I ask, is your hair naturally white?”

  “Yup. It started turning when I was a teen, and when I started to use my talent, bam. On with the white.”

  Meena nodded. It wasn’t common, but she had known a few who went grey or white before their time.

  Meena decided to be blunt. “Did you send Kebril into my room yesterday, and if so, why?” Rhoda blushed. “Ah, you woke up, did you? He didn’t mention that.”

  “He didn’t know.”

  “The Genarans are a people who have been— how shall I put this—altered. They were infected with nanites to bolster their systems against an environmental issue, and it resulted in what you have seen in Drehl. Grey skin, dark hair, black eyes with red pupils. Their physiques are tall, strong, lithe and rather attractive if a little uniform. What did you think of Drehl?” There was something in Rhoda’s tone that made Meena answer honestly. “Pretty enough but not my type.”

  Rhoda cackled and rubbed her hands together.

  “Not any woman’s type. Not anymore. Once the Genarans mate, they give off a repulsion pheromone that interacts with anyone who doesn’t have their matching nanites.”

  “So, once they have picked a mate…”

  “There is no going back. The bond is permanent, and they don’t seem to hesitate when they find the woman for them.” Rhoda made a face. “It can be overwhelming.”

  “Well, since I haven’t technically met Kebril yet, I will hold my council on that. Do the nanites stay alive for long?”

  Rhoda shook her head. “Not the ones for healing. They go in, do their thing and break down in your bloodstream.”

  “Interesting.” She sipped at her tea and spent a few minutes guessing what was going on in her body.

  “So, you need some clothing. Is there anything else you would like?”

  Meena was unsure if she should ask, but finally, she decided that she might as well. “How about weapons? I would really like to have a sword to practice with. I am used to fencing daily or practicing anyway.”

  Rhoda nodded. “I will ask Kebril.” Meena’s eyes widened. “I need his permission?”

  “No. He is a fencer. He will know where to get what you want.” She smiled smugly. “He will also help you pick out your clothing. He’s very good at that.”

  “Is this an attempt to throw us together?”

  “Not hardly. He picked out my entire wardrobe, including the dress you are wearing. Kebril really does know where to get just about anything you could ever want on Yacaro, and what he can’t locate, he can make.”

  “What do you mean by make?”

  “Ask him yourself.” Rhoda studiously ate a small cake while nodding behind Meena’s head.

  Warily, Meena turned around and watched as the lithe grace that was Prince Kebril Yaghin sauntered into the garden. She rose to her feet and scrunched her toes in the sandals that Rhoda had lent her.

  Prince Kebril bowed low. “Good morning, miss. It is good to see you well rested with roses in your cheeks.”

  Meena blushed and looked to Rhoda for help.
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  Her planet-sister was studiously looking at the nearest flower bush with an intense focus.

  “Thank you? My name is Meena.”

  “Kebril. Rhoda tells me that you require help selecting clothing.”

  “Um. I do. I am here with…well, nothing. I was going to say the clothes on my back, but those clothes are Rhoda’s.” She was babbling, but he was getting closer, and she could catch hints of a wild forest and bright citrus.

  “The cut is flattering, but the colour is not. May I?”

  She didn’t have a chance to comment. He reached out, and the gown shifted from a vibrant blue to a deep rose. Meena looked down and then back up again. “You did that with a single touch? I don’t know how I feel about that. This was a loaner, after all.”

  Rhoda waved it off. “Don’t worry about it. Kebril bought it for me, so technically, it is his, as I frequently remind Drehl. It was part of my trousseau, so it will have to be replaced by my husband.”

  She rubbed her hands together, and it made Meena laugh. Rhoda didn’t seem the kind to make much fuss about clothing, so she was guessing that it was a matter of family honour or some such that the men had to provide for their women.

  Kebril extended his hand, and Meena placed her fingers in his grasp for him to raise to his lips.

  The kiss sent tingles down her arm and across her chest, beading her nipples and coiling low in her belly. She didn’t gasp, but it took all of her self-control.

  “Now, Lady Meena, may we adjourn to pick out some clothing for you? The sooner we make the selections, the sooner you can be in your own clothing and my brother can get some peace.” Kebril offered his arm, and Meena took it as Rhoda smirked and said, “Your brother doesn’t deserve peace. If he wanted it, he should never have looked my way.”

  Kebril shot back, “You doodled yourself into his portrait like a schoolgirl. What was he supposed to do about your obvious pining for him?”

  Meena could see Kebril’s grin as he moved swiftly to one side to avoid the cupcake that was hurled at his head.

  He had a sense of humour. One more check, aside from dead sexy, in the plus column.

  Chapter Four

  They sat next to each other on a couch in a study, and Kebril scrolled through style page after style page, making notes and selections for her.

  “Do I really need to be here for this? You seem to do quite well on your own.” She sat back with a grunt.

  He paused. “I am being a bit of a martinet, aren’t I? I apologize. What kind of clothing do you prefer for casual wear?”

  She scrolled through and found something that approached hakama and a wrap shirt with wide sleeves. “That. It suits my blade style, and speaking of that, is there somewhere I can get some practice blades?”

  Kebril smiled. “All your images have you holding blades. It was one of those blades coupled with the mark inside your elbow that gave us the clue to find you.”

  She blinked. “How?”

  “Dark green blood. Only three species within Janial’s jurisdiction have dark green blood, and only one had representatives on a world with a Terran. We tracked blade wounds on a Yinshin, and it led us right to you.”

  She frowned at the mention of the Yinshin. “I am glad you found me, but if I had known what I would be facing, I would have just killed him.”

  “Who?”

  “Lord Makadan. He has taken to having his cousin hire honour proxies, and when they lose, he gets a disgraced bed partner for a night.” The data pad in Kebril’s hands cracked with a jolt of power and a spark.

  She sighed. “Does that mean we will have to start again?”

  “What did he try to do to you?”

  “Oh, he wanted me to lose the fight to first blood and then, he would have had me for one night by contract as a default for losing.

  Fortunately, I was very motivated not to lose.

  Unfortunately, he pressed charges because he kept coming after he had lost, so I kept cutting until he passed out.

  “When the jackass woke up, he had me charged with assault, and while my agent and I had a video proving his refusal to abide by the rules of honour, we were not allowed to display it. I was dumped into Janial and forced to choose.” Kebril’s jaw was tense. “What were you choosing?”

  “Either get out of jail and bear Lord Makadan’s heir, or stay there until I agreed to get knocked up. It was quite the problem, so I wanted to give it as much thought as I could possibly manage.” If the data pad weren’t broken, he would have snapped it again. With a sigh, he held the tech back in a flat position, and to her amazed gaze, it wove itself back together.

  “Nice trick.”

  “I should not have lost my temper. I apologize. The thought that you could have been so close to danger and I hadn’t even met you yet, it tears at my heart.” He sighed raggedly.

  She took his hand, and his breathing resumed a more normal cadence. “Thank you for your empathy, but my life was danger. Now, can I see the pictures that everyone keeps referring too?” He grinned. “Come this way.”

  They walked down the hall until the unmistakable scent of pigments and paints wrinkled Meena’s nose. Rhoda’s studio was vast and full of canvases.

  “Our wall is over here.”

  He took her by the hand and led her to a wall where a dozen images were arranged, all painted with precise attention to detail and every one showing Meena in a different embrace with Kebril. In some, they stood shoulder to shoulder, in others, they were entwined, and in one, it was obvious that they were having sex while Kebril held her hips to take her weight. The look on her face was blissful, ecstatic. His face was harsh, possessive and passionate.

  “They can be hard to look at, no?” He kept his hand on hers, his thumb brushing back and forth across her fingers.

  The scalding blush running through her cheeks made her wish for a waterfall to wedge her head under.

  “How does she…I mean, how can Rhoda see and paint all this?”

  “It is her talent. Drehl’s guess is that she taps into time and sees your match under ideal conditions. She is an artist by nature, so once the image is in her mind, she can produce it on canvas.”

  Meena wandered around, looking at the images of Kebril and her. It was amazing. Every detail was there, including the small tattoo she had been given when she was dumped in Janial. It would only be removed when she had completed her run through the court system.

  She rubbed at the mark and looked toward Kebril. “What type of blades do you use?”

  “It depends on my mood and my opponent. Why?”

  “I was wondering if you could get me something to practice with. I get twitchy if I don’t have something to do.” Meena turned and smiled up at him.

  “I think you can share my collection. I can have weapons made up for you if you like, but my weapons are at your disposal.” He smiled.

  The double entendre was obvious. “Let’s just make an appointment for me to handle your sabre.”

  “Then, we had better get you some appropriate clothing. You can’t fence in a gown.” He grinned.

  “Though, I would enjoy watching you try.” She scowled and then chuckled. “I have fought in worse.”

  He offered her his arm. “Have you now? What do you prefer for standard workout gear? I am thinking something in a flowing, stormy blue with matching trousers.”

  She sighed and started to describe her ideal fighting outfit. He offered suggestions and she countered, but eventually, they came to an agreement of style and fabrics.

  Kebril got to his feet. “Is it to presumptuous to ask for a kiss?”

  Meena blinked. “Um. No. I suppose that it would be fine.”

  He leaned down, and she tilted her head up, rising on her toes to get it over with. Kebril held her chin with two fingers and ghosted his lips across hers. Sparks shot through her nervous system with that light touch, and when he did it again, she inhaled sharply.

  Meena placed her hands on his shoulders for support and lea
ned into him. His body heat warmed her palms, and she waited for the next kiss to fall.

  Kebril groaned and took her hands off his shoulders. “And that is enough to start with. Good day, Meena. May your dreams be sweet.” He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, and he walked out.

  She stood in the study for five minutes before her body stopped trembling with the easy arousal that he had stirred in her.

  Meena sought Rhoda out, and apparently, one look into her features was enough to send the artist into peals of laughter.

  “Let me guess. Heat, tingles and blood throbbing in places it normally doesn’t remain in residence.” Rhoda poured a cup of tea and lifted it up to her.

  Meena took the tea and flopped into the chair she had occupied hours earlier. “How did he do that?”

  Rhoda sipped at her own cup as if debating whether to answer or not.

  “Come on. You know something.”

  “Well, when he healed you, he used nanites programmed to repair and flush away marks of damage. The nanites are supposed to break up and flush away. However, if he had designs on your person, they could remain in place and react to him when he was feeling particularly randy. Think of them as mood bots.”

  Meena lifted her hand up and stared at it as if she could see the little beasties in her bloodstream.

  “That is cheating. So, they react in me when he is near?”

  “Well, when he is near and interested in sex. On the plus side, it will work the same way from you to him. They will send signals to him that he can’t ignore. It can be a lot of fun at dinner parties.” Meena spluttered and blotted at her lips with a napkin. She looked at Rhoda’s impish expression and asked, “You are kidding, right?”

  “Nope. If they want to show you off like an exotic pet, they have to put up with the tantrums when you don’t want to leave your cage.”

  “Show me off?”