My Chameleon Loves [Galactic Nuptials 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (3 page)

“I got a communiqué late last night. He’s settled in and says he’s happier than he’s ever been in his life.” Kernz laid his hand on Zintssar’s arm. “This was necessary for Xortz, Zintssar. He had to follow his own path.”

“I know, but I don’t have to like it. I’d always envisioned us sharing our mate and raising lots of children.”

Kernz chuckled. “Well, you and I will just have to produce enough to make up for his loss.”

“All rise.”

Zintssar came to his feet and watched the door for Jenilyn’s arrival. His breath caught when the door opened and she shuffled in. Her arms were shackled in little metal bracelets that were attached to a chain around her waist.
I can’t wait to get you alone, flower. You will never have to suffer such indignities again.

“Everyone be seated.”

Zintssar glanced to the front and saw the judge had taken his seat.

“Your Honor.” The prosecutor, Elliot Reynolds, stood. “The owners of Gracely Investments have informed me they wish to drop the charges pending against Ms. Montgomery.”

Jenilyn’s attorney quickly stood. “I object, Your Honor. I’ve been given no such notice.”

The judge frowned. “Really, Mr. Landers. Do you need to be informed prior to the charges being dropped?”

“It depends on why the charges are dropped, Your Honor.”

Elliott cleared his throat. “They feel this trial has been a farce and is costing the tax payers more than the money that’s actually missing. They’re willing to let things drop in exchange for a promise from Ms. Montgomery to stay away from their office in the future.”

Zintssar tensed when Jenilyn stood. Her voice was soft and lyrical like the birds on Arridia.

“Your Honor, wait.”

The judge pounded his gavel several times. “Ms. Montgomery, you are represented by counsel and should be discussing everything with him.”

“Your Honor, I agree with not wanting to waste the tax payer’s money. I can fix that by changing my plea to guilty.”

The loud buzz of lowered voices burst out all over the courtroom as Zintssar leaned toward Kernz. “She’s lying. She’s not guilty.”

Kernz frowned. “What would be the purpose of lying about her guilt?”

“I don’t know, but she’s afraid of something. I can smell her fear from here.”

The judge banged his gavel again. “I want to see attorneys and the defendant in my chambers immediately.” He stood and turned toward the door.

“All rise.”

Zintssar stood and watched his mate follow her attorney to the judge’s chambers.

Kernz leaned over to whisper. “Maybe one of us should shift and get in there so we know what’s going on.”

Zintssar growled softly. “We can’t. In order for us to get permission to stay here for the trial, I had to promise father we wouldn’t shift while we are here. He doesn’t want the leaders of this world to find out what we can do.”

Kernz groaned. “What good is being Arridian if we can’t use our greatest gift to secure our mate?”

“Patience, Brother. I promise we will not leave this planet without our mate by our side.”

* * * *

Jeni stood in front of the judge’s desk, trembling.
I can’t let them drop the charges against me. If they release me I’m as good as dead. There’s no way to protect myself.
She watched as the judge shuffled the papers on his desk. After a moment she heard the click of the door closing.

The judge glanced up and settled back in his chair with an exaggerated casualness. “All right, young lady. What is this all about?”

Jeni looked at Elliot Reynolds and swallowed hard. She clasped her hands together trying not to shake. “I’m tired of all the lies, Judge. I just wanna plead guilty and be sentenced.”

The judge tilted his head and frowned. “You understand you have the right to remain silent. You should really talk this over with your attorney, Ms. Montgomery.”

Jeni nodded. “I have discussed it with him, and he understands my change of plea.”

The judge peered at the district attorney over his glasses. “Do you have any objections, Mr. Reynolds?”

“Absolutely not, Judge. I’m happy to accept the defendant’s new plea.”

“Very well. I’ll accept the guilty plea. Ms. Montgomery, if you’re willing to allocate with full disclosure, I’ll consider giving you a lesser sentence.”

She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, judge, but that’s not possible.”

The judge sighed. “Very well. I’m afraid you’ll be getting the maximum sentence. Let’s go back inside and make it official.”

Jeni blinked back tears and followed her attorney back into the courtroom.

* * * *

Zintssar came to his feet when Jenilyn walked through the door behind her attorney. The tears gathering in her eyes made him want to rush over and comfort her in his arms.

“Be seated.”

The judge banged his gavel once. “Let the record show the defendant, Jenilyn Montgomery, has changed her plea to guilty for the charge of embezzlement. She is to remain in custody with a sentencing hearing Friday at 10:00 a.m. Court dismissed.”

Zintssar turned to Kernz, barely able to smother his growl. “This is absurd. She’s not guilty and yet they’re going to take her plea that she is. What kind of justice system does this primitive culture have?”

Kernz sighed. “At least we should be able to take her home now. They assured us they would offer her the chance to come with us instead of going to one of their prisons. Surely we are more appealing.”

Zintssar laughed. “I would hope so, but let’s pay a visit to the district attorney to make sure.”

* * * *

Jeni grimaced when the bailiff locked her handcuff onto the metal ring of the table in the conference room. She looked around the room and felt her heart rate speed up. The judge, the district attorney, her own attorney, and five strangers filled the small room.

Jeff put his hand on Jeni’s shoulder. “Gentlemen, for those of you who don’t know, my name is Jeffrey Landers and this is my client, Jenilyn Montgomery. Jeni, you’re already acquainted with Judge Martin and our DA Elliot Reynolds.” He pointed to a tall man with brown hair and green eyes. “This is Tarooka Meekers. He’s the owner of Galactic Nuptials.”

Tarooka took her free hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. “It’s a very great pleasure, Ms. Montgomery.”

Jeff pointed to another tall, extremely intimidating man. This one had blond hair and blue eyes. “This is Minov Laroche. He’s the legal advisor for all the Galactic Nuptials offices.” Mr. Laroche merely nodded. “And this is Dr. Xavier Jtsar.”

Jeni studied the third man. He had very short brown hair, with brown eyes and a slender build. “What kind of doctor?”

Jeff looked at a paper on the desk and frowned. “He’s from the planet Calata and is responsible for determining the health of the people that sign up to be mates for Galactic Nuptials.”

“I haven’t agreed to be anybody’s mate, yet.”

One of the two men yet to be introduced stepped forward. “LLorsarrtfooalt mnzort kllarnz forzllemt.”

Jeni stared at the handsome man. His dark-brown hair framed a strong face. He was well over six feet tall with olive-colored skin and brown eyes. The man looked to be one solid muscle. She decided to ignore the strange urge she had to cuddle up to his massive chest. “What the hell did he just say?”

Jeff cleared his throat. “That’s what Dr. Jtsar is here for. You can’t make an informed decision about their offer without talking to these men.”

“These are my supposed bridegrooms?”

“Yes.” Jeff motioned to the one who spoke. “The taller of the two men is Zintssar. He’s also the oldest. They call him Zin. His brother is Kernztssar, also known as Kernz.”

Jeni studied the younger brother. He was almost a carbon copy of Zin except for being several inches shorter. “You told me there were three brothers. Where’s the other one?”

Jeff nodded. “There is a third brother but it’s my understanding he’s entered a religious order and would not be part of a mating if you choose to go forward.”

Jeni sighed heavily. “How am I supposed to talk to them if I can’t understand them?”

Jeff patted her shoulder. “That’s where Dr. Jtsar comes in. He’s here to inject a universal translator behind your ear.”

Jeni held her breath for a moment and then felt it rushing out. “You want me to let him inject me with something?”

Jeff picked up Jeni’s hand and rubbed her finger on the skin behind his ear. “Do you feel that little lump?”

“Yeah, what the hell is it?”

“It’s a small device that’s injected up under the skin. It doesn’t hurt, and you can’t see it. Once it’s injected, you’ll be able to understand everything they say, or any other being in the Federation of Planets.”

Jeni studied the small bump closer. “Did you understand what he said just a minute ago?”

Jeff blushed and cleared his throat. “Yes. He said, ‘Do not be afraid, my flower. You were meant to be with us.’”

Judge Martin moved closer. “I think we’d all be happier if we dispensed with the personal translations. Ms. Montgomery, I must stress that this decision is yours and yours alone. Against my better judgment, you’re being offered an alternative to the ten years I’d planned on sentencing you. These men have indicated to our government that you’re their fated mate and they want to take you to their home on the farming planet Kilara.”

Tarooka waved his fingers at the judge. “Tell her about your conditions.”

Jeni frowned. “What conditions?”

“I was getting to that.” Judge Martin pulled out a chair and sat next to Jeni. “Normally, a Galactic Nuptial’s bride is given three months to make up her mind whether she likes her new circumstances or not. If she’s unhappy she merely comes back to Earth, keeps her sign-on money, and gets on with her life.” He moved closer and shook his finger in Jeni’s face. “You, young lady, will not be given such a choice. First, there will be no sign-on bonus offered to you. If you’re not happy after the ninety-day trial period you can return to Earth and finish serving your original sentence for the charge of embezzlement. If you leave with these gentlemen you will be closely watched to make sure you don’t leave Kilara without their consent.”

Kernz took a step forward. His eyes had narrowed. “Kkaillart zookaltw occleirew wwaire.”

Jeff groaned and moved to stand between the judge and Jeni. “Judge Martin, you need to step back from Jeni. Although you can’t understand them, both of the gentlemen from Arridia understand everything you say. Kernz is insistent you stop threatening his mate or face him in a challenge.” Judge Martin paled and moved quickly.

Jeni had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. She glanced at Zin and saw his eyes twinkle.
He thinks this is funny.
“Okay, is this thing gonna hurt when he injects it?”

Tarooka smiled. “Absolutely not, Ms. Montgomery.” He moved closer and put his hand on the back of the chair. “May I call you Jenilyn?”

Jeni grinned. “No, but you can call me Jeni.”

He nodded. “As you wish. It’s a painless injection that takes about two seconds. The effects are instantaneous.”

Jeni looked down at her lap and gulped. After a moment she looked up. “Okay, Doc. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Dr. Jtsar walked over and pulled something from his pocket. The big, fat tube looked like those injections they give people who are allergic to bee stings. He placed the cold, curved end against the skin behind her ear. She heard a loud click and felt a small pinch. “Ow! I thought you said it didn’t hurt.”

“I’m so sorry, flower. It shouldn’t have hurt you at all. I’m sorry if you felt any discomfort.”

Jeni caught her breath at the sound of Zin’s voice. It had a smoky, sexy quality that wasn’t there before the translator was injected. “Holy crap! I can understand you now.”

Zin smiled and moved to take her hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zintssar, and I’m originally from the planet Arridia.”

Kernz moved to take her other hand and cursed when he found it handcuffed to the table. “Release her at once.”

Elliot shook his head. “I don’t think…”

“Release her,” Judge Martin snarled. “It’s not like she’s going to make a break for it with all of us present.” Elliot sighed and unlocked the cuff.

Kernz took her hand and pressed a kiss against her palm. “I’m Kernztssar, and I’m very happy to have finally met our Laan Asawa.”

Jeni blinked and pulled her hand away. Some kind of electric current had traveled up her arm when his lips had met her skin. “I’m sorry. I didn’t understand that last thing you said.”

“Laan Asawa doesn’t have a literal translation in your English,” said Zin. He rubbed Jeni’s wrist with a gentle, caressing motion. “Basically, it means fated or destined partner or mate. It’s something my people search for. We don’t feel complete until we find our Laan Asawa.”

Jeni held her breath as the same electrical charge she experienced from Kernz moved across the hand Zin was touching. “And for some reason you seem to think I’m that for you.”