The Barbarian's Captive (18 page)

Even when Aylan wasn’t there, Kerr usually had to come drag her away in order to get her presentable for meals in the great hall downstairs. He teased her about her mussed hair, dirt-smudged cheeks, and grubby gardener’s attire, but didn’t mind helping her get clean in the giant bathing pool when he found her that way.

Such became the pattern of the next week: loved well — and thoroughly — by Kerr morning, noon and night. In between each rendezvous, she got to do something else she loved, exploring the plant life that the new world had to offer.

* * *

H
aving found a sense of contentment, she seemed to be settling in, until it came time for the new mate celebration with the entire council of elders at the end of the week. A formal, well-attended, very public occasion, Kerr warned her repeatedly of the need to be respectful at the gathering, even more so than the smaller celebration on the
Intrepid
. The two elders present at that particular gathering had been kinsman — and the most liberal and forgiving of the entire group. They wouldn’t again have that luxury.

“You’re scaring me, Kerr,” she muttered, standing in her silky robe, fresh from a bath after he’d repeated his warning yet again. “I remember the first such supper not going well at all.”

“Whose fault was that?”

“I didn’t make up your archaic rules.”

He approached. “Archaic to you and your world. What traditions and rules do you have that I would find just as strange?”

That gave her pause. She tried to imagine Kerr in her world. Where women didn’t jump when he said boo, and wore what they wanted, exposing legs, cleavage and curves, and worse. Where they could be president, or prime minister, and told the male generals what to do. She fought a smile, but failed, and couldn’t contain the giggle that bubbled up.

His dark brows shot nearly to his hairline. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh.” Instantly, she sobered. “I’d like to hear a lot more of it,
anisa
.”

The new word, said with soft inflection, didn’t translate.

Before she could ask about it, he kissed her, a strong arm looping around her waist and drawing her in as his large hand came up to cradle her cheek. As his lips moved over hers, warm and searching, a wild swirl began in the pit of her stomach, her pulse racing. His presence compelling, his magnetism potent, she surrendered and all thought except him and what he was doing to her rushed out of her head.

“I can’t have you now. We’ll be late,” he said, groaning into her mouth, before setting her away.

“What if we don’t go? We could stay here, order in, instead. Do you have that? If not, I could cook. I’m a good cook.” Her words came out in a flurry as she cleaved her body to his, initiating contact on her own for the first time.

“We must go. The reception is in our honor.”

She looked away.

“What is it?”

After a heartbeat of silence, she shook her head.

“Eva…” his low voice compelled her compliance.

“It’s just that every time we go out in public together, something happens and I end up in trouble.”

“You can’t hide in here forever, sprite. I’ve allowed it this week, but the people expect to see you by my side.”

She wrinkled her nose at the word.

Allowed. Arrogant alien.

He put out his hand. “Come, I’ll help you get dressed.”

Still bristling over his high-handedness — and him getting her all hot and bothered — she didn’t take it right away. “I can do that for myself, Kerr.”

“I know you can, Eva, but I enjoy it. Besides, you’ll need help with your hair again, until you get the knack.”

He led her into the huge walk-in closet, selecting another jewel-toned gauzy dress, this one dipping into a vee in front and back with wide gathers at the shoulders. The ruby color, shot through with gold threads, shimmered in the light as she moved. A band of gold beads belted in the middle tucked the waist in before it fell full and long to pool at her feet.

Retrieving her hairbrush, he moved her in front of the mirror so she could watch as he brushed her hair thoroughly. He finished by piling it up high on her head, and with a few twists and coils, affixed the gilded headpiece. He leaned close and touched his lips to the back of her neck, the ever-present tingling and warmth reigniting.

“You are beautiful, mate.” With that reassurance, he led her out of their residence and down to the second floor and the cavernous dining room.

As she knew it would be, the gathering was large and noisy, a hush falling over the huge crowd as Kerr escorted her in. She looked over her shoulder as a flurry of music, sounding much like a harp’s strings, filled the room. The gazes of the gathered throng aimed her way. Her fingers tightened on his forearm.

“Breathe, Eva,” he urged, in a low controlled voice as he dipped his head to hers.

“Where are my shipmates? I thought some of them would be here.”

“They’ll be along.”

His hand covered hers, his warm fingers curling around her cold ones, as he removed her nails from his skin.

“Sorry,” she whispered, not aware she’d been clawing him in her fluster.

“Not to worry.” He squeezed her hand again.

As she shot sidelong glances around the room, she noticed all the tables were occupied except for one-half of a long banquet type table up front. She didn’t comment, having learned her lesson about blurting out questions or commentary, especially with the elders already gathered. That’s where Kerr stopped, turning her to face the older men who stood behind their seats as though waiting for something.

“Esteemed council,” he began formally. “I present my mate, Eva, first consort.” As a group, the elders inclined their heads in acceptance. “You have met Aylan, Mordrun, and Elgin. Let me introduce the rest of our elder council.”

He began naming them one by one, each name more unusual than the next. Twelve in all, she couldn’t remember a single name after the first three by the time he was done. Never good at names or memorization, for the first time she was grateful not to have to initiate conversation with any of them.

Once they were through, Kerr took a seat at the center of the table, bidding her sit down immediately to his left. Another fanfare of harp strings had all heads turning to the door. This time, only the audience stood. Leading several other couples, Trask and Lana walked in, the couple looking truly stunning, her fairness a striking contrast to the dark haired and bronze skinned general. They moved forward, stopped directly in front of Kerr, and bowed their heads.

“General Trask, on behalf of the Primarian people, we celebrate your excellent match and wish you a joyous and fruitful joining.”

Lana blushed as she raised her head. Her eyes shifted to Eva, who inhaled sharply at the change in her friend’s appearance.

“Her eyes are teal!” Eva breathed in shock. As long as she’d known her crewmate, the woman’s eyes had been a pale blue.

“I explained this might happen,” Kerr said. “She has taken on her mate’s characteristics.”

Trask guided Lana down the line of elders.

As they moved on, Lothar stepped up with Brenna. Eva swallowed hard, noting the golden glow that had encompassed the woman’s previously fair skin. Looking down the row at Mailynn beside Krager, Eva noted the woman’s red hair was newly streaked with black. Dayna, who had been matched to Valen, and Marta to Alseth, both had their mate’s lavender eyes. Thora was last and had also changed, hers the most drastic of them all. Her hair, once so blonde it appeared almost silver, was now a mass of gleaming onyx locks, identical to her mate, Vardax.

She sat back dumbstruck, for the first time believing all Kerr had been saying about the transformation.

“Eva, you must acknowledge those in front of us before they can proceed.”

Dazedly, she faced front, meeting Thora’s shy smile. Suddenly, she was consumed by a disturbing thought. If she and Kerr were so highly compatible, why hadn’t this happened to her?

Then Ram and Eryn stood before them. He bowed, but she stood tall and rigid, refusing to bend. Instead, she kept her withering glare focused on Eva.

“You should be ashamed,” she practically spat.

“Silence, mate,” Ram growled beside her.

“I won’t. She is a traitor to our people, as are the rest of these mindless, deferential, subjugated sheep.”

“Eryn, I’m warning you for the last time. Stop now.”

“I won’t,” she said, her voice almost a snarl. “Our planet is
dying
. Soon, it will be our people. They are relying on us to save them. But instead of scientists and a solution, they got pathetic kowtows, bowing at a man’s feet, subservient to his cock—”

Her words suddenly stopped, although her mouth continued to move.

She turned angry eyes up at Ram, her hands flying to the metal choker at her throat.

“I warned you I would not tolerate that sharp tongue. Not tonight.”

Eva shot to her feet in alarm, her eyes zoning in on Eryn’s neck, gasping as she realized that her choker was much different than the one Kerr had given her. It was metal and smooth, and instead of a clasp, it had a lock with a small flashing light. It looked more like a prison collar than ornamental jewelry.

“What did you do to her?” she demanded of Ram. Kerr’s hand clasped her arm even as he too stood up.

Ram held up a small box with several buttons. “I’m sorry, Prima, but I have found that some Earth females need a firmer hand than others. And that some have extremely sharp and vicious tongues in need of taming. This is a mate’s best friend when matched to a female who requires both.”

“I don’t understand…”

“It’s a vocal silencer,” Kerr said low in her ear. “A disciplinary tool.”

“A silencer?” Horrified, her voice came out in a raspy whisper. “You mean that collar makes it so she cannot speak? Like a bark collar for a dog? That is cruel and barbaric.”

“It doesn’t harm her, or cause any discomfort.”

“Would you prefer I gag her, Prima?” Ram asked in an impassioned voice, clearly pushed to his limit by his stubborn and recalcitrant mate. “That
would
be worse. This way, no one need know unless she carries on further.”

“Take it off of her,” she demanded, her hands curling into fists as she leaned forward, ready to fly across the table. Kerr must have sensed that she might, because he pulled her back, his strong hands circling her waist in an unyielding grasp.

“Lower your voice,” he growled in her ear.

“But, Kerr,” she hissed. “It’s beyond humiliating.”

“You will not interfere between mates. It is his right to discipline his female. And humiliating would be taking her over his knee before this elite gathering, flipping up the hem of her dress, and paddling her until she was appropriately respectful.”

“I prefer to reserve such methods for behind closed doors, Prima,” Ram said.

“But it would be his right to do so if she cannot control her tongue. He obviously knows she cannot, so rather than risk further punishment, he provides this assistance to help her obey. It is actually a kindness.”

“What kind of stone aged, caveman rationalization is that?”

“Not another word.” Kerr’s tolerance was apparently at an end. “You will take your seat and remain quiet lest you earn a correction yourself.”

Glaring up at him, seething with anger, her teeth clenched almost painfully as she bit back words she would regret. Barely able to contain herself, she looked way, seeing the unease in Lana’s eyes. Biting her lip while wringing her hands, beside her, Dayna seemed equally concerned. Eryn, though still grim-faced as ever, watched Eva come to her defense, lifting her chin as she did so, with what appeared to be approval.

Meeting the guard’s gaze directly, she read pride, bravery, and determination—so like the Eryn she’d known for years. Eva couldn’t imagine the extremes Ram would have to go to, before she would yield.

“Be seated now, mate.” Kerr’s hand rose to the back of her neck and exerted firm pressure. Something occurred to her in that moment as she took in Eryn’s as yet unchanged auburn hair, her familiar bright blue eyes and fair skin. The woman looked just as she had when on the
Odyssey
, before they’d boarded the landing shuttle to the mission planet. Unlike the others, Eryn hadn’t changed one bit.

And neither have you.

The enormity of it all struck her as she eased down into her chair. She thought it a cowardly capitulation, but she was overwhelmed by the realization that the others had transformed — but she and Eryn hadn’t. The acclaimed mate tests had failed in their case, and a terrible mistake had been made.

While Eryn shot her a disdainful glare, Kerr leaned close, speaking into her ear. “Learn from your friend’s mistake. Always be respectful and circumspect in public. A warrior’s pride is not to be trifled with. What might be forgiven behind closed doors, in private, will earn swift retribution before a crowd.”

Eva bowed her head, eyes locked on her tightly clasped, white-knuckled hands. “What about a woman’s pride, Princep?”

After a brief pause, he replied in a voice raspy with anger. “A woman can protect her pride by being obedient, Eva. Public displays are not tolerated, and not something you want to risk. Nor do you want to defy your mate.”

Too overwhelmed by the horrendous scene to speak, she nodded and lapsed into silence. Her sorrow was a huge, painful knot inside her and she choked back the tears that clogged her throat.

What would happen to her when Kerr finally came to the same conclusion that she had?

They weren’t mates — and they never would be.

* * *

A
nother tense dinner followed, and by the time they were through, Kerr was convinced that Eva was correct. Further social interaction with the other mated pairs would need to be severely curtailed. It did nothing except agitate his mate, and annoy him. When it was just the two of them, they got along fine, but add the other females to the mix and it became explosive, like tossing fuel onto a flame.

For the duration of the meal, her cheeks stayed flushed with an anger it seemed she could barely contain. Her responses to him were brief and stilted, not the lively interactions he usually received from her. To others who addressed her, she answered politely while only pretending to eat, idly pushing her food around her plate. If she kept it up, she was going to lose weight — which would displease him. Not only was it unhealthy, but her curves were perfectly proportionate to his hands, their bodies fitting together like two pieces of the same puzzle. He didn’t want that to change.