Page 47 of Owned

His smile vanished and his brow creased. “Are you upset about something?”

“No.” She added a reassuring smile but her belly was suddenly tight and her mouth had gone dry. “Actually, the opposite. The last few days have fallen into a really enjoyable routine. I’m starting to imagine what life would be like if I allowed you guys to claim me, but there are still a couple of significant obstacles.”

Kern paused to put on his shirt, so Raina quickly moved to the tall-backed armchair, encouraging the two males to sit side by side on the couch. She didn’t want Kern to feel like they were ganging up on him.

“So, what are these ‘significant obstacles’?” Kern’s features were as tense as his posture.

She took a deep breath and prepared for the most important conversation of her life. The ground rules they established today would shape how the rest of their lives played out, or if their interaction was about to end. Something akin to panic fluttered inside her as she thought about that possibility. She really had grown fond of these two over the past two weeks. She didn’t want to walk away. “This is hard for me so please let me finish before you start objecting to what I’ve said.”

Cylex’s brows arched. “Why are you so certain we’ll object?”

She chuckled. “You’re objecting right now.”

“Point taken. Please continue.”

Maybe if she started with the positive, it would make them less defensive. “Sex with you two is amazing. I have never known pleasure like I’ve experienced with you guys. However, there is a lot more to life than sex.”

“We’re aware of that,” Cylex assured her.

Raina sighed. He already sounded defensive. But there was no help for it. This needed to be said or she would be miserable and she didn’t think they wanted that. “I have accepted that I am sexually submissive. I enjoy being controlled in the bedroom, but I will not live my entire life on my knees.”

“We would never ask that of you,” Kern insisted despite her request that they hold their comments until the end.

Rather than arguing with him, she simply continued to state her case. “I know I’m more independent than the average Altorian female. I’m opinionated and stubborn. I’m willing to compromise, but I need mates who are willing to meet me halfway. I can’t be the only one making changes. It’s not fair and I would eventually resent you because of it.”

“You asked that we not interrupt,” Kern said lightly. “Are you finished with what you needed to say?”

“That’s my opening statement,” she countered. “But you can comment now.”

“Thank you.” A hint of sarcasm sharpened the phrase, but his voice softened as he went on. “I cannot speak for Cylex, but I do not want to extinguish your spirit. Some males insist on complete control over their mates. I would much prefer a true partnership. However, there are certain rules on which I am unwilling to bend.”

“And they are?” She’d stated what she would and would not tolerate. It was only fair that he do the same.

“If you lie to me or deceive me, there will be consequences.”

“Lying is virtually impossible once the soul bond is formed,” Cylex reminded. “But I feel the same way. I expect honesty and will offer honesty in return.”

“I am more than willing to be honest if both of you are being honest with me.” She looked at Kern and prompted, “What else?”

“All arguments must take place in private. No one will respect me or Cylex if our mate is disrespectful to us.”

“Is it all right for you to be disrespectful to me?” she countered.

“Of course not, but controllers are expected to, well, control. I welcome your input into anything that affects our triad, but I expect you to be respectful.”

“I’m always respectful.” She smirked at him. They both knew it wasn’t true. “I can’t guarantee that I won’t lose my temper and mouth off in public, but I accept that there will be consequences if I do.”

“Agreed. If you intentionally endanger yourself, you will be punished severely.”

She was supposed to be listing her conditions. How had he turned this around? “Does that include going into battle?”

Kern shook his head, eyes narrowed. “It is not the same.”

“If I choose to do something dangerous because someone is in trouble or someone I care about would benefit from my risk, that’s not okay? But flying off to blow up a Torretian moon or taking on a group of their fighters is just fine?”

“It is a contradiction,” Cylex admitted. He thought for a moment then suggested, “If a mission puts us in danger, we must all agree to accept the risks.”

The suggestion caught Raina by surprise. “Will we be allowed to pick and choose our missions? I thought conduits were obligated to the Citadel.”

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