Page 21 of Tamed

Arcon shrugged. “I’ve always done a little of everything.”

Zevon returned to the sofa and handed Kendra the wine. He’d printed another shot of finolt for himself. “Well then, we’ll let you do a little of everything. You’ll just do it all from the comfort and security of the Citadel.”

“I think I can work with that,” Arcon decided.

“I sense controller energy from you as well as source,” Zevon noted. “Did you qualify as both?”

“I did, but my personality is more suited to being a source.” He looked at Kendra as he said, “My controller side tends to surface most often when I’m in bed, but even then the impulses are moderate compared to most controllers.”

“Luckily for us,” Zevon glanced at her too, “our mate enjoys being controlled. Don’t you, pet?”

She returned his smile but said nothing.

“What about my ship?” Arcon wanted to know.

“I can always use good ships and skilled commanders,” Zevon assured him. “Our mate will probably prefer that you shorten your voyages, but you can still spend time in space.”

She leisurely sipped the wine, but already her arousal was starting to build. The orgasm she’d given herself had only whet her appetite for a long night full of passion.

“What about you, red?” Arcon asked. “How are you going to fill your time now that you’re not going to Houkdi?”

“I’m not sure what my options are. All of my training has been focused on preparing me to join a triad. No one seems to know what happens after that.”

“It’s hard to determine your options until we assess your abilities,” Zevon explained then took the final sip of his drink.

“And my abilities will only develop after I’ve been claimed?”

“Your abilities can be released if you’re in a relationship,” Arcon clarified. “If you’re having sex on a regular basis with a source and a controller. They, or rather we, can help you control your power.”

“I didn’t realize that,” she admitted. “No wonder some of the conduits are farther along than others. They must have found a lover, or lovers.”

“Do you want to participate in the war?” Zevon asked, his gaze slightly narrowed and watchful. “Many of the conduits have indicated that they would rather not be directly involved.”

“I don’t feel that way at all,” Kendra assured him. “From everything I’ve heard about Jevara, he deserves to be removed from office, even if that means killing him. Sometimes that’s the only way to neutralize a pervasive threat.”

“Why do you feel so strongly about it?” Arcon wanted to know.

There was no judgment in his voice, no disagreement. He seemed honestly interested in her perspective, so Kendra explained. “I know what it’s like to have every area of my life dictated by others. I’m willing to fight for freedom, even if it’s not my own.”

“You’re not talking about this courtship, are you?” Arcon’s brows scrunched up over his nose. “Didn’t you choose us?”

“I did. I was referring to everything that came before. Life on the farm was extremely regimented. We were manipulated and lied to at every turn. And things haven’t been much better since coming here. If my powers hadn’t activated, I’d be on my way to Houkdi.” Both of the males nodded but neither commented. “I’m really glad my power decided to activate when it did, but I can’t help thinking about my friends. They’re still being bartered away as part of this alliance.”

Zevon sighed as he set his empty glass aside. “Their destinations are being dictated by the alliance but each conduit will choose who claims her. I understand your frustration, but you are being overly dramatic.”

“Overly dramatic?” Kendra set down her glass hard enough to make the glass ring and pivoted to face her controller. “I am not?—”

“Why did you wait so long to court a female?” Arcon interrupted, clearly trying to defuse the building argument.

Zevon’s lips curved into a subtle smile as he allowed the question to serve its purpose. “I thought it would be better to wait until the current crisis is over before I started looking for a mate. Now that it’s happening, I’m excited about all the possibilities.”

Following suit, Kendra let the spark of indignation sputter out. The conversation was far from over, but now was not the time. This was why there were three people involved in each power triad. Their personalities and abilities kept everything in balance.

“There will always be a crisis somewhere,” Arcon added. “I think we’ll make a solid team.”

“As do I,” Zevon responded.

Kendra looked from one male to the other and smiled. It still didn’t seem real that her life had changed so drastically in just three days. She’d begrudgingly agreed to travel to Houkdi and bond with two of their tribesmen, and now she was being courted by both the males she’d been infatuated with since her arrival at the Citadel. This was the sort of thing that made people believe in fate.

---