Page 32 of Tamed

“I need to get back as well,” Arcon added.

A responding smile lingered on Kendra’s lips as her mates paused long enough to kiss her and then went back to work. She was an official part of the resistance. She’d provided important information that the president of the Citadel intended to act upon. The waiting was over. Her life as a conduit had finally begun.

Three days later Verbet prepared to activate the waiting holo-comm from Zevon Raydo. Verbet—who had been communicating as if he were Jevara—was intrigued by Zevon’s sudden interest in an alliance. Unfortunately, he also suspected some sort of trap. Zevon wanted to meet in person and suggested several neutral locations. Any physical interaction was much more dangerous than remote communication, so Verbet insisted on the latter.

“You need to calm down, my love,” Domar cautioned, her voice silky smooth, nearly hypnotizing. “Your anxiety is written all over your face.”

He took a deep breath and released his tension with his next exhale.

“All he knows is that Jevara is unavailable for this comm,” she reminded. “There is no way he could have learned the truth.”

He glanced at her and nodded, but her unwanted advice was starting to annoy.

“Answer questions as honestly as you can, but do not volunteer information,” she advised. Her gown was vivid green. The shimmering material flowed from her shoulders to her ankles, outlining every enticing curve of her lush body. Her neck, wrists, and one ankle were encircled by jewel-encrusted bands, and her hair had been swept up into an elaborate style impossible for one person to accomplish. She had moved into the palace eight days ago and already her habits were changing. He couldn’t really blame her. His own wardrobe had been replaced and his private quarters were being renovated. Power and wealth were addictive, especially when they were available without limits.

Verbet looked longingly at the throne at the other end of the gilt and ivory room, but chose to sit down at the round table instead. As far as the galaxy knew, he was not yet emperor. It would be presumptuous to sit upon the throne. Domar moved farther away yet chose not to leave the room. It was time to reestablish their boundaries. He didn’t care if she indulged her love for the finer things, but she was his mistress, not his mate.

After activating privacy mode to ensure that he wouldn’t be interrupted, Verbet accepted the comm request. It took a moment to connect, then the holographic representation of a conference room appeared in the center of his table. He faced Zevon, but a beautiful red-haired female and a blond male flanked him. The two wore formal finery. Zevon wore his dress uniform. Zevon had requested the meeting, so Verbet waited for him to speak.

“Good afternoon, Commander,” Zevon greeted. “Will Emperor Jevara be joining us?”

Verbet clenched his teeth and barely kept his hands from fisting. The slur was subtle but unmistakable. Zevon was only interested in speaking with the emperor. To this arrogant prick, Verbet was nothing. “My brother is unavailable at the moment. He sends his apologies and asks that you think of me as him. I have full authority to make decisions on his behalf.”

“I can explain what I have in mind. We can even negotiate specific terms, but I will need to have final confirmation from Emperor Jevara himself,” Zevon insisted, his golden gaze narrowed and bright.

“Who are your companions?” It was insulting that he’d needed to ask. Introductions were common courtesy.

The hint of a smile lifted the corners of Zevon’s mouth. “I have recently bonded. This is Kendra, my conduit, and Arcon, my source.”

Verbet stared at the woman silently for a moment. Of course she was a conduit. The fucking Citadel was full of them. “Congratulations.” He forced the word out through gritted teeth.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, my lovely mate was one of forty-six conduits rescued from an island on Earth,” Zevon went on. “There are forty-four left and all of them are trained and ready for mates.”

Easily anticipating where this was leading, Verbet jumped on ahead. “That’s eleven per planet. If you intend to offer anything that does not include the conduits, I am not interested.”

“You may assure the emperor that equal distribution is exactly what I have in mind.”

“Dealing with me is the same as dealing with Jevara,” Verbet snapped. He was sick of the pretense, sick of bowing to his half-brother’s ghost. “What about the disputed territories and all your past attacks? We expect reparations for the losses of our lunar outposts.”

Zevon had the audacity to scoff. “I’ll rebuild those outposts when you compensate me for the state-of-the-art facility that was supposed to be our new Citadel, not to mention the ships I’ve lost. Next shall we compare the lives we’ve lost? I have done everything in my power to minimize civilian casualties. Can your side say the same? Wars are expensive, Commander, and your half-brother started this one.”

“Eleven empowered females to end hostilities?” Verbet digressed, refusing to debate the other issues. “Are there any other concessions, or is that your final offer?”

Zevon shook his head, anger sparking to life in his gaze. “I’m offering to end this war by rebalancing the power structure of this entire star system. Does Torret want to participate in the system-wide alliance or will you remain the only hostile planet?”

“How many of the other planetary leaders are onboard?”

“All of them.” Zevon went on to explain that the conduits would be delivered two at a time, at one-month intervals. That meant he wouldn’t have all eleven conduits for at least six months. Zevon seemed sincere, but Verbet knew this was all a sham. The duplicitous bastard had made the exact same offer to the rebels. Verbet started to confront him with that fact but changed his mind. Let Zevon think he was being clever. Verbet would begin the real negotiation once he sat upon the throne.

“This will accomplish much of what we wanted,” Verbet admitted as Zevon finished his explanation. “I will advise my brother to join the alliance. But as you indicated, the final decision is his.”

A meaningful look passed between Zevon and his mates.

Verbet tensed. Had he just given himself away? No, he was being paranoid. They did not know that Jevara was dead.

“I will wait for the final confirmation,” Zevon said.

The holo-display blinked off and Verbet released a deep sigh. “What the fuck was that about? He has no interest in securing an alliance with me. He already struck a deal with the rebels.”

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