Page 99 of Savage Union

“Captain Turk, this has been a difficult case to decide,” he said to me. “I have heard many accounts of you, but I believe thatthe ones coming from those who testified in your favor are more credible. Do you also assert that you and the young lady who went on the mission with you are Fated Mates?”

I felt my throat go suddenly dry with longing.

“Yes, Your Honorableness,” I managed to get out. “Jessina is my Fated Mate and I love her dearly.”

I thought that something in the judge’s stern demeanor softened. Maybe he and his wife were also Fated Mates, or maybe he was just a romantic at heart. At any rate, my words seemed to have moved him.

“I clear you of all charges,” he said. “Captain Turk, you are free to go.”

The courtroom erupted in cheers and for a minute I felt pure joy wash over me. But then it was replaced by the anxiety I felt for Jessina. My little bird—where was she now? And how could I get to her?

As the courtroom started clearing, I saw Frux trying to walk swiftly away. But the judge had a sharp eye.

“Bailiff, please detain Grr. Frux to act as a witness in the next trial,” he said, pointing at Frux. “I’ll want to know why he didn’t mention the near-death experience his friend, Grr. Gurflug, put him and the rest of the Crew of the Illyrian through during the incident we watched on the vid projector.” He looked at me. “And Captain Turk, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to stay too. Just to act as a witness, though—you are not charged for anything.”

“I understand, Your Honorableness,” I said. “But can I please talk to my friend first?” I nodded at Slade, who was already making his way out of the courtroom, without even looking back. “I need to ask him where his sister—my Fated Mate—is.”

“We will have a short recess,” the judge said, nodding. “Please be back in no later than ten minutes time.”

“Thank you, Your Honorableness!” I rushed from the courtroom, catching Slade just as he was stepping out the door. “Slade?” I called. When he didn’t turn, I put a hand on his broad shoulder. “Slade, wait. I?—”

He whirled around and punched me—hard, in the jaw.

“Fuck!” I groaned putting a hand to my face. “That fucking hurt!”

“That’s for touching my sister!” Slade growled at me. “And I don’t care if she ‘needed’ it. She’s my fucking sister, Turk! You ought to know fucking better!”

“I know.” I looked down at my boots. “Believeme, I know. I’m really fucking sorry, Slade. I tried to resist but she had The Needing so bad?—”

“Shut the fuck up—I don’t want fucking details,” he growled irritably.

“So is this it? We’re not friends anymore?” I asked. “Why did you come and testify for me then?”

“I did it for Jessina,” he snapped. “Not for you. But if she really is your Fated Mate, you’d better do something fast.”

My heart lurched into my throat.

“What? Why? Is she getting sick from The Needing?” I demanded.

He shrugged.

“I don’t know about that. What Idoknow is that her Binding Ceremony is scheduled for eight o’clock tonight at my family’s private Holy House.”

“Her Binding Ceremony? You mean she’s getting Bound to the male your stepmother picked for her?” I felt sick.

Slade nodded—a short jerk of his head.

“Exactly. I don’t know what you can do about it, though. The Binding Contract has been validated and notarized. She’s practically signed, sealed and delivered.”

“She can’t get Bound to him!” I clenched my hands into fists. “She’smine!My Fated Mate!”

I felt sick—why hadn’t I Bound Jessina to me when I had a chance? In trying to defuse a bad situation I had created an even worse one. What was I going to do?

Slade gave me a look that might have been pity.

“I’m sorry, Turk,” he said gruffly. “Aurora and I both tried talking to my Sire but he’s not going for it. I really don’t know what you can do, but I thought you should know what’s going on.”

“But—” I began again. Just then, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was one of the guards who had been sitting beside me earlier, when I was still a defendant and criminal.

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