Page 70 of Bound

“We will wait here, sir,” Tov answered before Cylex could respond. “That is much better than the alternative.”

Cylex accepted the decision with a tense nod and unstrapped his weapon’s belt. After laying the device on the table, he grabbed Cara’s arm and motioned toward the doors. The guards shoved them open and Cylex dragged her into the throne room.

She dug in her heels and tugged against his arms, not having to pretend to be terrified. Her heart was thudding double-time within her chest. Her mouth was so dry she couldn’t lick her lips and unshed tears were blurring her vision. Tov and Merrik were supposed to be right behind her, not out in the hall.

We’re still here, baby, Tov soothed.Never doubt it.

She wasn’t sure what she’d expected a planetary tyrant to look like, but the overly thin, ferret-faced jerk on the throne was not it. His garment—she wasn’t sure what it was called—was elaborately decorated in gold. Apparently, that was his favorite color. The top was loose and open down the front to the middle of his chest. It was too long to be a tunic, but she could see some sort of pants peeking out below.

“Lower your eyes, female,” Jevara snapped. “Your gaze is insulting.”

She immediately lowered her gaze, but her teeth pressed together. She wasn’t close enough to make out his eye color, but his wavy hair was blond.

“She is certainly nothing to look at,” Jevara decided. “Have you seen her in action?”

“I have. Her skills are progressing more quickly than her cousin’s. But her full power will not be unleashed until she is bound to the other two parts of the triad.”

“How would you like to be one of her mates?”

A long pause followed as Cylex struggled for the best response. “I would like that very much, sire. Unfortunately, I do not believe we are compatible. I have been in close proximity to her for weeks and do not feel a strong attraction.”

“I was under the impression that compatibility was determined by tasting a conduit’s pussy. Have you aroused her and tasted her juices?”

“I was posing as her bodyguard, sire. That would never have been allowed.”

“Well, it’s allowed now. Female, undress. I want a better look at you.”

“Sire, may I make a suggestion?” Cylex cut in.

“You don’t want to lick her pussy?”

A certain timbre in Jevara’s voice made Cara’s instinct activate. Something was wrong here. Jevara was toying with Cylex. She wanted to warn him but wasn’t sure how. They were not linked telepathically.

“I would enjoy tasting her very much,” Cylex insisted, “but I would enjoy it even more if she had been bathed and was restrained on an examination table. If we are compatible, I will likely fuck her immediately. From what I understand the urges are extremely strong.”

“I will have her prepared, but I do not want to hear you complain when I take my turn. And because I like you so very much, I will only fuck her ass. That way there will be no doubt about who put a child in her belly.”

Cara had been objectified by the males in this star system ever since she arrived, but she had never felt as humiliated as she did at that moment. Then another realization unfurled within her mind. Shalia had been at this monster’s mercy for weeks now. Cara shuddered. She did not care what she had to endure. She would get the hostages out of here regardless of what it took.

She heard the doors open and two of the palace guards grasped her upper arms.

“Come, bitch,” one snarled as they led her away.

They were different from the two guarding the door. She had no idea where these two had come from.

“I have good news for you, sire,” Cylex was saying. “I have a new contact on Earth and she insists that she knows the location of the other conduits.”

The door closed behind her so she couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation. She didn’t dare look at either of her mates, but she carefully shielded her thoughts and warned them,Jevara doesn’t believe a word Cylex is saying. Cylex is in serious trouble.

Understood. Get out of here as quickly as possible, Tov stressed.We will do the same.

After hearing Jevara’s plans for her, she didn’t have to be told twice.

She walked along between the palace guards. They held her upper arms, but neither dared harm her. She was too valuable and Jevara hadn’t played with her yet. Deciding to stall and give her mates enough time to rescue Cylex, she twisted violently, freeing herself from their grasp. She sprinted down the corridor in the opposite direction. She didn’t make it far. One of the guards caught her arm and spun her around.

“Do not try that again!” His hand remained locked around her upper arm. “I cannot discipline you, but there are those in the women’s quarters who can.”

Emboldened by the admission, she went wild, kicking and twisting, then going completely limp. The guards ignored her struggles and simply raised their arms until she hung suspended between them.

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