The crowd goes wild, and it’s difficult to tell what their reaction is – anger, or elation.
It doesn’t matter. What this means is that my beloved triad will not be executed.
As I stand there, the aura of Hadrian flares in my mind.
“We will meet with you soon, my love.”
Joy fills my heart.
Then I remember my little sister. That too, fills me with joy – albeit of another kind.
I’d spent years searching for her. Thanks to my triad, she is alive and returned to me.
But not returned whole. She’s still terrified of Aurelians, and deeply traumatized by what Torelli did to her. It will be a long road before she’s healed again – if that’s even possible.
And that creates a deep conflict.
I’d already felt myself growing closer to those three gorgeous Aurelians with each mating. One more coupling, and I feel I’ll have become so intertwined with them that I’ll never get out.
And that’s fine. That’s good. That’s everything…
But I’ll need some time to help my sister get well first, before I give myself entirely to my triad. Maybe, one day, she’ll learn not to hate Aurelians. Even to trust them. Perhaps, in time, she can love my triad, as her brothers.
But not today. Not for many days.
I stand there and watch Daccia, Hadrian, and Kitos get dragged away. When my triad has finally left the arena, Queen Jasmine addresses the jeering crowd.
“Our Empire owes a debt to this woman,” she gestures towards me. “This woman has suffered, and it is her choice how she shall proceed with her life.”
An Aurelian stands in the crowd. “She should not have a choice! Our people need sons!”
Queen Jasmine gives him a haughty stare. “Then we are no more than animals! The Aurelian Empire is supposed to be the highest culture in the universe. You’d reduce a woman to breeding chattel?” She shakes her head. “Then, this court is adjourned.”
The Elites guards behind me pick up the Orb-Ring I’d angrily tossed to the sand. Without a word, they lead me from the arena. This time, we go a different way down the hallway, away from the direction we’d come in.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Queen Jasmine wants to see you,” one of the Elites murmurs.
I can barely think of what she might want from me.
What do I have in common with the illustrious Queen Jasmine? All we share in common is being Bonded to a triad of Aurelian warriors – except her Bonded partners are the mighty Emperor of the entire Aurelian Empire and his two battle-brothers, and my three brave, bold and devoted warriors are now exiles from that same Empire.
All Jasmine and I share is the gift of the Bond. We each share three partners, with whom we don’t need to speak to know how we all feel about each other. My triad and I – just like Jasmine and her own triad - can all feel each other, knowing our emotions, and knowing the certainty that we’ll all finally be together soon.
“I’m coming,” I telepath to my triad. “Queen Jasmine wants to see me first. I’m sorry, I’ll be with you soon.”
I need to make up for what I did to them. Daccia, Kitos and Hadrian have suffered so much at my hands. I need them to know I’m never going to hurt them again. That I will always be theirs, and they’ll always be mine.
“Don’t trust her.” Hadrian’s aura flares in my mind – and suddenly turns icy cold.
I stand in front of two heavy doors, and the Elites open them. In front of me stands Queen Jasmine – a human, just like me…
…but one distrusted by half her populace.
One of the Elites walks to her, handing her the Orb-Ring. Then he bows, and the two guards back from the chamber.
The door shuts behind us. I feel like it’s sealing me in.
I’ve entered a huge room. It’s beyond lavish, even by Aurelian standards – and on Colossus, everything looks like a scaled-up version of some great Roman palace or gilded Greek temple. There is a large throne in the center of the immense room, where Queen Jasmine sits imperiously.
I look up at her, and immediately wonder how I could have been so blind as to think that I was like her in any way.
This woman has lived for hundreds of years, and yet she still looks like she’s in her mid-twenties. Her body seems totally unchanged by the dozens of pregnancies she’s gone through. Her skin is flawless – without a single stretch mark or imperfection – and she wears a light, salmon-colored dress that makes her look almost ethereal.
I feel so… human compared to her otherworldly beauty and presence.
“Allie,” the Queen says as I enter.
“My Queen,” I respond, bowing.
Queen Jasmine suddenly guffaws in mirth.
I jerk my head up in shock.
“I’m not your Queen, Allie,” she murmurs. “You grew up outside of Aurelian rule. You are one of the few people on this planet entitled to just call me Jasmine.”
“Okay… Jasmine.” It feels so weird on my tongue. “I’m really eager to get back to my triad.”
“I understand,” Jasmine nods. “The Bond is a… unique thing. We both share it with our own triads. I wouldn’t take it back, but it’s not always easy. In the deepest throes of the Bond, you sometimes feel as though you’re losing your mind.”
What game is she playing at? Is she trying to keep me from my triad?
“Why are you telling me this?”
Queen Jasmine smiles. “You’re suspicious of me. That’s been a common theme during my reign. Suspicion, anger, and distrust have grown ever since I took the throne beside the Emperor.” The Queen’s eyes soften. “Allie, I brought you here not because of you, but because of your sister. She’s damaged – heavily damaged. I’ve received a full psychological report.”
I ache to help Lilac. I know I can show her that not all Aurelians are evil.
“I know,” I nod.
