I shake my head. It’s so strange to be waking up alone in bed and yet feeling them in my mind. I can still feel them in my body, too. I’m sore from their passionate lovemaking – and I’m probably going to limping for at least a day or two.
The auras of Vinicus and Iunia have the constant feeling of waiting – taut and ready to spring to action. I sense they want a fight, just like their Captain and leader.
But in contrast, Aelon is stressed and on the edge. It’s so strange. Now, I finally understand that his cocky nonchalance is merely hiding the immense pressure he’s under. He’d love to be on the ground with his triad, waiting for the Toads to swoop into their ambush, so he can wipe them out of the sky. Aelon’s hatred for the species burns like a sun.
Speaking of which – my ass is still burning from yesterday. The Bond was nice enough to turn that pain to pleasure during sex, but now it’s just sore.
“Could you give me some relief?” I plead to the Bond, as if it’s something sentient.
Now that’s a scary thought!
The Bond – it’s a completely… alien experience. It’s not like being drunk, or on drugs. It’s just this constant itch. I know it can only be sated when I’m in bed, tangling with the three magnificent warriors.
I’ll guess I’ll just have to learn to deal with that itch if I’m leaving them.
Which means my ass burning is the least of my worries.
I stand up and stretch. I’ve got an escape plan to put into action – one that’s relying more on luck than I’d like to risk. It will require full concentration and fortune’s favor to pull off. I’m just glad we’re a small team of trusted crewmembers. I’d trust Sawoot with my life – and, as for Theme, I know he’ll do as he’s told and can pull through with the proper support.
As for the rest of my so-called crew – well, they tried to rebel before. Not being responsible for Chris anymore will be the one blessing that came from that rough spanking. It was a hard pill to swallow when I realized that I’d hired Chris and his ilk out of insecurity. I’d told myself it was because they were good at their jobs – when, in reality, it was because I needed to feel like I could lead men who didn’t respect me.
I’ve had years of experience dealing with rough men, but I’d need a couple more decades to feel comfortable trying to deal with those three Aurelians. They are masculinity taken to its most extreme – with all the negatives and positives that come with it.
Now, though, I’m only responsible for those who I can trust, and who respect me.
Sawoot and Theme.
We’re getting out of here – tonight.
I don’t trust Captain Aelon. I can sense the possessiveness oozing through his aura and into my being. He’s trying to pull us closer together. He views me as his now that we’re Bonded.
Aelon’s going to experience a harsh realization when I bust the three of us out of here and never see his triad again.
I test their auras in my mind. The more I focus on them, the clearer they feel in my head. Next, I focus on ignoring them, and their auras grow smaller. I feel less of their emotions in my mind, and it even gets hard to pinpoint which direction they’re in.
I can’t quite make them disappear from my mind – but I can mute them out, like I’m putting on noise-cancelling headphones. I bet with practice I could shut the three of them out of my mind almost altogether. It’s going to be a skill I need to learn if I want to make it harder for Aelon, Vinicus and Iunia to chase me down.
I check the cupboards in this bed chamber, trying to find something to wear that isn’t rough and cheap – the only two words that could describe my wardrobe from before I met the Aurelians.
There’s a knock at the door. I know it’s not one of my Bonded triad. I might not be able to pinpoint their exact locations, but I can sense they aren’t on the other side of that door right now.
“Who is it?”
“Garrick. I have a delivery for you from the Captain. May I open the door?”
That might be the most this stoic alien has said to me in all the time I’ve known him. Garrick is a reminder that not all Aurelians are like Captain Aelon, who always seems intent to get the last word in.
“Hold on a second. I’m not decent.”
I jump under the covers of the bed. Garrick has been nothing but respectful, but I don’t want to test his resolve if he opens the door and finds a nude human woman waiting for him. Even the best of Aurelians could snap.
“Okay!” I finally yell, when I’m safely hidden beneath the covers.
The door opens, only for a split second – just enough time for Garrick to throw a bag inside. Then, he shuts the door without looking at me. I smile. He’s an honorable man. It would be so much easier if I was Bonded to him. If he has demons, he at least hides them well.
I throw the covers aside and walk naked to the bag. I pull it open – and smile at the sight of the dozen dresses enclosed within.
I pull one out, and my gratitude sours.
One after one, I pull out the dresses. It would take three of these skimpy outfits to make one modest item of clothing. I’m now left facing the choice between wearing a thin slip of barely-more-than-lingerie, or going back to my uncomfortable, dirty, sweaty old pants – that had seen better days even before I bought them.
“Ugh.”
I pick out a yellow dress at random,
