CarnalPromise (10 page)

“Jinn.” Sophos came closer. Her soft voice touched Jinn more
powerfully than either Rurik’s threats or Drakkar’s promises. “Your mother gave
me special license to bond you. There are men on Drakkar’s ship ready to
complete the rite. What say you? Can you at least tell me what you want so that
I can discuss your wishes with the men?”

Jinn took a ragged breath.
No!
She couldn’t discuss
it. Not really. Besides, other than Craddock’s destiny with justice, she didn’t
know what she wanted! Bonding? She wanted to be a warrior—she
earned
the
right—and Drakkar would have none of that. Children? The thought scared the
hell out of her. She closed her eyes to brace herself against the onslaught of
emotions that flooded her.
Think!
Her quick mind was the only weapon she
had now.

Jinn paced away, toward the far end of the room. Sophos
remained silent. Jinn guessed the negotiator understood that Jinn needed the
space.
Think!

She stopped and planted her fists on her hips, staring at
the wall. Sophos had mentioned the infusions. Jinn couldn’t go off these, not
yet, and Drakkar had to stay on his. Sophos was right. Once off them, the
primitive instinct would consume them both until Jinn was good and truly
pregnant. Even after that, they would feel the need to mate so intensely it
would be difficult to keep away from each other. No, staying on the infusions
was the only way Jinn wouldn’t lose herself, the only way she could have time
to plan her escape and Craddock’s capture.
Time
was the key word, she
needed…

“Time,” Jinn muttered then turned to face her dearest
nemesis, now convinced as to her only option out of this mess. “I want time
before we bond to see what kind of life I can have with Drakkar. I want to
decide that for myself. I want the freedom to do that, to be what and who I
want to be, go where I want to go. I will not be told what I can and cannot do.
And I will not give up my warrior status. And just to ensure I have clear
thinking in this, Drakkar and I must both stay on the infusions. At least until
I have decided that I am ready to bear offspring.”

Sophos didn’t hide her surprise, yet she quickly reassembled
herself then beamed the smile of one who was truly pleased. “That was quick.
I’m impressed, Jinn of Svendia.” She nodded and clasped her hands together in
front of her. “You certainly have grown into a woman.” Her smile grew tender.
“Seeing you now reminds me of the fortitude in your mother. I’ll see what I can
do. I doubt the men will agree and I know both your brother and Drakkar will
fight you being a warrior, but we can try.” With that she turned and walked
out, closing the door behind her.

Jinn gaped, stunned that she’d had such an effect, and
realized something she hadn’t before. For the moment, Sophos was the real power
here. That fact Jinn already knew but what she hadn’t understood until now is
that the men weren’t the only ones who could use Sophos’s talent. Jinn could too.

Folding her arms across her chest, she grew pleased with
herself, thinking this might just work yet.

“You
let
Mercedes go to Nyphosia?” The look Hunter
gave his father said it all. Drakkar rubbed his face as a ruse to cover his
humor. Khariton coughed besides him, covering his smirk with his fist. Rurik
worked to explain that Nyphosia was a water planet, like Earth, and with
Mercedes’s background in biochemistry and oceanography, studying there only made
sense. The school was superb and Mercedes would be safe.

“But Nyphosia is…is…” Hunter’s eyes blazed. “Dammit, she
shouldn’t be exposed to… to… Fuck, it’s a sex planet!”

Rurik winced. “I doubt she‘s a virgin, son.”

“I don’t give a damn. She hasn’t been exposed to the
debauched things that happen there.”

Calixte crossed her arms, not a good sign in Drakkar’s
opinion. “I might take exception to that, especially after you have freely
appreciated the ‘debauchery’ of my outlet.”

“I didn’t mean…” The boy closed his eyes and waved a hand to
dismiss the idea that the place where he stood was morally degenerate.

“You did,” Calixte insisted. “I’ll not have you profane my
people.”

“Mercedes is my
sister
.”

“And that explains your poor behavior?” Calixte paused then arched
her brow. “You mean to tell me that you would deny your sister physical
pleasure, a necessity in a Nyphosian’s eyes, no matter what kind?” She huffed.
“I knew the ancients of yours were more territorial over their females and more
prudish over their bodies, but certainly they aren’t that controlling. I mean
really…”

Hunter scowled. “Mercedes is naïve in any aspect that has to
do with sex or men. She thinks everyone is kind and means what they say. That
love and sex somehow go hand in hand. That’s the way we were raised. Most women
still believe that on Earth, although I supposed in some areas that isn’t quite
as true. Yet in some”—he shook his head—“it’s even worse. They
do
things
to women—violent things—who aren’t virgins and are, eh, not bonded as it were.”

“That’s barbaric.” Calixte shivered then tsked. “Still, I
would think that a woman as intelligent as your sister is supposed to be would
know her own mind and could make her own decisions.”

“So I’m discovering about her mother,” Rurik muttered.

Calixte glanced at Rurik. Her delicate lips screwed into a
frown. “At least about sex.”

Drakkar couldn’t help himself. The scene was too
entertaining. He chuckled, subjugating, at least for the moment, some of his
unease with the thought that Jinn would flee him again.

The new Svendian headmaster cast a sly glance his way.
“Don’t think you’ll get off any easier, captain. You might want Jinn but I know
my sister. She has a mind of her own.”

Rurik’s comment cut Drakkar’s humor short, although it
prompted Khariton’s fit of laughter. “Oh yes, Rurik, Headmaster of Svendia,
leader of the Skarptförstånd Clan, I must agree. The captain’s gentle flower
should provide some hearty entertainment.” His Number One slapped him on the
back then slid his hand up and shook Drakkar’s shoulder.

Rurik laughed so hard his body shook.

Drakkar scowled at Khariton, wishing his good friend would
shut the fuck up. He was just about to say as much when the door to the
reception room creaked open. Sophos slipped out then closed the portal behind
her.

Drakkar moved to enter but Sophos put her hand to his chest
to stop him. “She isn’t going anywhere and right now I think she’d prefer to be
away from both of you.”

He glanced at Rurik then at her. “I don’t want Jinn in there
by herself. I’ve had a hard enough time trying to find her.”

Sophos studied the group then looked between Rurik and
himself. “Perhaps we can send the others in to stay with her. It might be
better if I speak to the two of you alone. We will have enough privacy in the
hallway.”

Rurik’s humor fled. His face became a mask that covered his
emotions. Jinn’s brother nodded to Drakkar, indicating he would agree to the
idea if Drakkar wanted.

Knowing she would be secure, Drakkar sighed then stood back
and let the others pass. When the door opened, he caught a glimpse of Jinn
sitting in back of the room, teething her bottom lip, moistening it with her
soft pink tongue. His testosterone surged and his cock jumped in response.

She looked up. Their eyes met, clashed in both fury and
carnal need. Then she straightened. Jutted that perky little nose in the air as
if to dismiss him, yet her bottom lip quivered. She was afraid of losing but
she would not back down. She would fight this to the bitter end.

Drakkar scowled. Khariton, as the last one in, turned to him
and smirked. Then his friend closed the door.

“You’re smiling,” Rurik noted of Sophos, bringing Drakkar’s
attention to the talks. “That bodes well.”

The enticing beam in the negotiator’s face grew as her gaze
softened. “Perhaps.”

Drakkar’s keen sense of battle heightened.
What did Jinn
really
want?

Sophos turned to Drakkar and folded her fingers together,
letting them rest comfortably in front of her, giving Drakkar enough time to
ready himself for the rebuttal that he knew he would have to make. He
would
not
let Jinn be a warrior. That was just absurd.

“Jinn requests more time to assess what she would like out
of this arrangement.”

“Like hell,” Rurik protested, breaking his dispassionate
façade. “We don’t have time. Both our people need to move forward. It isn’t
just the treaty, it’s having others on both sides accept the peace.” He glanced
at Drakkar then back to Sophos. “I hadn’t thought of the arrangement before the
truce but Drakkar is right. A combination of Svendian and Vulgarian peoples,
especially between the two of us who warred the most, would be a strong showing
to all the people, and until the two of them officially bond, many won’t see
the treaty as having any power. Who knows what would happen then? I don’t want
to sink back into a war. Jinn’s already agreed. We are Svendians. We do not go
back on our word. She can figure out what she wants after they’re bonded.” He
glared at Drakkar. “They both can.”

Drakkar stiffened, unsure if the statement was meant to
slight the Vulgarians, intimating that as a class not of the ancient’s highest
royal line, his people would not keep their word. There had been a lot of
bloodshed in this war. A lot of mistrust on both sides. “I hope you don’t
think…”

Rurik shook his head. “I didn’t mean anything about you.” He
glanced away then quickly looked back. “Or your people.” His face contorted
with an inner pain. “I know only too well what transpired. It was a member of
my own family who engendered the continuation of the fighting. The man is a
poor example of our people. I hope you know that.”

The Svendian’s confession did little to appease Drakkar’s
unease. Drakkar turned from the headmaster and studied Sophos. “What else?” he
growled, his usual stoicism crumbling.

The emotions in Sophos’s expression fled, making her look
like a beautiful, dark porcelain statue—except her lips moved. “Jinn insists
that she be allowed to determine these things without interference and that her
wishes of what she wants to do with her life be respected.” She glanced at
Rurik. “By both of you.”

“By being a warrior,” Drakkar snarled.

“Yes.”

“Like hell,” Rurik cursed. “Jinn’s more clever than she
likes to let on. She’s only buying time so she can find Craddock. I know my
sister. Once she has her mind set on something she will not relent.” He looked
to Drakkar. “You cannot let her out of your sight.”

Drakkar sneered. “I have no intention of doing so. I have
other things I plan to do with your sister.”

Rurik snorted. “Good luck.”

Drakkar grimaced. “It’s my intention to take her to a place
where she cannot escape and where we can be alone—for an indefinite period of
time—to work these things out. Our relationship is the first thing of many I
referred to when I said I had other things to do.”

Rurik rubbed his chin. “I like that idea.” His eyes grew
deathly cold. “I want you to keep her wherever that is until I can get Craddock
myself. Then maybe she’ll drop this nonsense.” He paced again.

“Rurik,” Sophos asked, “why do you think she is so intent on
capturing your uncle?”

Rurik stopped and turned then shook his head. “There’s no
knowing. Pride, maybe. Perhaps because she was the best tracker Svendia had.
She knew that until, well, at least until Hunter came. The boy’s a natural.”
Drakkar could read the pride the man had in his son. It emanated from the headmaster.
Drakkar nodded. The comment was well deserved. They never would have found Jinn
if Hunter’s sharp eyes and keen intellect hadn’t determined the path Jinn took
after the last failed attempt to seize her. The boy had learned their
technology quickly.

Rurik glanced at Sophos then to Drakkar. “Jinn was just a
youth when she saw our father die. She was with him until the slow-burning ray
took him, before Ulrich pushed her into a shuttle as it took him completely and
Jinn with it. Did you know this? That she was with him?”

“Yes, but only that she had been there. I didn’t know she
saw him die.” Drakkar shook his head and shivered. Death from a slow-burning
ray was an excruciating way to go. “This is why she’s after Craddock? Revenge?”
At first Drakkar thought she’d run because of him and his demands—especially
because his stance against her being a warrior. Now he had his doubts. Was she
only after Craddock? Drakkar didn’t know but his gut told him there was
something more. Still, her brother knew her far better.

Rurik shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably. I’m only guessing.
She’s never discussed the matter. Won’t. Only…she’d decided to be a warrior
soon afterwards and entered basic training as soon as she was able. I was too
late to stop her. She’d taken her oath by then and was committed to service.”
Rurik’s eyes narrowed and lines formed around them. Sorrowful lines. “Drakkar,
you and I know how fruitless a vendetta can be,” he whispered in a hoarse
voice.

Drakkar nodded. The two of them had spilled too much blood
in this war. “I will not let her risk herself for that. I’m pledged to protect
her with my life. As I told her, I don’t intend to do that foolishly.”

“Good.” Rurik stood straighter. Drakkar’s answer seemed to
satisfy him. “There’s still too much to do. Craddock had others that worked
with him. We’ve identified some of them but I’m sure not all. If you can keep
Jinn out of this mess…”

Drakkar nodded. “I will.”

“Then we’re agreed.”

Sophos sputtered. “Gentlemen, I think you’re missing the
point. This is about Jinn, not about what you want. You need to address that.”
She studied Drakkar. “Would you rather have a happy willing bride at your side
or one that confronts you at every turn?”

Drakkar shuddered. He didn’t want to fight anymore. And
certainly not with Jinn. He wanted peace, especially in his own household.
“What can be done to get her to see reason?”

“Perhaps I should talk to her,” Rurik offered.

“No,” Sophos said. “She made herself very clear. She will
not relent in this, even with your threats, Rurik. Drakkar needs to offer
something more or something else she will accept.”

The dread Drakkar had been harboring surfaced. “What does
she want?”

“I’ve already told you.”

“Specifically.” He folded his arms over his chest. “What did
she say? Words are very important to Jinn. She’ll take them literally instead
of what’s meant. She’s already fooled me once. ”

Rurik huffed with an ounce of pride. Drakkar shot him a
mocking glare which only made his old enemy beam. “He’s right, Sophos.” Rurik
nodded. “Jinn’s gotten out of many a scrape that way.”

Sophos lifted her chin and barreled her steely gaze at both
of them. “Her words were that, before they bonded, she wanted time and freedom
to assess how she would fit into this stage of her life. That she wanted to
analyze the issues and make the decision without pressure.”

“And she wants to remain a warrior,” Drakkar gruffed.

“Yes.”

“Shatz,” Rurik cursed. “She already knows he’s her mate. How
long does she need to analyze the situation? Until she’d dead?”

“Forget it,” Drakkar protested, forgoing any further discussion
on the point. “Rurik’s right. She only wants to bounce around the galaxy
looking for Craddock and who knows what else. She’ll get herself killed that
way. No. I won’t have it. I’ll take her with me and make the time to work
things out privately. As I’ve said, Jinn is my first priority. She must come to
understand that she can’t do now what she’s done in the past.”

“So what do you want me to tell her?” Sophos crossed her
arms and arched a delicate brow.

Drakkar studied Rurik quickly. Reading the mutual understanding
in his eyes he turned to Sophos. “I’ll take her with me. Now. We’ll work it
out.”

The corners of Sophos’s dainty mouth turned downward. “She
won’t be happy. And Rurik’s right about bonding in the manner of your people’s
shared tradition. If you don’t, you will still have skirmishes that might blow
up into something more. You don’t want that. And without the circlets that
profess you as mated, what will happen when another man wants to take Jinn away
from you? As pretty as Jinn is, you know someone will try, even if the need
doesn’t drive them.”

“I’d kill him.” Growling, Drakkar turned and faced away to
discipline the tension in him. He needed to think. Calmly. Rationalize this
through. It wasn’t like him to lose his temper but when it came to Jinn, he
found that self-control was the last thing he could master. “I could always
keep her locked in a tower.”

Rurik let out a bitter huff. “You don’t mean that.”

Drakkar turned and studied his old foe. “Yeah, but it’s a
tempting thought.”

Rurik returned his look in kind and nodded. “I know but it
doesn’t work. I’ve tried. So have you. She’s a slippery one. If you force her
to stay with you, she’ll find a way to extricate herself. She’s damn good that
way.”