Page 47 of Mated to the Vikings

“Are they good men or monsters?” she asked, almost absently.

“They are… warriors.” I found it difficult to say. “They’ve lived a harsh life, more so than even some on Earth.”

“Like you. If only you could remember.”

“I remember enough, Cassia. There is no perfect situation, no world that will be what Earth once was. We only have here and now. And survival. What happens in the future we can’t control.”

“There could be a way. Get me back to the compound. I will find answers as to what’s going on.”

I laughed, the sound bitter. “And disobey yet another leader in a regime.”

“Answers may help secure our freedom. This isn’t your home any more than it is mine.”

I wasn’t entirely certain whether I cared about freedom or revenge. “You’re a psychiatrist. What could you do?”

“I’m also a scientist, trained in human anatomy. I can at least figure out what procedures Kevin performed, even reversing them if that’s what you and the others want. I just need to see them, take blood in order to study, but I would need access to the lab.”

“What did you say?”

She nodded, placing her hand on my arm. “It’s true. Dr. Forrester made certain no one knew about my capabilities, but I am skilled enough to help us.”

The news was like any other that I’d experienced in the last year—born out of secrecy and lies. There was no one that I could trust implicitly. A cold shield slammed down, cutting off all desire. I had to make sense of this, process everything I’d heard. Far too much of the information conflicted with the rest. I did what I’d always done.

I shut down.

There was a rush to this ceremony, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth. However, I would follow the Galerian rules.

For now.

“You are required to be mated as stated by the laws of Galerius. It will be dark soon, so I suggest you prepare.” I walked away from her, heading toward the door. I was sick inside, my skin crawling. Perhaps Steen had been correct and she was one of our enemies. If so, our connection was contrived, manufactured by scientists and nothing more. That couldn’t be the case. I felt her crawling inside me, her blood as if pumping with mine. The taste of her lingered on my tongue, her scent on my skin and it would never fade. I was a part of her as she was of me.

“Erik, wait. Did you ever stop to think that both of us have been lied to and not just by Kevin? There’s something ominous going on here and we need to figure it out. Somewhere in that big brain of yours, you know that. Have you seen David? Do you even know that he’s alive?”

I had to admit if only to myself that I hadn’t. I’d been sequestered to my quarters when not ‘training’ Cassia. “I’m certain he’s being well taken care of.”

“Oh, you’re so certain about that? I suggest you find out. Help me before it’s too late.”

“You are to stay in this room and prepare for the mating ceremony. If you disobey in any manner, you will be punished. Is that clear?”

Her lilting voice cut right through me, including my heart. I wanted to believe her. I needed to have her as my own. I hesitated briefly, shifting in order to look her directly in the eyes. There was such care in them, the kind of sincerity that could draw me into her quicksand.

“Crystal, Erik, or should I call you Master?” she snapped and folded her arms.

I was sick at heart, sick in my mind, and mostly, tired of living. I opened the door, every part of me struggling. I wanted to believe her. I wanted to love her.

And most of all, I wanted her undying love—forever.

CHAPTER 9

Cassia

What had I done to piss him off? Wait a minute. He’d pissed me off. Huffing, I palmed both sides of my head. “Damn it. Fucking damn it.” I’d felt the amazing electricity zap, the closeness we shared evaporate in a split second. He’d opened up, allowing me to see the hurt and anger that had tarnished his soul, scarring every aspect of his life. He was a criminal and only those who’d performed the most heinous crimes had been tossed into no man’s land. I’d seen enough pictures, had heard enough stories to validate that fact. What had he done that was so atrocious?

Then he’d shut down emotionally.

He’d even treated me like I was the enemy, that nothing I could say would change his mind. Sadness was more haunting than I wanted to admit to myself, catching my breath and forcing my mind into ugly spaces. Maybe he was just as anxious as I was, overwhelmed by the concept of mating.

Jesus. I glared at the pretty red dress and stunning jewels, disgusted with every aspect. I wasn’t a fool. Customs for any species were vital, but the timing was atrocious. Who the hell cared whether I was mated at this point? Danger surrounded the city, more coming in days, maybe a week, but no longer. I was just another prisoner in paradise. The words at least gave me a small laugh.