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“I understand that,” Raina insisted, yet she continued to argue. “Is there a way from me to learn how to control my abilities without involving anyone else?”
Noratu shook his head. “You were genetically engineered to be part of a triad. Without a source to draw from, you will literally starve to death. And without a controller, you will be consumed by your own energy.”
Raina looked at Iris, her expression a mixture of anger and disbelief. “Is this true? Did you know about it when you dragged us off to another planet?”
Iris fiddled with her hands, trying to hide the trembling. “Your mother was powerful, one of the most powerful mystics ever produced by the Citadel. She honestly thought that she could permanently bind your powers and allow you to live an ordinary life.”
“Maybe we didn’t want ordinary lives,” Raina said angrily.
“We should have been allowed to choose,” Flora added.
Before Iris could respond, Raina turned on Flora. “Andweshould be allowed to choose now. I’m not sure I want a husband. I sure as hell don’t want two.”
“Draven explained why it is necessary, and I know from experience that he is telling the truth.” Her mates had done a good job of presenting the facts. Now it was time for some personal insight. “My abilities had started to activate on Earth. That’s how Draven and Noratu found me. It will happen to you. It is only a matter of time.”
“Well, when and if that happens, I’ll reconsider.” She lifted her chin and averted her face, but her shoulders shook with suppressed emotion.
Raina’s stubbornness was starting to irritate. Any choice was more than Flora had been given, not that she was dissatisfied with the outcome. “There is no point in postponing the inevitable. We are not human. It is foolish to keep pretending that you are.”
Dragging her gaze back to the males, Raina asked, “How long will I be given to make my decision?”
“One month,” Draven told her.
“A month,” she cried. “I have to make a decision that affects the rest of my life in four weeks? That’s ridiculous.”
“Noratu and I can simply make the decision for you,” Draven warned. “We intervened because our mate was upset by your predicament. If you refuse to view this with the appreciation it deserves, I will find another way of rewarding Flora.”
Raina lowered her gaze with a sigh. “I apologize, and I’m grateful for your intervention. This is a much better solution than what my parents had in store for me.” She shuddered, clearly thinking about the humiliation of being auctioned.
Flora stood up and went to her mates. She kissed Noratu and then Draven. “Thank you. This is a wonderful surprise.”
“Go talk to Cara and explain the situation,” Noratu suggested. “She is likely in the guest house. That is where they are staying.” He motioned toward the door at the end of the vaulted hallway. “Just follow the path. You cannot miss it.”
“We’ll make sure she doesn’t get lost,” Raina volunteered.
“You may go with her, but I need to speak with Iris,” Draven said.
Flora and Raina hurried down the corridor, but didn’t speak again until they were outside. Again, Flora was struck by the alien-ness of Altor’s plants. The shapes and colors were all so different from those found on Earth. She felt like she was at a themed resort at one of the parks in Orlando. None of it seemed quite real.
“Iris said you’re doing well.” Raina didn’t sound convinced. “How are you really?”
“It hasn’t been easy, but I’m adjusting.”
“You’re adjusting to having two mates? Adjusting to being bossed around night and day, and having no control over your own body?” Raina shook her head, tears suddenly welling in her eyes. “It doesn’t matter who they make me bond with. I will never get used to any of this.”
Flora didn’t bother arguing with her. Until Raina started experiencing life as an Altorian, nothing that was said to her would have much impact. Raina was still clinging to her human upbringing.
The path led to massive swimming pool, through a colorful flower garden complete with fountains and holographic scenes that activated as they strolled past. Finally, they came to a grove of trees. How much land did Noratu own? The property seemed to go on forever.
The guest house was a three-bedroom bungalow with a wraparound porch. It was charming and unassuming compared to the sleek elegance of the main house. They entered through the front door and found Aspen—make that Cara—sulking in one of the bedrooms.
She sat up when she saw that Flora was not with her mates. “How brainwashed are you? Can you get us out of here? I might not belong on Earth, but I want no part of what goes on at the Citadel!”
When had Cara been to the Citadel? What had she seen?
Cara sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed, lowering her feet to the floor. “Will you help us escape?” She sounded desperate, but her expression was hard to read. Shoving her sleeves up past her elbows, she started to stand then sat back down. Her breathing was fast and ragged. She didn’t just seem angry or afraid, she seemed agitated.
Flora knew this restlessness well. She’d experienced it every time Draven kept her teetering on the brink of orgasm but wouldn’t allow her to come. “Have the dreams started yet? Do you feel feverish, especially at night? Are you finding it hard to sleep?”
