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“We will do it,” Merrik said firmly, snapping Cara’s attention back to the present.
“We will?” Now Tov sounded confused and she felt even more alone. “I want her as much as you do, Merrik, but this deal is ridiculous.”
The first half of his statement soothed the sting of his refusal. He didn’t want to start building a relationship with someone who would only be snatched away. Cara leaned closer to the opening until she could see the males. Tov and Merrik faced Lezod, so all she could see was their backs.
Merrik went on as if Tov had not objected. “We need a minimum of three days with her.”
“Agreed.” Lezod folded his arms over his chest as he focused on Merrik.
“And complete privacy.”
“You may take her to the guest house for the duration,” Lezod offered.
“We will take her to my estate,” Tov countered.
Lezod glared at him. “If you claim her, I will have you arrested.”
“Thirty days, and I want it in writing,” Tov insisted.
“Thirty days?” Lezod shook his head as he crossed to the beverage distributor built in to the adjacent wall. “I agreed tothree.”
The other two pivoted and the new position allowed Cara to see all of their faces.
“Three days to stabilize her power,” Tov clarified. “Then thirty to court her. That means she belongs to us for thirty-three days without interference from anyone.”
Lezod paused to dispense a drink, but his expression was so hostile when he faced Tov again that Cara expected a refusal. “Why put her through a full courtship knowing you are not my choice?”
Challenge arched Tov’s dark brows. “What choice do we have when you intend to give our mate to another?” When Lezod just stared at him, Tov continued, “Everything will be detailed in the contract or there is no deal.”
Suddenly, Lezod’s eyes widened and his lips pressed into a tight line. “You are hoping that the soul bond will anchor spontaneously.”
Tov responded with a one-shoulder shrug, but a cunning gleam flashed in his eyes. “Spontaneous soul bonds are rare. Most believe they only happen when triads are destined to bond. I am confident that we are. You are betting that we are not. It’s as simple as that.”
Lezod stared past Tov for a long, silent moment. His expression was intense, yet unreadable. Finally, his gaze shifted back to Tov. “And if the link has not formed when the courtship ends? You will relinquish all claims to my daughter?”
His daughter? More like his property. It took more than DNA to be a father.
Tov hesitated. He looked at Merrik and a sly smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “It will not matter, but you may put that stipulation in the contract as well.”
She wasn’t sure why Tov’s compromise hurt, but she felt as if he’d kicked her in the chest. Negotiations and contracts, stipulations and deadlines. Was this all she meant to these people? She knew the answer, had known it since she was taken from Earth. She was a commodity, the worthless housing for a valuable power. Why was she surprised that they were haggling over her?
She turned and headed back the way she’d come, but someone caught her arm and spun her around. She gasped and looked up into Merrik’s burgundy eyes.
“Lurking in doorways?” he teased. “Even on Earth that is considered rude.”
“I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to participate in the negotiation.” She wasn’t really angry with him. Merrik was the only one whose defense had never wavered. She was infuriated by the absurd situation.
“The negotiation is nearly over.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her into the library.
“I agree to that as well,” Lezod was saying. “I will have the contracts drawn up immediately. You will have them within the hour.”
“We will not touch her until the contract is executed, but I would like to depart right now,” Tov told him.
Lezod nodded then looked at Cara. “For the next thirty-three days you belong to Tov and Merrik. You would be wise to obey them better than you have obeyed me.”
* * *
“Was there anything else?” Tomar, Laidon’s older brother, asked impatiently. “The income reports have been wonderful and my afternoon is unusually busy. I don’t really have anything to contribute.”
