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I raise my eyebrows. “Your apology was going great until the part where you forbid me from seeing my friend.”You don’t own me, I want to say.You don’t have the authority to give me rules. I flush as I realize he likely just heard those thoughts.
He growls, and his nostrils flare. “It is highly inappropriate for an unmated female such as yourself to engage socially with an unmated male. It is scandalous and dangerous, and I do not believe I will ever grow used to the casual mingling of the sexes that occurs in your culture. Speaking to Angelo in public is bad enough, Jenny, but you were headed to his quarters. Would you have truly gone inside and spent time alone with him?”
“Yes,” I reply without hesitation. There’s no point in lying when he can read my mind. “Yes, I would’ve entered Angelo’s quarters and spent time alone with him if he invited me in. But nothing intimate would’ve happened between us. I’ve known him since we were children. We went to school together. He’s a friend and I’m worried about him.”
Brute’s eyes narrow, and I sense his outrage returning. My answer doesn’t please him. He stares at me for a long time, and I start to have difficulty recognizing his emotions, and I’m not able to hear his thoughts either. It’s as though he’s put a shield over his mind. Is that possible? If it is, I hope I can learn to do the same. The idea of him always being able to sense my feelings and read my thoughts is beyond unsettling.
“I will permit you to speak with Angelo in public,” he finally says, though his body remains tense. “But you will not spend time alone with him, and you will not attempt to visit his quarters again. The same rule applies to any other males you might consider friends. But you will not touch another male, and you will not permit another male to touch you. Do you understand, Jenny?”
“Fine,” I say through clenched teeth. “I understand.” Will I ever get used to Brute’s overbearing ways? Will he ever calm the fuck down? Are all Darrvasons so controlling of their females?
“Good,” he says. “Now, we must discuss your misbehavior.” His visage becomes stern, and my stomach flutters with a fresh wave of nerves. “I found you walking in the corridors alone, little female, and that is completely unacceptable.”
“Of course. I-I’m sorry, and it won’t happen again.” My pulse skitters and the heat pulsing in my center erupts into a full-blown blaze, desire scorching me from the inside out. I’m worried he might punish me, and I’m fearful of the pain, but I can’t stop the unrelenting urge to surrender to him. To obey him even though I don’t like most of his rules. Even though I still have no wish to become his mate.
Footsteps and voices sound in the corridor, and I realize the early dinner crowd is starting to head to the mess hall. I shoot Brute a pleading look.Please don’t spank me. At least not now.
His response comes as a deep echo in my head.Tonight. Ten o’clock. Wear a dress. No panties. No bra. Don’t be late.
Chapter21
JENNY
I hearvoices when I enter my quarters, and I hurry to the sitting room where Mom is seated at the video comm talking to Ellie. I practically trip over my own feet as I rush to join them.
“Ellie!” I take in her appearance and I’m glad I don’t see any bruises. Even though Brute insisted she was okay, I still worried Nathan had harmed her during the rebel attack.
“Hey, sis.” She smiles hugely, and I notice she’s wearing another sleeveless gown that reveals the glowing ancestral markings on her upper arms. A heartbond. My stomach flips because holy shit, I think I might be developing the same kind of bond with Brute. My arms keep tingling and itching, and then there’s the glaring fact that we can read one another’s thoughts and feelings.
“Are you okay?” I ask. “We heard about what happened with Nathan. Officer Brute told us.” I try not to allow any warmth into my voice as I talk about the overbearing alien. I don’t want Ellie worrying about me.
“I’m perfectly fine,” Ellie replies in an assuring tone. “Mom already told me Officer Brute let you know what happened. Considering that the video comm system has been down for so long, that was nice of him.” She gives me a questioning look. “How are things on theJansonna? Mom’s being vague. Is there continued violence in the corridors? Are you guys truly safe?”
I exchange a quick glance with my mother, relieved that she didn’t tell Ellie about the mass execution that will take place tomorrow. The announcement is still flashing on the info screen, and I know Mom must’ve seen it. Guilt settles over me that we’re keeping such a huge secret from my sister, but I resolve that I’ll tell her eventually. When the time is right. Of course, it’s possible Admiral Tornn will inform her first. But I hope he doesn’t. I hope he tries to shield her from the brutality of life on theJansonna. I also hope theHaxxalis more peaceful than the worldship.
“Well?” Ellie presses after we’re silent for too long. “Are you guys safe? I feel like you’re keeping something from me. What’s going on?”
“The upper decks are perfectly safe,” I say before my mother has a chance to respond. “I’ve heard of some violence occurring on the lower decks, but we’re okay here. And a guard still escorts us to and from the classrooms on Deck Fourteen.”
“Yes,” Mom says. “We’re safe. I promise. Please don’t worry about us. In fact, it’s usually Officer Brute who escorts us to and from Deck Fourteen. He often shows up and dismisses the security officer that was provided by Captain Warren. And he also frequently escorts us to and from the mess hall, even though nothing exciting ever happens on our deck.”
Ellie’s eyes go wide, then she gives me a suspicious look. “Oh? Well, Tornn promised me that Officer Brute would keep an eye on you guys. I, um, never got a chance to tell you this, but just before I departed for theHaxxal, Captain Warren threatened me. He said he would harm the both of you if I didn’t please Admiral Torrn—if I wasn’t an obedient and willing enough bride. He threatened to reduce your rations, move you to a shared multi-family room on a lower deck, and even withhold medical care. I told Tornn about the captain’s threats, and he promised to make sure you remained safe. I’m glad Officer Brute is there to guard you. It makes me feel a lot better.”
“Captain Warren threatened you… us?” Mom shakes her head. “What an ass. I’m sorry you had to deal with that, darling. You had enough to worry about at the time.”
Ellie’s revelation about Captain Warren’s threats sends a chill through me. My uncle has always had a cruel streak, and I’m glad Brute is here to keep him in line. I suddenly have a new appreciation for the overbearing alien who won’t stop following me around.
But then I remember what’s going to happen the next time I encounter Brute—when I join him in the alcove at ten o’clock—and I find myself struggling to get enough oxygen. I flush, and despite myself, excitement flutters through my insides.
“Have you guys heard about planet 58-Z yet?” Ellie grins.
“Yes,” Mom answers in a cautious tone. “Captain Warren hasn’t made an official announcement yet, but we keep hearing rumors. Is it true the Darrvasons will settle on 58-Z too?”
Ellie nods. “Yep. I’m so glad I’ll see you both soon. In about five months now. I can’t wait. I asked Tornn about visiting you on theJansonna, or perhaps you two visiting me on theHaxxal, but he says it’s probably not going to be possible due to security reasons.”
“Wait a second.” I lean closer to the screen. “You’ll see us soon? We heard the Darrvasons plan to live in seclusion from the rest of humankind on 58-Z. We were told it would probably be impossible to visit with you.”
Ellie scrunches her nose. “Who told you that?”
