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And knowing my sister, she would make the most of his position and build a good life for herself.
If… he could emulate my mate and treat her with common decency.
I trusted her to try to do the right thing no matter how much she might be repulsed by the large golden man.
And I tried not to perseverate on the fact that I had put myself in an impossible position. I had to bear a child, or Maeve’s sacrifice would’ve been for nothing. No matter how well the mating went, the other generals would not agree to any change without the promise of a future mate.
I would have to betray everything I ever believed in.
Had I not already though?
Mated to Cyderial, the tormentor of my youth. An academy instructor responsible for the harm of small children. A traitor to my friend, who I sold to Thayer.
The huge golden general would be joining us shortly, where I would have one chance to say such things to him. Cyderial assured me that he spoke to him as well.
At length.
Given him manuals.
Discussed intimate details.
All while I had been busy with academy duties.
With the cooling evening breeze on my bare arms and a long swishing dress tangling around my legs, I leaned into my mate, who shared a comfortable bench at my side. Smiling as I told Cyderial something cute one of the kids said, I was interrupted by a rushing giant of a man.
General Thayer was early.
“Cyderial, Lorieyn, hello.” The abrupt greeting immediately degraded into talk about Maeve. Not a great sign of self-control. Fitting his massive form into the little chair across the table, he got right to the point. “Two days until graduation. I hear she passed you a note regarding your conversation.”
The men had been talking indeed. Distrustful, feeling as if this was far too personal, I tried my best to be polite. “My sister agrees to submit, knowing what you will do to her and why.”
“Give me the note,” he demanded, almost as imperious as my own terribly bossy mate.
Cyderial angled his body between us while growling a warning that the larger male better back down.
“No,” I said with a frown. If I could stand up to Cyderial, I could handle Thayer. Spine straighter, I leaned forward and challenged the man. “I think it would be good for you to experience longing that cannot be fulfilled. You’re too eager right now, and I’m afraid you will hurt her. She’s giving up her dreams in hopes that you will not ruin her life. She is doing this for the greater good, not because she has any personal attachment to you. The note she prepared? It was for me.”
Thayer looked as if I just stabbed him through the heart, his huge hand even pressing to his chest. “You cannot imagine the level at which I worship her.”
“General Thayer, you do not know her. There was no conversation between you. This adulation you think you feel? It’s all animal impulse.” And the general had not experienced a decade of practice to differentiate between the drive to mate and clear thinking. “And if you cannot control yourself, this will not go well… no matter how much you think you love her.”
Enormous, Thayer took up too much space, and I was surprised the little table between us didn’t topple over when he put his arms upon it to address my mate. “I do not comprehend how you could have done this for ten years. How did you function?” Gesturing to me, he grew impatient. “What your mate claims, I hear it. But no part of me accepts it. I want Maeve now. Two more days will be hell.”
“But you will wait two days nonetheless,” Cyderial said lowly, warning the male while also offering a hint of compassion in his threat.
“I will.” Those golden eyes shifted back to me, pleading for me to understand. “I will, because I do love Maeve.”
He seemed so sincere, and I could not comprehend this male form of obsessive love.
It was so foreign to what I knew, so consuming.
This was what Cyderial kept at bay to keep me safe. This was what he wrestled with. Yet, he’d had no friend to talk to, no soul he could tell. Nothing but books to guide him. For ten long years.
And my bitter heart may have warmed a little to recognize the accomplishment. With a shy but open gaze, I glanced at my mate and let him see.
Made myself vulnerable in acknowledging his effort. Showed him gratitude that curved his cruel mouth into a satisfied smile. And earned myself a kiss.
Our guest was nothing but green with envy.
