“Trade, it would seem, suits both our cities. When are my orange trees to be prepared for delivery?”
“My master gardeners assure me in three weeks’ time the roots will be ready to be packaged for replanting. For your patience, every tree should bloom their first year in Greth.”
At last. The news seemed to soften the male filling up the wall. “If they bloom as you say, I will reward you with more Omegas in our spring.”
It was as Ambassador Havel had said. The only thing Shepherd was interested in was pleasing his mate. From Jacques’ perspective, it seemed the rest of the world could burn for all he cared. “The queen must enjoy oranges very much.”
Darkness once again descended upon the Alpha on the screen, a bone-chilling finality in all he said. “There are no orange trees in Greth Dome, Commodore. The trees she loved were in Thólos, and as your intel must suggest, I destroyed that city. The trees are all dead, the people rot. It is a graveyard.”
Cocking a brow, Jacques simpered, the upper hand finally his. “Ten trees for ten fertile Omegas? An offer beyond believing… unless it was never the trees you desired.”
“My mate will enjoy your trees, and that will please me. But, no.” Shepherd leaned closer as if ready to reach through the screen. “What I desire is… assurances. Therefore, Jules will tell you exactly how and why I destroyed Thólos. I want you to see what the Red Consumption really looks like. And I want you to know that I’m watching. Bernard Dome controls the satellite systems and all external Dome communications. Greth controls a fleet of ships—ships that even now circle the globe intercepting said communications.”
Violent eyes narrowed, Jacques unyielding. “Your point?”
“Let me be clear. Any aid, any ships, any further attempted communication with Thólos, and I will bring a nightmare of horrors down upon you.” Shepherd carelessly cracked his neck, his gaze steady upon the Commodore of Bernard Dome. “We men stand in a position to be comfortable allies. It would be unfortunate to miss an opportunity to work together to advance both our kingdoms over a misunderstanding.”
Jacques was accustomed to court maneuverings, to dodging the knife in the back—not facing open threat to the front. But, it was not in his nature to acquiesce. He was Commodore, and had not become so by embracing weakness. That is why he ruled and his older brother was dead. “I will hear all your Ambassador has to say, while simultaneously reminding you that your ships’ navigations will not function without my satellites. Your threats are impotent.”
The Chancellor was prepared for such a statement. “Should communications go down, Bernard Dome would be riddled with plague in a matter of hours. The Red Consumption kills quickly, and you have nowhere to run.”
The wall went dark.
With a snarl, Jacques turned on the silent Ambassador, gnashing his teeth as he demanded, “Explain!”
A shadowy smirk crossed Jules’ lips, the very first expression he’d made since arrival. “Gladly.”Waking alone, Brenya found she’d overslept. A slight headache lingered as a reminder of the awful night before. Blinking tear crusted eyes, she found it was more than her skull. Her body ached everywhere.
Jacques had been too rough with her over the couch. And his strange petting back in the room had not undone the damage.
But at least he had not made her… mate with him again. At least he had not turned her body against her and used the night hours to seek out her pleasure while taking everything he desired for his.
Jacques had done enough.
Sitting up in the bedding, Brenya looked at the white sea of soft things, a place he called her nest, and felt lonely beyond all measure.
He had not slept at her side; he had not woken her before he left. She should have felt some victory in the solitude, but after a lifetime with her Corps, Brenya was not accustomed to being alone.
It felt truly pathetic, but she brought up her knees and buried her face against them. Arms tight around her calves, trying to shut out the nest, the sunshine, and the memories, she cried.
Over the weeks in Jacques’ care, all other tears had been out of fear or pain. This was the first time Brenya Perin had ever cried because she was sad.
The motion of it, the jagged inhales and messy exhales… they were cathartic. Even soft wailing brought about its own sense of comfort until she was scrubbing her face with the heel of her hand beginning to calm.
She’d seen the look on Jacques’ face last night. She’d found him watching her in the dark.
This was it for her. Termination.
He’d said it himself. You are not the only Omega in Bernard Dome.
The weight of his family’s necklace was still fastened uncomfortably around her throat. It had to go. Fighting the clasp, she got the damn thing off, and left it lying on the sheets where it fell.