“Unfortunately, I might add.” Ako grunted, taking a consoling sip of wine.
Jutuk joined him, studying the liquid in his glass for a moment before taking a long swallow. When he glanced up, the golden eyes met Duke Ako’s gaze solidly.
“Your Grace, my brethren, and I believe there is more than just this incident of aggression instigated by Nansar. You should speak with my Chieftain Khaion.”
Duke Ako sat his glass on a nearby table and steepled his fingers, thinking.
“Perhaps you are right. During my travels, I have heard whisperings of my son’s misbehavior, but I fear much has been kept from me.
Duke Ako retrieved a small metal square from the table, handing it to Jutuk.
“Would you set up the comm, please?”
“Of course,” Jutuk nodded. At the touch of his fingers, the matte gray covering came alive with symbols. A comm unit. I thought it was just a big coaster.
“I wanted to thank you for rescuing me from the Baron,” I told the Duke, not wanting to weather any awkward pauses while Jutuk worked.
“Of course, my dear.” Duke Ako gestured toward the wine bottle, making me realize over half my glass was gone. Maybe that’s what made me so brave.
“I don’t know what you have in mind, but I’m not really harem material. You already know my skill lies in the kitchen.”
Ako laughed loudly, smacking his thigh with his hand. I liked his laugh—it was deep, rich, and completely sincere.
“My dear Pearl. I did not take you from the Baron for myself. Although I will admit a desire to taste more of your delicious cooking.”
“Then why?” I took another swallow of wine, worried about his answer.
The Duke’s expression went from one of amusement to benevolence. “I took you to set you free.”
Jutuk snapped his head at Ako’s words, causing a broad smile to appear on his pale, handsome face.
“No one should ever keep true mates apart.”
My gasp was audible, making the Duke’s smile even broader. I shared a shocked glance with Jutuk and felt the last bit of tension with which he held himself subside.
“How did you know of our mating?” Jutuk asked, studying Duke Ako curiously.
The Aljani male shifted, staring off into the vastness of space for a moment, his chest rising and falling with a heavy breath. When he finally glanced back at us, his eyes had darkened in color—a genuine sense of sadness settling over his features.
“As one who knows the joys of caring for a human woman, the signs are easy to notice. I am glad to see your mating. I did not think Vaktaire could mate with another species.”
“Many believe as you do,” Jutuk told him, laying the comm unit on the table and slipping an arm around my shoulders. “As did I for a while. But my sister informed me the belief is false. A rumor perpetrated by Vaktaire priestesses wanting to keep our bloodline from becoming diluted by humans as well as other species. Jala gave me all the data she has been able to collect on the fraud. I hope to present it to the Alliance council.”
Duke Ako steepled his fingers, his chin resting on his fingertips, pensive. “Perhaps it is not only my son who intends to keep others from caring about humans. I would be proud to champion an investigation into the wrongdoing.”
“Thank you, my Lord.”
I snuggled against Jutuk, sending out a mentalfuck youto the Vaktaire females who’d conspired to keep us apart.
The Duke shifted in his chair, reaching for the wine bottle, when the comm unit let out a sharp, urgent beep, stilling his hand.
“Ahh,” he grinned. “This will be your Chieftain.”
Duke Ako retrieved the comm, his fingers dancing over the buttons as he accepted the communication. In an instant, a life-sized image appeared in the center of the room.
The man occupying the screen was Vaktaire, like Jutuk. Tall, muscular, and imposing, he had chiseled features and golden eyes, although his irises seemed a slightly darker shade than Jutuk’s. He sat at what looked like a conference table, a dark starry sky visible behind him. It was like looking through a portal into another world, one where technology and magic intertwined seamlessly.
“Duke Ako.” The man exuded the poise and confidence of a leader. It had to be the Chieftain.
