Authors: Laurie Roma
Arik looked at his friend with amusement shining from his iridescent eyes. “Perhaps Serra was right. You do need sex.”
“Don’t you start with me, you winged bastard,” Dom growled. He looked out of the window as the shuttle pulled to a stop in front of the main house right behind another vehicle. “Thank God, we’re here.”
“Come on, sweetheart,” Jax said, grabbing her hand. “Let’s go say hello to your new in-laws.”
The back door to the shuttle lifted and they walked out to see the occupant of the other vehicle was waiting for them. Troy Takeshi was a handsome man with dark features, short, cropped hair, and a lean body packed with muscle. With a talent for hacking, Troy was a man that Serra trusted and respected, despite the fact he was a few years younger than her. He smiled as he waited for the group to approach at the bottom of the steps.
“Hi, boss,” he said to Serra. “I was at my place in Zion, when this primo shuttle pulls up in front of my building, and an officer comes to my door to say my presence is requested for your claiming celebration. Congratulations, Serra, Commander Spartan, Commander Archer.”
She smiled affectionately at the other man. “Thank you, Troy. I’m so glad you could come. Actually, I was going to contact you later today about a new project I need your help on.”
“Oh?” His dark eyes lit up with interest.
“None of that until tomorrow, after the ceremony is over,” Archer chided, then he narrowed his eyes on Takeshi. “But we have something else we want to talk to you about right now.”
“Murder is not allowed on your claiming celebration day,” Dom warned from where he and Arik waited off to the side.
Ignoring him, Jax growled in anger. “What the hell is this I hear about bar hopping and Helios sniffing at our woman?” His furious display lost a little of its edge when Serra’s elbow connected with his solar plexus.
“Sir?”
Takeshi was good, Jax had to admit. The younger man didn’t give a hint that he knew what he was being asked. “Serra knows we had you assigned to her, but what I want to know is why we never heard about these little excursions she was taking into dangerous places?”
Takeshi’s posture stiffened as he went to attention, even as he shot an apologetic glance at Serra. “Sir, as I told you when I was assigned, I would do my duty and keep her safe. But as I also told you, I would not take the position if you were looking for a spy. I work with and respect Serra, and I wouldn’t betray her trust like that. Even for you.”
Jax admired the younger man’s stance, and his respect for the officer grew as he made it clear that he was indeed the perfect assistant for Serra. Still, he didn’t want to let the officer off that easily. “You are lucky I don’t bust you down to—”
“Enough, Commander. You will not do anything to this officer. Troy is my friend as well as my assistant and I won’t take any actions against him lightly. In fact, if you don’t drop this right now you may be sleeping alone tonight…and for a long time after this,” Serra added.
“Damn, that’s cold, baby.”
Archer took a step toward Takeshi and held out his hand. The other man hesitated before shaking it. “Thank you for keeping her safe for us.”
“She isn’t just a duty, she is my friend, too.” He turned to look at Serra. “I’m sorry if you feel like I lied to you.”
She smiled again. “I knew you were working for them after that first week when you offered to train me in self-defense. I’m not mad.”
The front door to the house burst open and Donna Spartan-Rollins hurried down the steps. Her beauty belied her age. It didn’t seem possible that the beautiful brunette was the mother of a fully grown man like Jax. Warm brown eyes locked on Serra’s a second before she found herself engulfed in a welcoming embrace.
“Serra, how wonderful to see you again!” Donna pressed a kiss to her cheek before she pulled back and held Serra by the shoulders. “Oh, you’re more lovely than I remember! My sons are very lucky men.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Spartan-Rollins.”
Donna scoffed. “Enough of that, now. You may call me mother just like my boys do, or if it is too soon for that, please just call me Donna.” After receiving a nod from Serra, Donna released her to press quick kisses on Jax and Archer’s cheek. “Good to see you boys. Now, Serra, come with me. We have to get you ready for the ceremony.”
“Ma, I don’t think—”
Donna waved off whatever Jax was going to say as Serra found herself being dragged up the stairs by Jax’s mother. She sent a frantic look back towards her men.
“Really, can we just—”
At the top of the stairs, Donna turned back to frown down at Archer. “You are going to quit complaining, and go make yourselves useful while I get your chosen ready for the ceremony.”
With that, Donna whisked Serra through the doorway and the door slammed shut, leaving the men alone outside. Takeshi looked at his commanders with a hint of pity in his eyes. “Your mother is a formidable woman.”
“Kid, you have no idea...” Jax said just as two young officers rounded the corner of the house.
“Commander Spartan!” Officer Cal Ryans, Jax’s main assistant, hurried forward. “Sir! The guests you requested have been picked up and are en route. Also, Regent Marks and Regent Wyland-Ross would like a word with you, and so would High Commander Newgate.”
“And Commander Archer, there are three generals that would like to speak to you if you have a moment,” the other officer added.
Archer blew out a slow breath and looked over at Jax. “I need a drink.”
“Make that two.”
****
A little over an hour later, Serra was bathed and dressed in the most gorgeous gown she had ever worn. It was a dress fit for a goddess, made of a shimmering, pale, seafoam green fabric that had one shoulder strap. The garment hugged her body like a second skin, but it was comfortable and allowed her to move easily.
After she had been taken from Jax and Archer’s side, Donna had brought Serra up to a suite that had been made ready for the preparations for the ceremony. She had been reunited with Jax’s younger sister, Mya, and the young woman had been thrilled that Serra had bonded with Jax and Sully. At Donna’s insistence, Serra had been treated to a relaxing massage by a droid expertly programmed in reflexology. Because it was a machine and not another person touching her, Serra was able to settle down and enjoy its ministrations without feeling panicked.
When the massage was over, she was then treated to a luxurious bath with the rare treat of calming crystals from D’Aire. She had been touched when she discovered that the crystals had been a gift from Arik V’Dir. The calming crystals were ridiculously expensive on Earth. They were large salt-like crystals that turned into foam when combined with water, releasing fragrance that soaked into the skin and also had healing properties. The calming crystals could be made with a variety of scents, and in a several different colors. These particular crystals had turned the bath water a pale, frothy purple, and had smelled of citrus and a hint of vanilla.
Serra had used the silk robe left for her and had been surprised when a woman had been waiting with Donna and Mya back in the bedroom. The woman did Serra’s make-up with minimal fuss, and then Mya and Donna had presented her with the gown that had been altered for her.
“I ran your measurements through my data unit and made the alterations myself, so I think it should fit you perfectly,” Mya had informed her. “I went with this seafoam green because of your eye color and skin tone. I hope you like it.”
“Like it? I absolutely love it. Thank you.”
A smile shone from eyes the same steel-gray as Jax’s as Mya met Serra’s gaze in the mirror. “I was right. The dress is perfect on you.”
Donna’s eyes had a sheen of tears in them as she smiled at Serra. “You are so lovely, Serra. I want to give you this, as your first gift as one of our family.”
She opened a large velvet box and Serra let out a gasp as she saw the most beautiful diamond necklace she had ever seen. It was made of small diamonds in a scrolling design set around larger stones in the shape of stars, and a larger star-shaped diamond hung down from the center. Donna removed the necklace from the box and draped it around Serra’s neck. The necklace fit snuggly around her throat, and shimmered like pure starlight.
Serra’s hand came up to stroke over the stones as she stared at it in awe. “I can’t take this. It’s too much!”
“Ian’s mother gave this to me on the day that I bonded with him and Jack, and someday you will gift it to the woman your first-born son chooses.” Donna leaned in and pressed a kiss to Serra’s cheek. “I wish you the very best with your bonded…I know you will keep those two in line.”
Serra thanked her again, and Donna wiped at a stray tear that she’d lost the battle to hold back. “Enough of that now. I’m going to head downstairs and make sure everything is ready.”
Watching as Donna hurried out of the room, Serra couldn’t help but wonder how different the moment would be if her own mother had been in attendance. Tania would have found something unkind to say about the way Serra looked or she would have caused some other sort of drama since the event didn’t revolve around her. It was safer this way—and to be honest—Serra didn’t want her there.
The door to the room clicked open again, and Serra smiled as she saw Skylar Aris slip into the room. Skylar was a beautiful woman, with long, wavy black hair and ice-blue eyes that could unnerve someone just as easily as entice. Serra had met Skylar when they had been in the Academy together. They had become friends since they were both considered outcasts. While Serra was labeled with genius status, Skylar had been tagged with a Class-A Conduit classification. Conduits were the rarest of all the enhanced elites. They were individuals who could basically read other peoples energy, and if they were strong enough, could use that energy for their own purposes by manipulating it.
“Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous!” Skylar beamed at Serra as she hurried forward to give her friend a hug, then she hugged Mya. “Hi, Mya.”
“Sky! I’m so happy to see you. I can’t believe you’re here!”
“Archer contacted me a little while ago. Stars, Serra. I thought if anyone would be safe from being claimed, it would be you. Not that Archer or Jax gave you much say, I’m sure. They’ve had their eyes on you since we joined the Academy.”
Serra laughed. “They did, but I had my eye on them right back.”
“I talked to Alexis when I was in transpo on the way over here. She wanted to be here, but they are too far away right now. She said to tell you congrats and that she will see you soon.” Skylar pouted for a moment. “Now who is going to be my date for the Freedom Day Gala? Damn it all, who am I going to cause trouble with now that you’re shackled with those two hulking beasts?”
Mya perked up at that. “I could attend with you. That way I won’t have ten guards trailing after my ass wherever I go. I’d be safe with you.”
A slow smile spread over Skylar’s face. “Very true. I could just zap whatever idiot was stupid enough to touch you. That’s a deal, Mya.”
Serra laughed again. “You both could go with real dates.”
“Naw, whoever I went with would inevitably annoy me, then I’d have to ditch them or end up shocking them unconscious. But it will be a shame not being able to irritate Jax and Archer after the Gala this year, though.” Skylar sighed. “Those were good times.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, just that every year after we go to the Gala together, I usually get pulled into a meeting with them. They ask me what we did, who we were with, and whatnot.”
Serra’s eyes went wide. “They did not!”
“Oh, they certainly did. And I usually tell them the same thing…to mind their own damn business. Respectfully, since they are my commanders, but still. It never goes over well, but we both know they had spies watching you anyways.”
“Not spies, guards,” Mya corrected.
“Same shit,” Skylar said, then looked back at Serra. “Holy jump drives, that’s some necklace! I guess the guys are pulling out the stops to impress you.”
Serra explained how Jax’s mother gifted it to her, then had to explain why her own mother wasn’t there, careful to leave out any classified data Mya shouldn’t know about. It still hurt explaining what Tania had done to her all those years ago, but the pain lessened knowing she was now bonded to the two men who meant the world to her.
“Next time I see Tania, I’m going to zap her dry,” Skylar promised darkly.
“She’ll be taken care of,” Serra replied. She exchanged a look with Skylar that told her friend she would explain more in detail later. Turning back to the mirror, she ran a hand down her dress. “I’m so nervous. I don’t know why I’m so nervous when I’m already claimed.”
“It’s your big day. I’ve always wanted a sister. I’m so glad they finally claimed you. Speaking of, we should head downstairs now,” Mya said when a knock sounded on the door. “Everything should be ready.”
The three women left the room and made their way down to the foyer of the main floor to find Jax and Archer waiting for them. Both men were wearing black pants and a button down black shirt with a silver scrolling design on the left side over their muscular chests.
“Aren’t you two supposed to be waiting in the room?” Mya asked her brother as she shoved at his arm.
Jax didn’t look at his little sister, unable to take his gaze away from the vision that was his chosen. He and Archer had spent the last few hours getting things ready for the ceremony, going along with the plans outlines by his mother, but one thing they would not bend on was coming to collect her personally.
Archer stepped forward, cupping Serra’s face in his hands and laid his lips on hers, saying everything he was feeling in the simple gesture. “You are glorious,” he said softly when he pulled back. He allowed Jax to steal her from him to wink at Mya before turning to Skylar. “Sky, you may want to avoid Director Stryker and Ambassador V’Dir while you’re here. They’re a little pissed at you for putting two more of their officers in medical.”
Skylar cursed. “It’s not my fault their officers are assholes. I have exempt status. I’m not going to feel sorry they got hurt trying to claim me against my will. Stupid men…”