Cold Mark (19 page)

I stared at the man. Was he kidding?

By the severe way his radiant eyes held mine, he was not.

Leisurely, I sat back on the hard-as-hell formal chair. I lifted my glass of water, and took a small sip before stating casually, "Perhaps in the beginning, it was appropriate. But after my ordeals since I arrived on this planet, I'll call them whatever I wish—which, I might add, is by their given names." I lifted my brows in challenge—all bravado. He may rule the force field, but I knew the way around political diplomacies. "I am the Soul to the Plumas of the west." I was more worried about what my Vaq thought of me calling them as such than what he deemed polite.

Killeg tilted his head, his crazy ass hair not moving an inch. "Pluma Moir and I find no offense. She may call us what she wishes." His blue gaze altered in my direction. His lips quirked up at the corners, in a way of graciousness—not flirting. "You should be happy, Rule. We have found a friend in the Soul to our enemies of the west. Isn't that correct ... Braita?"

Okay. Never mind. That last bit was a jab at my Vaq. But, hell, I had to go along with him or it would look like I was trying to cover something up. Mother Joyal, figuring out oneself—one's own heart—should not be this difficult. I tipped my head down in respect. "Correct, Killeg." With innocent eyes, I peered to my left, and then right, directly at my Vaq, who were silently watching on. "You don't mind, do you?" I had them there. It would be rude now to do anything other than my bidding.

But Malik surprised me. He grunted, and shoved out of his chair. Tossing his linen napkin on the table, he pulled me out of my chair. Staring harshly at Leo, he growled, "We're going to our room. Now."

"But ... but ... " I sputtered, not ready for this interrogation yet. It didn't matter though. Leo was out of his chair in a blur, both of them holding my hands and pulling me from the formal dinner.

I glanced over my shoulder, back to the table.

My eyes widened in fear, seeing Killeg already on his feet and Phila twirling his steak knife through his fingers. I shook my head in a hurry. Those expressions meant the possibility of war.

All while Rule was sitting back on his chair, arms crossed and shaking his head at the shamble of a mess I had ultimately created. Yet again.

This wasn't good. Not good at all.

Ah, hell.

With a flick of Phila's wrist, the knife was airborne, rushing past our heads.

It lodged to the hilt in the closed door we had not yet reached.

My Vaq stopped dead in their tracks, jerking me to a halt with them.

There was a beat of silence inside the room before Phila stated gently, "Killeg and I said we would bring Braita back to you two assholes. But nowhere did we say we wouldn't take her right back with us if we deemed it necessary—by our laws." He paused, his tone so damn light. "Take your hands off of her and
ask
her if she wants to go with you."

I stood stock still, my eyes glued to the hilt of the knife.

I wasn't even sure I breathed—the tension palpable.

His voice strained with fury, Leo asked, "Braita, are we hurting you?"

I wheezed, "No." Their grips on my wrists were light.

Killeg commented further, "She is not a pet to be led about."
She is your Soul
. His words were unspoken, but so very heard in the quiet. "We treat our females with respect, in case you have forgotten."

In the unacceptable silence, Malik let go of my arm. Then Leo followed.

Both turned their heads to me, their faces grim from taking—lawful—orders from their enemies. Malik spoke first, asking in the gentlest, strangled tone, "Braita, will you please accompany us to Malik's and my bedroom?"

My chest squeezed inside my chest at his tortured silver gaze. Quickly, I nodded once. My hand found the door handle to the closed, knifed door, and I twisted in a hurry. I may not be ready for this, but I would be damned if I didn't hear them out. Stiffly, they followed me out into the common area of the hotel until I let them lead the way to their bedroom. They behaved the entire way.

Evidence of how long Malik and Leo had been staying in this hotel was apparent. Clothes hung haphazardly in the open closet of their room. Many luggage bags lined the side of the posh room. Books from their own bedroom back in Belvar littered the floor. Their toiletries were scattered across the double vanity in the bathroom.

It was also evident in the way they were comfortable with the space, flopping down with great exhaustion on a red leather couch.

Again, the realization I had done this to them hit me hard in the stomach.

So much pain caused. By me.

No. I paused in thought as I sat on the soft, red leather chair opposite them. They had done this to themselves with their dishonesty. Cause and effect. The oldest rule in the book.

Malik's heartfelt silver gaze showed he knew it, too. His words only cemented my theory. "Braita, this is all our fault. Every word you said to us during the conference call has weighed heavily on our minds." He ran his hands over his tan face, and then yanked his black, straight hair into a low ponytail, working his strands in rough agitated movements, mad at himself. "We are so damned sorry we lied to you."

Leo bent over, his elbows on his knees as he held his head in his hands. He stared at the ground like a man drunken on too much alcho-brew. "I wish we could just start over. We would have handled things much differently." He gripped his golden hair in his fists. "We screwed up. We know it."

I bit my lower lip when my chin began to tremble. I would not cry. But, hell, my chest hurt so damn bad. I had
missed
them. I had missed being in their mere presence, just to sit next to them in the quiet or read over Malik's shoulder or play stupid games together or merely ... to hear them breathe. They were the first individuals on this planet I had trusted. They had been my
home
, the whole reason why my previous experience with them stabbed so deeply in the heart it was traumatizing. I quickly brushed away a tear when it burned down my cheek. My voice was a quiet rasp. "You've honestly missed me?"

Leo's head snapped up, his golden gaze only for me. "Braita, yes. Yes, we've missed you."

I blinked quickly to keep any more tears from shedding. "Only because it mentally tore the two of you apart having me so far away?"

Malik answered gently, "Because we've come to care for you. Deeply." His attention swung to the bed and lowered to the ground. "I've even missed you sleeping between Leo and me." A head tilt to his lover, the other half of his Vaq, but his regard met mine. His small smile was bittersweet, although adorable. "He kicks in his sleep."

Abruptly, I chuckled. It was a little watery, a few more tears spilling. "I remember."

Quiet descended as they watched me, and I watched them in return. Each evaluating.

My eyes ran over their sharp and keen features. They were like the sunset I used to watch on Joyal, blessed in beauty and with the ability to make me feel warm inside with contentment. A sight I would joyfully view again and again, trying to memorize such a vision.

And they were my Vaq.

Leo cracked his neck and failed miserably at not appearing nervous. His words came to a halt and flow that made me want to rub his back to let him know everything would be all right. Eventually. "I was thinking ... maybe ... Well, I thought we could start fresh. A ... a new beginning."

Malik quickly added, "If you'll allow it."

I blinked. "And if I don't?" Would they throw me in a vault somewhere?

Little dots of sweat began to appear on Leo's forehead, but his strong tenor was returning. "Then it is your choice. No Soul must stay with their Vaq. As is our law."

Malik grunted quietly, tilting his head, examining my face. "Is there a reason why you wouldn't give us another shot? Even a hundred more since you know we're made for each other?"

I thought it prudent not to answer the question. For many reasons. Instead, I stated, "I am your Soul, so yes, we are bound no matter what." I flicked a finger between the two of them. "I've missed you both so very much, but I'll be honest, I hate how I feel. I have no freedom. I thought I'd be able to handle it, to help Joyal and its citizens, but I've found, without my freedom, I push even harder for it. Possibly even more recklessly for it." I tilted my chin up in stubbornness. "If I do this, if we start over, you'll have to give me space to be myself. To be free.
While
still getting to know each other again."
As long as I was here and not escaping with Jax for true freedom from the Mian.
Damn, my life was complicated.

Neither made a peep, eyeing me.

"What?"

Leo's golden brows rose. "You're being evasive."

Am not. Probably am.
"Can you blame me?"

"More evasion." Malik rested back, at ease. He raised his arms to the top of the couch, ticking his fingers where they rested on the red leather as he evaluated me. Eventually, in the quiet, his silver gaze never having left mine, he asked, "Has something intimate happened between you and the other Plumas?"

Well, fuck. "No."

Leo took his turn to lean back, spreading his legs wide and placing his hands behind his head. Relaxed and aloof while his golden gaze honed directly on me. "No?"

Instant. Easy. "No." Maybe one day I would tell them. Maybe. If I was still here.

Leo hummed.

Malik grunted softly.

I didn't fidget, but I wanted to. After all, this was a lie. For the exact reason I had admonished them. Though, to be perfectly fair, it had been clear my Vaq and I were not 'together' when I had left Belvar. When they had lied, it hadn't been so obvious. Truly, I wasn't sure if they even needed to know about the private kiss shared by the Plumas of the east and myself ... and them wanting me to figure out my feelings for my Vaq. I barely choked out, "What?"

And the fact I didn't mind being around Killeg and Phila too much. Enjoyed it, really.

I actually
liked
flirting with them.

And kissing them.

They had seemed to like it, too.

Wait. As an afterthought, perhaps my Vaq should know one day, so they weren't surprised with a sword in the back—if I chose them.

Bless Mother Joyal, I had no clue how I had gotten myself into this much trouble.

"Nothing," Malik murmured.

"Okay ... " I glanced between them, silent on the couch. "So we're good? We'll start fresh?"

"Of course," Leo answered.

If I weren't careful, I would start to sweat as Leo had done earlier. "Okay."

Malik nodded. "Okay."

My giggle might have been a smidge hysterical as I threw my hands in the air in mini-celebration. "Okays all around then!" I peered to the door in a hurry as they stared. "Where's my room at again?" I could use a break.

I was a mess. An absolute damned mess. After Malik and Leo had silently shown me to my room, I hadn't been able to sleep but an hour or two during the day. My stomach was growling at me since I hadn't been able to finish my dinner last night, but I wasn't sure if I could keep anything down. At least Malik and Leo had brought my clothing with them so I was able to wear an ensemble that actually fit me.

The teachers of Joyal should have taught interrogation techniques, too.

Though, they might, and I merely hadn't been far enough along in my training for it.

I had failed miserably. And if I knew it, Malik and Leo's shrewd as hell brains knew it, too. Today was going to be hell with Killeg and Phila nearby watching as my Vaq and I start fresh in our relationship.

I jumped when a hand touched my shoulder. My head whipped back, and I stared up with wide eyes ... at Jax. Bless Mother Joyal. "Let's get some breakfast."

Jax nodded, his tender gaze running over my features. We walked down the hallway of the hotel, guards silently following in our wake. He tossed his right arm over my shoulders, asking quietly, "How did it go?"

Like shit.
"All right."

"Liar."

"Shut up." I rested my head against his muscular shoulder, letting him guide me to the common rooms restaurant of the hotel. Mian from the east and the west watched us walk by with barely repressed surprise—actual Humans in the midst ... with royal guides following us. It wasn't a sight they saw every night. "I didn't sleep very well. I need a drink to keep me awake."