Morningstar (12 page)

“Puppet or not, you owe me an apology, Second Son. I’m your mate, and I may decide to be your
shathlinn
, but I will not let you treat me like a whore. Not ever. Got it?” Bryn said.

“Understood. I apologize. It won’t happen again.”

“See that it doesn’t.”

“Good. Now I think you should both get into bed,” Sabine announced.

“Not yet,
a’gra
. I still have a few things to say about the family drama that Jace brought up before I left for the med bay.” Bryn tapped the Morningstar mate mark at her throat. “Sabine and I agreed to take on your problems when we got these inked, so we need to know everything. No secrets, no lies. If you want me to be your
shathlinn
then you and I have to be able to trust each other completely, and I can’t trust you if I think you’re holding things back.”

“I understand. I promise I will tell you everything you need to know before we reach Cyprena.”

“No, you’re going to tell us everything, period. You don’t get to decide what we need to know,” Bryn countered.

“And we will tell you everything as well,” Sabine said.

“I…” Bryn trailed off and cursed.

“It’s only fair.” Sabine peered at Bryn, concerned about her lover’s sudden change in mood. “What’s wrong?”

“Painted myself into a corner.” Bryn took a deep breath and straightened. “In the interest of full disclosure, when Dr. Morgan examined me she found that my sterilization can be reversed with surgery.”

“That’s wonderful!” Sabine threw her arms around Bryn and beamed at the thought of the three of them surrounded by their children. She had never known her parents, never had brothers or sisters, and always dreamed of being surrounded by people who loved her. “We’ll be a real family.”

“No,
a’mhain
, we’re a real family now,” she corrected. “Whether the second son knocks either of us up will just make us a bigger family.”

Sabine blushed, chagrined, and chuckled at Jace as he watched them with wide eyes.

Bryn cleared her throat. “I’m not saying I want the surgery, and if I do decide to pursue it, it’ll be
my
decision. No one else’s. We have enough to deal with at the moment. Speaking of which, now we can all get into bed.” Bryn began unbuttoning her jacket, and then lightly poked Jace in the chest. “Get to work, Morningstar.”

Chapter Twelve

There were times in the past few years when Bryn was certain she’d never live to see Cyprena again. It was a bittersweet homecoming, because she wasn’t going home. Instead they were headed for the sprawling Morningstar city, and not the smaller enclave that House Wintersend shared with three other minor houses.

All was quiet as the
Talon II
entered Cyprena’s atmosphere, gliding over the ruins dotting the planet’s topside. Morningstar control allowed them passage without an argument, but that didn’t stop a trickle of cold sweat from slipping down Bryn’s spine as the ship maneuvered down the tunnel connecting the Morningstar enclave to the surface. With so many guns bristling along the tunnel, one itchy trigger finger and the
Talon II
would go out in a blazing fireball.

Because Sabine was still in phase, after the
Talon II
landed at the Morningstar docks they took the ship’s shuttle directly to the lord’s manor, where she and Jace would be kept in isolation. Bryn wasn’t sure what she’d be doing in the meantime, other than watching the door to ensure that none of his brother’s minions showed up to assassinate Jace while he was mid-thrust. And occasionally riding herd on Malcolm, who watched everything with avid interest as the shuttle flew over the muted lights of the city.

There was an elegant order to the layout of the Morningstar city that her home city had lacked. In Winter City, the buildings were clustered tightly together, every inch of the cavern occupied by citizens of the Houses Wintersend, Everwinter and Icestar. Here the city was divided into four quarters by a stylized star that glowed brighter than the surrounding lights.

“All the cities are underground?” Malcolm asked.

“Yes. The surface cities were abandoned generations ago,” Bryn replied. “Too many slaver raids by off-worlders. We decided to build something more defensible. There are a few thousand guns lining that tunnel we flew through.”

“Oh. It’s very…dark.”

Bryn chuckled. “No darker than living on a jump station. When was the last time you were planet-side?”

“I’ve never been on a planet before. Not that I can remember.” Malcolm shook his head. “I hope the depth doesn’t interfere with the signal.”

“It won’t. Unless the city goes into lockdown. Then nothing gets in or out, not even transmissions to the surface,” Jace said.

Captain Hawke and Jace piloted the shuttle, while Bryn sat with Malcolm and Sabine. Poor Sabine was trapped inside a sterile suit that kept her pheromones from escaping and driving the local male populace mad. She was fidgeting, and Bryn took her gloved hand and held it.

“It’s so strange. I can’t imagine what it must be like to live here.” Sabine’s voice was muffled by the helmet, but it still managed to hold a note of amazement.

“You’ll have plenty of room. The Morningstar enclave is the largest on Cyprena,” Jace commented.

Bryn rolled her eyes. “Yes, we’re well aware of the Morningstar preoccupation with size.”

“And we have no complaints,” Sabine added, ever the peacemaker.

True enough, Bryn thought, though in her opinion Jace didn’t need his ego stroked. He was already in full-on swaggering male mode, and had made a special point to leave obvious bite marks on her throat before they left the
Talon II
. It seemed to make him feel more secure that she wasn’t going to wander off and jump the first male she saw. As if she would ever betray her honor that way—she hoped that once the phase ended, his jealousy would clear up as well.

The shuttle touched down, and Bryn opened the hatch first. She scanned the shuttle pad, worried that the assassins Jace feared might be lurking in the shadows. The area was mostly empty of personnel in order to keep the local males away from Sabine. Two females stood waiting for them, serene and stately, and Bryn heard Jace make a soft sound of surprise.

“Problem?” the captain asked.

“Not at all.” He smiled and bowed as the females approached. “Captain Hawke, this is my mother Sairyssa, and I believe you’ve already met my sister Andelynn. Ladies, this is Captain Carmen Hawke and indexer Malcolm de la Cruz. And these are my two new mates, Sabine and Lieutenant Brynnaren Viera.”

Bryn bowed under the sharp regard of the other females. Sairyssa was slender, wearing a gown that likely cost more than a month’s rent for the cramped apartment Bryn had lived in inside of the Wintersend enclave. The woman shared Jace’s white hair and pale blue eyes, but her skin was a deep indigo. His sister was a petite thing with long black hair, green eyes and light gray skin.

“Pleased to meet you,” Malcolm said politely.

“If Captain Hawke and Indexer de la Cruz would please come with me, I will show them to their rooms,” Andelynn offered.

Malcolm glanced at Bryn, and she gave him a reassuring nod. They had already discussed that he could send for her if he felt overwhelmed or confused. Technically as his
shathlinn
she shouldn’t leave Jace’s side, but he’d grudgingly given her permission to help the indexer. Jace couldn’t argue with the fact that they needed Malcolm’s help to find out what the Eppes had been up to.

His mother smiled thinly. “And I will accompany you to your quarters. I am eager to know my son’s mates better.”

That didn’t bode well. Bryn turned to the captain. “Just let me know when Malcolm needs me.” The captain frowned, confused, and Bryn smiled dryly. “He didn’t talk to you, did he?”

“Was he supposed to?” she asked.

“Yes. I assume something tech-related got in the way. I offered to help him. You’ll see. Shouldn’t take long. He seemed overwhelmed just by the flight here.”

“Very well.”

They parted ways, and Bryn suppressed a grimace as she fell in behind Jace and continued to watch for trouble. Sairyssa led them through silent corridors of the manor, which had been emptied for Sabine. The place was huge—though it was meant to be the home of the lord, his staff and high-ranking members of the family, it was easily larger than House Wintersend’s shadow sword training facility. Definitely nicer too. The air was fresh and crisp, scented with some sort of pleasant floral aroma instead of the damp stink of blood, sweat and unwashed shadow swords.

So much wealth and power, and as Jace’s mates she and Sabine had a share of it—though the size of the share apparently depended entirely on how many heirs they could breed. The money didn’t matter to Bryn. She’d never wanted to be wealthy—comfortable would be enough. She wanted room to breathe, instead of being crammed into the brothel or crowded within the hull of a ship. Bryn’s eyes widened when they arrived at their quarters. The outer sitting room was enormous, and six doors led to other rooms. It was going to be a bitch to guard—too much open space, nowhere to take cover during a firefight. What did one person do with all this space? Maybe he had a room just for his jackets.

Jace’s mother paused in the outer room and folded her hands. “We cleared this section of the manor for your use until your mate’s phase is over. If you need anything, all you need do is use the comm. to ask, but I would advise keeping your requests to a minimum to contain the pheromones as much as possible. I’ve done what I could to assemble an appropriate wardrobe for your mates on such short notice, and you’ll find it in the closet.”

Bryn bit her tongue to keep from blurting a question about what she considered appropriate attire. It would be nice to have more new clothes, though she was growing rather fond of Jace’s uniform jacket. She might keep it just to annoy him.

“Thank you, Mother. Now if you’ll excuse us, I’m certain Sabine is eager to be out of that suit.”

“And I am eager to see her before I leave. I’ll keep my distance,” she replied. “I merely wish to see if she is as lovely as Brynnaren.”

Bryn assumed that was a veiled insult, and ignored the barb. Bryn was too tall and too lean to fall within the traditional definition of Cy’ren beauty. She’d had more than one of her fellow shadow swords inform her that it was a good thing she was tough, because she’d never be pretty. Sabine and Jace were pretty enough for the three of them.

Jace sighed. “Of course.” He nodded to Bryn, who helped Sabine remove the helmet to her sterile suit.

Sabine gulped a deep breath of air once she was free. “Oh, that’s much better. This thing is stifling.”

“That’s one reason why I hate wearing full armor. Feels like you’re walking around with an aquarium on your head,” Bryn said.

“Do you wear full armor often?” Sairyssa asked.

“I prefer light armor,” she replied. “It’s easier to maneuver in.”

“Brynnaren is a shadow sword, previously of House Wintersend. She’s a skilled warrior,” Jace said. “I am quite fortunate to have her affection, and her protection as my
shathlinn
.”

Bryn was both impressed by his praise and amused by the sour look it earned from his mother. She stepped back as Sabine removed the rest of the suit. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the change in Jace as the phase pheromones hit him, as though someone flipped a switch that filled him with instant, hungry interest in his mates. Bryn shook her head in dry amusement.

Sairyssa’s brow furrowed as she eyed Sabine—it was difficult to tell if it was disappointment or concern that inspired her expression. “I see. Very lovely. I look forward to speaking with you ladies soon.”

She turned and swept from the room, and Bryn quirked a brow at Jace. “Is that good or bad?”

“I’m not sure. I was surprised that she met us. I wasn’t expecting to see her so soon.”

“She seems nice,” Sabine said.

“How much did you tell her?” Bryn asked.

“Very little. There will be plenty of time for you to get to know each other later,” Jace said. “I didn’t tell her about Sabine being an
aleithir
. I didn’t want that said over an unsecured channel.”

“Right,” Bryn replied. “Well, I’m sure you two are eager to break in the bed. I’ll sweep the rooms and order dinner.” Jace nodded, though he eyed her for a moment. “I’m not on the menu. Someone has to keep a lookout for trouble.”

“Later,” he said, the word a promise.

Heat pulsed through her, and Bryn cleared her throat. “No—”

“Yes,” Sabine insisted.

“Fine. Later. Go on.” Bryn sighed and held her hands up in defeat.

Bryn kept to the edge of the bedroom until she found the closet—Jace really did have a room for his clothes—and the wardrobe Jace’s mother had mentioned. Before her mates could pull her into bed, Bryn retreated to the outer suite with a new outfit and, more importantly, a suit of light armor. Strong enough to absorb the energy of a laser bolt, provided it wasn’t point-blank, but flexible enough to let her move in it. It had been sized for Jace, but the intellifabric molded to her body until it fit like a second skin. The adjustment made for ease of movement but showed off far more of her figure than she liked, so she donned Jace’s uniform jacket over it and belted her weapons at her waist.

During her sweep of the rooms Bryn found one obvious surveillance device, two hidden ones, and absolutely no fashion sense in the interior decorating. Everything was decorated in the dark blue and gold of House Morningstar, but there were no personal touches. While she knew that Jace spent most of his time on the
Talon II
, there were none in his quarters there, either. It was as though Jace were a ghost, leaving no sign of his passage.

Bryn smashed all three surveillance devices into small, sharp pieces, but she assumed there were more that she wouldn’t find without scanning for them. She didn’t begrudge the Morningstars their security, though she did poke her head into the bedroom and warn Jace and Sabine to be careful what they said. Not that they were saying much, doing more moaning than talking. She watched them from the doorway for a moment. Voyeurism had always been Sabine’s thing, but there was something to be said for it. Jace and Sabine were beautiful together, her soft violet curves complementing his hard granite lines.

There was only one detail left before she could completely settle into her role as Jace’s
shathlinn
—her hair. It was still entirely too long, so when she ordered a meal for the three of them, she also asked for a barber—a female one—to cut her hair to a more functional length. A few buzzes of the trimming shears later, and Bryn’s locks had been tamed into an efficient, military-appropriate style.

Jace eyed Bryn with immediate disapproval when she entered the bedroom with their dinner. Sabine was snuggled in his arms, and she frowned.

“You butchered your hair,” she accused Bryn.

“I did,
a’gra
, but it was for the best.”

“Why?” Sabine asked plaintively.

Bryn set the tray down, sauntered to the bed, knelt behind them and grabbed a handful of Jace’s flowing, lovely hair. He moaned and scrambled upright as she pulled, his disapproving scowl instantly replaced with searing lust.

“Because your opponent can do this when you have long hair,” Bryn said matter-of-factly.

Jace growled, and Bryn bared his throat and bit him. He sighed her name, and Bryn enjoyed a momentary sense of satisfaction at seeing his reaction. Her nipples hardened beneath her new armor and her sex throbbed with eager anticipation as she drank from her mate, but she forced the urge aside. Bryn playfully nipped at his earlobe before drawing away, but then she rose and left, headed for the bedroom door.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Where are you going?” Sabine asked.

Bryn smirked. “Back to the main room to guard the door.”

“Stop.” Jace leapt to his feet, and she eyed him as he stalked toward her. Bryn swallowed a moan at the heat in his expression.

“That’s far enough, Second Son. Someone has to stay alert. If your brother truly feels threatened by you, by us, he’ll strike while you’re distracted by the phase. You asked me to be your bodyguard. Let me keep you safe.”

Jace paused, balancing on the balls of his feet as though pondering leaping at her and dragging Bryn to bed. He did look enticing, hard and hungry for her. Bryn glanced past him and spotted Sabine watching her with the same eager expression.