The Rogue Prince (20 page)

Reid tensed. He was about to answer when her mouth came down to kiss his shaft. As she sucked him between her lush lips, he moaned, closing his eyes.

I give in, fea. You can have it however you want.

Chapter Eleven

Jasmine couldn’t believe she was cooking for Reid again. He didn’t have a food simulator, which was odd, though apparently he had at one point and it broke.

So much for the ‘I’m no man’s slave’ mentality. Besides, the one time she had tried to make Reid help it became apparent that he might be a powerful hunter, but he was a lousy chef.

Truthfully, she didn’t mind preparing his food, had never minded cooking by hand. It had been Chad who insisted on the food simulator. And, not to sell herself short, she did successfully negotiate that a maid continued to do the cleaning while she was in his home. Actually, he’d caved really fast.

Jasmine smiled, checking the brick oven. The turkey was almost done.

“Baldric,” she corrected herself softly, biting her lip. The turkey thing was called a baldric.

There were a lot of things different about Qurilixen, but on the whole, it wasn’t so bad. The people she’d met were nice--not that she’d met anyone while at Reid’s house. They’d been at his home for five glorious, sex filled days. In fact, they spent so much time in his bed--on his floor, in the tub, in the shower, out on the balcony, on the couch, on the kitchen counter and the kitchen floor, and about every conceivable place in between--that time became one big blur of pleasure.

Things were good, better than they’d been her entire life. She was no fool to think it would last forever. Someday, she’d have to wake up from the dream they’d created. If she didn’t do it on her own, Reid would surely do it for her. Jasmine saw his passionate appetites. Though she was able to match them easily, she knew that someday he would tire of her and want to move on.

“I know that’s not your cooking, brother.”

Jasmine tensed. That wasn’t Reid’s voice. She went to look out of the kitchen, thankful she wasn’t still wearing the skimpy little dress she’d done a strip tease in earlier. Reid’s brothers stood in the entryway.

“Mm, yeah, it definitely smells too good to be something you’d make,” Quinn said, laughing.

“What are you doing here?” Reid asked, smiling at them.

“Well, you left the palace in a hurry and we thought….” Kirill’s words trailed off as he turned to look at Jasmine. He had the same dark eyes as Reid. She knew instantly what the men had thought. They thought to come check her out. Prince Jarek was the only one not staring at her.

“Hey, Jas,” Jarek said, breaking the silence. He grinned at her, crossing the distance to kiss her cheek. Whispering, he said, “Don’t look so worried.” Then, louder, he teased, “Does he actually make you cook?”

“Well, it turns out I’m a lousy hunter, so it works out in the end,” Jasmine said, forcing a small smile. Jarek grinned and nodded. She tried to relax. “So, I take it you’re all here to check me out?”

Kirill laughed. Quinn grinned. Falke nodded his stoic head, though his eyes gleamed.

“Our wives wouldn’t let us have any peace until we agreed to come and make sure Reid was treating you kindly,” Falke answered. His eyes swept over her. “Are you well, my lady?”

Jasmine blushed, thinking of just how ‘well’ Reid had been treating her. She met Reid’s piercing gaze and trembled. Slowly, she nodded.

“Ah, good,” Kirill said. The brothers’ eyes turned to Reid. “There’s something different about you, brother. Are you well?”

Reid nodded once. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Kirill and Quinn shared a quick look. Jasmine saw them smirk and wondered at it. Surely it was some sort of private, brotherly joke.

“If you’ll excuse me I should go check on the food,” Jasmine said, backing toward the kitchen. “I’ve made plenty, if you’re staying.”

“Thank you,” Kirill and Falke said at the same time.

“Never pass up a meal.” Jarek grinned, though he didn’t look at her as he stared at Reid. Reid stared back at him, unmoving and apparently unamused by something that passed between him and his twin.

“Yes,” Quinn added. “It smells delicious. Thank you, Lady Jasmine.”

Reid glanced at Jasmine as she disappeared into the kitchen. When she was out of the room, he said quietly, “What really goes on? Why are you here?”

“It is as we said,” Kirill motioned to the couches, keeping his voice low. “Our wives have taken a liking to Lady Jasmine and wished us to make sure you weren’t forcing your unwanted attentions on her.”

Reid frowned as he took a seat. He wasn’t ready for reality to crash in on the little world he’d made with Jasmine. She never acted as if she felt anything for him beyond passion, but still he hoped that she might. He kept telling himself, if he gave her enough physical pleasure, if he was patient, she’d come around.

“What’s the real reason?” Reid asked. “The one you’re not telling me?”

“Lyssa’s director friend with the HIA has contacted us. There is a ship heading toward our quadrant. It’s the Medical Alliance. We believe that Jasmine’s … ah….” Kirill’s words trailed off and he looked at the ground.

Reid tensed. Jasmine and he had an unspoken bond not to speak of her husband. But, not saying it didn’t make it less true. Still, it didn’t matter. Jasmine was his. She belonged to him. Or at least she would if he had a say in the matter.

“You mean the man who claims to be my husband,” Jasmine said softly. She’d been so quiet that no one had heard her enter the living room. The men turned to her. She sat a tray down on a low table in front of them. It was an array of nuts and berries. Reid glanced at it and then her. She wouldn’t look at him.

“Claims?” Quinn asked.

“As a girl, I was sick, weak. Some doctors said I would grow out of it in a few years. Other said I’d die by the time I was five. They were all wrong. I didn’t die and I only gained moderate strength. That was until my father contacted, Dr. Chadwick St. Claire. He cured me of my condition, but he also drugged me and married me when I was in such a state as to be unaware of my decisions. Even after the ceremony, I was kept drugged.” Jasmine took a deep breath.

“You mean the pills Tori analyzed?” Quinn asked.

“Yes.” Jasmine nodded. She glanced around the room before looking at her hands. “According to human law, you have to be legally of sound mind to make a binding contract. I wasn’t of sound mind, haven’t been of sound mind for several years. I’d say that pretty much voids any marriage contract I had with Chad.”

Reid’s whole body was tense as he watched her. Why hadn’t she said any of this before? Why let him believe she was married? If there was nothing between them, then they … she…. Then realization dawned on him. She’d not told him because she wanted it between them.

“This is my problem,” Jasmine said when silence filled the room. She finally looked at him. Reid tried to read something on her face, any emotion that would tell him how she felt. She was blank, like when he’d first met her, like when she’d been on those damned pills. “You’ve all done so much for me and I truly appreciate it and will never forget it. But, if Chad is coming here to get me, then I’ll go without a fuss. He’s my problem to deal with and I think it’s about time I faced it.”

“Jasmine,” Reid began. She looked away from him. He felt his brother’s eyes on him. What could he say? Feeling helpless, he looked at Kirill, begging him to say something.

Kirill met his eyes, seeming to understand. “I would like to offer to let you stay at the palace. My wife is very fond of you and I don’t want her upset during the last of her pregnancy. Please, consider staying.”

“You’re too kind, but I hardly doubt Queen Ulyssa so delicate as to need me, a stranger, to stay on this planet,” Jasmine said.

Kirill nodded, chuckling. “You’re right. My Lyssa is no delicate woman. But it is still our wish that you stay and let us help you.”

“I thank you, your majesty, but this is my fight. I’ll deal with it. You don’t need this hassle here. As you said, your wife is expecting. This is one less stress you need on your kingdom and your wife. I will go.”

“My lady,” Falke said, his words so emotionless that he actually frightened her more from that than his overlarge size. “We’ve dealt with the Medical Mafia before and we’ll not leave you to face them alone.”

“You know?” Jasmine gasped. “You know about the Medical Alliance’s connection to the Medical Mafia?”

“Wait,” Reid stood, glaring angrily at her. “Are you saying you knew that Chad was part of the Medical Mafia and you were still going to go back to him?”

“I wasn’t going back to him. I was facing my problem,” Jasmine argued, returning his heated glare.

“After what he’s already done to you?” Reid growled, taking a menacing step forward. Instantly his brothers stood, blocking his path to Jasmine. It wasn’t necessary. He could never hurt her. “What makes you think you can--?”

“Reid, now is not the time,” Quinn said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “We’re here to bring you back to the palace. If they do come for her, Jasmine will be safer there.”

Reid nodded.

“Wait, don’t I have a say?” Jasmine demanded. “It’s not like the Mafia wants me, just Chad.”

“No, my lady, I’m sorry. You don’t have a say in this. I tried to give you one, but you wouldn’t agree to it,” Kirill said. “We have dealt with the Mafia before. Trust me, we are more than equipped to handle this.”

* * * *

Jasmine refused to talk to Reid the whole way back to the palace. They’d stayed at his home long enough to eat. It had been a tense meal, one that Jasmine could barely force down her throat. The Var men complimented her on her cooking and tried to make a few jokes to lighten her mood--all of them but Reid. It was pointless. She was upset with him, and hurt. After the meal, she hadn’t been given a choice but to leave. With five very large Var warriors walking around her, she didn’t stand a chance of escape.

A diffused light fell over the dense forest in a soft green haze. Reid and Jarek walked ahead of her. Kirill and Quinn stayed to her sides and Falke brought up the rear.

Damn him!
Jasmine thought, reminding herself to be mad as she glared at his back. More often than not, she found herself staring at his tight butt and not concentrating on her anger.

How dare Reid let his family make decisions for her without even asking her opinion? It wasn’t like she was ungrateful for their offer and on a very base level she was relieved that they wanted to take control over the situation, but out of principal she was outraged. She was living her life, not the royal Var family. Jasmine wanted to make her own decisions, whether good or bad. She was tired of being told what to do.

The sound of young boys playing echoed around them as they neared the city. Reid turned to her. Jasmine glared back, giving him her most evil look. He actually had the nerve to look surprised at her hostility.

They walked quietly through the city streets, winding along the mazelike roads. Beautiful woven rugs and blankets hung outside in the sun, drying on lines. Clay pots sat outside on doorsteps, some with flowers and other native plants. The walls were decorated with tiles, less intricate than the palace, but still lovely. The palace stood tall over the city, outlined by the blue-green sky. Jasmine stared at the square turrets, doing her best to pretend she didn’t see the curious eyes of the Var population on her.

They walked through the front gates of the palace. Quinn and the King took their leave to go find their wives. Jasmine was almost jealous over the eager way they went to their women. Reid would never get so bent out of shape over her. Hearing laughter, the small traveling party turned toward a banquet hall. Jasmine didn’t have much choice but to follow. With the giant Falke behind her, she didn’t exactly think she could sneak away and his size alone gave her reason enough not to try.

The banquet hall had a high domed ceiling of glass that let in the diffused light of the three suns. There were mosaic patterns on the walls and an exquisite tiled floor. Long tables and bench seats were along the floor for group dining. At the front of the hall, on a raised platform, was the King’s table. It was empty.

The laughter came from Princess Samantha and the members of Jarek’s crew at one of the lower tables. Rick and Evan sat at her sides, grinning widely. Dev, Jackson, Lucien and Viktor sat across from her. Lochlann was the only one missing. Remembering that he was Draig and not Var, she wondered if Lochlann wasn’t welcome at the palace. Jarek slid into a seat next to Jackson. Seeing how close Rick and Evan sat to Sam, Jasmine glanced back at Falke. He was smiling.

Sam saw her husband and her whole face lit up with pleasure. She pushed on Evan’s shoulder, using him to help her stand. Then, unashamed, she ran to Falke, jumping up to throw her arms around his neck. He kept walking as he hugged her, carrying her so that her
feet dangled off the floor.

“Your son is making me tired,” Sam said, giggling softly as she kissed Falke.

“That’s just because his mother’s lazy,” Falke answered, his voice teasing.

Jasmine’s jaw almost dropped. Did the big Commander Falke just make a joke? Sam’s laughter rang out over them. Apparently, he had.

“I need to talk to you.” Reid pulled on her elbow.

Jasmine turned, partially melted by the loving display of Falke and his wife. She looked up, seeing Reid’s dark eyes. Then, as his words penetrated her brain, she jerked her arm from him. “Fine.”

“Alone,” he said under his breath, glancing around at the full table. Jasmine followed his gaze. They were being watched.

“Fine,” she repeated, this time not so loud.

Reid turned and led the way from the hall. He glanced back several times, as if making sure she followed him. Jasmine did, her body stiff. She plastered a determined look of anger on her face. Reid had to learn he couldn’t boss her around. So what if she appreciated the Vars’ help and didn’t really know how to handle the situation on her own? She didn’t belong to him, no matter what intimacies had transpired between them.

They walked in silence through the maze like halls. Then, stopping, Reid turned to a round mosaic pattern on the wall. He pressed a series of tiles on the circular pattern. The tiles didn’t move as he touched them, but as he finished and pulled his hand away, the whole center circle pulled into the wall to reveal a screen. Jasmine gasped. It was a computer. She would never have guessed.