Now Kolt also smiled. “But we will be reversing their trap onto them.”
I gave a single nod of my head. “We will snatch the surprise from their grasp and victory from their jaws.”
My battle chief gripped his axe handle tighter, his grin overtaking his face. “Our warriors will get the blood they were denied today.”
“And your human will be pleased,” Venik added, although those words were meant only for me.
“I would not lead us into danger to please her,” I assured him, “nor is she joining us on the mission for any reason other than she has given us much of the information used to devise the mission.”
Kolt’s smile faltered. “Your human is coming to the surface with our raiding party?”
When I didn’t respond instantly, Venik’s expression became solemn. “Then I hope that dress is completed soon.” He tapped a finger to his chin. “I might be able to help speed that along. There’s someone on Meridian who?—"
Kolt frowned as he interrupted. “What does a dress have to do with battle strategy?”
“The dress is for the Raas’s war bride to wear for their binding ceremony, which should take place before we reach Lexxona and before she goes with us to the planet’s surface.” Venik wastalking to Kolt, but his gaze was leveled on me. “It’s the best way to protect her from the Empire.”
Every word from mymajak’s lips was true. Taking her as my legal mate was the best way to protect her, but I also knew that Vandar bonding wasn't complete with just a ceremony and words.
True mates took each other's mating marks. The black swirls on my chest would expand and identical marks would appear on her chest, linking us physically as well as legally. The thought of my marks on her skin sent a wave of want through me so intensely I had to fist my hands to suppress it.
I wanted to mark her, but my desire was not the only thing needed to forge mating marks. She had to give herself fully to me. She had to love me to take my marks. As much as she desired me, I was not sure if fierce independent Jasmine could give in enough for that to happen. Still, the ceremony must happen even if the marks did not follow.
I nodded brusquely, making my decision. "We'll perform the ceremony before we reach Lexxona."
“In that case, I think you will pleased when you hear about the alien I found on the colony we just visited.” Venik looked very satisfied with himself as he cast a glance to the raiding ship behind him.
“You brought someone else onto the warbird?” I asked, wondering when mymajakhad become comfortable hiding things from me. Even Kolt looked startled.
“Please tell me you sourced a weapons specialist,” Kolt said. “Not that I don’t appreciate the distiller you found on Gillernia Prime.”
“He is a specialist of sorts,” Venik said as a squat, green-skinned Woovian waddled down the ramp looking very put out, “although not in weaponry.”
The newcomer rested fat hands on his ample hips and huffed out a breath. “I don’t know what you were talking about. This is no place for a royal wedding.”
Chapter 31
Jasmine
Istood at the massive window in Wrexxon's quarters, watching the stars shift as the warbird changed course. The other vessels in the horde were adjusting their trajectories too, moments before they shimmered and then became invisible. I blinked a few times, continuing to be impressed by Vandar technology.
The most important thing was that we were heading back to Lexxona and back to my sisters and friends. The Raas would keep his word.
“As long as you keep yours,” I said to myself in a whisper that didn’t quite break the hush of the room.
I tried not to think too hard about my promise. Being Wrexxon’s Raisa wouldn’t be so bad. I’d already been taken as a war bride without a choice. At least I’d agreed to become his mate.
“Like I had a choice,” I said, this time louder.
Then I scowled at myself. There were worse husbands to have, and I’d heard plenty of grumblings at the bakery from unsatisfied wives. One thing I suspected I’d never be withWrexxon was unsatisfied. Heat hummed through me at the memories of our bodies slapping together, his powerful hands scorching my skin, and his commanding lips on mine.
Besides, he was a warlord of the Vandar. He had a horde to run and an Empire to torment. It wasn’t like he’d be spending all his time with me. Not that I wouldn’t mind being trapped in bed with him for a few days.
Then I registered the soft ache between my legs. If I survived that long.
I shook my head to banish the naughty thoughts trying to distract me from what was more important. Right now, I needed to focus on the rescue mission and seeing my sisters and friends again.
Before I could dwell on the impending mission to Lexxona, the doors swept open behind me with their characteristic hiss. I turned, expecting Wrexxon or maybe even the warbird’s tailor. Instead, a squat alien waddled in, his arms full of colorful fabric that spilled over in cascading waves of silk and what looked like gossamer-thin material.
