Addilli, who had no interest in politics, blinked and sighed, understanding that the distracted look in her friend’s eyes meant mental communication was going on. Again she patted Ursula’s arm and she murmured, “They protect you.”
“That’s what he claims,” Ursula muttered in a bitter tone.
“Then you must believe him. Your mates cannot lie to you.”
“Do you truly believe that?” Ursula’s tone made her doubt clear.
Addilli nodded. “The connection we have with our mates is intimate and allows for no falsehood. They would rather keep you ignorant than risk breaking your trust and their honor.”
Ursula gave her a rueful smile. “I hope you’re right. Because if you’re not, I’m going to kick some ass.”
Addilli’s eyes widened in astonishment at the other female’s violent words. Then she chuckled. “And if I’m wrong, I am sure they will let you… er… kick their asses.” She grinned. “Ilikethat expression. Do you mind if I use it?”
Ursula gave her a conspiratorial grin. “Be my guest.”
Zul did not wince, but he wanted to. Gallik looked horrified but dared not mention in the berserker’s hearing that the Prima was a bad influence on his sweet-natured, submissive mate.
Chapter 27
Even if the capital’s populace did not particularly care that broken triads and dyads were frequently sent into danger to kill them off so the Supreme Council could reassign their mates, the native males of Uribern absolutely didnotappreciate revelations that the Council Supreme played favorites with the distribution of brides. More revelations, accompanied by recorded evidence, of the council members’ accepting bribes, enriching themselves at their people’s expense, and consolidating political and financial power among themselves made simmering resentments based on suspicion boil over into outright rebellion and heated demands for political change.
Mated males fortunate enough to have secured human brides and pained by their mates’ resentment of Uribern’s cultural restrictions imposed upon females joined the rebellion, if only to secure their mates’ affections rather than from any dedication to or support for what the human-Urib hybrids called “women’s suffrage” or “women’s liberation.” Many hybrid females from other planets, much to the surprise of their mates, also joined the protests and demanded that they be treated as citizens equal under the law, too.
The members of the Council Supreme were not amused by the societal unrest and rampant calls for abdication of theirexalted positions. They charged Bran and Gil with treason and sent a company of the council guard to arrest the golden Prime.
Bran exchanged glances with Pako and the Ulscanti Triad prime, a celebrated war hero who had traveled extensively and had joined their cause. Gathered behind them to confront the unlucky warrior dispatched to arrest them were Gil, Yiis, and a horde of other Urib breeds spanning the diverse strata of Urib society. Over the length of the season, Gil and Yiis had organized the groups to ensure each order had its duly approved representatives. They agreed that a representative form of government was more equitable than a council consisting of an elite class of males who had never gone to war or served at the pleasure of other masters.
(Mosk, like Zul, remained behind in Omari to ensure their mate’s and their son’s safety.)
“Brannal cen’Vyr, you are ordered to submit for reckoning,” the leader of the Council Supreme’s guard called out.
Bran had expected the confrontation. Open-handed and unarmed, he emerged from the modest building in which he and Gil had been staying and stood, his posture erect and proud. The harsh sunshine glinted off his golden horns and his golden scales, turning him into a brightly light statue of inspiration. He replied loudly, “I will meet with the Council Supreme, but I will not submit.”
The guards raised their weapons.
Doors from every building in the neighborhood opened and armed Urib males emerged, all leveling their weapons at the guards. More than one guard looked at the unexpected response from the citizenry and silently murmured petitions to their gods.
“Wewill no longer submit to the tyranny and corruption of the Council Supreme,” Bran proclaimed.
Standing a step behind his prime and slightly to the right, Gil leveled his sword. Sunshine gleamed off the long length of razor sharp metal. He called out, “Your aggression will be met with death.”
Pako stepped beside Bran, another horned figure of gleaming gold to strike inspiration and confidence among the rebels.He looked down his nose at the guards and said, “Tell the Council Supreme we will meet with them tomorrow at dawn at the High Temple of the Suns.”
Yiis stepped forward. “They will have the opportunity to resign with dignity.”
“The Council Supreme has no honor!” someone from the crowd shouted.
The guards looked about to determine who had spoken, but faced only a sea of obdurate animosity. The commanding officer of the guards lowered his weapon and took a step forward. He met Bran’s gaze without flinching.
“We will inform them, but you must accompany us.”
“Do you guarantee upon your honor that Brannal cen’Vyr will not be harmed?” Gil demanded.
“We will not harm him,” the commanding officer promised.
“Not good enough,” Yiis stated. “Guarantee Brannal cen’Vyr will not be harmed.”
“I cannot do that,” the officer said. “I do not command the entirety of the Guard Supreme.”
