Rafe’s voice cuts in. “Lorian.”
But I ignore him. “If you want vengeance, Jin Kol, take it out on Kamos or Gael. Don’t take it out on a frightened young human woman who doesn’t even understand the game you’re playing.”
“There, you are wrong. Eve always understood the game. You and your brother did not. You underestimated her, and you underestimated me. Had either of you been more intelligent, none of us would be in this situation now. You have no one to blame but yourselves.”
“She was coerced by Terra Ka, and they played on her ignorance and her empathy to get her to do what they wanted. She could have run like Yasmin, but she didn’t. She stayed because she’s loyal, and now she’s being punished for it.”
“And who set her up with Terra Ka? You both are fools. But the Court is just and when she serves out her sentence, she will be free,” Jin Kol says. “Until she commits another crime, that is. But after seven years in captivity, I doubt she will even understand what freedom means anymore,” he says so smugly, I clench my fist and want to punch him, but Rafe puts a hand on my wrist. Jin Kol misses none of it. “Twins. You’re the only ones I’ve ever met, but you do live up to your reputation. Perhaps it’s only right that you both have given your hearts to a human. What decent woman would have you, separated souls as you are?”
67
THE CONJUGAL VISIT, EVE
It’s beentwelve months since the trial. Twelve months since Tribune Jin Kol stood in that courtroom with satisfaction he didn't bother to hide and watched me choose slavery over hard labor. And today, he’s coming for my first annual review with Rafe and Lorian.
And to my shame, I’m both excited and scared about what’s to come. To see them again will be like Orpheus visiting Eurydice in the Underworld, but Jin Kol, like Hades, will make sure nothing is pleasurable today. I will be used and abused by the men I love the most in the galaxy.
The transport's arrival breaks our usual morning routine. And now we are in the grand entrance to the Obsidian Palace, waiting. Autumn and I are kneeling like ornamental statues. Waiting to move and come to life when our masters say we can.
"Try not to embarrass me," Gai says, adjusting his formal robes. "Tribune Jin Kol has very specific ideas about proper protocol, and the last thing I need is him filing a negative report about any of us."
I keep my eyes down and my hands clasped behind my neck.
Minutes pass and nothing happens. We wait. It feels like an eternity until finally the doors open and our visitors walk in through the main entryway.
"Tribune Jin Kol of the Intergalactic Court," the house system announces with artificial ceremony. I know this is on purpose, Gai has his staff announce important people he really cares about. “Accompanied by Sovereign Directors Rafe and Shadow Sovereign Lorian of the Ascendant Alliance. Welcome."
When I see them, my heart stops, then races. Then, stops again. I haven't seen Rafe and Lorian since they sent me here, when I had to be dragged away, and I have to fight every instinct in my body to keep from running to them and throwing myself into their arms, despite the fact that they are the ones who sent me here. But I know they did it because they didn’t think they could protect me.
"Welcome," Gai says to our visitors. " I trust the journey was uneventful?"
"Adequate," Jin Kol says. "I assume the prisoner is prepared for inspection?"
"Of course. Eve, present yourself to the IGC representative."
I rise and will my legs not to shake. I keep my gaze fixed on my reflection in the black stone floor polished to perfection. Gai went over the rules of these visits with me:no eye contact unless ordered, no speaking unless questioned, no resistance to any command, and most importantly, no spark of humanity unless specifically requested.
"The prisoner appears healthy," Jin Kol observes. "Weight maintained at optimal parameters. Muscle tone is acceptable. No visible marking from daily use. Commander Gai, you've done well with basic maintenance of your sons’ prisoner."
"I only have followed the Ascendant Alliance's care instructions; diet, exercise, grooming—all to specification,” he says, and I’m almost sure that’s a lie. I doubt Rafe and Lorian gave him any instructions except not to fuck me.
"Excellent,” Jin Kol says. “Though I note in the behavioral logs several concerning incidents."
He's enjoying this. The pause. The way Rafe and Lorian tense behind him. The way I hold my breath and try not to tremble.
"Minor adjustment issues," Gai says smoothly. "Nothing outside normal parameters for humans almost directly from Earth.”
"Hmm." Jin Kol makes a note on his tablet, the stylus clicking against the screen. "Eve, look at me."
I raise my eyes slowly, past his pristine IGC uniform to his face.
He's smiling. The thin, satisfied smile of a man who loves his work. He gave me that same smile at the Grand Championships.
I do my best to keep my face blank. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing all of this hurts like someone is skinning me alive.
"Now look at your owners."
I turn my gaze to Rafe and Lorian, and then everything inside me cracks. Tears begin to run down my cheeks, but I can’t do anything to stop them. I feel their warm splashes hit my breasts on their way down my body. My lovers are thinner than before. Both of them. And shadows like bruises are under both sets of silver eyes. Rafe's usual perfect control seems held together by will alone, and Lorian looks ready to tear Jin Kol apart with his bare hands. And I immediately feel stupid for ever thinking that my love for them was unrequited.
