Gweneth shook her head and surreptitiously pressed a hand against her stomach to still her renewed anxiety.“It will if we split into teams and visit each of the neighbors as soon as possible.”
“I can’t travel at present,” the secretary protested.“My mate is ill.”
She ignored the interruption.“Ry, theIndycrew could pitch in and help.I’d welcome a chance to visit a neighboring planet.”
“I approve of the idea.This is what we’ll do.”Lynx rattled off assignments for the councilors.“Report back on the morrow.We’ll have a meeting each morn.Shiloh and I will consider which of our neighbors to approach and will announce further division of labor at our next meeting.I want you to all think about the local businesses and services that would want to avail themselves of the opportunity.Make a memo.”
Everyone started to file from the meeting room, but Gweneth remained seated.Ellard strode out with Jarlath and she took the opportunity to ogle his backside.The male might not possess the pretty face of his brother or friends, but his body rated top marks.Not even his cybertronic arm disturbed her.She sighed as he disappeared.Such pretty and kind green eyes when he forgot to scowl.What she wouldn’t give to see him smile at her.
“Gweneth?”
She started to find herself alone in the council room with Lynx and Shiloh.
“Was there something else?”Lynx asked.
“Yes,” she blurted.“I want to be partnered with Ellard.I want to visit a neighboring planet with Ellard so I can get to know him better.”Seduce him, actually, but she wouldn’t confess that snippet to the king of Viros.
“I see.”Lynx shared a speaking glance with Shiloh.
Shiloh—big like Ellard, but much prettier—fixed her with his gaze.“My brother is much older than you.”
“Yes.”She nodded in agreement.Her feline remained unconcerned about the age difference.Instead, she’d come alive the sec she’d glimpsed Ellard Tetsu, when she’d thought she’d remain in a humanoid form for the rest of her life.It hadn’t mattered.Ry had told her so.Camryn and Mogens had backed up Ry’s statement.She was important, no matter what form her body took, despite how little her father thought of her.
“You realize Ellard doesn’t want a mate,” Lynx said.
“Yes.”
“Yet you want to visit another planet with him, even though he’ll behave like a grouchy bear-sloth,” Shiloh added.
She nodded.“I have no idea what a bear-sloth is, but yes, I still want to spend time with him.”She hesitated and after a lengthy pause, went with her gut instinct.These were steady felines, honest and kind males, otherwise Jannike wouldn’t have mated with them.“I think he is my mate, and I want him to stop his mental struggles and get used to the idea.”
Shiloh scowled.“What makes you think he’s your mate?”
“My feline came to life within me.She wriggles and writhes until I think my skin might burst.I’ve never shifted before, but the instant I saw him, I felt this.I can’t shift since I’m half feline, but I want Ellard.”
Lynx and Shiloh shared a glance.Probably speaking to each other via their minds.Jannike possessed the ability now, and she knew Ry and Camryn spoke via telepathy at times.As she watched them, Shiloh grinned and nodded then they focused on her.
“All right.We’ll team you with Ellard,” Lynx agreed.
“But take heed, Gweneth, you had better not toy with him.Be very sure because he has suffered enough in the past.I’d hate to see my brother hurt again,” Shiloh warned, his eyes edging toward kitty-cat in the same way Ry’s did when his emotions ran high.
“I won’t.I promise.I’ve heard the gossip, and I would never hurt him.In my eyes, he is a hero.”
Shiloh softened.“He is at that.You realize my brother is stubborn.He won’t take your maneuvering well.”
A snort burst from her, and she clapped her hand over her mouth in consternation.“I’m sorry.”
“What were you thinking?”Lynx asked.
“That Ellard seems slow on the uptake.Flirting and feminine behavior isn’t working.”
“So you’re taking things to the next level.”Lynx’s grin widened to toothy.
“That’s my plan,” she said primly.
“I think he is a lucky man.”Shiloh laughed at Lynx’s tetchy growl after his compliment.“We’ll try to point my stubborn brother in the right direction.The rest is up to you.”
Later that eve in the king’s private apartments.
