She rose. “These eight weeks have been very…educational.”
“We were happy to introduce you to the Five Systems. You set a high bar for any other female gladiators we might acquire in the future.” Kyden rose and came around the desk to walk her to the door. “And Samyra, feel free to contact me directly at any time, for any reason. I consider you a part of the House of Badari and my job as Alpha is to watch over those who fall under my authority, even for such a short time.”
“I’ll remember that but we’ll be fine.” She gave him a cursory nod and walked into the corridor.
Kyden watched her stride away with her easy gladiator’s movements. He had the sense her future wasn’t going to be as straightforward as she was confidently assuming but he’d done all he could. His whole purpose in life was to make his brothers free men to chart their own courses in life but in Jamirr’s case, he’d rejected the offered freedom in favor of remaining with the woman who’d just left Kyden’s office. It wasn’t the decision Kyden wanted but he had to respect his brother’s wishes and be ready to respond if ever the couple requested his help.
He would of course keep tabs on Samyra and Jamirr to some extent. He had useful contacts through his father-in-law and Prince Pargen to draw upon for intel as needed. Jamirr might not be in the pack and Kyden might not be his chosen Alpha but Kyden would watch over them as best he could from a distance.
* * *
Later that night…
Kyden woke from a dream and realized he’d been summoned by the Great Mother. Rising, he glanced at his beautiful wife, sleeping soundly and drew the covers up over her bare shoulder. He got dressed with practiced efficiency and left their apartment in the ancient house, moving through the deserted corridors at a rapid pace. He exchanged salutes with the guards he passed and emerged into the dark gardens.
The darkness of night was no challenge for his Badari eyesight and he made his way through the public space into the private area where only Badari and claimed mates were allowed to go. When he entered the circle of trees which marked the Mother’s sanctuary, he found a lone brother standing there, in the exact center, illuminated by the moonlight. He wasn’t surprised to find it was Jamirr.
The gladiator turned to him slowly, amber eyes gleaming. “I want this,” he said, gesturing at the peaceful glade around them. “I want to be close to the Great Mother again, surrounded by my brothers, to feel the pack bond in my heart.” He pounded his fist against his chest. “To swear my allegiance to you as my Alpha. I can hardly give voice to my craving, make no mistake. But Samyra will never stay here and she owns me.”
“Brother, I have a dozen different ways at my command to legally sever her ownership of you, right now. I’ve offered to compensate her?—”
Jamirr held up one hand. “If it was only a question of my physical body and outdated human laws, then yes, of course I’d want to be free. But she owns my heart and my soul and I cannot leave her. She needs me.”
“She’s your mate,” Kyden told him with a touch of sorrow. “Unclaimed. Of course you feel the pull.”
Shaking his head, Jamirr said, “She’ll never let me claim her. She’s as wild as the animals she rescues and protects. I know she loves me—there’s no doubt in my heart—but she’ll never accept any man’s claim. She’s fought too hard and too long to get where she is, to be the person she is, to accept the partnership of a mate bond.”
Kyden put his arm around Jamirr’s slumping shoulders. “We here will always be your brothers. If you need us, just call. If anything changes in your situation or hers, my door is open to any Badari and the Great Mother’s circle here and her heart are the same, I promise. You don’t walk alone.”
Straightening his spine, Jamirr nodded. Voice choked, he said, “The assurance means more to me than you can imagine.”
Kyden debated for a moment as Jamirr stepped away a few paces to gather himself. “She’s…not well, you know. I couldn’t offer her a spot as one of my gladiators knowing she has a serious, progressive condition.”
“She hides it well,” Jamirr agreed. “I can sense it and so can her animals. Darryl sees it but only because he’s known her for so long. It’s another reason I must stay with her.”
“If she ever agrees to the mate bond, then you can give her a transfusion of your blood and she’d acquire Badari immunities,” Kyden said, although this was one of the pack’s deepest secrets and Jamirr stood outside the pack for all he was a Badari.
“Why can’t I do this now then?”
He hated to crush the other’s hopes but Kyden was blunt. “The Great Mother forbids it. Only a claimed mate of a pack member can have the transfusion and have the magic work. She is adamant we mustn’t let outsiders know of the blessing we carry or it will become our greatest curse. Imagine what the humans would do if they knew our blood was the secret to the virtual immortality they are always seeking. The goddess controls the magic of our blood and giving Samyra a transfusion today would avail you nothing.”
“Harsh.”
Kyden laughed with little amusement. “When have our lives ever been easy, brother? We were created to live in misery, to fight and die. I’ve been blessed to be able to carve out this haven here in the Five Systems for myself, for Rennyr and Talinn and Dmitri and any other Badari I may ever find. Yes, we have to fight, but on our terms now. And we can have mates, even families someday. The Great Mother may be stern but she also gives us hope and a chance at happiness.”
There was silence, broken only by the chirping of the night insects.
“I’d better go.”
Kyden extended his hand. “I’m glad you were here with us, even if only briefly. Remember my offer of help at any time, no questions asked.”
Jamirr shook his hand. “I will. You—you’re my Alpha in my heart, if not in truth and I count myself fortunate to have met you and the others.”
“May the Great Mother bless you and Samyra.” Kyden stood and watched Jamirr walk away, leaving the grove. He thought the moonlight dimmed a bit and knew the Great Mother was disappointed as well. “He’ll come back to us,” he whispered, hoping she would hear and be comforted. “This isn’t the end of the journey.”
Chapter Ten
She’d been home on Porter Three for a week and since it was the offseason there as well, Samyra eased up on her personal training regimen and relaxed for a day or two. She spent a lot of time with her animals, which coincidentally put her in Jamirr’s company as well, although they didn’t talk much. His mere presence was calming enough.
