Freedom's Fall (14 page)

The console chimed and Edrick’s image appeared, soldier-straight
and authority oozing from every finely tuned muscle. Willersby’s appearance was
opposite in almost every way. He was shorter than average, his hair had started
to thin and his paunchy stomach was testament to his love of good food and his
aversion to exercise. But it didn’t matter to him that he wasn’t physically
strong, because the characteristics Willersby valued were all of the mind. And
because of that, he had accrued as much power as Edrick, or any other member of
their little cabal.

He acknowledged the holo image. “Sergeant.”

“Councilor.”

“You have news?”

Edrick didn’t bother asking if the line was secure, because
the answer would only ever be yes. His image flickered slightly. “The
stormwatchers’ forecast is holding true. Tomorrow and the day after should be
storm-free days.”

Willersby nodded. The Brightstar army could do a great deal
of damage in a day if they could use their technology with impunity. “What’s
the plan?”

“I’ll stay with the main battle group and keep the Enforcers
busy while my elite guard takes a transport to Addestet House. If you can make
sure the women are in one place, we can teleport them all out at once.”

That was easily managed, particularly when the earnest
Tollanare Ghananstall had done most of the work already. “Part of the
contingency in case of attack is to gather the women in the dining room so they
are easier to defend. I’ll send you a schematic and mark the appropriate areas.”

“And our playmates?”

Anger burned acrid and hot at the thought of Jaxmyre
Randovar and his interfering cohorts. “The Enforcers are keeping the women
close, but we have plans in place to recoup our losses. Your slave, it seems,
is less enamored of the dragon riders. She returned to Addestet House some
weeks ago.”

Edrick raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps she misses my gentle
attentions.”

Willersby grunted but couldn’t hide the smile that tilted
his lips. “Gentle attentions? Is that what you’re calling your whip these days?”

“Among other things.” Edrick gave a negligent shrug. “Do you
need any help recovering your runaway?”

“No. I have everything in place. I was just waiting on the
go order.”

“All right. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

Edrick’s holo wavered and then the image disappeared,
leaving Willersby alone in the dim, electronic hum. One more day, two at the
most, and he would have his whore right back where she belonged. Just thinking
about it made him hard. When he started imagining all the ways he would make
her pay for her rebellion, he was forced to take himself in hand to relieve the
ache. He promised himself this was the last time he’d perform that particular
act—because the next time he came it would be down his whore’s throat.

Tansy’s men hadn’t quite finished “helping” her undress when
her friends arrived. Chelsea led the charge, ejecting Dev and Rye from the
bedroom and organizing the other women. Tansy was stripped, given time to have
the fastest wash known to womanhood, and was back in the bedroom before her
skin was dry.

Dressed in nothing but a robe, she allowed Kate to torture
her hair into an elegant upsweep that made Tansy’s neck look long and swanlike.
Sorcha did her makeup with a range of pots, salves, jars and brushes that she’d
sourced through the seemingly endless reach of her dragon, Tengale. Chelsea
provided the flowers, courtesy of Benmonth and Annlyss. Sarah lent a hand when
required, but for the most part she stayed out of the way and tried to hide the
fact that she was worried about Mac.

“Don’t worry,” Tansy said for the third time. “She’ll be
here.”

Sarah didn’t look convinced. “Of course she will. She wouldn’t
miss it.”

Except that Tansy thought she might. Mac had said goodbye to
them all, but the only excuse she’d offered before moving back to Addestet
House was that being in the den wasn’t helping her recovery. She hadn’t
confided in any of the women, not even Sarah, with whom she’d been particularly
close.

“Well, she’ll either be here or she won’t,” said the
ever-practical Sorcha. “But either way it’s time to get this show on the road.”

Tansy had to agree. She was looking forward to this ceremony
with an intensity that surprised her. She’d come to think of herself as
belonging to Dev and Rye, and they to her, so a piece of paper shouldn’t have
made any difference one way or the other. But it did. The formality of it, the
legal and public declaration of their commitment to her, made her feel special
and treasured in a way that went beyond what they already shared.

Fifteen minutes later, Tansy was trussed up and ready to go.
Her cream silk gown had an overlay of black lace, and the same wild flowers
that made up her bouquet had been tucked into her hair. Her gown might not have
been traditional, but Tansy couldn’t imagine feeling anymore bride-like.

Her friends preceded her out of the bedroom, and in those
few quiet moments Tansy thought about her family and how much they would have
loved being at the ceremony, how happy they would be for her. She was about to
embark on a new and significant chapter in her life, and the people whom she
most wanted to share it with didn’t even know she was still alive.

Taking a steadying breath, Tansy did her best to let it go.
There was nothing she could do about her family—she had no way to contact them
or get herself home—so all that remained was to move forward. And right now her
future was waiting for her in the living room of her new home. Focusing on the
here and now, Tansy picked up her bouquet and started walking.

The living room was bursting at the seams. Every available
surface was decorated with flowers, and with twelve Enforcers, five women—including
the recently arrived Mac—and one slightly nervous proctor all vying for space,
it felt like the living room had shrunk to half its size. All eyes turned in
her direction, and for a moment she faltered, halting at the door in a bout of
uncharacteristic uncertainty.

Jax stepped forward and came to stand beside her, his
shining white hair falling free to his shoulders. Prying one of her hands loose
from her bouquet, he tucked it neatly against his bent elbow and guided her
forward. “Come on, sweetheart,” he said, “there’s no backing out now.”

His usually intimidating presence was actually kind of
comforting when he put his mind to it, and Tansy felt the tension ease out of
her. She looked up at him out of the corner of her eye. “There was never a
question of me backing out.”

Jax grinned down at her. “I’ve heard that about you. ‘Fiercely
loyal’ is how Sorcha describes you.”

Tansy grinned back. That was the most flattering thing
Sorcha could have said about her.

And then she was there, standing between her almost-husbands
as Jax slid away and returned to his position with Kaelum and Sorcha. Dev and
Rye had changed into their formal uniforms of dark-gray frock-coats trimmed in
sapphire blue and had smoothed their hair back into neat ponytails. She snagged
a hand each and the three of them turned to face the man who would officiate
their wedding.

The proctor cleared his throat and spoke in a voice full of
confidence and authority. “The document I have here is a long-term mating
contract. By signing this document, the three of you will bind yourselves
together legally and morally for the rest of your lives. The contract outlines
your rights, responsibilities and obligations as mates under the rules and
regulations of Gemarran law.” He looked Tansy in the eye. “The Enforcers are
well-versed in our laws and customs, but if you have any questions, my lady,
you should ask them now.”

“I have no questions. Thank you for asking.” Tansy trusted
her men with everything in her and she didn’t believe they’d ask her to sign a
document that wasn’t in her best interests.

The proctor nodded and returned his attention to the three
of them as a unit. “Den Captain Devonelle Sharmanchere, Enforcer Ryderich
Myrinmahr, Lady Tansy Coleman, do you all three stand here of your own free
will and volition?”

“We do.”

“Then come forward and sign the contracts.”

The proctor supervised them one at a time, first Dev, then
her, then Rye. The documents were witnessed and just like that it was done. As
soon as the paperwork was lodged she’d be a married woman under Gemarran law.

As they stepped away from the table, Chelsea began to chant,
“Kiss the bride, kiss the bride,” and after a couple of repeats all the others
joined in.

Laughing, Tansy turned to her men. “It’s an Earth custom.
Once the documentation is signed and a couple is officially husband and wife,
they share their first kiss as a married pair in front of their friends and
family.”

Dev nodded sagely. “An excellent custom.” He gestured to
Rye. “After you, my brother.”

Rye needed no other encouragement. Wrapping one arm around
her waist, he drew her up hard and tight against his body. Tansy was about
explain to him that this kiss was the semi-chaste kind usually bestowed in a
church but she didn’t get the chance. Rye cupped the back of her head, pressed
his open mouth against hers and thrust his tongue inside with a greedy urgency
that set her blood on fire.

Her breasts swelled despite the pressure of being crushed to
his chest, and she couldn’t help flexing her hips to rub up against his
hardening cock. Squeezing her tighter, Rye devoured her mouth, his tongue
stroking against hers in mindless devastation. He leaned over her, bending her
backward until she could do nothing but clutch his shoulders and submit.

She was dizzy and gasping for air by the time he finally set
her on her feet. Licking his full, shiny lips, he gave her an evil smile. “Dev’s
turn.” And with that he spun her around and she was once again lifted off her
feet by a pair of strong arms.

Dev’s kiss was less exuberant but no less intense. As he
kissed her, he bent his knees, braced an arm under her ass, and lifted her
against his upper body. His lips danced across hers, nipping and sucking as he
grasped her behind the knee and pulled her leg to rest high on his hip. Tansy
did the rest for him, wrapping her legs around his waist and locking her ankles
at the small of his back. Obviously satisfied with her position, Dev deepened
the kiss, stroking tongue against tongue, sealing his lips to hers with a
heated passion that fired every nerve ending she had.

When he finally released her it was to an enthusiastic round
of applause, and as Tansy’s feet lowered to the floor she felt the flush of
embarrassment burn hot and prickly on her skin.

Dev stroked his fingers over her warm cheek. “Was that a
good first kiss?”

She smiled at him with all the joy she had inside her. “It
was perfect. Both kisses were perfect.” And not anything like a normal wedding
kiss. Thank god for that.

Rye came up behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Behr
is handing off the proctor to his escort back to town. And that means we can
give you our wedding gift now.”

Tansy hoped it was a ring. Chelsea and Sorcha both sported
black diamond wedding rings, though calling them diamonds was a misnomer. The
gems were made from dragon scales. According to Sorcha, the scales had to be
freely given, and they were transformed into a precious gem by exposing them to
prolonged dragon fire. The one Chelsea wore had been created by Benmonth and Annlyss.
Sorcha’s diamond owed its existence to Tengale and Jaysada. If Tansy’s private
hopes came true, she would receive her precious gift at the behest of
Fellescend and Zenbaylan.

Truthfully though, at that point she would have settled for
any kind of ring at all. She wouldn’t care if it was a plain silver band, as
long as it came from her men.

Dev reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red silk
bag, and Tansy knew her thoughts about not caring were a lie. She wanted a
black diamond so badly her mouth had gone dry. Not because they were rare and
priceless—apparently you couldn’t even buy them on the black market—but because
her dragons wanted to give something of themselves to her.

Loosening the opening, Dev tipped the contents of the bag
into his hand. Then he closed his fist so she couldn’t see. He held his other
hand out, palm up, silently inviting Tansy to place her hand in his. Nervously,
she slipped her fingers over his palm.

With a slow smile he placed the ring on her finger. Tansy
sucked in a noisy breath as the cool, gray metal came to rest against her skin.
Then Dev moved his hand and she got her first unimpeded view of the ring they
had chosen for her.

There were three black diamonds. An oval in the center
flanked by two smaller, rectangular stones. The diamonds were held together by
the finest, most delicate filigree she had ever seen. The symbolism of the
stones was so beautiful it made her eyes sting and her chest squeeze tight. The
fact that Fellescend and Zenbaylan had made the stones for her caused her eyes
to well up, and she couldn’t stop the tears overflowing.

Rye stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Leaning down, he placed his chin on her shoulder so he could admire the ring. “We’ll
always keep you safe between us, honey. You’re the center of our world.”

Too choked for words, Tansy reached for Dev and pulled Rye
in tight behind her. Aligning their bodies with hers, they pressed tight enough
that she struggled to breathe, and that lack of air was glorious.

The wedding reception turned out to be one of the best
nights of her life. Unfortunately Mac left early, taking Behr and Finn with her
when they volunteered to fly her down to Sapphire. But that was the only dim
spot in Tansy’s night of stars. Her friends were genuinely thrilled for her,
the Enforcers seemed ready and willing to take her in as one of their own, and
her mates rarely strayed from her side. She might not have her blood family
with her, but she was beginning to realize that she had a family of a different
sort. Not the same, but not any less valued or appreciated.

And like regular family members, they weren’t worried about
over-staying their welcome. They ate, talked, drank, laughed, hugged and
stayed. For ages. It was late when Dev finally cracked under the pressure and
booted them all out, and by then Tansy was dead on her feet.

Stumbling to the bedroom, she stood like a mannequin and let
her men strip her out of her finery.

“You know,” she said, half smothering a yawn, “lots of
brides and grooms don’t have sex on their wedding night.” She yawned again. “Too
tired.”

Rye tossed her corset aside, stepping in close to press his
nakedness against her back. “Good thing you’re mated to us, then.”

He reached up to pinch her nipples and she hummed low in her
throat. “Mmm. I suppose my desperate need for sleep isn’t going to sway you.”

Yanking off her chemise, he cupped her now-naked breasts and
offered them to Dev’s hot mouth. Dev licked and sucked at her, his fingers
pushing between her legs to circle her clit. “I think our desperation to fuck
you outweighs your desperation for sleep.”

She flexed into his hand and threaded her fingers into the
thick silky length of his hair, holding him tight to her breasts. “Well, I
wouldn’t want you to think I was being selfish.”

“Open your legs, honey. Show me how unselfish you are.”

Tansy closed her eyes in bliss as Dev eased in a thick,
delicious finger. Her head dropped back onto Rye’s shoulder as Dev spread her
wider…and for a split second everything went black.

She lost feeling in her body, she couldn’t sense her men,
and then the images of those disgusting photos played against the backs of her
eyelids. Filthy, degrading, repulsive images that made her want to puke.

Pushing away to give herself distance, she scrambled
sideways, landing up against the wall as she heaved in air that couldn’t fill
her lungs. Sweat beaded her brow and slithered down her spine, and her knees
weren’t quite up to taking her weight. Placing one hand on the wall to steady
herself, she took a few moments to gather the courage to turn and face her men.
They were just where she’d left them. Beautiful, naked and utterly at a loss.

“Tansy?” Dev took a half step forward, but she halted him
with a wave of her hand.

“Give me a minute.”

So they did. They stayed where they were even though she
knew every instinct they owned would be driving them to fix things, to comfort
her, to hold her and stroke her until her fear went away. She knew how hard it
must be for them to give her what she needed, and it only made her love them
more.

She hated the uncertainty in their eyes and it drove her
insane that they couldn’t be free and easy with her. They were taking her as
she was, freak-outs and all, yet they weren’t getting the same from her.