The Barbarian's Captive (29 page)

He hadn’t said much, except to give husky orders, “Spread,” “Suck,” and “Come for me,” mostly. When he woke next, she intended to make sure he heard what she’d told him last night while he slept. That she loved him and would stay with him, forever.

One doubt still lurked in the back of her mind though. Was he staying with her, fated mates for life, because the alternative was a morbidly final proposition? No matter what it took, she vowed to earn his trust back. Maybe she was brainwashed, like Eryn had said, or perhaps the transformation itself made her feel that way. But she knew at that moment, that not only couldn’t she live without him — she didn’t want to.

Smiling to herself, she stepped out of the pool and dried off quickly, anxious to get back to Kerr should he awake. He was far from full strength and she didn’t want to risk a setback should she be away from him for too long. As she tied her flowing robe around her waist, she was startled by a knock on the door from the private lounge. She opened it, finding Janus.

“Excuse me, prima. I heard the water and didn’t want to disturb the Princep. You have visitors asking for you.”

She nodded. “Let me get dressed.”

“I think you should come now. They seem, uh, impatient.”

He stepped aside and revealed the three men waiting in the lounge. All wore the tunic of warriors, though she had never seen any of them before.

“Prima, we are here to escort you to the Council.” Two moved forward and took hold of her arms.

“But my mate—”

“We were informed by physic Jarlan that the Princep has recovered sufficiently to tolerate a two time-cycle separation. You will be returned to him before that window is up.”

She looked at Janus, his worried eyes and downturned mouth showing he felt as she did. Then they walked her forward, three warrior guards flanking her and leaving no choice except comply as they took her to face her fate —and the angry elder Council.

“Call Trask,” she said over her shoulder. They turned her down the hall, the chamberlain scrambling after them. “Janus, get Trask!”

* * *

E
scorted to a large chamber on the first floor, her feet stopped moving when she saw the twelve Council member’s seated behind a long table. At its center sat an empty chair, which she knew without being told was reserved for the Princep, conspicuous in his absence.

Valkerr and Aylan flanked Kerr’s empty chair. They stared at her sadly, their disappointment palpable.

Udo stood and pointed at a round platform with a railing. “The accused will stand and await judgment.”

It was like an old Hollywood drama — and she had top billing. One of the guards moved her forward, then retreated, falling in line with the large group of other warriors in the room. She recognized a few, Lothar, Ramekin, and Rothke, all looking decidedly uncomfortable. Her eyes scanned the men lining the perimeter of the room, searching for Trask. But he was missing too.

“Kerr would not want this,” Valkerr declared vehemently. “My grandson would want to address his mate’s behavior himself. In private.”

“He is not able, so we must act in his stead,” Udo responded. “Punishment is swift and decisive, as is our way. The prima should not be an exception to that rule.”

“This is a
rush
to judgment, Udo,” Aylan accused. “Specifically to avoid Kerr’s interference.”

“Our Princep almost died. His sickness brought about by his mate’s betrayal. As severe a betrayal as an assassination attempt would be.”

A rumble arose from the men, some in protest, others in agreement.

Eva couldn’t remain silent. “I did not know of the separation sickness. I would never have—”

“Silence, female,” Druan, Udo’s staunch supporter ordered with contempt. “You Earth females don’t know your place, and have been nothing but trouble. If found guilty, I will happily call for a vote of dispensation for the use of the whip.”

* * *

T
hick-headed and groggy, Kerr woke up. His mouth dry, he licked his lips, tasting Eva. He reached for her, finding her pillow cool and her side of the bed empty.

He sat up, weakness making his head swim. His hand came up to his brow, rubbing at the dull ache. The last few days were a fog of jumbled images; never had he been so ill.

“How do you feel?” He looked up to find Jarlan sitting in a chair near his bedside.

“Like I’ve gone ten rounds each with Trask, Rothke, and Lothar. Then dumped on a mountain top for a month without food or water.”

“That good, huh?”

Kerr chuckled, groaning as his muscles protested. “Don’t make me laugh,” he said, shooting his healer a quelling look before his eyes swept the room. “Where is my mate?”

Jarlan’s smile faded.

“What is wrong now?”

The door swung open and Trask appeared. “Udo has accused Eva of treason against the Princep and ordered her before the Council. She is there now. Without you there, they have enough votes for a dispensation.”

“
Faex
.” He rolled to the side of the bed and pushed himself up, as weak as an infant. His eyes rose to his closest, most loyal friend. “I’ll need your help, brother.”

Trask didn’t flinch as he walked quickly to the closet.

Jarlan approached with his wicked-looking medicinal gun. He pressed it to Kerr’s shoulder, injecting him.

“What is that?”

“Fortifying nutrients. You haven’t been eating — except of your mate — these past few days.”

“And I crave her still. But I can see to that after I save her from the lash. Trask, we need to go now.”

* * *

M
et with reproachful eyes and hostile stares, their anger was a tangible force. It seemed to bounce off the walls and ripple in waves across the room, so enraged were they on behalf of their beloved leader. The thought of leather striking her skin from any one of them, instead of Kerr’s caring hand, made Eva’s knees buckle.

Rothke, who stood nearest to her, stepped forward and gave her his arm for support. “Be strong, prima. Trask is on his way to Kerr. Short of that, Aylan and Valkerr will give you their support, as well as his men present today. All are loyal and will intercede, if needed.”

“But the charge is true, isn’t it?” she said, her voice trembling. “I did betray him. If you hadn’t come in time, he might be gone now. How would I live with that? I deserve to be punished.”

“Hush, Eva. Do not give them ammunition.”

“Too late, commander,” Udo said with a grim smile. “She has admitted her guilt before this Council. I call the vote.”

One by one, each elder made his decision by show of hands. In the end, the vote condemning her equaled nine to two. The nay votes were Aylan and Valkerr, with the one more in abstention — Mordrun.

“It is decided. In the square in one hour, forty lashes shall be rendered as recompense. It is not nearly enough for the crime, but it is the fullest sentence allowed by law.”

“No!” Valkerr and Aylan shouted, rising together. “That is too harsh for a female. The Princep would object.”

“The Princep
does
object!”

Eva gasped, leaning heavily on Rothke as she and everyone in the room turned to see Kerr, looking pale and drawn, and swaying slightly in the doorway. Trask stood close behind him and Lothar moved over to take his other flank, no doubt ready to catch him should he fall.

“Sentence has been rendered, Kerr,” Druan stated. “She has admitted her guilt.”

Kerr’s eyes shot to her briefly, then he addressed the Council. “I am her mate and will address her behavior myself. And no other.”

“It has already been decided.”

“
Undecide
it then. Call for a re-vote.”

“That is… unprecedented. There was a clear majority.”

“Then as is my right, I shall take her sentence as my own.”

Low and resonant, though lacking their usual strength, Kerr’s words carried across the gathering. That he was barely recovered and suggesting such a thing was insane.

“No,” she cried out in protest. “You are barely able to stand. I shall take the whipping I have earned.”

Sounds of approval rippled through the crowd.

“Come here, Eva,” Kerr’s voice rasped.

Rothke released her and she rushed to her mate.

“Kneel at my feet and be silent,” he ordered.

Immediately, she fell to her knees. As she did, she felt his hand come to rest on top of her head, concern showing in his eyes. At that moment, wanting so much to ask him what he was thinking, she found the second half of his command bitterly difficult to obey.

“I left and made you sick. I deserve this,” she murmured, a quiver audible as she spoke.

“Why did you leave?”

“I…” She closed her eyes at the pain of the memory. “I realized I love you.”

“Running away is a strange way of showing love, Eva.”

“I saw you with that woman in the square. I thought if I left…”

“What woman?”

“Zalina. I was told you loved her once.”

He snorted, the sound equal parts frustration and amusement. “If I had loved her and wanted to mate with her, I had plenty of opportunity. That I did not should tell you something.”

“I was told you tried to match, that you cared for her and were denied.”

“That is true. I was twenty at the time. A youth who didn’t know what I wanted. Thankfully, we weren’t a high match.”

“Zalina is the one who should be standing trial,” Aylan stated. “Her jealous, spiteful nature led her to betray us more so than Eva. She aligned the purists against the Earth females. Further, she arranged for the fire to be started as a diversion. She also aided with the teleportation of the females back to their ship.”

“What evidence do you have of such slanderous charges?” Udo demanded to know as he surged to his feet.

“Don’t answer that,” Druan protested, also rising from his chair. “Zalina does not stand before the Council — the prima does.”

“Since the mastermind was your niece, Druan, and your daughter, Udo,” Valkerr said. “You
both
should recuse yourselves from these proceedings. In fact, we should also look into your involvement in this conspiracy. A female having the knowledge and access to execute such a well-orchestrated plan is highly suspect, unless she had help.”

A murmur of agreement swept through the Council.

“Again, where is your proof?” a red-faced Udo shot back.

“What does any of this have to do with the Prima’s charges?” Druan asked. “A near fatal crime against the Princep takes precedence. She left him to die.”

“
Faex
.” Valkerr’s eyes flashed. “You’re like a mongrel with a bone, Druan!”

He came around the table, approaching Kerr. Once at his side, he stopped and leaned close, speaking too low for her to make it out.

* * *

“G
ood to see you back on your feet, though barely.”

“Thank you, grandfather,” Kerr said. It was an odd time to be conferring well-wishes, but he understood the impulse. “Due respect, sir, but we’re in the middle of something here.”

“There is another way, Kerr. Your prima is right. A flogging in your weakened state would be too much. You could, however… invoke the Codicil of First Consort.”

“I’m unfamiliar with this rule.”

“It is ancient, though would still apply in this case. Call for the lash, then follow my lead.” He walked away with the unmistakable confidence of his grandson’s support.

Kerr looked down at his mate, the pain of her guilt visible in her liquid green eyes. His hand lifted and he stroked the back of one finger down her damp cheek.

“You said you loved me.”

She gave him a wan smile. “You heard?”

“Did you mean it?”

“With all my heart. I love you, Kerr, and accept you wholly as my mate. I’m so sorry for what I have done.”

“Do you trust me to protect you?”

“With my life.”

“Luckily, we do not take things that far.” He scanned the crowd until he found the Council steward. “Bring the leather flail.”

Eva shivered at his order, but remained silent, her eyes fixed upon his own.

Kerr kept his gaze upon her as spoke. “As is my right, I will dispense the punishment myself. Clear the chamber.”

Udo protested immediately. “Council ordered punishment by law is in public.”

Valkerr spoke next. “Public as defined by the Codicil of First Consort, enacted by my grandfather, Maxime Princep Fallan. He too was one of our principal leaders that had a true match with a fated mate, whom he loved beyond measure and could not bear to have exposed before the masses. Public is defined as at least four witnesses. The law remains unchanged today, and is all that is required.”

Kerr eyed his grandfather with a grim smile, clever man that he was. “Like my ancestor, I also invoke the Codicil of First Consort. Trask and Lothar will remain as witnesses, as well as elders Bonum and Lyle. That will satisfy the public requirement. The rest of you will leave, now.”

“I must protest!” Druan exclaimed. “I shall stay to ensure you don’t go easy on her.”

Kerr shot the irksome man a withering glance, his patience hanging by a slender thread. “That is
not
up to you. As her mate, I choose the witnesses and mete out the discipline of my choice.”

“The people will expect to witness her chastisement, Kerr. You almost died.”

“Do you not trust the word of the general and his second? Or two from your own Council?”

Druan didn’t respond, clearly outplayed.

“You’ve heard my decision as Princep. The people will have to be satisfied with it as well.”

“I object as well!” Udo said.

“Since when do you speak for all the elders?” Kerr scanned the others who sat at the table, some frowning, others chattering their indignation. “Udo, Druan, from the moment of their arrival, you have made every effort to cast the Earth females in an unfavorable light in order to promote your purist views. These females are the only hope we have for a future. If we adhered to your narrow-minded ideals, it would be the end of us. Times have changed.” He met the gazes of each elder in turn. “We
must
change too, if we are to survive.” Refocusing on two scowling elders, he went on harshly. “If you cannot bend and accept that, I don’t know how you can continue to represent our people with wisdom and fairness. I would call for your immediate dismissal.”