Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A shlyn

“While you were away, we had all necessary medical equipment brought in and set up to avoid any further delays, should you wish to continue. Has a decision been made?” asked Councilor Vorax.

The Councilor’s observation was completely unnecessary. Ashlyn couldn’t miss the temporary exam table set up in the middle of the arena, complete with no fewer than eight masked and gloved technicians, multiple bright spotlights, and trays lines with tools for procedures she didn’t dare imagine. Hovering at regular intervals all around the arena were additional holovid screens. Like they didn’t have enough already.

She shivered. Had they really expected to examine her in front of the entire crowd and stream it live and up close like some sort of entertainment show? She was suddenly glad Zade was going to handle answering Councilor Vorax. If she were to start talking, she might say something really rude and cause an Intergalactic incident.

Zade held her hand gently, his presence oddly soothing. He nodded. “Yes. We are ready to proceed.”

Her gasp was lost in the sea of whispers and murmurs that rose up all around the arena. Zade turned toward her, cradled her head in his hands and whispered in her ear, “You previously agreed to the medical exam, and my seed is already active and deep inside you. There is no reason to stop now.”

Molten gold clashed with cornflower blue as Ashlyn trembled with rising fury. No. No, he wouldn’t do that to her. Wouldn’t make that kind of decision without consulting her. He had to be lying. They’d just talked about forfeiting and then they’d…they’d… oh god. He wouldn’t do that to her. He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t. She refused to believe what her heart was telling her. “When?” she ground out through clenched teeth.

“The ‘when’ matters not. We cannot change what is past. We must focus on the future. You do not yet believe this, but you are mine. I will do whatever it takes to keep us together,” he vowed.

Angry tears blurred her vision, but she refused to let them fall. “This was not the way to do it. When did it happen? Before or after I said we had to forfeit?”

Lips thinned, he met her angry glare unflinchingly. “You know when.”

Before she could say another word, Councilor Vorax loudly cleared his throat. “There seems to be some disagreement with your betrothed’s answer. Councilor Faro, what is your decision?”

Ashlyn stepped back from Zade, forcing him to lower his arms or look like a drunken fool standing there. She glanced over at the waiting technicians, then scanned the crowd, looking for her sister.

There, on the bottom row near the exit, sat Rachel and Cam. Even from that distance Ashlyn could see the plea in her sister’s eyes. Her hands came together as if in prayer, and Cam wrapped one arm protectively around her shoulders. He said something that made Rachel nod, then they both stood up. She gave Ashlyn one more long, pleading look, then they turned and left.

What. The. Fuck? Her sister was leaving her there? Yes, dumbass , she lectured herself. She knows you wouldn’t want her to watch, which is her way of asking you to go through with it. For their stupid plan. For all the people who would suffer if C’Nar won. Damn it.

“Councilor Faro, for the last time, what is your decision?”

She couldn’t do it, couldn’t condemn so many people to suffer under C’Nar’s rule. She’d been so na?ve going into this. So fucking stupid. This was exactly why she had no business taking a Council seat. These machinations were so far out of her league, she wasn’t even playing the same game.

Refusing to look in Zade’s direction, she answered in a flat tone, “I am ready to proceed with the medical exam.” It wasn’t going to kill her.

“Very well, then. The doctors and technicians are waiting. Once the testing begins, it must be completed. Do you understand?”

Again, in a monotone, she replied. “Yes. I understand.”

Zade tried to lead her forward, but she shrugged off his hand and made her way to the designated area on her own, refusing to acknowledge his presence in any way. The pain in her heart was too deep. If she looked at him, she would break.

Guided by the technicians, she removed her shoes and climbed to sit on the exam table. A blush of heat crawled up her cheeks, an unbidden response to the sterile touch of alien hands cutting and stripping away her clothing with clinical detachment.

The air was thick with the scent of sterile cleanliness and the murmur of the gathered crowd, their eyes hungry and fixated on her exposed form as her clothing fell away like petals from a flower. The technicians instructed her to lay back and she did so, bare before them, a spectacle for their unblinking gazes. Cold metallic stirrups bit into the fleshy part of her thighs, her legs splayed open in what could only be described as a vulgar display.

She shivered, the vulnerability of her situation sending a thrill of fear mixed with unwanted arousal deep within her core. She’d always been a bit of an exhibitionist, although this was far beyond her experience and comfort zone. Her nipples pebbled involuntarily under their alien scrutiny and her heart raced frantically as they placed her wrists in restraints at her sides. Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up. Breathe. Breathe. Everything’s going to be okay.

An orange skinned humanoid with brown hair and eyes approached the exam table. He was handsome, large, almost as big as a Caldorian, and walked with a confident gait. Unlike the technicians, who all wore the same plain blue uniform, this man was dressed in black, with two red stripes embroidered across each shoulder.

He leaned down and made a point of messing with her wrist restraints, checking and rechecking the locking mechanism. She was about to turn away when he spoke in a very low, hushed tone. So low, she had to strain to hear his strangely accented words. “My lady, I am Doctor Kubro. I’ve been put in charge of your testing. I am from Cappra. Please clear your throat if you can hear and understand my words.”

Ashlyn blinked a few times, momentarily confused. She looked around. Plenty of spectators were watching, but none of the technicians were paying any attention to her at the moment. Against her better judgment, she cleared her throat.

Without any indication that he heard her, he walked around to the other side of the table and repeated the process of checking her wrist restraint. This time, she understood what he was doing. He needed to have a reason to be there, so he was checking restraints that he already knew were secure. Her heart skipped a beat. What was happening? What did the doctor want?

“My lady, please trust in me that I am on your side. R’Gan Ubrion, father of C’Bor Ubrion, was responsible for the death of my wife and children. I never thought to see the day the Ubrions were ousted from power.”

He met Ashlyn’s gaze, his dark eyes full of pain as he made a show of checking the pulse at her neck, sweeping a pen light back and forth in front of her eyes, and looking inside her mouth, his own lips barely moving as he continued, “I hand selected this team. We have all lost loved ones to Ubrion greed and tyranny. We had spies inside the Ubrion domicile when the other woman married C’Bor. We do not care that you are not the same woman. We are determined to make your ascension to the Cappran seat permanent.

While you were in the other room with your Caldorian, the Ubrions requested C’Nar be allowed to participate in the exam and watch the breeding. I have no doubt this is intended to humiliate and intimidate you, but the Council has agreed. The Ubrions rightly suspect you are not who you say you are and want to force you into forfeiting. Do not give them what they want. Please, trust in us to see you through this. The people of Cappra will be forever grateful and loyal to you and your Caldorian prince.”

Ashlyn’s heart raced as the doctor’s words sank in. The medical team knew she didn’t belong there, and they didn’t care. How many others knew the truth? How many felt the same as the doctor? She took several deep, calming breaths as one of the more humanoid technicians with large gray eyes and skin a very pale green approached the head of the table with a leathery strap in one hand. It appeared harmless enough, with a small ball in the center.

“Greetings, Councilor Faro. I am Izura. I will be monitoring your responses today.”

“Okay,” Ashlyn said, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat, amazed she could speak coherently, considering the doctor had literally just dropped a truth bomb in her lap. Watch the breeding? Surely, he didn’t mean what she thought he did.

Without another word, the doctor left Ashlyn’s side and strode casually away like he hadn’t just turned her world upside down. They all knew the truth and were counting on her to save them. Fear unlike any she’d ever known skittered down her spine. She couldn’t do it. Couldn’t be responsible for so many lives. “This is a mistake.”

“Pardon?”

Ashlyn gave herself a mental shake. She could at least try, couldn’t she? Pasting on a fake smile for anyone watching, she took another deep breath then let the air out slowly. “I’m sorry. I was talking to myself. I meant to say, ‘is my right arm okay’?”

Izura tilted her head quizzically. “Your arm appears to be healthy, yes.”

Ashlyn blushed. “No. Sorry again. I was asking if you wanted to put the strap on my right arm, or the left?”

“Ah,” chuckled Izura. “I’m afraid my translator hasn’t learned your Earth slang yet. I apologize for the error. This is a sound adapter. It goes in your mouth, not around your arm. There are thousands of species represented here today. This procedure can be intense, and some spectators have very sensitive hearing, while others have no sound receptors at all and need sound frequencies translated into a medium they can understand. I’m sure you’ve noticed all the adornments they wear. Most of it is not only aesthetically pleasing, but functional as well. Today we have provided earpieces for those who did not come prepared. The Councilors are able to adjust the settings on their side to amplify, dampen, or translate any sounds you make, depending on their needs and preferences.”

She gulped down her terror. “Any sound?”

Izura leaned closer and said quietly, “I’ve never seen a gathering quite this large. There are more than a few who came to witness the downfall of one of the oldest families in the Intergalactic community. You and the Caldorian are making history today.”

“I see.” Ashlyn’s pulse kicked up another notch. Her chest hurt. She was young. Healthy. She wasn’t having a heart attack, was she?

“I’m glad you understand. Now, please open your mouth so that I can properly fit the adapter.”

Reluctantly, Ashlyn opened her mouth. Izura placed the small round ball in the center, much like a glass marble, on top of Ashlyn’s tongue, then connected the two narrow straps behind her head, securing the ball in place.

“Are the straps too tight? Are you experiencing any discomfort?”

“No, they’re fine,” she slurred.

“Good.” Izura reached into her pocket and withdrew a small electronic device. She tapped a few buttons and the device beeped. “This next part might be slightly more unnerving. Try to stay calm. Breathe through your nose and you’ll be fine.”

Ashlyn’s eyebrows shot up, but before she could ask any questions, the ball inside her mouth began to expand. Within a few seconds, the ball had grown so big she had to open her mouth as wide as she could. She jerked in reaction, pulled against the restraints, and let out a surprised shout. No sound came out. Panicked, she screamed louder and tossed her head back and forth, trying to get the ball out of her mouth. Not a whisper of sound escaped.

From the corners of her eyes, she saw many of the spectators adjust earpieces they hadn’t been wearing earlier. She screamed again, as loud as she could, as they adjusted the volume. She screamed until she’d released all the pent up emotions she’d been holding back since the day began.

With tears streaming down her face, lost in her own hellish nightmare, she didn’t notice all the bodies flying around as Zade tore through the technicians like they were dental floss. Didn’t hear his enraged bellows ordering them to stop. Pandemonium reigned as the crowd began to point and shout, finally drawing her attention. Following their pointing fingers, she turned her head just in time to see six armed guards running to intercept Zade before he could reach her. They barely slowed him down.

Wide-eyed, Ashlyn watched as he took a taser to the back. He stiffened, his face contorted with pain, but he didn’t stop. At last, he reached her side.

“ Shenga. Please forgive me.” Chest heaving, fingers trembling, he reached for the wrist restraint nearest him. It didn’t budge. He pulled harder, his muscles bulging with effort. Still nothing. The veins in his neck stood out as he strained with all his might.

“I’m afraid they’re made of Vexian steel. They will not bend or break, no matter how hard you try,” Izura informed him calmly, “and the sound adapter is on a timer.”

“Release my mate,” Zade growled, letting go of the restraints to stand to his full height. “We are done here.”

“But we have not yet begun. We are still in the preparation phase. Please,” she begged, her composure lost, “if she stops now..”

“I said we’re done,” he snapped, his body tensing like a tiger stalking prey, his molten eyes tracking the technician with deadly intent. “Get her out of there before I forget you’re a female and rip your throat out.”

Defiant tears in her eyes, Izura stepped bravely in front of the examination table, partially blocking Zade’s view. With trembling fingers, she removed her earpiece and held it out to him. “Please. Listen for yourself. Your mate is well. She is calming down.”

Zade glared menacingly but took the earpiece and fit it in his ear. “I don’t hear anything.”

“That is because she isn’t screaming. If you want to hear her breathing, turn up the volume.”

Zade adjusted the volume until he could hear a steady ebb and flow. Relief flooded his system. Dismissing the female with an order to get someone who could free his mate, he turned his back to her, his entire focus narrowing to Ashlyn. What had he been thinking to put her through that for even a single moment? He hung his head in shame. No male of worth would allow this to happen to his mate.

He covered her hand with his own, unflinchingly raised his eyes to meet her gaze. She didn’t look angry, but then, what did he really know about her? What did he understand? Nothing. “I do not deserve your forgiveness, and I will not ask for it, but know that I am truly sorry. I should have put your needs before my own. You never wanted the Council seat, yet I was focused on claiming you, on keeping both you and the seat for myself. I should have listened. Instead, King Dagan and I manipulated you into doing what I wanted. What I needed.”

He squeezed her hand, both frustrated and relieved that she could not respond. “I’m listening now. Someone will be here soon to get you out of there and you will go safely home. I promise.”

For the first time since taking her hand, she squeezed back. Hard. He squeezed again, his heart fracturing. She wanted him out of her life. He shuddered. So be it.

“Caldorian.”

Zade looked up, unfazed by the tightly leashed anger emanating from the doctor’s eyes as he approached. Zade cocked an eyebrow. He didn’t give a fulack what the doctor wanted.

“I am Doctor Kubro. I understand you want your mate released from the exam. Is that correct?”

Zade didn’t bother with an answer. The pile of unconscious technicians lying strewn across the floor was testament enough as to what he wanted.

Dr. Kubro sighed. “Have you asked her if she wants the same?”

Frowning, Zade looked down at Ashlyn’s small, perfectly formed body. She was so tiny, lying helpless on the table. Vulnerable. Exposed. He shuddered again with renewed shame. “I don’t need to ask her. She told me what she wanted before we started.”

“Perhaps you should ask again, warrior. I don’t think she wants to stop.”

Zade glanced up at the doctor, then back to Ashlyn. Her eyes were wide, and she was breathing rather quickly, but the fear was gone. He frowned. “Ashlyn, do not do this. Not for me. I am not worthy of such a sacrifice.”

Doctor Kubro ignored Zade and spoke directly to Ashlyn. “Councilor Faro, do you wish to stop the exam? Withdraw from the test?”

Ashlyn looked at the doctor for a long moment, then back at Zade. She slowly shook her head in the negative. Zade lifted one hand to rub at the scruff on his face. Every instinct he had told him something he didn’t understand was going on between the doctor and his mate. And why would she now change her mind? Was she choosing to suffer to save him? How could she? She didn’t know failure was a death sentence for him. So, why, then, when she’d made it clear she had no intention of accepting his claim? Under normal circumstances, he would have had time to woo her, seduce her, make her fall in love with him. Ubrion and his tests made that impossible. So why would she go through this? Did she, perhaps, care for him more than she would admit?

Fighting the urge to argue, to demand an explanation, he nodded. Something had changed. He turned his focus back to Ashlyn. “Very well, shenga . My exam has already been completed. If my presence will not disturb you, I would like to stay by your side.”

“I do not recommend a Caldorian male,” interjected the doctor, “watch as someone examines his mate. Not an exam of this nature. I do not wish to have my nose broken or any appendages removed from my body.”

Zade’s eyes narrowed dangerously on the physician. “Explain.”

The doctor’s face darkened to a black cherry hue as he cleared his throat nervously. “The Council has ordered not just a medical exam, but receptivity markers to nonhuman breeding.”

“I believe we have already established her receptivity. She is my mate.”

“You look like an overly large human male. It is not surprising human females find you attractive. A full medical exam has been ordered, yes, but that is to include receptivity markers to nonhuman breeding. You will be required to claim her, yes, but the receptivity markers are separate.”

Zade’s murderous look had the doctor backing away involuntarily, his hands up in supplication. “What, exactly, are you trying to say? Stimulation by me should suffice. I am no more human than you are.”

Dr. Kubro swallowed. “That is debatable. Regardless, the Council has spoken. My instructions are clear.”

Zade looked down at Ashlyn. Her eyes were huge in a ghostly pale face. She looked scared again. He wanted to crush the doctor, smash through her restraints, and take her out of there. Allowing another man to touch her, to arouse her, would drive him insane, but better that than leave her alone. “My mate can decide. May I stay?”

Ashlyn took her time answering, and with every second she didn’t agree, his heart broke a little more. Eventually she nodded her head, then turned her face away. He knew she was upset and scared, but that didn’t make her rejection hurt any less.

“You should not watch. I have heard stories about the primitive nature of Caldorians. I do not wish to be torn to pieces. Better to send someone for you when she is ready. Please trust me, Caldorian.”

“I’m not just Caldorian, doctor. I’m Saltrec.”

“By the gods, warrior, how am I to do my job with you here?” The doctor broke out in a cold sweat, fear stamped across his face.

“You may direct me, but I am the only one who touches her. Do you understand?”

The doctor swallowed, visibly shaken. “If you wish to stay, then in order not to bias the test, I ask that you agree not to speak.”

“I’m staying. You may direct me, but that is the only concession you’re going to get.”

Ashlyn glared at both of them, refusing to let a single tear escape. She’d agreed to let Zade stay but had planned to keep her eyes closed through the whole thing. She didn’t want to see his face or hear his voice while some alien medical team humiliated her. Instead, his deep baritone was sinfully sexy and vibrated through every cell in her body as he conversed with the doctor about, what? Exactly? Based on the collection of devices she could see on one of the doctor’s medical trays, it looked like they were going to test her with vibrators and anal plugs. Oh fuck. What have I done?