“No, mate. You will stay here.” Evon wasn’t even looking at me, and Rager was waiting by the door, impatient to be off.
What?
“Summon Thalia. She can watch over our mate.” Rager grinned at me then, finding obvious humor in my proposed use of his clothes. I knew I looked ridiculous, but I had no idea where to find something that fit.
Evon glanced up at me and froze, the corners of his eyes creasing despite the fact that he didn’t smile. He helped me out of my oversized pants so I was bare once again, went and picked up the gown they’d stripped from me and helped me back into it. “For now, wear this. I enjoy knowing you are bare beneath for me. You must remain here, Bella. Safe. I will summon Thalia, my sister. She is stationed here as well. She will protect you in our absence.”
“No.” I shook my head, but my mates weren’t listening. Evon walked to me and took my face in his huge hands. His skin was calloused, but warm. His touch was gentle.
“We need to know you are safe, mate. And you need food. Rest. My sister is a trusted member of the guard. She served four years in the Coalition Fleet. She will allow no harm to come to you until our return.”
His kiss melted me to my toes, and before I could argue, Rager took his place. By the time he was done with me, I was swaying on my feet in a daze.
Damn, my mates could kiss the wits right out of me.
The door slid closed behind them and I dropped onto the bed to nibble on the fruit and cheese they’d left behind. There was enough food for a small army, or at least one average-size human and three hulking warriors. By the time I was full, a chime sounded at the door.
Energy renewed, I jumped to my feet and opened the door. A tall woman with long golden hair and Evon’s eyes stared down at me. She was close to six-foot tall, and beautiful.
She bowed at the waist, her black uniform and red arm band clearly marking her as a member of the same sector as her brother. But there was no doubt they were related. I would have recognized that no-nonsense, ice-blue gaze anywhere. “Lady Bella. I am Thalia. Your new sister.”
My new sister. When I chose to be matched, I expected a mate. I’d gotten three. I never imagined they’d have family, that, by extension, I would have a sister or brother, nieces or nephews. In-laws. It seemed weird, but I was pleased. I wasn’t alone.
I stepped back. “Please, come in.” I carried the tray of food to the small side table in the living area as the door slid closed behind her. “I have plenty of food, if you’re hungry.”
She shook her head and remained standing near the door. “Welcome to Viken, sister. I am very happy that my brother has found a mate, even if he is foolish enough to share you with the others.”
That was odd, but then, I didn’t know everything about this planet. Hell, I knew almost nothing. “Why do they do that? Three men and one woman? Doesn’t that mess up the ratios for the rest of you?” I hadn’t meant it to sound cold, but Thalia’s shoulders stiffened.
“The three kings began a new tradition, one warrior from each sector and a shared mate. The idea was to unify the sectors over time, create a new generation of warriors who looked at Viken as one united planet.”
Children of fathers from the three sectors. They would be…sector-less and could unify the planet. My mind was doing the math, and it didn’t add up. “But, by that logic, aren’t there two women on Viken who can’t find a mate for every Interstellar Bride?”
“No. Every year Viken sends an equal number of women and men to serve the Coalition, either as brides or warriors for the Fleet. Not all planets send this many brides. Three of four Viken warriors return. None of the brides return, as they are matched and settle elsewhere. As a result, there are fewer women here for them to choose as mates once they return from the war.”
“Oh.” That was sad. They fought in the war, suffered, killed, and when they returned there were no women to choose as mates?
“That is why, centuries ago, the leaders of Prillon Prime insisted on creation of the Interstellar Brides Program. Initially, it was meant to unify planets, create bonds where none existed.”
“Political alliances,” I muttered. Suddenly, the whole thing made a lot more sense. It was like the royals of Europe in the past, rather than go to war with a country, they just married off their children, forged new treaties, made babies that both countries considered royal heirs. That was how centuries of war between Scotland and England finally came to an end.
“Yes. The Prime believed the Coalition would be more cohesive, more likely to survive as a united front to battle the Hive threat if warriors took brides from other worlds.”