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“It means I can never love, Sawoot,” she sniffs. “How could I? How could I watch the man I love grow old and die? My children? My grandchildren?”

I’d been thinking of Garrick. How if we were Bonded, I’d find a way to make it work. How I probably wouldn’t even escape the ship, staying with them and letting Tasha and Theme make their escape on their own. I’d want to try, at least, and see if we were a compatible couple.

Or whatever you call three huge, alien warriors and one feisty woman.

But Tasha doesn’t want to be with Aelon. Maybe he’s too dark and damaged, too violent. The Bond lets you feel an Aurelians true nature.

Maybe whatever she found scared her off.

“Shit—I never considered that. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

She’s cursed herself. Now if she ever does find a human guy, she’s going to stay young while he grows old and dies.

Would her children have the lengthened lifespans, or would they also…

I don’t want to think of that. It’s too sad.

Tasha’s face sets, determined. “It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything tonight. The plan is still on.”

I don’t know why I’m surprised. Tasha’s strong. Even if she wanted to stay with Aelon, she’d find a way to get her loyal crew to safety first.

“You’re strong enough to be able to leave when Bonded? Shit, maybe I’m Bonded to Garrick.” I shake my head, feeling stupid to bring up my most painful thoughts. “No, that would be too much to hope for.”

Tasha snorts, not realizing the pain I’m feeling inside. I’ve gotten good at hiding things. Hell, usually I just don’t let myself feel anything, so there’s nothing to hide. “I wish I was. He’s a good guy. Not like…mytriad.”

“Yourtriad? If you think of them that way, it’s going to be even harder to leave them behind.” I step closer, my mind racing a mile a minute. “So, what’s it like? Being Bonded? I’ve always wondered.”

It used to be a great fear of mine to be Bonded to an Aurelian triad. It kept me up at night. The way it shapes and changes your mind, molding you into their submissive little toy. Of course, it can’t put anything into your head that wasn’t already there…

But I’ve come face to face with my deep, dark cravings, and I’m scared of how powerful they’d be.

I used to fear the Bond. Now I ache for it.

Tasha sits down on the soft bed, then jumps up like a bee stung her. She’s still not recovered from the spanking. Or maybe her triad brutalized her ass when they Mated her. I wouldn’t put it past them to be even rougher in bed.

“That’s the other thing. I canfeelthem in my mind. It’s like they have apresencein there. I can feel all three of them. I’ve never felt suchangerbefore.”

So that’s why she wants to get away from them. Aelon and his triad looked brutal from the outside. I can’t imagine what they’re like on the inside.

I guess I was right, after all. Youcanfeel their aura.

Gods. What would Garrick be like? Just how protective is he? Who are Markrin and Tar’ank, deep down?

I saw the rage in Tar’ank’s eyes. I’ve seen the anger that lurks beneath the surface of the three men. They may be gallant, but they’ve fought, and they’ve killed.

“This species…it’s full of rage. Full of violence. How anyone bears their sons, I don’t know.”

“They’ll be in your past soon enough,” I promise her. If I know one thing about life, it’s that time really does heal wounds. You never think it will. Then five years later, you’re a different person. “I bet when you get farther away, they won’t bother you so much in your mind. So, is everything the same? Nothing has changed with the plan, Captain?”

She shakes her head. “No—nothing has changed. As long as Theme holds himself together, we’re good to go.”

Energy pulses up. We’re committed. We’re doing this, and I’m going to play my part.

No going back. It’s my duty to seduce the three Aurelians. Not that it’ll be hard. I’ve seen the lust in their eyes. It’s my part, and it’s key to getting off this ship alive.

“He will,” I reassure her, remembering the determination in his face when she put her hand on his shoulder and showed him trust. “He just needed someone to believe in him, like you did. He’ll get to the control room, and we’ll get out of here safe and sound.”

“Just have Garrick and his triad in here at 20h00 exactly. You’ll have a short window to get out of this room and away from them.”