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“And what if I did change? The last time you felt me—truly felt me—was over a year ago, and for a moment. What if, if you Bonded me to you, I wasn’t how you imagined?

A year is nothing to your kind. But for a human, it’s a stretch of time.

I’ve been caretaker of over a hundred billion souls. I’m not the person you knew.”

Doman smiles slightly. “It’s as I said. The essence of you will never change. And that is what I crave.”

The three princes watch my every movement as I raise the glass to my lips, sipping the sweet wine. I thought my words would give them pause. Make them angry.

“And if I reject the Bond?”

“Then we’ll live the rest of our lives in agony when you’re gone. But it is your choice,” says Doman, his voice getting lower, growly. It sends a frisson down my spine.

“One thing I felt from your essence was honesty. You’re telling me, right now, the Bond won’t change me?”

Gallien leans in towards me. “It will change you. Whatever you crave. Whatever you want. Whatever is you. You care about the hundred billion souls on Pentaris, and that will be strengthened to the point it’s painful.

But the Bond is designed primarily for one purpose.

For you to bear our sons. And whatever attraction you have felt for us, whatever things you have imagined, will be a thousand times stronger. ”

“You think you’ll turn me into your pet, don’t you, Gallien?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

He licks his lips. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“And what if it’s the opposite? Your species is famed for putting your little harem toys over your lap. What if I want to put you over mine?”

I’m testing him. Pushing him, seeing how he reacts. Aurelians have a deep, inherent pride.

They need to know that I won’t be their submissive little breeding toy, living for them, craving their attention, at their beck and call.

But this frisson of lust, this tingle between my legs, makes me flush with heat. I get the image of being over Doman’s lap, the crown on his head, naked and tiny while he is clad in his formal robes…

Gallien surprises me by laughing, despite being taken aback. “I weigh over five hundred pounds. I’d crush you.”

I gesture towards the hallways behind me, leading to their chambers. “And how many women have you had in those very beds? Aurelian appetites are… renowned.”

“None in those beds,” he growls, but he looks over at another doorway leading into the ship, and I shiver.

“Do you try to shame us? I have no shame. No regret. The women we’d had were only friction.

Movement. No woman has ever inflamed the scent of a Mate.

And after we felt you in our minds… you could have put a dozen naked women in front of me and I would not feel any thread of the Mating Rage. ”

“No, I don’t mean to shame you. I’m from Virelia. Sometimes I forget that, when I’m wearing the gray uniform of my position. But maybe we never really forget where we come from.”

Doman smiles. Gods, but that smile is gorgeous, when his lips aren’t curled up in cocky arrogance. “Virelia. Land of heartbreak and passion. One of the few planets with trees that provides the gossamer for our pleasure dresses. Your planet has grown wealthy trading with us.”

I look over at the hallway where Titus glanced. “Is it true, that your pleasure rooms are linked to your minds?”

“Would you like to find out?” Titus’ voice is low and growly. He pushes his food away. He’s got a new appetite.

I bask in it. The ravenous hunger that burns in them, the way they stare at me like wolves. It would have terrified me a week ago. Now, knowing I’m the only woman in the universe who can make them feel this…

It’s intoxicating, a strange power I’ve never felt before.

I shrug. “I’m just curious about the… desires of your species. The scent of a virgin. A pure, untouched, innocent woman. It drives you mad, yes? Do you find it lacking in my scent?”

Back on Virelia, I had a few flings and one semi-serious boyfriend.

Unlike many human planets, there’s never been a culture of shame involved with sex.

Perhaps that makes us more like the Aurelian species.

One of the many plants that grows is a natural birth control, exported out to other planets in Pentaris and throughout the universe.

Doman’s eyes flash. It’s the first time I see a thread of anger. “Your scent is perfection, Adriana. And there are places in you where no man has ever been. Places I will conquer. I may not be the first, but I will be the last.”

“You’re very confident, Prince Doman.”

He breathes in, tasting my scent. “And your feelings to us have changed.”

“How so?”

“It is no longer spoiled by hatred.”

“You surprised me. When I felt you in my mind… I felt three conquerors.”

“You felt us as we are,” growls Titus.

I shake my head. “No. That’s not what made me hate you.

The most terrifying evil I can imagine are those who believe they are just and good.

Because they will do anything to win, even the most atrocious cruelties, and they will wrap it up in words justifying it as necessity for the greater good.

But when you told me you were going to free Fay, even though it weakens your war… that’s when I stopped hating you.”

My words are heavy, but Gallien leans back in his chair, relaxed. “So when we do as you wish, you dress up and come to dinner with us. Pavlovian conditioning.”

“Is that what I’m doing?”

“I don’t know what you’re doing. Playing dangerous games,” growls Doman. Through the crystal slab in the center of the table, I can see the lower halves of their bodies.

Even with the rings on, their cocks are throbbing, pressing against the robes. I swallow, my nipples hardening.

When I first met them, I would have been ashamed by how my body reacts to them.

Now I’m excited by the sizzle of lust that rushes through me, more intense than I’ve ever felt before.

I cross my legs, slowly, knowing they can taste my growing need.

I keep my face blank and neutral even as my cheeks tinge with the flush of desire.

Their bodies reacting to me obviously, their cocks throbbing and surging up while their bodies tense, contrasts against my forced composure.

We’re sitting across from each other at a dinner table, but the moment is so infused with taut, waiting tension, as if one touch could burst it.

And no matter how neutral I keep my face, I’m naked to them. They can taste my need, and the three of them breathe in, nostrils flaring, exulting in the lust they inspire.

“And if I wanted to see your pleasure room. Would you be able to… keep control?”

Gallien smiles darkly. “We can control ourselves. And you, as well.”

I stand, rising to the challenge. “Then show me.”

I bite my lip, feeling my pulse quicken with anticipation. There’s a thrill to this, and Doman’s right.

I’m playing a dangerous game...

And I’ve never felt so alive.