 
### Table of Contents

Legal Page

Title Page

Book Description

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

New Excerpt

About the Author

Publisher Page
A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Bonded Broken

ISBN # 978-1-78184-477-9

©Copyright Amber Kell 2013

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright September 2013

Edited by Stacey Birkel

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction.  All characters, places and events are from the author's imagination and should not be confused with fact.  Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental. 

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing. 

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing.  Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution. 

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork. 

Published in 2013 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom. 

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers.  This story has a heat rating of Total-e-sizzling and a sexometer of 1. 

This story contains 91 pages, additionally there is also a free excerpt at the end of the book containing 8 pages.  
Thresl Chronicles

BONDED BROKEN

Amber Kell
Book four in the Thresl Chronicles

Friln had always counted on his lover to be there when things go wrong.  But when one brief moment of death breaks his bond with his Thresl mate, he loses the only thing in the world he needs to make him happy. 

For the past ten years, Friln, the king's Captain of the Guard, has lived with and loved his Thresl mate Nelrin.  When an assassination attempt catches Friln in the crossfire, he is killed.  In the brief moment before he's revived, the bond to his lover is shattered. 

At Friln's death, Nelrin loses everything.  Bereft of the only person he's ever loved, Nelrin turns back into his cat form and runs away.  Unfortunately, he falls into the hands of a pair of scientists who have different plans than redemption for the Thresl race. 
Dedication

For my Thresl loving fans. 
Chapter One

The slide of a familiar callused hand down his skin pulled Friln from his sleep.  He inhaled deeply, taking the scent of his mate into his lungs, the familiar smell easing him into wakefulness.  After ten years, the allure of the man beside him still hardened Friln's cock with the mere brush of Nelrin's sheet-warmed skin. 

He rolled over then scooted closer to Nelrin—or Rin, as he called his mate—absorbing more warmth.  Thresls poured out heat, like personal furnaces for their cooler human partners.  Friln hummed his approval.  The bright sun streaming through the window, and mental visions of the endless hours of work waiting in his near future, had him squeezing his eyes tighter.  Maybe he'd laze about in bed a bit longer.  Maybe he'd stay there.  Someone might find their happy corpses in a year or two. 

Keeping his eyes closed, Friln didn't move as he waited for his lover's next step.  This game replayed itself every single morning.  It never got old.  He bit his lip to hold back a laugh, then relaxed his body and pretended to go back to sleep. 

Rin traced Friln's ear, his light touch raising a round of bumps down Friln's spine. 

"I'm not buying it, sweetheart.  Time to wake up," Rin's deep voice rumbled in his ear.  Friln slid his thigh up until his knee bumped Rin's erection.  The quickly sucked-in breath and rumble of laughter rewarded his behaviour. " Don't think you can change my mind.  You know we have guard duty today." 

"Hmm."  He refused to be drawn into a conversation.  He had several finer ideas of what they could do with the morning. 

Rin continued the trek of his fingers down Friln's neck.  Shivers chased Rin's touch, raising bumps across Friln's skin.  Anticipation quickened in his gut, spinning and twisting—a combination of lust and love. 

"Friln, babe, you need to get up.  If you hurry we have time for a quickie before work." 

Now how could he resist that sort of invitation?  He slid up and propped his chin on Rin's chest. " Morning." 

For the first time that day, he opened his eyes, anticipating the vision he knew he'd find. 

_Damn, I'm a lucky man._ 

Rin's dark, sleep-mussed hair stuck out on all sides—a prickly forest monster in the making—and more adorable than any man had the right to be.  It didn't hurt that the gold eyes watching Friln glowed with adoration.  Through their mental connection, Rin poured out his emotions, sharing his love for his mate.  Friln never doubted Rin's devotion to him—not since the day when they were eighteen and bonded without parental approval or knowledge.  Of course, bonding didn't come with a guarantee of happiness, and they didn't always get along, but far more good days than bad decorated their past. 

Friln stayed there a moment, soaking in their connection, wallowing in his mate's attention.  If he could relive and pick any time of his life he considered perfect, this would be it.  Waking up in the morning and seeing Rin made even sucky mornings worthwhile. 

"You all right, love?"  Rin's adoring glance had changed to concerned. 

"Mmm hmm.  I'm just enjoying you." 

He lay there lost in the beauty of his mate until Rin poked him in the side. 

"Hey!  No poking.  At least not with your fingers."  Other poking was not only allowed but greatly anticipated. 

Rin laughed—a soft, joyful sound. " Baby, you need to get up.  The king specifically requested us to watch over him while he and Kreslan met with the delegates today.  Remember, humans from Kres' old division are going to be here." 

"Pfft, you know I haven't forgotten.  I have a perfect memory.  The king just wants us to babysit Kres and make sure he doesn't kill anyone.  I set up the recorder last night."  Friln always set up a camera to track meetings with off-worlders because they tended to be a sneaky bunch. 

"Just because you help out Duke Hellbur doesn't make your memory perfect."  Rin rolled his eyes. 

Friln sat up and glared at his mate for ruining their nice accord. " The duke appreciates my memory when I'm cracking codes for him." 

The spymaster didn't trust many.  In fact, most of the people in court believed the frivolous image he projected.  Those close to the king knew the duke worked as Vohne's head of information, a fact it had taken the king a few months to remember.  Friln had worked hard during that time to keep the duke out the range of Kres' knives.  The king-mate didn't appreciate the duke's attempts to get closer to the king to share what he'd learnt.  The combination of Kres' combustible temper and dangerous blade skills had shortened the list of people willing to bother King Vohne. 

"He also appreciates your ass when you leave the room."  Rin scowled. 

"Aww, you know I'd never fall for that sneaky half-Thresl."  The duke might be a beautiful man, but Friln had barely noticed anyone else since he had bonded with Rin. 

"True.  We'd best make sure we have restraint equipment on hand.  The chances of Kres snapping during the meeting are high.  You know he only likes one diplomat." 

"Yeah, but Zander's on vacation with Leo.  They're introducing him to Zander's family now that he's been transformed." 

"That's bound to be a fun reunion. ' Remember that cat you bought for me, Dad?  Here's your new son-in-law'."  Rin waved a hand as if presenting someone. 

Friln shrugged. " Then his father shouldn't have bought a Thresl off a smuggler." 

"True."  Rin yawned and cuddled Friln closer. 

Memories resurfaced, and Friln fought back tears over thoughts of his own family. 

"Stop it."  Rin shook Friln gently. " It wasn't your fault.  You didn't know when you bought them those tickets that the boat would sink.  They died together.  Isn't that how all of us want to go?" 

"Yes, I know."  There were pluses and minuses to being bonded with a Thresl.  Sometimes, Rin could pick up Friln's thoughts as well as his emotions. 

Rin slid his fingers through Friln's hair, a soft, petting stroke that didn't do anything to make him want to get out of bed.  He'd rather stay there all day and soak in his mate's love.  He rested his head on Rin's chest. 

A sharp pain flared across his ass. 

"Ow.  Why'd you smack me?"  Friln rubbed his sore bottom. 

"Because you were wallowing and it's time to get up." 

Friln sighed and let the memories evaporate.  One thing he'd learnt from his parents' death—enjoy each day as it came.  He nestled his head firmly against Rin's chest. " Nope.  I'm comfy here.  Can't we call in snuggly or something?" 

"I don't think there's snuggly leave, love, and Kres is more than likely to come and drag your lazy ass out of bed himself." 

"I'm not lazy, I'm comfy.  I think we need a new line of work—mattress testing or something."  Friln dared to scoot up and lavish attention on Rin's neck.  Kissing up and down the strong column, he nipped lightly, careful not to bite too hard.  He didn't want his mate to look like a chew toy when he went to work.  Everyone knew Rin belonged to Friln—he didn't need to mark his territory.  Thresls didn't stray—ever.  Since mates could read each other's thoughts, it was impossible to cheat, or at least unlikely.  Rarely did a Thresl ever purposely break their bond. 

"I'll look into our new career after work if you fuck me now," Rin purred beneath Friln's lips. 

_What?_ 

It took a moment for Rin's words to sink in. 

Friln scowled at his lover. " Now you're just cheating.  You know I can't resist an invitation like that." 

Although they were equal partners, Rin more often than not preferred to be on top.  Friln never minded.  He enjoyed Rin's touch no matter what they were doing. 

Rin wrapped a hand around Friln's erection and gave it a friendly squeeze.  Friln bucked into Rin's hold. " What do you say?  Are you up for it?" 

Friln laughed, the sound more a gasp than a true chuckle. " I'm definitely up." 

Rin smiled, the dimples in his cheeks added a deceptively boyish charm to the sexy Thresl. 

"Good."  Rin grabbed the bottle of lube off the side table and slapped it in Friln's hand. " Get busy." 

Equal parts heat and adoration lit Rin's metallic eyes, a familiar expression that still made Friln puff with pride.  Never did he have to doubt his mate's desire.  Rin held nothing back.  Friln set the lube to the side before cupping Rin's face between his fingers while he admired his mate. 

"After ten years, you're still the most beautiful man I've ever met." 

Rin smile. " I think you're more than a little biased, but I'm glad you think so." 

"I only state the facts."  He kissed Rin's cheek. " Be right back." 

He slid off the bed then rushed to the bathroom to empty his bladder and brush his teeth.  There was nothing sexy about morning breath, especially when your lover had an enhanced sense of smell.  Rin might say he didn't care, but Friln certainly did.  He'd never subject his beloved to that. 

Once he was done, Friln returned to the bedroom.  Rin waited for him, sprawled out in delicious abandon on the bed.  Unashamed of his body, the Thresl lay on top of the blankets, exposing a lust-inducing expanse of tanned skin and hard muscle. 

_Sexy man._ 

"In case you're wondering, I already brushed."  Rin grinned. 

"I had no doubt."  Rin would never kiss Friln unless everything was perfect.  His Thresl liked everything planned out. 

"I also prepped myself while you were getting pretty." 

"In a hurry, are we?" 

"We've got a schedule to keep.  Now come over here and pound my ass so I can walk funny for the rest of the day." 

Friln's shoulders shook with laughter.  Only Rin could be funny and sensual at the same time.  Friln's cock hardened again at the sight of his naked lover.  How could it not? 

"It's nice to have a goal," Friln agreed. 

Rin tossed the container of lube at him. " Your turn." 

Friln snatched the tube out of the air. " At least you didn't finish without me." 

Rin wrapped his hand around his erection, sliding it in a slow, teasing motion as he watched Friln with a heated expression. " Just keeping warm for you." 

"That's very considerate.  I'd hate for you to get cold." 

"That's what I thought."  Rin's smug tone made Friln laugh again. 

"Always thinking of me."  Friln popped open the tube and covered his fingers with the slick liquid. 

A drop of moisture formed at the tip of Rin's cock, a temptation Friln had no plans to resist.  He approached the bed.  Keeping his gaze locked with Rin's, he wrapped his mouth around the soft head. 

"Damn, you always look good sucking me." 

Friln had to take his mouth away to laugh again. " That has to be the worse line ever." 

"Good thing I don't need to pick you up.  You handily appeared in my bedroom." 

"That was good thinking on my part," Friln bragged. 

He crawled up Rin's body to take a kiss.  When oxygen became necessary, he broke from the embrace.  But before breaking away entirely, he bit Rin's bottom lip, tugging at it briefly. 

Rin moaned. 

Playing his lover like a virtuoso, Friln touched all Rin's favourite places.  A nip at the jugular, a lick at that spot on his hip, a puff of hot breath against his balls, all ratcheted up Rin's lust until his skin emitted a pheromone so strong it perfumed the air. 

"You're killing me, love!" 

Friln knew he'd done well when Rin's voice dropped to a low growl.  He fucking loved the growl. 

"You need to turn over?" 

Rin nodded. " Yeah, maybe.  It's been a while since I let you in." 

Friln tried to remember the last time his lover had bottomed. " It has been a while." 

Time had a way of getting away from them in the rush of their day to day lives.  Friln silently vowed to pay more attention to his Thresl's needs.  There was no reason Friln couldn't offer to top more often. 

"Hey, don't think that.  I don't feel neglected."  Rin kissed him before awkwardly moving onto his hands and knees.  Anticipation had Friln almost jittering with desire.  He pressed his lips up and down Rin's spine until his mate relaxed.  After settling on his heels, he turned his attention to his lover's tight hole.  He circled the opening with his right index finger, relishing the anticipation before he entered his mate. " Just relax, love.  I've got you.  I won't do anything you don't like." 

"I know."  The words were right, but the tone revealed Rin's tension. 

He smoothed his palms across Rin's hard ass, enjoying the firm muscles beneath the lightly hairy skin.  Soldier training had delightful side effects. 

"You have the best butt." 

"Stop feeling me up and fuck me," Rin demanded, the hesitation vanishing from his voice. 

"Bossy, bossy.  I love you."  As if he'd said the magic words, Rin relaxed beneath Friln's hands.  Continuing his litany of pet names and soft touches, Friln cautiously prepared himself to enter his mate. " Let me know if you need me to slow down." 

"I will."  Rin's impatient tone had Friln smiling again. 

He slid one finger inside his mate, pleased when he found Rin had used quite a bit of lube.  It would be tight but hopefully not too uncomfortable for Rin to take him.  Once he pushed inside, Friln knew his mate would relax around him.  Rin always had difficulty with the initial penetration, one of the reasons he didn't usually bottom. 

"Oh, yeah, that's great.  Deeper." 

Friln added second finger. 

"I'm ready, love, add a third."  Rin groaned. 

"Not yet.  I don't want you to tear." 

"I'm tougher than that."  Rin pushed back against Friln's fingers.  Friln slapped Rin's ass in retaliation. 

"Stop it.  It's not a contest.  Now be a good boy and be patient."  Friln continued to slowly stretch his lover—no way would he try to hurry things up despite Rin's words.  Once he knew his mate could comfortably take him, Friln coated his cock with more lube before lining up his body and pushing inside.  He gripped Rin's hips to prevent the Thresl from taking control. " Easy." 

His mate had control issues, another reason Rin usually topped.  Friln took his time sliding in and out of Rin's tight hole. 

"More.  Harder," Rin insisted. 

After several long, slow strokes he gave in to his mate's demands.  Tightening his hold, he moved in and out of Rin's body, sliding across the Thresl's prostate and adjusting his thrusts to the sounds pouring out of Rin.  He loved the noises.  Rin wasn't a quiet lover.  Friln never needed to use their link to determine if he had hit the right spots.  Rin's cries, shouts and babbles rewarded Friln's actions. 

The tender kiss he placed behind Rin's ear brought a full body shiver that never failed to make Friln feel like a god. 

"Stop fucking teasing and screw me," Rin growled, his voice soaked with lust. 

Friln took a deep breath.  He clenched his teeth and tried to keep control.  Rin pushed against Friln, taking him deeper than Friln's shallow thrusts had allowed before. 

"You are the bossiest bottom ever." 

Rin made a scoffing noise. " As if you have any basis for comparison." 

Not bothering to respond to his mate's taunt, Friln reached around and gripped Rin's cock with his slick hand.  It took barely five pumps to bring Rin off. 

"Oh, yes!"  Rin cried out. 

Rin clenched around him, yanking Friln to orgasm with a stifled yell.  He briefly collapsed against his lover's back, savouring the sweaty heat of their bodies pressed together.  With a final kiss along his mate's spine, Friln carefully pulled out.  Groaning, he toppled onto the mattress. 

"You don't have to be so quiet.  We've got sound proofing now," Rin reminded him. 

"I know, but after all the past years of the librarians complaining, I'm sort of used to trying to keep down the noise." 

They'd only received the noise dampening retrofit last year, and Friln hadn't quite become used to the new silence of their suite.  Old habits died hard. 

Rin kissed Friln's cheek. " Quiet or not, I suspect you're trying to kill me.  It's the only explanation.  Death by orgasm." 

The bed shook with Friln's laughter. " Yes, you've figured out my diabolical plan." 

"I knew it."  Rin fell to the right of the wet spot, a wide smile on his face.  His expression turned calm and dreamy as he watched Friln.  He sighed. " I did the right thing waking you up early." 

"What do you mean early?"  Friln lifted his head and for the first time checked the time on the clock. 

Rin lifted his hands defensively. " Only an hour and you can't say it wasn't worth it." 

"You bastard."  Friln smacked Rin in the face with the pillow. " I'll pay you back for that later." 

He tried to keep a stern expression on his face as he scowled at his grinning mate. 

"Promise.  Will this payback include coffee?" 

"No.  It includes an extremely lonely shower."  Friln climbed off the bed and stomped towards the door. 

He only got to a silent count of four before Rin leapt off the mattress and tossed Friln over his shoulder. " I don't think so.  I think I'll show you how sorry I am by scrubbing every inch of you until you feel properly appreciated.  Maybe a scalp massage." 

Friln dangled upside down over his mate's shoulder.  It was hard to act nonchalant, but he thought he pulled it off nicely. " Well, if you insist." 

"I do."  Rin slapped Friln's ass. " I really do." 
Chapter Two

Friln walked down the castle hall with Rin at his side.  Despite being fooled into waking early, his body was loose and relaxed as he moved.  Rin's scalp massage had continued downward to include Friln's back and shoulders, and he'd all but melted Friln into a human puddle.  Damn, the man had magic hands. 

Luckily, they had a short commute.  Friln's position as Captain of the Guard rewarded them with a suite in the castle only a short walk from the king's wing.  The unmated humans and half-Thresl soldiers had barracks across the castle courtyard, while their fellow mated soldiers had suites in the far tower.  The large castle grounds easily housed all the soldiers.  The Thresl didn't have a huge army.  It didn't take many of them to put down their enemies.  After centuries of careful trading, they were fully equipped with advanced weaponry.  Anyone attacking the Thresl home world would be quickly defeated as more than a few invaders had found out the hard way.  Their biggest war had been amongst themselves. 

They paused outside King Vohne's door.  Friln nodded to the two soldiers on duty.  They snapped a smart salute.  Friln rolled his eyes, but he returned the gesture as a courtesy.  He didn't believe in saluting.  After all, why should he move his hand off his weapon to show respect?  It showed better sense to keep his fingers on his gun so he didn't get shot. 

"The king is expecting us," Rin told them before knocking on the door. 

They'd learnt their lesson about barging into the royal suite.  Spotting either of the royals naked ended in intruder mauling.  It only took one unfortunate soldier needing to have his leg muscles reattached after startling Kreslan, for that lesson to sink in.  The king-mate had tidily severed the intruder's joints with his blade.  Luckily, the soldier's advanced Thresl healing had repaired his joints, but the lesson was a good one for them all.  If the soldier had been human, he might never have walked again even with the current medical advances. 

The door swung open.  Kres popped his head out and scanned them with a narrowed gaze. " Why are you two here?  I told Vohne I wouldn't knife anyone at the meeting unless it was necessary." 

When neither of them commented, he sighed. " Fine, come inside.  Vohne probably wants to brief you on the meeting.  There has been a change of plans." 

They followed the king-mate into the royal suite to find King Vohne sitting at a small table, gulping something from a delicate cup. " Nelrin, Friln, nice to see you.  Come have a cup of coffee." 

Kres snorted in disgust as he plopped down beside his mate.  The ex-soldier wasn't known for his social niceties. 

Friln hid his smile as he accepted a drink from the king before sitting.  He loved the king's casual approach.  Most royals wouldn't dream of serving a soldier a cup of coffee. 

"Other than its location, I don't think we've received any updates about this meeting." 

"We're supposed to be meeting with the human military who run our moon base training facility.  They want us to give them more Thresl for possibly pairing with military personnel.  Until today, I thought they wanted our cooperation.  I changed my mind once I discovered the representative they're sending for negotiations.  I'm tempted to call the entire thing off and toss them off the planet.  I'm curious about what they were thinking when they chose their delegate." 

Friln saw Rin bite his lip to stop from questioning the king.  The one downfall of the Thresl people was their curiosity.  Even when they were no longer in cat form, they still had the inquisitiveness of a feline. 

He saw the exact moment Rin couldn't take it anymore. " Who did they send?"  Rin asked. 

"Admiral Tankis, Barley Tankis' father," Kres growled with surprising skill for a non-Thresl. 

Friln's mouth dropped open. " Are they idiots?  They have to know you won't negotiate with him." 

When Kreslan had first come to the planet, Duke Hellbur had charged Friln to investigate Kres to verify he was whom he claimed.  Kres had come up clear, but from rumours and a bit of investigation, Friln had learnt of Tankis' history with Kres.  Tankis and his pals had bullied Kres and made his life a living hell.  If Vohne hadn't intervened, Barley could've seriously injured the king-mate, possibly killed him. 

"They're sabotaging themselves if they think the admiral is a good person to send for negotiation," Rin said. 

Confusion transferred across their link.  Friln wondered what the military was playing at.  They had to know any Tankis would be the worst possible negotiator for the king.  Thresls were loyal to their mate until death.  To send someone who'd endangered the king's mate didn't make any sense. 

"We think Admiral Tankis has his own agenda," Vohne said. " We're concerned over this latest development, which is why I wanted my best soldiers watching our backs." 

Pride swirled through Friln, a warm combination of his and Rin's emotions.  Friln had been the Captain of the Guard since the king's arrival, but Vohne hadn't appointed him.  The king could've replaced him at any time.  Friln had always wondered if Vohne had just been too busy to change up the guard or if he truly trusted them.  They both trained hard to be good soldiers—apparently the king had taken notice. 

"It will be interesting to see what he's up to, Your Majesty," Friln agreed. 

The military probably had some convoluted political plan that wouldn't make sense until later.  Those types were always sneaky, thinking they were steps ahead of the Thresls.  They might have buried their prejudices, but Friln knew from dealing with quite a few off-worlders over the years that most of them still saw the Thresl as little better than beasts—handy, valuable beasts, but animals all the same. 

Friln didn't understand the ins and outs of politics.  If he had something to say, he said it.  No imaginative phrasing or legalese to turn things inside out to get his way.  People would probably get more done if they spent time discussing things instead of trying to get the better of others. 

Sending Admiral Tankis to the Thresl planet after his son's behaviour seemed like a slap in the face to the king.  If they truly wanted negotiations, they'd have chosen someone less likely to irritate the king and his mate.  Did they not understand how much influence a Thresl's mate had on them?  Worries over the meeting ricocheted through his head.  He wistfully missed waking up and thinking the worst thing he'd have to deal with today would be boredom. 

Vohne shook his head. " Apparently, they think Admiral Tankis can sweet-talk us into adding more crew.  I don't know who in the chain of command has lost their marbles or if the admiral brainwashed someone into thinking he could persuade us to do anything, but it was a poor choice and I plan to tell them so." 

"Is that why you made me promise to behave?  Because you weren't going to?"  Kres teased. 

Vohne shrugged. " I figure one of us going after them is more than enough.  I'm open to adding more people to their military program but only if they send someone else to negotiate.  I'm more than happy to tell the Admiral in person that he isn't welcome here." 

Friln exchanged glances with Rin.  He hoped the king didn't expect them to go off-world to help train others.  They liked their life at the palace and didn't have any ambition for space exploration.  Friln planned to keep his ass planetside until death. 

"I think we should offer the chance for volunteers," Kres said. " Especially half-Thresls who might want to expand their dating pool.  As it is, there are too few humans who are reliable mates.  The last batch were idiots who thought they were getting a cool new pet.  They left after I explained the facts to them." 

Vohne laughed. " I think it's more that you scared the crap out of them by saying how a Thresl will take over their lives.  I believe the phrase you used was 'get ready to never be alone again since Thresls invade your mind without warning'." 

"What?  It's not my fault they didn't see that as a positive."  Kres sipped his coffee. 

Friln fought the urge to snatch the cup out of the king-mate's hand.  Without coffee, Kres had irritability down to a fine art, but Kres plus coffee gave the royal too much nervous energy.  Friln still hadn't decided which was worse.  He'd briefly considered switching the royals to decaf, but when he presented the idea to the king, the idea hadn't been positively received. 

"Did Duke Hellbur tell you two about the new stabilising potion?"  Vohne asked. 

Although Friln assisted the duke as a code breaker, he rarely worked directly with him.  Generally, the duke transmitted his jobs for Friln electronically.  The less people saw them together, the better.  Most people thought Friln only worked for the king. 

Friln and Rin shook their heads.  The duke barely shared enough information to crack the codes Friln was given.  To expect the man to truly offer new info might be beyond reasonable expectation. 

Kres snorted at Vohne's question but said nothing else. 

"Our scientists are close to finding a stabilising potion so Thresls who've lost their first mate can remain in their human form for prolonged periods without having to be put in a cryo chamber," Vohne said. " If they succeed, maybe we can get a bunch of people out of cryo and back to enjoying their lives while they seek their next mate." 

The Great Purge had decimated the bonds between Thresls and humans.  When Coren—a powerful leader of the Thresl—had gone mad over the death of his mate, he'd led his followers to destroy all humans and free the Thresls from what he called the tyranny of the bond.  Many died from the shock of losing their bonded, and others who'd survived the initial break had had to be put into cryo chambers so they wouldn't go mad from the pain of their separation. 

"I thought Saint showed Thresls how to avoid the madness by changing into cat form?"  Rin asked. 

"He did, but it will be easier for Thresls to find new mates in their human forms, not to mention I'm not entirely certain Saint is a good role model for sanity.  Over the years, transporting Thresls and hoping they find a proper bonding partner has had mixed success.  And with unknown people selling Thresls or making them participate in pit fighting, it has become a dangerous universe for us.  I want more of us to have the freedom to be mateless long enough to find the perfect match.  Not everyone has a person fated to return to them." 

The king's fond smile towards his lover had Kres rolling his eyes. 

The legendary love story between the Thresl king and his mate had been Friln's favourite bedtime story as a child.  To actually meet them in person had been the highlight of his adulthood.  However, constant contact with the royals had shown Friln that even storybook heroes were like everyone else deep inside. 

"They will still need mates though, right?"  Rin asked the question on Friln's mind. " We don't want to trigger a new purge." 

Vohne nodded. " Yes.  We'll still need a mate to balance us, but it might give our people more time to search out their perfect partner.  With this new medicine, Thresls still won't be perfectly happy until they find their other half, but they also won't be screaming and thrashing on the floor in pain either." 

"Has there been any word about Saint's location?"  Friln asked. 

When the large Thresl had abandoned the planet without warning, Vohne had sent out alerts to the closest space stations to alert him if there were any sightings.  No one knew what Saint was up to or where he planned to go. 

"No one's spotted him since Levet," Vohne replied. 

Spaceport cameras had shown Saint heading off-world on a small commercial ship, but they'd lost track of him when he hopped off at Levet, a commerce planet.  No one had reported seeing him since.  The ship's pilot had no memory of having any passengers.  Friln wondered about Saint's abilities.  The ancient Thresl had more power than the usual shifter.  Maybe all that time in an abandoned castle had warped his mind into a new entity. 

"I think he went hunting for his mate," Kres said. " Something about the way Leo had smelt when he'd returned home set Saint off.  If what we suspect is true, he's trying to find Zander's ex-lover." 

"I still say he's dangerous," Vohne replied. " I don't trust him." 

"You don't have to trust him," Kres soothed. " You just have to try and keep an eye on him, which we've apparently failed to do.  Maybe someone will find him soon.  He's a damn big Thresl, surely he can't wipe everyone's mind." 

"Time will tell," Vohne said. 

Friln thought the ancient Thresl could probably do anything he set his mind on.  After being alone for hundreds of years, Saint had turned inward, teaching himself a great deal more about his mind than the average Thresl.  Friln hoped he never had to battle Saint—he doubted he'd come out the victor in that fight. 

Vohne's communicator buzzed.  He plucked it off his belt to check the readout. " Our guests have arrived." 

Kres sighed. " Let's get this over with." 

"That's the spirit."  Vohne stood up and slapped his mate on the back.  Almost to the door, the king paused and grabbed Kres' arm.  He spun Kres around to face him. " Kres, my love, disarm." 

Kres' smile—bright and innocent—spiked waves of trepidation through Friln. " Sweetie, what makes you think I'd be carrying any weapons?  Aren't we just going to chat?" 

Vohne folded his arms across his chest. " The fact you called me sweetie is enough of a warning.  Leave your knives on the table." 

Friln's eyes widened as the king-mate removed a knife from each of his boots. 

"There, happy?"  Kres growled. 

Vohne shook his head. " That would've been more believable if you'd started with your betrothal knife.  I know you always carry that one on you." 

Friln had heard the king had spent a great deal of money to buy his mate a knife from the Verool—a species that specialised in making weapons and rarely sold them off-planet. 

Kres sighed. " Damn, I should've thought of that." 

With an innocent shrug, Kres dropped a small laser pistol and the aforementioned knife. " Happy now?" 

"Assume the position." 

Kres pretended shock. " Now?  With these people watching?  I had no idea you were into public sex.  The dirty things you learn about a guy after you're married.  My mother warned me about people like you." 

Friln couldn't stop his strangled laugh even with the king glaring at him. 

Vohne grabbed his mate by the neck and pushed him against the wall.  With the efficiency of a prison warden, he kicked his mate's feet apart and proceeded to pat him down. 

Friln wondered how often the pair went through this motion as the king quickly found two more knives and another hand weapon, which Vohne held a moment longer. " Nicely balanced.  I don't remember getting you this particular weapon." 

Kres snorted. " You didn't." 

"Hmm, we'll be talking about your sources later, my love."  Vohne kissed Kres on the back of his neck before releasing him. " Now that I've disarmed you, we can go to our meeting." 

Friln's stomach churned at the smug smile the king missed crossing Kres' lips.  He had a feeling the king-mate was far from defenceless.  However, it wasn't his place to tell the king he was mistaken.  When Kres lifted an eyebrow at Friln, he shrugged and followed the king out of the suite.  He hoped his lack of tattling didn't come back to bite him on the ass, but he hadn't kept his position by being indiscreet. 

He'd do what he could to stay between Kres and the admiral, but he worried there would be little he could do if the king-mate decided to slit the officer's throat. 
Chapter Three

Friln and Rin escorted the royals to the meeting room.  Friln entered the space first to check out the visitors and look for planted devices other than the ones he'd placed himself.  Although two guards stood sentinel outside the door, Friln didn't leave anything to chance.  The death of either royal would be detrimental to the kingdom.  Friln pulled a detector from his pocket to sweep the room for unexpected listening devices. 

When no alarms went off, he tucked it back away, then subtly turned his recorder on with the remote in his pocket. 

Next, Friln examined the visitors thoroughly.  They watched him back, their expressions unimpressed.  Friln didn't take it personally.  People this high up tended to regard common soldiers as not being a threat, a fact Friln never failed to use to his advantage.  If they considered him unimportant, they wouldn't be paying attention to his actions. 

A second glance didn't reveal any hidden dangers.  There were only three occupants in the room, none of whom stood when Friln entered.  The man sitting in the middle examined Friln with shrewd blue eyes.  His cropped snowy hair had a military cut and the symbols of an admiral graced his dress uniform.  The admiral's companions wore simple suits.  Expensive suits uncluttered with military regalia.  Friln decided they were more than likely lawyers.  They weren't dressed nice enough for politicians.  From their stony expressions, they either didn't want to be escorting an admiral around or they'd eaten something that had disagreed with them. 

Friln walked back to the entrance to address the soldier watching the door. " Were they checked for weapons?" 

He kept his voice down and his back to the trio so they couldn't hear his question. 

"Yes, Captain." 

Spotting no other dangers, Friln motioned to allow the king and his mate inside.  He took the royals' safety seriously.  They'd gone without a king once in Thresl history, and they almost didn't recover from the war that had broken out.  King Vohne kept peace with his mere presence.  Friln and the rest of the soldiers had vowed to be loyal and protect the interests of the crown.  As much as everyone respected Prince Bleine, he wasn't meant to rule.  He did better as the king's advisor than a soldier. 

Friln wondered for a moment why the prince wasn't at this meeting, but then he realised the king didn't plan to negotiate.  Vohne didn't need his brother to hold his hand while he told the admiral to fuck off.  After all, Kres would be more than happy to do it for him, no doubt with detailed instructions. 

The men stood when the royals entered.  Vohne and Kres nodded to the trio but didn't offer their hands to shake.  Friln kept his expression neutral.  A quick glance towards his mate showed Rin in the same situation.  It would be so easy to laugh at the pompous ass, but they needed to appear professional before they kicked him off-planet. 

"Greetings, Your Highness.  I'm Admiral Tankis."  The admiral ignored the king-mate completely as if he didn't exist. 

"Admiral."  Vohne sat. 

He didn't offer to introduce Kres because none of them had any doubt that the pompous admiral knew exactly who Kres was.  However, while the admiral didn't think Kres worth greeting, Friln suspected King Vohne didn't believe the admiral deserved an introduction to his mate.  There were even some people at court the king barely let speak to Kres because they weren't in favour. 

After a moment, Admiral Tankis sat also.  He cleared his throat. 

"Who are your companions?"  Vohne asked before the admiral could speak. 

"Some lawyers they insisted I bring."  The admiral waved a hand towards them as if he could dismiss their presence with his mere will. 

Friln wished it worked that way, then they could easily get rid of this annoying man. 

"Gentlemen."  Vohne nodded politely to the admiral's companions. 

They both nodded back.  Friln bet they'd been ordered not to talk.  Whether by the admiral or by someone higher up he didn't know, but they didn't watch the pompous man in the middle with any favour.  He suspected they didn't want to be there any more than the admiral wanted them to be. 

"Now that we have the niceties aside, let's get straight down to business.  I know you're a busy man and so am I, so we can skip all the double talk and speak plainly.  I'm sure you've been informed that I've come seeking your help in acquiring more Thresls for active duty," Admiral Tankis began in a self-important tone as if it were a foregone conclusion they would go along with his every suggestion. 

If Admiral Tankis' son took after him, Kres had far superior control than Friln had ever credited him with.  He should've knifed the bastard long ago.  Rin's temper simmered along their shared mental path. 

_"He's an annoying asshole,"_ Rin sent telepathically to him. 

_"Yep.  Twenty on Kres trying to knife him,"_ Friln teased. 

_"Deal."_ 

If the admiral truly had planned to negotiate with Vohne, then Tankis had completely misjudged the balance of power in this situation.  He needed the Thresl people, and despite what he might think, they didn't need him.  There were plenty of places they could use for hunting grounds for their mates.  Granted, the military had a large number of people, but there wasn't any guarantee the right Thresl would be matched with the right mate. 

The king waited for a moment as if trying to determine if the admiral planned to continue his statement.  When Admiral Tankis paused, Vohne spoke. 

"I had initially thought your people wanted to negotiate with us, but I'm curious as to why you came here, Admiral," Vohne said. " After all, you are the father of the man who tried to beat up my mate.  Why would they send you if they seriously planned to request more of our people?  Surely, even an idiot could figure out you'd be the worst person possible?" 

Friln bit the inside of his cheek to prevent the laughter that tried to bubble out.  Vohne wasn't pulling any punches.  The king didn't appreciate being put in this position, and he'd been ruler long enough to not put up with any bullshit. 

The admiral didn't back down from the king's challenge. " I volunteered for this position because I wanted to convey my apologies over any past misunderstandings." 

"Misunderstandings?"  King Vohne asked. 

Admiral Tankis cleared his throat. " I meant with my son.  I came to apologise for any difficulties you might have had with my son, Barley." 

"As I remember, the difficulty was when your son decided to torment my mate.  Kreslan is the person you should be apologising to." 

The underlying anger in the king's voice should've tipped the admiral off to his poor behaviour.  The lawyers wiggled in their seats.  They were either uncomfortable or preparing to flee. 

"I'm sorry you see it that way, Your Highness, Barley speaks quite highly of your mate." 

Kres' snort wasn't subtle.  The admiral's mouth tightened, but he didn't speak. 

"I'm sure he had nothing positive to say until his parole hearing.  I hear he's still behind bars," the king replied. 

"If you would speak on his behalf and tell them how you misunderstood his behaviour."  For the first time, Admiral Tankis faced Kres. 

"There was nothing to misunderstand about two men holding me down so your son could punch me.  I even have it recorded.  I'm sure I can get you a copy if you'd like," Kres offered. 

"That won't be necessary.  Besides, I've been told those recordings have vanished, and since you no longer have proof of my son's supposed crimes, I'm sure you'll be willing to sign this retraction." 

The admiral pulled a piece of paper from his inner pocket and slid it across the table. 

"That wasn't in our discussions, Admiral," the suit on the right said.  Before now, they hadn't spoken.  The admiral waved him to silence. 

Kres and Vohne made no move to take the sheet. 

Kres scowled back at the officer, not backing down. " I don't care what you did to make those recordings vanish, Admiral.  I have backups, and even if you convince everyone else to see things your way, I know what my husband and I experienced." 

The admiral's condescending smile put Friln's teeth on edge. " You can believe what you want, but I'm sure for diplomatic relations you'll be willing to overlook a little fun between men." 

Vohne growled. " I suggest you take your men and your letter and leave my planet.  I'll be reporting you to the head of the diplomatic corps for trying to use personal gain as a negotiation strategy.  I expect to hear about you being stripped of your rank if they plan on continuing diplomatic relations with me." 

Admiral Tankis stood, and for the first time, he lost his smooth façade. " How dare you!"  His face turned a mottled red.  Rage infused his voice as he screamed. " You probably deserved what he did.  You pervert!" 

Lightning fast, Vohne punched the admiral in the face.  A loud cracking sound echoed in the conference room along with the admiral's scream. 

"Don't talk to my husband like that," Vohne's voice had a hard edge that made Friln think they should've checked the king for weapons. 

"You'll pay for that.  It's your mate's fault my son is in the brig instead of a captain of his own ship."  The admiral yanked a gun out of his jacket and pointed it at Kres. 

_Oh crap!_ 

Friln jumped in front of Kres, desperate to save the king-mate.  Gunfire echoed in the room.  Breath-stealing pain slammed into him.  Friln fell to the floor.  Through his tear-soaked vision, he saw Kres throw a knife, imbedding the blade neatly into the admiral's neck.  Admiral Tankis choked on the blood filling his throat while the lawyers jumped out of their seats in alarm.  Both men immediately put their hands in the air to show they weren't armed. 

"Guess he didn't get all the knives," Friln whispered.  His vision sparkled around the edges.  The outside soldiers rushed into the room in response to the sound of a gunshot and quickly grabbed the lawyers. " Who uses bullets anymore?" 

Rin dropped to his knees beside Friln. " Assholes with admiral bars." 

Friln could barely take a breath over the crushing agony.  He knew the bullet had hit something important.  His fingers tingled from the lack of blood at the tips. 

Over the rushing in his ears, Friln heard his mate shout. " No!  Damn it, Friln.  You can't leave me." 

Blackness descended.  At last, peace had found him. 

* * * *

Nelrin paced beside Friln's bedside.  He'd never seen his mate so still.  Friln's expressive face was always in constant motion, smiling, frowning or chatting.  He was a man of a million tiny movements.  It hurt Nelrin to see all that motion halted as if Friln had frozen in place. 

Tears tracked down Nelrin's cheeks.  He didn't dare brush them away.  Irrationally, he worried if he didn't keep a sharp eye on the slow rise and fall of Friln's chest, his breathing would stop.  His mate's connection to Nelrin, a faint nebulous thread, eroded even more. 

He whimpered, desperately trying to pull it back and tighten the tiny bond remaining between them.  Nelrin held back the scream building in his chest, worried that if he let it out they might ban him from Friln's room.  He couldn't leave his mate. 

The pain in Friln's eyes as his emotions slid down their connection had been the most horrible experience of his life.  Ten years they'd been together.  Ten years of sleeping, loving and spending every moment side by side.  His entire focus had always been on Friln since that first smile. 

Nelrin would refuse a second mate.  He'd spend the rest of his life in cryo or as a Thresl instead.  No one could replace Friln in his life.  Friln hadn't even hesitated to save Kres' life.  His mate's instincts had kicked in, and he'd rushed to save the king-mate.  Nelrin hoped that Friln's action hadn't doomed them both. 

A nurse wandered in and adjusted Friln's medical band.  The bracelet monitored Friln's health, tracking his blood pressure, heartbeat and oxygen intake.  Right then, it was a steady red, meaning Friln's life force was barely strong enough to measure his pulse. 

"Will he recover?"  Nelrin grasped at crumbs of hope like a hungry bird, but he'd go to his knees and beg if it would get his lover healthy again. 

"It's too early to tell," the nurse said in a calm, even voice as if worried the wrong words could send Nelrin over the edge. 

Kres rushed into the room, his face reflecting the worry Nelrin knew showed in his own expression. " How's he doing?" 

"The wound was pretty extensive, but the bullet went straight through.  Unfortunately, during its travel through Friln's body, the bullet nicked an artery before exiting through his back.  He also lost a lot of blood before we discovered the source of his bleeding.  If he makes it through the next few hours, his chances of a full recovery are good."  The nurse's encouraging smile didn't calm Nelrin's rising anxiety. 

"Thank you, nurse.  Please keep me updated."  Kres gripped Nelrin's shoulder in a show of support. " If there's anything further we can do, let us know." 

Nelrin nodded but couldn't speak over the lump clogging his throat.  It wasn't Kres' fault Friln had taken a bullet for him.  Nelrin and Friln had both known they might be required to stop an attack at any time.  It was part of being a soldier. 

"The guards who let the admiral in without patting him down have been disciplined.  Expect no mercy for them, it could've been Vohne the admiral shot." 

"Understood.  Feel free to punish them how you like.  I won't plead for leniency."  The soldiers had patted down the admiral's companions but had been nervous about searching a man of his rank.  Unfortunately, the admiral had counted on that. 

"Good.  I've assigned them to clean all the toilets in the castle, and when they're done with that, they can clean the ones in the local taverns.  I would've reduced their salaries, but they both have families." 

Nelrin stared at the king-mate for a long moment. " I thought you'd have them whipped or something." 

Kres grinned evilly. " Trust me, they wish I'd given them a simple whipping.  They have to clean all the taverns even the ones at the edges of town." 

"I have to say, I admire your style."  Nelrin bowed to the king-mate.  Kres was right.  The soldiers would've brushed off a whipping, but to be forced into unpleasant menial labour for hours and possibly days would stick in their minds for a long time to come.  It wouldn't save Friln, but it was a minor justice.  No good would come of imprisoning the soldiers. 

Kres turned to the nurse. " Do anything you can to fix him." 

Nelrin opened his mouth to thank Kres, but a loud beeping interrupted him.  Friln's wristband flashed a bright, bloody red and his body began to convulse.  The nurse rushed to the wall and slammed her hand on the emergency button.  A siren screamed through the hospital, alerting the medical staff to the patient's danger. 

Kres pulled Nelrin out of the way as a dozen personnel swarmed into the room and surrounded Friln. 

"Let's stay over here so they can do their job." 

Nelrin nodded his agreement even though he wished to shout at them to fix his mate.  He couldn't see what they were doing, but he heard the rapid beeps of Friln's bracelet and the frantic movements of the medics told him it wasn't a light matter. 

For a moment, Friln's beeping slowed.  Nelrin sighed.  Good, he'd be fine. 

A long single beep sounded. 

Their bonding connection snapped. 

"No," he whispered.  He couldn't pull enough oxygen into his lungs to speak any louder.  His nightmare had come true.  Pain ripped through Nelrin as if a sword had bisected his chest.  Screaming, he fell to the ground.  His bond with Friln had been severed, completely and finally. 

He'd heard of that happening before—gossip didn't do the event justice.  No wonder most Thresls had to be put into cryo when they lost their mate.  If someone had torn open Nelrin's body with their bare hands, rearranged his organs and stuffed them back inside his body, that might be half as painful as losing his connection with his mate. 

_No.  Friln.  Empty._ 

Adrift without his human anchor, Nelrin mind began to unravel.  Thresls constantly sought the feedback from their mate, which was why they needed a human counterpart.  Without Friln, Nelrin had no one. 

With a loud roar, Nelrin shifted into his cat form.  Life would be easier as a cat.  After all, it meant he had come full circle from a Thresl alone and without a family, to a happily mated Thresl, then back to being alone—fitting somehow. 

Unable to handle the sight of his dead mate, Nelrin ran out the door.  He needed to get away from everything.  His claws scrabbled across the marble floors as he tried to find purchase on the smooth surface.  Eventually, his scratching and sliding paid off, and Nelrin raced through the castle and out the back. 

He knew it was useless to run from the pain, but he couldn't prevent his instincts from kicking in.  Without Friln, he had nothing and no one important in his life.  Running with the soil beneath his paws had always helped him find his centre.  He doubted it would happen with Friln dead, but he needed the comfort of the wilds.  He could almost hear Friln teasing him. 

_"Go and chase your tail for a bit, love, it's been a bitch of a day."_ 
Chapter Four

Nelrin ran and ran until his paws ached from the tiny bits of wood and stone he ran across.  Blood oozed through the pads of his feet by the time he came to a screeching halt.  He hadn't been a cat in ten years.  It felt good to stretch his legs, but it still hurt to breathe.  The loss of his mate had destroyed him.  His insides were hollow as if someone had carved out the important parts and only a shell remained. 

Anger burned through his veins.  How could Friln die on him?  They were supposed to be together for centuries.  But no, Friln had to go and be the hero.  Typical. 

Trees surrounded him on all sides.  The Great Forest of Nilre lay to the east just outside the castle walls.  The woods covered a good third of the planet's surface, an excellent haven for a group of big cat shifters. 

Nelrin had never been in the forest so deeply before.  His family had been city Thresls and rarely left the castle proper.  Deciding to stop and take a break, Nelrin examined the tree closest to him.  Taking a good estimate of the distance, Nelrin leapt for the lower branch.  He dug in his claws to regain his balance.  Large leaves provided cool shadowy pools of comfort for his weary muscles.  Unused to running on four legs instead of two, he shook with exhaustion while his legs were like rubber bands.  Choosing a fat tree limb, Nelrin settled on the thick branch.  With his mind blank and grappling with sorrow, he lay his head down on his paws. 

Could he truly live without a bond?  Did he even want to?  He'd never suspected they might not die at the same time.  He'd always planned to leave the world beside his mate.  Nelrin closed his eyes.  Maybe when he woke up he would discover it had been nothing but a horrible dream.  After ten years, his paws were like foreign objects to him, as if they belonged on another creature.  His whiskers tickled and made him sneeze, and although he liked being able to flick his tail, it caught on a branch and took a moment to unwind. 

Friln. 

By habit, he reached mentally for his lover only to hit a wall of nothingness.  Nelrin threw back his head and roared out his despair.  He didn't care if other animals heard him.  Everyone should hear his cry and know his heart was gone. 

Eventually, he'd have to go and claim Friln's body and make sure his lover received the attention he deserved.  Sometimes Nelrin had wondered if maybe Friln would've chosen a different path if he hadn't been mated with him.  Friln had been an excellent soldier, but he'd never really enjoyed the hunt. 

The wind rushed through the trees, a soothing concert by nature's music.  No birds sang, probably sensing a larger predator in their midst.  His roar probably hadn't helped the matter. 

Soaked in sorrow, Nelrin slid into a half sleep.  He was hovering on the verge of full unconsciousness when a footstep broke through his reverie. 

Strange.  He hadn't expected any humans in this part of the forest.  His sensitive nose revealed they were full humans, not Thresl or half-Thresl.  Peeking through the foliage, Nelrin watched as a man and a woman traipsed through the greenery with the clumsiness of people who had absolutely no idea how to hunt—anything.  They didn't even try to hide their presence.  Nelrin wondered why they were there.  Neither human wore clothes conducive to a forest tromp.  The woman had on short heels and a dress, and the man wore casual business attire.  Either of them could've stepped straight from an office environment except for the lab coat draped over the woman's outfit and the long rifle the man clumsily carried as if he wasn't used to the burden. 

"I know what I heard," the woman snapped at her companion.  She brushed back a strand of blue-black hair that had escaped her bun.  A scowl marred her sharp features as she swept the area for something.  Some might have called her pretty if they liked the skinny, commanding type. 

"I don't see anything," her companion replied.  The guy had on a sun hat and all brown clothing as if he thought he would blend in with the dirt and somehow become invisible.  Curious, Nelrin watched their stomping rampage through the brush. 

"I'm telling you a Thresl came this way," the woman insisted. 

"Fine, then where did it go?"  The man's temper had apparently snapped.  Nelrin wondered how long they'd been walking around.  Where had they come from? 

As far as he knew, this particular property belonged to the king and didn't have any housing or offices nearby.  Vohne would be interested to know about this pair, especially if they were hunting Thresls. 

Nelrin wrapped his tail around the branch to keep his balance as he watched them argue. 

"It's around here somewhere.  We have to find it.  Since the king cracked down on exporting Thresls, it's been harder to get our hands on test subjects." 

"I know, Deena, I know," the man replied. " I was there, remember?  We need at least one more cat since our last two died." 

_Oh!_ 

Nelrin didn't find the pair so charming after all.  It took a lot to kill a Thresl.  If these two had killed others, they were much more dangerous than they looked.  Nelrin should've known better than to go by appearances.  His own cheery mate could gut a person in seconds and still look as innocent as a newborn cub. 

Mate.  Friln. 

Nelrin couldn't stop a whimper from his mouth at the memory of Friln dying.  He'd never again be able to casually reach out and share a story about his day. 

"Hear that?"  The couple froze in their tracks.  The man held up his hand to indicate Deena should stop. 

"Where did it come from?"  Deena glanced up, immediately spotting Nelrin.  A victorious smile crossed her face. " I think we just found our kitty.  Here, kitty...here, boy.  We don't mean you any harm." 

Nelrin made a soft chuffing sound of disagreement.  She most definitely meant him harm.  He probably should make a run for it, but curiosity kept him in place.  Curiosity and the lack of caring.  Now, with his mate gone, he had nothing to live for anyway. 

"I don't think he's coming down." 

"Really, Ted?  Are you sure?"  The woman's sarcastic tone almost had Nelrin feeling sorry for the guy.  Up until the point where Ted pointed his rifle at Nelrin and fired. 

A whistling in the air caught his attention, but the stabbing into his side caught it more. 

_Ouch._ 

Darts.  They'd drugged him.  Whatever they'd dipped the darts in was fast acting.  It took no time before Nelrin was affected. 

Unable to control his body or keep his grip, Nelrin tumbled to the ground with a thump. 

"Good job, idiot!"  the woman raged. " We wanted to drug him, not kill him.  He's no good to us if he's dead.  If he hurt himself falling out of that tree, I'm going to have you castrated." 

"Deena, you're such a bitch.  Sorry, kitty."  The guy's tone sounded more insolent than apologetic, but Nelrin didn't care.  His entire body ached from the fall.  Whatever drug they had given him had paralysed him from nose to tail.  He tried to be concerned with his situation, but with Friln dead, he couldn't dredge up the worry.  All his emotions were more frozen than if they'd shoved him in a cryo lab. 

Vohne would want to know about this.  Not to mention, Nelrin didn't exactly have a choice.  If he'd been in his right mind, he would've left as soon as the humans had appeared.  However, sorrow had taken over his mind, and Nelrin couldn't find the energy to fight. 

The drugs knocked him out before he could wonder any more. 

* * * *

His lungs hurt.  Friln gasped for air, desperate for oxygen.  He coughed as he tried to inhale.  He couldn't understand why his body wouldn't obey his commands.  He couldn't move his arms or his legs. 

"Rin," he whispered.  He didn't hear anything in response.  No deep voice telling him everything was going to be okay, no reassuring hand rubbing his back.  Mentally, he reached out for his mate. 

_Nothing._ 

In the place of his mate bond was a wide black expanse.  Had the admiral got to Rin too?  Had his mate died?  The lack of a connection with his mate worried him more than not being able to breathe. 

Panicked, Friln began to scream.  With his throat sore and oxygen sparse in his lungs, all that came out was a rough, scratchy cry that hurt to make. 

"Medic!"  a woman shouted. 

"He's breathing," someone else said. " Take it easy, sir, you'll be just fine." 

How could he be fine?  Rin was gone.  Tears dripped down his cheeks as fear wrapped him in a tight fist.  He had to go.  He had to find out what happened to Rin.  He struggled to sit up. 

"No, don't get up.  You need to rest more," a bossy male voice intruded.  Friln couldn't make out the man's features through his tears. 

A sharp pinch on his arm was followed by a warm wave of calm washing through his system. 

"You drugged me," he accused.  His words slurred together.  Forming perfect letters was beyond him.  His eyelids became too heavy to lift.  He reached for Rin mentally. 

Still nothing. 

The silence in his head hurt more than the pain in his chest. " Where's Rin?"  he whispered, the only sound he could push through his sore throat. 

Before he could demand answers, he fell back asleep. 

* * * *

When Friln woke a second time, he immediately searched for his bond with his mate.  Nothing.  He had to find out what happened. 

Friln forced his eyes open.  If he planned to leave the ward, he had to figure out how to stay awake long enough to get off the bed.  He'd punch the next person who came near him with an injection.  The inside of a medic room didn't give him any clues as to Rin's location. 

A man dressed in scrubs entered, then stopped in his tracks. " You woke up again.  We estimated you had a couple more hours." 

"Where's Rin?"  Friln didn't care when they thought he'd wake. 

The medic ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair, hesitating before he spoke as if he regretted the words he was about to say. " He thought you were dead." 

"Why would he think I was dead?" 

"Because you were." 

"What do you mean I was dead?  Who the fuck are you?" 

"My name is Balaze.  For a few minutes, your heart stopped." 

That made absolutely no sense to Friln. " But I'm alive.  I should be able to feel Rin?" 

"It's only a theory, but I believe when you died, it broke your mating bond, and even though you came back, the damage had already been done." 

"But won't that kill him!"  A loud beeping hurt his ears. 

"Calm down, sir.  You need sleep."  Balaze injected Friln with something, his motions so smooth Friln didn't know what the medic had done until his muscles began to relax. 

"Stop drugging me, I have to find Rin," Friln objected. " He'll die without me." 

Balaze patted Friln's shoulder. " Your mate shifted to his Thresl form.  He should be fine for a while." 

Friln wanted to argue that Rin hadn't been on his own in ten years, but his eyes began to droop, and he couldn't find it in him to form the words.  Rin was strong, he could survive Friln's death—he hoped.  He moved uneasily on the thin mattress. 

"Shh, sleep.  You need to rest so we can heal your wound, it started bleeding out again." 

The medic's deep voice had a nice, soothing quality that Friln found lulling him to sleep.  He'd punch the bastard later. 

* * * *

It took two days before Friln could stay awake long enough to focus.  They kept him drugged in order for him to heal.  Balaze apparently knew Friln's personality type well enough to figure out Friln would leave as soon as he could stand on his own. 

Sneaky medic. 

Balaze entered the room and checked Friln's wound. " You're just about healed.  The lasers did a good job.  There shouldn't even be a scar." 

Friln couldn't care less about a scar.  He needed to find his mate. 

"Can I leave?  I have things I need to do." 

"Your job is being handled by your soldiers.  All you need to do is rest." 

"And find Rin.  Has anyone seen him?" 

"He was last spotted running for the woods.  I asked around."  Balaze gave Friln a sympathetic smile. " I'm sure he's fine." 

"Why didn't anyone go after him?"  How could they let his broken-hearted mate run away? 

"We were focused on you when he left.  Besides, I doubt it would've been a good idea to chase a heartbroken Thresl who's also a trained soldier." 

Friln hated to agree with Balaze, but he made a good point.  Trying to stop Rin when he was determined was never a good idea. 

Friln sat up only to immediately collapse when pain stabbed him through the chest.  Damn, without the medication that made him loopy, his injury made itself known. 

"Your wound has sealed nicely, but you're not completely mended inside.  I'm putting you on bed rest for the remainder of the week." 

"Okay." 

"Now don't just agree, I want you to mean it."  Balaze folded his arms over his chest. " I'll keep you here drugged if you don't take care of yourself." 

Friln scowled at the medic. " I can't just leave my mate running in the forest thinking I'm dead." 

"I'm not asking you to leave him, but you aren't going to do anyone any good if you reinjure yourself." 

"Then send someone to find Rin.  If he thinks I'm dead, he won't take care of himself."  Mated Thresls never fared well after the death of their mate. 

Balaze sighed. " We don't have anyone to spare.  Kres killing the admiral caused an interplanetary incident.  The human military tried to claim it was an unprovoked attack and that Nilre needed to be under their control to protect the universe against us. 

"Crap.  It was a setup.  They never planned to write an agreement.  They want to take over the planet.  That explains why they sent the admiral.  They knew the king hated him." 

Balaze laughed. " Well, it backfired on them.  The king has a recording of the entire incident and hacked all the newscasts.  The section where Admiral Tankis shot you is showing twenty-four hours around the universe.  King Vohne has requested all the Thresl return to Nilre, and he's cancelled our military cooperation.  He sent the lawyers home along with a body bag containing the admiral.  Right now, the only people who can land on the planet are Thresls and only after a full investigation of their ships.  All the soldiers are monitoring the landing strips and shooting down anyone who doesn't belong.  Until the king is given a full apology by the human military, no one will get any Thresl help with anything.  They thought they could get all the other groups to side with them against the feral Thresls, but the king is smarter than all of them."  Balaze's thin face lit up when he talked about the king.  He better hope Kres never saw his expression. 

Friln was pleased his recording had come in so handy.  He'd begun recording every meeting after a diplomat claimed one of the Thresls had hit on him.  As the Thresl had been mated, it was easily disproved, but the encounter had left behind a sense of caution when dealing with non-mated humans. 

Friln closed his eyes, then took long slow breaths.  No one could look for Rin right now, and Friln's wounds prevented him from searching.  He frantically tried to call his mate again through their mental link but came up with nothing. 

Tears leaked out of Friln's eyes. 

"Don't worry, eventually he'll return."  Balaze patted Friln's arm. 

"Why would he do that?" 

"Because he thinks you're dead.  He's going to want to bury you." 

"That's true," Friln agreed.  Until then, all he could do was wait and heal. 
Chapter Five

Nelrin rested his head on his paws.  Since waking up in a cage three days ago, he hadn't had the opportunity to escape.  He missed his mate.  His heart ached with the loss of Friln.  He still couldn't believe his beautiful lover had died.  Blue, blue eyes would never again look at him with love or lust or any of the millions of emotions that often crossed Friln's gorgeous face. 

Damn, he hoped they saved Friln's body for him.  He wanted Friln cremated and placed in a position of honour on the wall of his ancestors.  Without Nelrin, no one would take responsibility.  Since Friln's parents had died a few years ago in a boating accident, he had no one left besides Nelrin to see his soul to the next level. 

Nelrin growled at the scientists.  After several days in captivity, he'd learnt the pair were trying to find a way for Thresls to be independent of humans. 

_Foolish scientists with their dumb ideas._ 

He could tell both scientists were human, which made him almost wish he were in his other form so he could ask them what their incentive was to have Thresls independent of their mates.  It was like a biological culling.  Instead of the Great Purge, which killed humans, these two were trying to remove them from the process. 

"No longer will we be bound to these beasts," Ted said. " We can work with the Thresls without worrying about a claiming.  Did you hear that Prince Bleine's mate didn't even want to bond?" 

Nelrin chuffed his scorn.  Sarler wasn't exactly protesting these days.  Last week, he'd dragged the prince into an empty conference room and told Nelrin and Friln they didn't want to be interrupted.  He also hadn't looked under duress when he bit the prince's neck before slamming the door closed. 

"This is for you too, Thresl.  You'll be able to be your own person," Deena proclaimed.  Maybe they should've explained their new freedom to the Thresls they'd admitted to already killing.  Nelrin thought the others would've preferred a bonding to death. 

Nelrin wondered how they thought Thresls would transform without a mate to guide them into the proper shape.  Without a human to want him in his two-footed form, Nelrin would remain a Thresl.  A fate he didn't mind.  Better a Thresl than half a soulless human without a mate.  His feline form wasn't so bad.  He could live as a Thresl cat for a while—maybe forever. 

"Today, we're going to try something a little different," Deena said. 

She always spoke for the pair of them. 

Nelrin tilted his head as he waited to hear what she had to say.  So far, all they'd done was to take a bit of blood and fur samples and sedate him so he wouldn't bite.  As if he'd lower himself to nipping at their fingers. 

"Today, we're going to do surgery," Deena announced. 

Nelrin growled, swiping at the bars with his paw. 

"Aww, don't be like that.  We're doing this to help you.  Just think, you won't need a human ever again."  Deena's proud smile made Nelrin want to rip out her throat.  She truly thought he'd be happy with the news. 

He gave a low, warning snarl to let her know his true feelings. 

"I don't think the kitty is going to play nice," Ted said.  Out of the pair of them, the male enjoyed taunting Nelrin the most.  Deena always kept things professional but not her partner.  Nelrin wondered if the death of the others had truly been an accident or if Ted had become impatient and killed them. 

"I promise you'll feel much better when we're done."  Deena lifted the tranq gun and shot Nelrin. 

Nelrin snarled.  The last thought he had was if he got out of there, he was going to shove that gun in a very uncomfortable place. 

* * * *

Friln scowled at Sarler as they drank coffee at his kitchen table.  Balaze had kept his word and kept Friln drugged for two extra days.  As soon as Friln became lucid, he'd left the medic ward and fled to his own rooms. 

_Bastard._ 

He'd never admit it out loud, but Balaze had been right.  Friln's body needed the extra few days of rest even as his mind screamed at him to go after his mate. 

"I'm sure you'll find him, and he'll be fine," Sarler offered. 

Friln turned his head towards the prince-mate. " I can't feel him.  He could be dead, and I wouldn't know.  Why hasn't he come home?" 

"Saint told me Thresls can live for years in their cat form after their mate dies.  It's only if they're trapped as a human that they have to be put in cryo.  From all accounts, Nelrin is in his Thresl form and won't suffer physical effects of your short death." 

"Vohne told me he had scientists trying to make it so they don't need mates so much anymore."  Friln bit his nail.  If Rin could survive just fine without Friln, did he have the right to insist they stay mates?  What if Rin decided he'd do better alone?  Would the Thresls appreciate the new freedom? 

Sarler laughed. " Thresls will always need mates, but it would be nice if they bonded because they wanted to, not because they were desperate and the person closest to them was compatible.  I'm one of the scientists who've been working on the hormone that will help delay the mating process.  If they've already mated, they might be to able delay choosing another mate.  If they're still in cat form, it won't affect them." 

"Is it because of the way Bleine chose you?" 

Everyone knew Kres had force-bonded Sarler with Bleine to save the prince's life.  The pair seemed to have worked things out, but Friln couldn't even imagine how strange it must've been to go from scientist to prince-mate in a matter of minutes. 

"Sort of."  Sarler blushed. " I mean Bleine and I have come to an understanding, but it was rough at first.  We're not trying to remove the human part of the bonding but give Thresls more options." 

"Yeah, that would be good.  If you make it so Thresls don't need humans, it might bring back the Great Purge.  Be careful what you play with, Prince-Mate." 

Friln didn't want to plunge the Thresl back into a war where their partners were killed in a mass genocide. 

"I am.  Like I said, I'm not trying to stop them from bonding.  The symbiotic relationship between Thresl and human is what keeps Thresls in touch with their humanity.  Without their human counterpart, they would all revert to beasts.  Even I don't know the entire science behind it.  What we're developing is more like a booster shot.  It would allow a Thresl who has been converted to live without his human for up to a year.  Well, that's the goal, right now we've got it up to a few weeks." 

"Wow, that would be amazing, but what if they haven't changed into their cat form?"  Friln asked, thinking of Rin. 

"As of now, there's no effect on unchanged Thresls.  Only on Thresls who are looking for a new mate after their first one died.  If they switched back to their cat form, they have to wait until they rebond before they can be human again." 

The thought of Rin changing to please someone else had Friln gasping for breath.  A panic attack slammed into him.  He hadn't had one since he was a kid.  He started hyperventilating.  Spots swam before his eyes. 

"Oh, crap.  Breathe!"  Sarler said. 

Friln took long, slow breaths with Sarler's direction.  He felt foolish to panic over such a silly thing, but he couldn't bear it if Rin chose someone else to replace him.  For the past ten years, he'd been confident in the fact he was the only one for Rin.  Now he didn't know where his lover had gone or where they stood.  Did they even have a relationship without the bond? 

The more he thought of life without Rin, the more he panicked. 

"It will be fine.  You'll find him."  Sarler rubbed Friln's back in a comforting circle. 

"Yeah, he'll be fine."  Friln repeated those words silently in his head.  He didn't dare think of any other outcome.  If his mate stayed in Thresl form, his body wouldn't go into shock.  He'd have to thank Saint for teaching Rin that trick if he ever saw the other Thresl again. 

As far as he knew, no one had located Saint either. 

"I know you want to rush right out there, but maybe your body needs another day to heal." 

He hated that Sarler was right. " First thing tomorrow, I'm going." 

Sarler nodded. " You know I'd go with you if I could." 

Friln squeezed Sarler's shoulder. " Prince Bleine would kill me if you so much as stubbed your toe.  It's better if you don't go with me.  If Rin has gone feral, he's not going to want anyone near me, and he's not going to care if your mate is a prince or not." 

"Fair enough."  After making sure Friln would be all right, Sarler said his goodbyes. 

A few minutes later, Friln was all alone with only his thoughts to keep him company.  When he'd first bonded with Rin, he'd complained often and loudly about the Thresl being in his head.  Now, he'd give anything for one intrusive thought. 

* * * *

Friln shouldered his pack and headed towards the woods.  He had a weapon tucked into the small of his back and a knife in each of his boots.  The woods might look innocent and free of dangers, but anything could hide among the trees.  Friln was castle bred.  His father had been a chef and his mother a seamstress.  He'd never been a fan of the outdoors. 

A bug swooped by him.  He swatted at it absently as he followed the clear paw prints on the soft earth.  It must've rained right before Rin ran into the forest then the sun had baked the marks in the dirt.  For once, luck was on his side. 

Keeping a close eye on any dangers, Friln tracked his mate.  Unfortunately, a human travelled at a much slower rate than a four-legged Thresl.  After a couple of hours, Friln had to stop and rest.  He sat against a tree and ate the sandwich he'd brought with him. 

A loud roar had him jumping to his feet and tossing his food to the ground. 

"Rin?" 

Breaking into a run, he chased the noise.  He skidded to a stop in front of a surprisingly modern cabin. 

The sound had come from inside. 

It had been a long time since he'd heard Rin's Thresl roar, but he knew instinctively it was his mate. 

Creeping close to the window, he tried to peek inside.  Shades blocked his view. 

_Damn._ 

He'd have to open the door to get a better look.  The small building didn't allow room for a sneaky entrance.  If he entered the cabin, they would know he'd come.  Another roar decided his approach. 

He reached for the knob only to find it locked.  Who locked a door in the middle of the forest?  Friln pulled his weapon out and held it loosely behind his back, then he knocked and stepped back a bit. 

Silence. 

Even the Thresl no longer made any noise.  A chill chased up Friln's back.  Had they killed Rin to quiet him?  Or was Rin in there all alone, helpless?  How Rin got in there in the first place, Friln couldn't imagine. 

He knocked again, ready to kick down the door next.  The door swung open. 

"Can I help you?"  The woman's innocent expression didn't fool Friln for a second.  He'd interrogated prisoners who looked less guilty after being caught in an illegal act. 

"I'm here to see the Thresl."  No point in lying about his goal. 

"Come right in."  She opened the door wider. 

Friln hesitated. " Why don't you bring him out?" 

"He's too big to move." 

Warning bells rang in his head louder than the sirens they used to announce planetary emergencies. 

Friln knew it would be a mistake but stepped inside anyway.  If Rin was here, he had to investigate.  Ducking, he dodged the first swipe of the pipe she swung at his head.  Friln spun around, pulled his weapon then zapped her with his laser.  She fell over stunned.  The slide of a shoe behind him wasn't enough of a warning to avoid the prick of a dart in his thigh. 

"Crap!" 

He tumbled to the ground as his body numbed from the drugs. 

"We were wondering how we were going to get a human test case.  How handy of you to show up on our doorstep," a man spoke over him.  Friln's eyes widened at the sight of the man. 

"You're the duke's assistant."  Friln recognised Theodore Meill, a man who'd worked at the duke's side for two years now, but he doubted the assistant knew Friln's face.  Whenever Friln did work for the duke, he did it independently of any of the duke's other staff.  Hellbur liked to keep his sources separate, in other words, everyone equally in the dark. 

"Luckily, when we're done here, you won't remember much so the duke's secret is safe."  Ted's grin made Friln want to punch him.  Sadly, he didn't think his fist would cooperate.  He wanted to say something sarcastic, but the paralysis affected his vocal cords.  If he got out of there alive, he was going to beat the crap out of the smug bastard standing over him. 

Ted grabbed Friln's ankle and dragged him towards a large cage in the corner.  Friln could see a Thresl lying in the cage with its eyes closed. 

_Rin!_ 

It might have been a while since he'd seen his mate in Thresl form, but he'd never forget the black, diamond-shaped mark on his head.  Rin's eyes were closed.  Friln wondered if he'd also been drugged.  What had they been doing to him while Friln recovered?  From Ted's excitement of finding a human 'test subject', he worried about finding out. 

Still unable to control his body, Friln couldn't stop Ted from opening the cage and dragging Friln inside. 

"Stay there, and if he doesn't eat you, we can test if the procedure worked or not." 

_Procedure?_ 

Ted slammed the cage door closed.  Friln heard the lock being engaged, but he didn't protest.  He wanted to be here beside his mate.  He needed to see what they did to Rin.  He could formulate a plan once he figured out what the asshole and his female assistant had done to his beloved.  Then he would kill them with the knives they stupidly didn't take off his body. 

Damn, maybe Kres was rubbing off on him. 

Friln closed his eyes.  He couldn't move yet, and he wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him struggle. 

Rin's fur brushed across Friln's arm.  Warmth and comfort poured over him.  He tried to send reassurance over their link but once again...nothing.  It was as if they had never mated.  No connection at all existed between them.  Only the paralysis prevented him from crying out loud.  Instead, quiet tears leaked from his eyes. 

What if they couldn't reconnect?  Friln would never find another person with the bond he had with Rin. 

Friln didn't know how long he lay there before the large animal beside him began to stir.  A large furry head came into his field of vision. 

A puff of air was his only warning before a long wet tongue slid across his cheek, cleaning up his tears.  Friln jerked back, smacking his head on the bars. 

"Crap!" 

Well, at least the paralysis had worn off. 

A soft chuff greeted his curse. 

"Are you laughing at me, cat?"  he scolded Rin. 

"The Thresl seems awfully fond of you," Ted noted. 

Friln struggled to stand, eventually using the bars to steady him. " Why do you have us captive?  What are you doing?" 

He needed to gather as much information as he could.  Either the duke was part of the conspiracy, or his name was being used in a way he wouldn't appreciate. 

Friln could tell that Ted was the type of person who liked to share his extremely stupid plans with those he thought were under his control.  Maybe he'd watched too many vids where the super villains ruled the day. 

"I'm sorry for being so rude, but you did catch us unaware.  I'd like to thank you for not killing my colleague quite yet.  She does get on one's nerves, but she's a valuable scientist and I need her for a while longer.  I'm Ted, as you seem to know, and this is Deena.  We're in the process of finding a treatment to cure Thresls of their need for a mate.  Important work that you are now a part of, lucky man." 

Yeah, Ted's death would be immensely satisfying. 

"I thought they were already working on a way to delay the mating after they lost their human half," Friln said. 

Ted nodded.  He walked over to the computer and typed a few keys absently.  Friln noticed he didn't move the lady scientist from her uncomfortable looking spot by the door. " Yes, but that is once they are already transformed.  We're trying to make it so they don't need one at all." 

"But, wouldn't they be stuck in their Thresl form for their entire life?" 

Ted tapped a few more keys. " Possibly, we won't know until we do a few live experiments.  Unfortunately, all of our subjects keep dying." 

_Dying?_ 

Friln crouched down beside Rin to examine the Thresl.  A small patch of skin at the base of his skull had been shaved free of fur.  Closer examination revealed a neat row of stitches. " What the fuck did you do to him?" 

Ted smirked. " Are you a Thresl lover then?  I have to say, they are fascinating creatures.  I only took this job so I could study them.  It's not my fault the subjects died.  I mean they were supposed to see if they could resist mating pull, not die.  Eventually I had to kill the human too because he kept going on about the inhumanity of it all."  Ted poked at a few more keys. " The whiner." 

Maybe he'd shot the wrong person.  Friln wondered if the woman had any more compassion than her psychotic companion.  Did the duke know his assistant had completely snapped? 

"So your idea is what?  You ruin the Thresl as a species?" 

Ted smiled, an evil expression on such an innocuous looking man. " I lost half my family in the Great Purges.  If they hadn't been mated with Thresls, they wouldn't be dead.  If Thresls can't shift, then they won't be able to change into humans, and we can take over the planet.  The natural resources here will house thousands of humans after we hunt the Thresls to extinction, but first we have to stop them from transforming." 

"What are you talking about?"  a woman's voice interrupted Ted's rant. 

Apparently, Deena had awakened. 

"I'm talking about how we're going to eradicate the Thresls."  Ted's casual shrug as he talked about ruining an entire species, chilled Friln to the bone.  He'd never met true evil until that moment.  He hoped the duke didn't share his employee's views. 

"No!  We're freeing the Thresls," Deena argued. " If they don't have to mate, they can be whoever they want instead of conforming to their mates' desires." 

"He's fixing it so they can't shift at all," Friln informed her. 

Apparently, the two scientists had different ideas of their goals. 

"You bastard!"  Deena screamed. " You'll kill them." 

"They'll still live just as the beasts they were meant to be, instead of dragging humans into their twisted relationships." 

Deena snatched Friln's weapon off the floor where he'd dropped it.  Without fanfare, she shot at Ted.  He avoided the laser and pointed his tranquiliser gun at her. 

While they were distracted, Friln pulled a knife out of his boot.  Carefully, noiselessly, he stretched his right arm through the bars.  He lined the weapon up then flicked the blade at Ted.  The knife stabbed into Ted's chest.  When Ted reached for the handle, Deena shot him to keep him down.  Tumbling to the ground, he didn't move again. 

"Bastard," Deena snapped. 

She snatched the keys off the desk. " I'll let you out, but I don't want to release the Thresl.  He's still recovering from surgery." 

Rin blocked the way between the door and Friln, growling at her as she approached.  She froze. " What's he doing?" 

"He's protecting me.  What did you do to him?"  Inwardly, he did backflips.  At some level, Rin must have recognised him even without the bond. 

For the first time, she hesitated. " We took out the part of his brain that forces him to find a mate.  We thought without the compulsion, he could choose his partner with a clear head, instead of being forced to choose the first human he finds." 

"You've made a big mistake."  Friln tried to swallow back tears. " This is my Thresl." 

"What do you mean?  Who are you?" 

Friln could barely speak through the knot of emotion in his throat. " I'm Friln, and this is my bonded mate, Nelrin.  A few days ago, I died for a few seconds, and it broke our bond.  Now you might have made it so we can never bond again." 

Deena paled. " Oh no!  I never thought we'd do that much damage.  I just assumed since he was in Thresl form he was free of bonds.  My backers were demanding evidence of progress, and we had to find a subject." 

"Is the duke the one giving you money?"  How could anyone on the planet of Nilre justify this experiment?  Why would Duke Hellbur want to ruin his own race?  Duke Hellbur had lost his own mate during the purge.  It had never occurred to Friln to wonder how the royal stayed human and sane with his partner dead.  Was the duke's mind eroding? 

"I don't know.  I thought it was an anonymous backer.  Maybe Ted knew him."  She didn't even glance at the man dead at her feet. 

"Were any of your experiments successful?" 

Deena shook her head. " I thought this one would be my first success, but I think he still knows you.  Whether he'll want to bond with you is another matter." 

Friln stroked Rin's head, wishing Deena's words were true.  The hardest sentence he'd ever spoken crossed his lips. " I doubt it.  Our connection is gone." 

"It hurts, doesn't it?" 

"Yes." 

Deena walked closer to the bars. " My Thresl died after we were together for two years.  When the bond broke, I thought I was going to die.  I didn't want anyone else to go through that.  I started this program trying to find a way to lighten the intensity of the bond.  When Ted approached me with extra funds for my research, he seemed to be on the same path I was." 

"I've been bound to Rin for ten years.  I hate not being connected to him.  I need that back, but now I don't know if I'll ever have it."  They'd taken that away from him. 

Tears shone in Deena's eyes. " I'm so sorry.  I can't change him back." 

"Release me, and we can go to the king.  You can tell him what you know.  He needs to find out what kind of research people are sponsoring." 

"Okay." 

Good thing Deena had agreed.  If she'd been like Ted, he would've happily used his second knife on her. 

Friln shoved the Thresl out of the way of the door.  The big cat snarled, but Friln didn't worry for a second that his mate might attack.  Even without the bond, he knew Rin wouldn't ever harm him. 

"Are you certain?"  Deena asked.  She paused a foot away from the cage, out of claw reach. 

Friln held his hand out through the cage bars. " Here give them to me." 

Deena passed them over. 

He quickly unlocked the door and shoved it open.  Deena stepped back. 

Rin shoved Friln to one side and planted his body between Friln and Deena.  He flattened his ears to his skull while he hissed at the scientist. 

"Hey, knock it off."  Friln flicked Rin's ear. " We need her." 

"Let me download Ted's files.  He could have some information on there about the duke and his research that you can take to the king." 

Friln yanked his knife from Ted's body then cleaned the blade on the dead man's shirt. 

"Eww, couldn't you have left it there?"  Deena asked. 

Friln stared at her in shock. " It's one of my best knives." 

Rin made a rumbling noise as if in agreement. 

"O-okay."  Deena went back to her computer.  A few minutes later, a small chip popped out of the console.  She snatched it up and tucked it into her pocket. " Ready." 

Deena opened the door and took a step outside.  Before Friln could follow, an explosion knocked Deena back into the room.  She landed on the floor, her stomach a bloody mass and her sightless eyes pointed at the ceiling. 

Friln jumped to the side, careful to stay hidden from their attackers.  Someone had placed the bomb where it would kill anyone who came outside.  Friln wondered if they knew their target.  The place could be bugged. 

"Stay low," Friln told his mate.  He didn't want Rin to die.  Now that he had him, Friln didn't plan on letting Rin out of his sight. 

Rin growled, then nudged Friln to the side and farther away from the entrance. 

"I can handle this better than you," Friln argued. " I have thumbs." 

He wiggled his fingers at Rin to taunt him. 

Before the Thresl could respond, a man dressed in uniform walked through the doorway.  Not the king's uniform.  Friln recognised it as Duke Hellbur's coat of arms. 

Friln picked up Deena's metal pipe and slammed it into the back of the soldier's head as he walked past, knocking him unconscious.  Friln checked quickly to make sure no one else was coming through the door. 

"He looks like he came alone.  Let's take him back to the king."  Friln needed as much proof as he could gather if he planned to implicate a royal. 

Friln cut a piece off Ted's pants with his knife and used the cloth to bind the soldier's hands.  Rin pawed at Deena's pockets. 

"Quite right, love.  We should get the chip." 

Friln had a pang of sorrow for the dead woman.  Deena had had the best intentions despite the fact she'd almost destroyed the Thresls.  After slipping the chip into his pocket, he returned to the unconscious soldier. " Yeah, this'll be fun." 

Although Friln had honed his body over years of training, the duke's soldier was at least as tall as Friln.  He grunted as he hoisted the man over his shoulder. 

Rin chuffed at him. 

"If you were human, you could help." 

Rin tilted his head as if he didn't know what Friln was talking about.  Friln wondered how much damage the two scientists had done to his mate.  Now that Deena and Ted had both been killed, they couldn't be interrogated.  He hoped the information on the computer stick would tell them what they wanted to know. 

Friln tried not to look too devastated as he focused on putting one foot in front of another.  His chest ached from the stress of hauling the soldier.  If he damaged his newly healed wounds, Balaze would never let him live it down. 
Chapter Six

Nelrin stayed close to his new companion as they walked through the forest.  An amazing scent poured off the man as if every smell he'd ever liked were all rolled up in one human.  Half of what his companion said didn't make any sense, but he didn't care.  He was out of that cage and travelling with the pretty two-legged man.  Friln, he'd said his name was.  Yes, he'd stay near his Friln. 

After a long, slow walk, the forest ended, and a big grey building towered over them.  Nelrin grabbed Friln by the pant leg.  He didn't like leaving the forest.  There were fewer places to protect his man from the others who might try to harm him. 

"Rin, you have to let me go.  I have to talk to the king." 

He didn't know what a king might be, but the blue-eyed human appeared quite determined. 

Chuffing his disapproval, he followed his rescuer once more.  He worried that if he let Friln out of his sight, the blond might be swallowed up in the crowd of other humans milling around them. 

He snarled at a few of the idiots who tried to walk too close. 

They spent several minutes pushing their way through the crowds until they reached quieter hallways with fewer people. 

Nelrin purred his pleasure at the absence of crowds. 

"We're almost there." 

"Hey, Friln." 

The voice had Rin spinning around to confront the interloper who walked over to stand way too close to Nelrin's human. 

"What do you have there?"  A tall, handsome man who smelt a bit like him stepped forward. 

"Prince Bleine, I was looking for your brother.  I found this soldier in Duke Hellbur's uniform after he attacked a cabin and killed the one person who could've given us answers." 

The prince narrowed his eyes as he examined the soldier. " Hmm, I'll take him.  I'm certain I can find out what he knows.  Report your findings to Vohne as soon as possible." 

Rin watched as the soldier changed hands.  Good, he didn't like Friln hurting himself by hauling the heavy man around. 

"Thanks.  I appreciate this." 

"No problem.  Is this Rin?" 

"Yeah." 

Rin snuggled up to Friln.  He breathed him in, sliding his cheek against his human's side and making sure to rub his scent off on Friln. 

Purring, he rubbed some more. 

"I think he's making sure everyone knows you're his." 

Friln sighed. " Yeah.  I don't know what all they did to him, but they operated on his brain." 

"Go to the medical wing.  I'll tell Vohne to meet you there." 

"Thanks.  Come on, Rin, let's go." 

Nelrin growled at the prince who stood too close to his man.  He grabbed Friln's shirtsleeve and dragged his human away from the not-all-human. 

"I'm coming.  You don't have to tear my clothes.  They're in bad enough condition as it is." 

Despite his arguments, the human allowed Nelrin to drag him along. 

"Do you know where you're going?" 

Nelrin stopped when he realised he didn't.  He released Friln and looked around. 

"Come on."  Friln motioned for Nelrin to follow him. 

Nelrin swept his head from side to side to check for hidden dangers.  The smells from people who had walked this way had Nelrin stepping closer to Friln.  Every few steps, he rubbed against his human, marking him with a proper scent.  He needed to make sure no one else thought they might have a chance to make Friln theirs. 

"In here."  Friln waved a hand towards an open doorway. " Let's have them take a look at you." 

Nelrin didn't know if he wanted to be examined.  He growled suspiciously. 

"It'll be okay.  I'll be here with you the entire time." 

Nelrin paused.  Friln couldn't go be someone else's human if he were inside the room with him.  Liking his reasoning, Nelrin took two steps through the door.  He sneezed. 

"Yeah, I always think it stinks in here too." 

"Friln!  Did you find your mate?"  A tall, thin man with black and white hair joined them.  He patted Friln on the back.  Nelrin growled.  He didn't like the stranger touching his human, adding his scent to Nelrin's mate. 

_Mate?_ 

The word sank in to Nelrin.  He rolled it around in his mind. _ Yes, mate_.  Friln belonged to him. 

"Hey, Balaze.  Yes, this is Rin.  Well, Thresl Rin.  His human version appears to be lost.  Hopefully, it won't be permanent, but that's why I'm here." 

The sad expression in Friln's eyes had Nelrin going to his hind legs to lick at Friln's face. 

"Hop up here, handsome."  Balaze patted the padded table. 

Nelrin turned to Friln who nodded.  After Friln's approval, he leapt on top of the surface, liking that now he stood taller than the medic. 

"Show him your head," Friln pressed. 

Nelrin lay down on the bed and rested his head on his paws to expose the sore spot.  Now that the man called Balaze pointed it out, his head did hurt.  He cast a pitiful look at his favourite human. 

"Hey, babe, it'll be all right.  Balaze is going to check you out and see what he can do." 

The anxiety in Friln's tone didn't match his reassuring words. 

Nelrin kept his gaze on Friln and let the medic touch him.  He only growled a little. 

"Stay still, Nelrin.  I'm going to examine you," the medic said. 

Friln stepped closer to see what was going on.  Nelrin kept his attention on Friln in case the medic stepped too close. 

"It looks like they took out part of his brain," the medic announced after waving a small machine over Nelrin's head. 

"That's what the scientist said, but I'm still not sure why they would do that?" 

"What were they trying to accomplish?" 

"They said they were trying to make it so Thresls didn't need mates." 

The medic tapped a finger against his chin. " As far as I know, the Thresl brain has never been mapped.  Maybe they discovered the section that holds the Thresl imperative to mate.  You still don't feel the bond?" 

"No."  Friln's quiet voice broke Nelrin's heart.  Somehow, he'd let down his young man. 

"Hmm, there's only one way to test.  We can call Sarler and have him introduce Nelrin to some prospective mates.  If he shows interest in none of them, it might have worked." 

Friln's sad expression made Nelrin snarl at the medic. 

Balaze moved back. " Are you sure there isn't a connection between you?" 

"How many times do I have to tell you it's gone?"  Friln's voice broke.  He turned and walked out of the room. 

Nelrin snapped his teeth at Balaze before jumping down and racing after Friln. 

_His_ Friln. 

Following the delicious scent, he tracked his human to a small bit of greenery in the middle of the stone building.  Friln sat on the grass, staring at a flowering tree.  He didn't look away from the scenery as Nelrin plopped down beside him. 

"You probably don't remember, but we planted that together.  It was for our fifth anniversary.  We had to get special permission from the prince and the royal gardener, but we did it." 

Rin settled his head on Friln's knee.  The urge to be close to this man overwhelmed all other urges. 

Friln scratched Rin behind his ears, letting the texture of his mate's soft fur calm him.  Maybe this was what his life had been reduced to.  Maybe his lover was now his new pet.  He had to toughen up and move on, but depression dragged him down.  He'd always been a positive person.  Never letting things get him down for long, but right then, a hole had been ripped in his heart. 

After wiping the tears off his face with the back of his hand, he carefully pushed Rin off him. 

"Come on, as much as I don't like it, Balaze had a good point.  I'd rather find out the truth now than discover it later.  Let's go talk to Sarler about getting you some candidates to test you with.  We can go find the king afterwards." 

The Thresl didn't make any noise, but he obediently followed Friln from the garden.  It wasn't as if he could talk anyway. 

"Friln!" 

He spun around to face the king. " King Vohne," he bowed. 

"I heard you'd brought back a soldier.  Bleine is having him questioned." 

"I have some information for you."  Friln remembered the chip and dug it out of his pocket. 

The king waved the info chip away. " You're the expert at information.  Why don't you go check it out on my private computer?  I want to keep the information contained if possible." 

Friln had stopped wondering a while ago how the king always knew about everyone's skill set. " Yes, sire.  I'll head there now." 

"Is that Rin?" 

Friln nodded. " Balaze confirmed that the scientists who had him removed part of his brain." 

Vohne tilted his head and examined the Thresl. " If you can get him to shift into human it might grow back." 

Friln's mouth dropped open. " You think?" 

Vohne shrugged. " We have enhanced healing.  I don't know if it will work for a missing piece or not, but it could be worth a try." 

"I don't know how to get him to change," Friln admitted after a long moment. " I think he's stuck like that until I find him a mate." 

"What are you talking about?  You're his mate." 

Friln swallowed back the tears.  He could do this.  He could finish this conversation without crying.  He was a fucking soldier. 

"When our bond broke, it severed our connection.  Balaze seems to think if I take him to Sarler they might be able to bond him with someone else or at least determine if it is possible or not." 

"Is that what you want?" 

"I want Rin to be happy.  He wouldn't want to be in his cat form for the rest of his life.  When Saint was discovered, Rin told me repeatedly how much he'd hate being forced into his animal form for years on end.  I want to respect his wishes." 

"What makes you think you can't re-bond with him?" 

Friln's brain shorted out. " What do you mean?  I thought once a bond broke it was gone?" 

"I have to admit I've never heard of a bond breaking and then reforming.  On the other hand, I would think Rin is already predisposed to you.  The two of you were together a long time, weren't you?" 

"Ten years," Friln answered. 

"And you were happy from what I could see." 

Friln nodded. " Yes." 

"I don't think you should give up on trying to rebond.  Give it some time." 

Friln nodded. " I want what's best for Rin.  First, we should learn if he's lost that urge after all.  If he shows no instinct for bonding with another person, the point might be moot." 

The king examined Friln as if he could see into his soul and scoop out all his deepest desires. " And what about you?  Don't you think you deserve the best too?" 

A long, shaky sigh poured out of him without warning. " I deserve a mate who wants me and isn't persuaded by a biological imperative." 

Vohne slapped Friln on the shoulder, drawing a growl from Rin. " I think you are a better man than you give yourself credit for.  Humans don't always understand that Thresls might be fated to bond, but we do have the ability to pick our mates even in our Thresl form.  Make no mistake, Nelrin picked you, and if I'm not mistaken, he'd happily do it again." 

Hope grew like a seedling in Friln's chest, both beautiful and fragile. " I hope you're right." 

"Go see Kres.  He's in my office.  He can give you access to my computer.  I'm afraid espionage must take precedence over your love life for a little bit.  Hopefully, it won't take too long." 

Friln opened his mouth to argue, but he knew the king was right.  The safety of the kingdom had priority over Friln's personal life.  As much as he wanted to declare his relationship a state of emergency, he couldn't let his planet or his king down.  He'd grown up hearing stories of the great king who watched over Thresl-kind and he happily agreed with them all. 

"Thank you for entrusting me with this.  I won't let you down." 

King Vohne gave Friln a curious look. " I have no doubt you're up to the task, soldier.  Kres can contact me if you need anything." 

Friln nodded.  Unlike him, the king could still talk telepathically to his mate.  He brushed away the bitter thought before it began to eat away at him. 

After bidding the king goodbye, they headed to the royal office.  To his surprise, Rin continued to follow him, apparently content to stay in Friln's presence. 

Friln didn't know how to respond to the big cat. " I'll look over the document then we'll take you to talk to Sarler.  He might be able to help." 

Secretly, Friln hoped the prince-mate had no idea how to help out, but better to rip off the bandage and lose Rin now than to slowly peel back their relationship and discover nothing underneath.  Friln couldn't handle losing Rin slowly.  If his mate stayed in his cat form and unable to communicate, it would kill him bit by bit over time. 

Friln loved him too much for that. 

* * * *

Kres sat behind the king's desk, his gaze focused on the monitor in front of him. 

Friln hesitated at the doorway.  It never paid to startle the king-mate.  He knocked on the doorframe until Kres looked up. " Vohne sent me to use his computer." 

"Then get in here.  Let's see what you've got." 

Rin pushed his way into the room so he entered before Friln.  Kres' eyes widened when the Thresl followed him. " Is that Rin?" 

"Yeah." 

"Why hasn't he changed back yet?" 

"I'm not sure he can." 

"You could ask him?"  Kres stood and motioned for Friln to take his spot behind the desk. 

"I can't.  Our bond is gone.  I can't hear him." 

"Oh."  Kres tilted his head as he glanced from Friln to Rin, then back again. " Well, I'm sure Vohne can fix you or something." 

"I hope so."  Friln pushed his worries to the back of his mind as he sank into the chair.  He popped the data chip into the king's computer and focused on bringing up the files.  Encrypted.  Pleased to have something to distract him, he focused all his attention on solving the puzzle.  Kres settled his hand on the back of the chair and leaned over his shoulder to see. 

Rin slammed into Kres, sending him to the floor.  The big Thresl planted his paws on Kres' chest and pinned him there. 

"Friln, I suggest you get your mate off me before I gut him."  Kres' casual tone was belied by the king-mate reaching for his boot. 

"Rin!" 

The Thresl turned his head and met Friln's eyes. " Get over here before Kres stabs you." 

Rin chuffed at the king-mate before leaping away and heading back to Friln. 

Kres groaned as he rolled to his feet. " That damn animal is heavy.  He might not have the bond with you anymore, but he definitely feels something.  He wouldn't be so protective if you were just anyone else." 

"You think so?"  Friln tried not to grasp too tightly at that bit of hope. 

"Yes.  I'm going to go see if your soldier woke up yet.  Vohne told me they put him in the west wing.  Call me if you find anything good." 

"Will do." 

Friln turned his attention back to the monitor.  He needed to crack this code.  The future of the planet could be determined by what he found. 
Chapter Seven

It took him over an hour before he found the key.  The language used to make it took him a while to decipher. " Yes!" 

As the program began to break down and unravel, Friln took a closer look at the contents.  His skin crawled as the words unscrambled and began to form paragraphs. 

"Oh crap!" 

This wasn't good.  Duke Hellbur's name popped up over and over from requisitions for drugs, to collecting Thresls for testing.  Although he'd heard rumours about Hellbur's ambitions, he'd thought the duke had lost his drive to take over the kingdom after the death of his first bondmate.  Now he suspected the duke had turned to drugs to stay out of cryo. 

"Maybe he wanted to see if it worked on full Thresls after trying it on himself." 

Friln grabbed the communicator on the table and dialled Kres. 

"I found something you're going to want to look at." 

He wasn't the least bit surprised when Kres walked in with the king a few minutes later.  Vohne leaned over Friln's shoulder to study the screen.  Rin didn't make a peep.  Apparently, he had the sense not to mess with the toughest Thresl on the planet. 

"What did you find?"  Vohne asked. 

"It has Duke Hellbur's name all over it.  The electronic trail leads right to him." 

Kres snorted. " I told you he was no good." 

"You said his hair was too shiny," Vohne reminded him. 

"And his teeth.  No one should have teeth that white.  It's unnatural." 

"Can we focus?"  Vohne asked. 

"Let's go arrest his ass.  That will give me something to focus on." 

"We can't just go and arrest a duke.  We need to question him first." 

"Did I show you my new blade?"  Kres pulled a sharp knife out of his boot. 

Vohne sighed. " It's very pretty, my love.  You can't use it on the duke." 

"What about on his shiny hair?"  he asked hopefully. 

"Did you learn anything from the soldier?"  Friln asked. 

"He was still knocked out.  You did a good job with that," Kres praised. 

"Maybe we should talk to the soldier before we interrogate Hellbur," Vohne suggested. 

"Why don't I go talk to the duke?  I can tell him we found one of his soldiers and see his reaction from that," Friln offered. " Since I've done work for him in the past, he might not be suspicious if I start asking him questions." 

Friln hated the idea that Hellbur might be behind all this.  He'd sincerely liked the duke and thought he'd worked for the good of the Thresls. 

"That's a great idea," the king said, ignoring Kres' disappointed scowl. " It might seem less threatening.  He's at his estate in Menley." 

Friln almost snatched back his offer.  He hated going to Menley.  Located ten miles from the castle and based by the water, it was a hotbed of political intrigue and thieves.  Rumours flew of Hellbur heading an underground network of spies.  Friln knew they weren't truly rumours.  If the spymaster was in charge of overthrowing the Thresl, they were all in trouble. 

Rin began growling. 

"You can go with him," Vohne told the big cat. " I wouldn't separate you." 

"You can talk to him?"  Friln asked, watching their interaction. 

The king nodded. " A bit.  His mental voice is a bit muddled, like it's taking him more effort than it should, but I can feel his determination to go with you.  More impressions than words." 

"Huh."  Friln was torn between happiness over Rin communicating with someone to disappointment it wasn't him. 

"Go talk to Hellbur.  Stop by Sarler's office before you go and see what you can find out about Nelrin's chances of re-bonding.  Sarler knows all about that sort of stuff." 

Friln's heart sank.  What if Rin found someone else?  He shook off his unease.  So far, Rin hadn't shown the least interest in protecting anyone but Friln. 

"Yes, Your Majesty."  Friln stood and bowed to the royals. 

"Hey, don't worry so much.  He isn't going to pick anyone else," Kres reassured him. " He chose you, and he's kept choosing you for the past ten years.  No matter what they've done to him or what he might have forgotten.  He knows he's yours." 

"That was sweet," Vohne noted. 

"Yeah, I'm a giant pile of sugar," Kres drawled. " Check in directly with us as soon as you get back.  We don't know who we can trust." 

"Got it."  Friln bowed again before quitting the room.  Rin followed him.  Friln wondered if, eventually, the big cat would get tired of chasing a random human and go elsewhere.  He had no way of stopping the Thresl from doing whatever he wanted. 

Depression wrapped around his chest, squeezing it like a boa constrictor he'd read about once.  The snake tightened its body around its victims and crushed them.  That might be a mercy compared to Friln's pain. 

Rin nudged Friln's hand.  He licked a line across Friln's fingertips with his rough tongue. 

Friln dredged up a smile for the Thresl. " No offence, love, but I like you better as a human." 

It didn't take long enough to reach the other end of the castle.  Even with dragging his feet, they arrived too soon.  Before they reached his office, they found Sarler standing before a cryotube, examining the person floating within. 

"Hey, Friln, I see you made it back safely."  Sarler stepped forward to hug him but stopped when Rin snarled. 

Sarler held up his hands. " Got it.  No touching.  I take it that's Nelrin?" 

"Yes, sorry, he's protective.  He doesn't like anyone too close to me." 

"That's a good sign." 

"Is it?" 

"Sure, it means at some level he remembers you." 

"I want you to find him a possible mate."  He choked out the words even though they hurt to speak. 

"Why?" 

"Because I want him to be happy.  If he truly wanted to be with me, he would've already changed back." 

There, he'd confessed his secret fear.  If Rin truly wanted to be Friln's Thresl, he would've changed back when he saw Friln at the cabin. 

"Oh, Friln," Sarler's sympathetic expression almost undid him. " That's not necessarily true.  If he's been through a traumatic event, he might be confused.  Thresls don't always perceive things the same as humans." 

"They operated on his brain, Sarler.  He might never truly remember me again."  Friln blinked back tears.  He refused to turn into a weepy man who cried on everyone's shoulder. 

Rin licked the back of Friln's hand. 

"His instincts still remain."  Sarler watched their interaction.  Friln could almost see his scientific brain spinning as he processed what to do next. 

"Please, Sarler."  He couldn't ask again.  His heart couldn't take the stress. 

After a moment, Sarler nodded. " If nothing else, it should show that he's not interested in being anyone else's mate.  I have a waiting room full of potential candidates who are going through some testing for compatibility.  Would you mind if I took him in there?" 

_Yes!_ 

Friln wanted to shout that of course he cared if his mate were released in a room full of other possible mates.  However, he'd come for that very reason.  He needed to know if Rin would rather have another man as his mate, Friln wouldn't stand in his way.  The scientist's words had hit him hard.  If they were bonded only because Rin's biological clock was ticking, Friln would rather his Thresl got another chance.  Not to mention, Sarler was right.  If Rin showed no interest in the others, there was hope.  Right now, he'd take all the positive news he could get. 

"Sure.  That would be fine."  He rushed out the words, and from Sarler's expression, he didn't succeed in selling his conviction. 

"If you'd rather not..." Sarler let the words trail off. 

"No, I have to make sure this is what Rin wants too." 

"All right."  He turned his attention to the Thresl. " Are you ready to go with me?" 

Rin sat on his rump.  He growled low and lashed his tail back and forth. 

"Go on," Friln nudged Rin with the side of his foot. " Go see if there is someone else you want." 

After he watched Sarler and Rin step through the door, he walked away. 

* * * *

Upon reaching their suite, Friln grabbed two changes of clothes for him and one for Rin—on the off chance his mate would turn back to a human—along with weapons, lube and basic toiletries.  He didn't know if Rin would even be going with him, but he liked to be prepared. 

By the time he returned to Sarler, his mate might have already chosen someone else.  After all, he'd forgotten Friln easily enough after a little brain surgery.  Shouldn't life be like one of those fairy tales where the couple never forgot each other even after death?  Friln sighed.  He knew he was being unreasonable, but that didn't stop the words trying to escape. 

Cursing, he shoved some protein bars into an outside pocket.  He never knew when he might get hungry.  He also grabbed the secure communicator the king had given him last month.  He hadn't used it yet, but this seemed like the prime moment to break it in. 

Friln sighed and blinked back tears. " Buck up, soldier," he counselled himself. 

He plopped down at the bottom of their bed, and for the first time in a while, he truly examined their room.  A long shelf of mementos from their lives together covered one wall.  Pictures of them on vacation, a pressed flower from their first date out of the castle and the shell Friln had found for Rin during a beachside walk. 

Since his injury and short death, Friln's mind had spun in circles.  A new clarity struck him, and Friln jumped to his feet. " What the fuck am I thinking?" 

No way would he let anyone else have his man.  Cat or not, Rin belonged to Friln, and he'd always belong to him.  If he had to beat an innocent human to get him back—he was okay with that. 

Filled with renewed resolve, Friln slung the pack over his shoulder and went to fetch his mate. 

Friln marched back down the hall towards Sarler's wing.  The sounds of people screaming had him quickening his steps.  A loud roar broke him into a run.  He raced to the conference room door where all the noises came from and whipped it open.  He skidded to a halt right inside the entrance. 

"Rin!" 

The Thresl had herded all the humans to one side by swiping at them with his sharp claws. 

"I don't think he wants another mate," Sarler said dryly from his spot standing on the table. 

Rin spun around, abandoning the humans with a flick of his tail.  He strutted past Sarler with a snarl before sitting down in front of Friln.  If cats could look smug, Rin pulled it off. 

Joy lit Friln from the inside. " Come on, mate.  We've got work to do." 

"See you later," Sarler called after them. 

Friln waved goodbye.  The first question had been answered.  Rin didn't want anyone else. 

Even with his mate still in Thresl form, Friln thought things might eventually work out. 

* * * *

Friln disembarked from the small shuttle bus with Rin ambling behind him.  The three-hour ride from the castle to Menley had been uneventful, the restless nap he took only slightly satisfying.  He slipped on his sunglasses to block out the afternoon brightness.  This sky didn't truly dim until well into the evening hours.  When would this day ever end?  After finding his mate, being captured by scientists, capturing a soldier and breaking a code, Friln decided time must have compressed during his death and days now lasted sixty hours instead of the usual thirty-two. 

A bump to his side made him look down.  Rin growled. 

Friln turned his head to follow Rin's line of sight.  Two rough looking sailors were watching people disembark.  Their speculative gazes rested on Friln. " Good point.  We don't want to be going off to sea." 

Although shanghaiing people and forcing them to work on ships was technically illegal, the captives had to return alive in order to make the complaint.  Friln didn't wish to become a statistic.  He needed to complete his mission for the good of the Thresls.  Letting King Vohne down wasn't an option. 

He turned his back on the seamen, trusting Rin to watch out for them.  The tactic so familiar he braced himself against the wash of melancholy that slammed into him.  How many times had they looked after each other when they were on the job? 

Pushing back his emotions, Friln headed for a local pub.  One he knew had clean sheets and wouldn't sell his stuff when he went to scout around. 

Rin growled softly when they approached the inn. 

"Hush, Priv will watch out for us.  You know this is the best choice.  If you're going to be difficult, you can always sleep with the horses." 

A soft hiss answered his statement. 

"Then I guess you'll have to behave.  I don't know why you always think he's going to flirt with me." 

Friln didn't even try to hide his delight at Rin's jealousy.  Maybe the Thresl remembered more than they thought if he recalled why he hated this particular pub. 

Opening the door, Friln allowed Rin to step through first before entering.  This time of day the occupants were mostly sailors waiting for ship repairs and locals having a pint to cool off.  Friln spotted a table in the corner and headed that way.  Rin's size and low growl ensured they reached his goal without being bothered. 

"You're kind of handy in kitty form," Friln teased. 

Rin flashed his fangs. 

"Well, there is a solution to that problem.  Change." 

"Well, bless my soul and send my sisters to the deep blue sea, if it isn't my favourite man," a deep voice boomed across the loud tavern. 

"Priv!"  Friln stood. 

Priv wrapped his thick muscled arms around Friln in a breath-stealing embrace.  When he finally set Friln back on his feet, Priv stepped back quickly to avoid a deadly claw swipe at his jugular. 

"When did you get a furry Thresl?  What happened to your mate?"  Priv pressed one blue-skinned hand to his chest. " Did he die?  Are you up for bonding?  Tell me everything." 

Before Friln could shove one word between Priv's sentences, the innkeeper spun a chair around and straddled the back of it. " Sit, sit!" 

Friln sighed.  He knew he would never get a room without telling Priv what happened so he shared the parts about him and Rin and left out the rest. 

"So what are you doing here?"  Priv's blue-eyed gaze went from Friln to Rin and back again. 

"I need to see Duke Hellbur." 

"He's up at his estate.  He'll probably give you a room if you flash your baby blues.  The Duke's known to like a well-formed man." 

Friln shook his head. " I don't want to see him until I'm well rested.  If he doesn't know already, could you wait to send him a note until I've had a bit of sleep?" 

Priv's narrow face set in a regretful smile. " Sorry, friend, when you walked in I saw one of his little birds rushing out.  By now, he knows you're here." 

"Well, nothing for it, I suppose."  Friln sighed. " I'm too tired to hunt him up today.  Do you have a room?" 

"I'm guessing you don't want to share mine?" 

Rin's growl went past warning into dangerously homicidal. 

"I'll take that as a no." 

"I think that's safe to say," Friln agreed. 

"I have an available suite on the upper floor if you're interested.  The bed is probably even large enough for this big bastard who has apparently lost his sense of humour along with his shape." 

"We'll take it."  Even if it were a single with a flea-infested mattress, he'd probably snatch it up.  Friln could barely keep his eyes open. 

"Great!  I'll have the chambermaid clean it up real quick.  Why don't you have a bite to eat while I get things ready." 

Friln wrapped his hand around Priv's wrist before the innkeeper could jump up and rush off. " Thanks, man." 

Priv's expression turned feral. " You find out who's messing with the Thresl, and we'll call it even!  I didn't leave my planet and make a life for myself just to let some bastards fly in and ruin it all." 

"I'll do my best," Friln vowed. 

"That's all I can ask, my friend, that's all I can ask."  Priv patted Friln's hand, then rushed off to prep their room. 

_"Danger!"_ 

"What?" 

Friln scanned the room, excitement skittered through his veins as he realised Rin had spoken to him.  It only took a second to spot the soldiers making their way to his table—duke's men.  He only had a second to make a decision.  Did he fight, flee or wait and see what they wanted? 

Fighting and running took more energy than Friln had left in his body.  He waited. 

"Are you Friln?"  A dark-haired soldier with a spotless uniform approached.  Two other soldiers watched his back. 

"Yes." 

Friln smiled at the girl who rushed to set a glass of ale on his table.  She winked at him, letting Friln know that Priv was watching his back.  They had a long-standing code.  If he needed help, he'd toss the beer at the man and Priv would cause a diversion. 

"Duke Hellbur would like to see you." 

Friln glanced at Rin, but after the Thresl didn't offer any more words or signs, he turned his attention back to the soldier. 

"I'm afraid the duke will have to wait until tomorrow.  It's been a hell of a day, and I need some sleep." 

The soldier didn't know what to do with that.  He pulled out his communicator. " I'll be right back." 

Friln watched them head outside so the guard could hear whomever he planned on calling. 

"Well, that was anticlimactic," Friln told Rin. 

_"Not danger."_ 

"What?"  Friln scanned the crowd again and spotted the sailors from the dock moving through the crowd. " Crap." 

The sailors weren't stupid enough to try to drag Friln out of there, but they could drug him or any manner of things if it would get him out of the inn and on their boat.  Unfortunately for them, they'd chose the wrong bar. 

Friln didn't even move from his spot.  He caught Priv's eyes and nodded towards the sailors.  He could deal with the soldiers on his own, but he didn't have the energy to fight the sailors.  Before the pair made it halfway across the inn, Priv grabbed each man by the collar and spun them around. 

"Your kind isn't welcome here, boys." 

Not giving them a chance to protest or fight, Priv tossed them out of the inn.  A cheer went up in the bar.  No one knew why Priv threw someone out, but they were all too drunk to care.  All that mattered to the customers was peace continued in their corner of the world so they could still drink good ale. 

Friln took a deep sip of his glass of dark brew. 

"Say what you want about him, but he still serves the best ale on the planet," Friln muttered to Rin. 

Friln didn't know Priv's source, and he refused to ask under the belief the less he knew the less likely he'd feel compelled to arrest his friend for smuggling. 

Another sip of the brew had his head spinning. 

His vision blurred just as Priv returned. 

"Priv!  What did you do?" 

"Sorry, buddy.  The temptation to get rid of Rin and keep you to myself is too good to pass up.  The only way to stay in business is to swap a few of the kitties to my supplier.  With the king cracking down, I need new sources.  Rin will do until I can get my channels up again.  Now come along, Rin.  If you're a nice obedient kitty, I'll give Friln the antidote and no one gets hurt.  I promise to take excellent care of him."  The way Priv kept his tone calm and soothing as if of course they would go along with his plan to sell Rin in exchange for booze, fired Friln's anger. 

Friln couldn't see.  The blurring had changed to blindness.  He never should've trusted Priv.  How many times had Rin warned him Priv was up to no good?  He'd always brushed it aside as jealousy, but it appeared Rin was right. 

He reached down for the knife in his boot.  If he could follow the sound of Priv's voice, he'd stab the bastard.  At least this time when he died, he got to take the asshole out with him. 

A loud crackling sound distracted Friln from his focus. 

"Oh, crap."  Priv gave a strangled scream. 

A thunderous bang shook the table Friln sat at. 

"Or you could give us the antidote now, and I won't carve you up and see how deep your blue colour goes," a rough, familiar voice growled. 

_Rin._ 
Chapter Eight

Of all the scenarios he'd concocted in his head with ways his lover might return, not one of them involved being poisoned by a friend.  Well, a man he'd considered a friend.  Although Priv didn't see them very often, they'd spent more than a few nights chatting over beers and talking about galaxy-wide politics. 

Priv had often touted the generosity of the Thresls as one of the reasons he stayed on Nilre.  Now Friln wondered how much that generosity had cost the planet.  How many Thresls had he sold to liquor smugglers?  The drugged ale spun like a cyclone in his stomach.  Friln turned his head just in time to throw up on the floor. 

He heard some sounds of disgust from the crowd, but he didn't care.  Maybe purging his system would get rid of some of the poison. 

"Rin?"  he whispered. 

"Shush, love, I'm in the middle of an interrogation.  We'll get you cleaned up in a bit.  I'm going to go get your antidote first." 

"I-I—" Priv stuttered. 

More slamming sounds followed.  The crack of a bone snapping and Priv screaming filled Friln's ears.  A pang of sympathy for Priv quickly vanished as he realised what had been taken from him.  Unlike a Thresl, Friln couldn't regrow his eyes if there were problems.  There was a large chance Rin would have a blind mate.  He almost spewed again. 

"Let's go get that antidote." 

Hard boot heels clomped against the stone floor. 

"About time you came back.  Be good soldiers and watch Friln while I convince this bastard that Thresls aren't his personal cash machine." 

A kiss pressed against his forehead. " I'll be back, love.  Don't worry, you won't stay like this." 

Friln knew his mate couldn't promise that.  This definitely hadn't been his year so far. 

A voice interrupted his internal dialogue. 

"Sir, I talked to Duke Hellbur.  He said he'd see you tomorrow so you can rest.  However, with this change of events, I'd like to take you and your mate with us for your own safety." 

Friln had thought he'd be safe with his old friend.  His lack of judgement might have cost his life. 

"I think that might be a good idea," Friln agreed. 

He paused for a moment as all the events in the past few days sank in. " Tell me, soldier.  How does my mate look?" 

The soldier cleared his throat. " Let's just say if my wife looked at me the way your man looks at you, we'd have more than one child." 

Friln laughed. 

* * * *

Nelrin casually banged Priv against another doorframe as they entered the small room Priv used as his office. 

"Stop it!" 

"No." 

He threw Priv into the room then kicked the door closed behind him. 

Priv touched his bleeding nose. " Damn, you always wanted to do that didn't you." 

"Antidote.  Now!" 

"You don't need an antidote," Priv said. 

Nelrin's anger tripled until he could almost feel the fury pumping in his veins. " My mate is sick and blind out there.  If you don't give me an antidote right this fucking minute, I will rip off your fucking head and beat you with it." 

"Easy, Nelrin."  Priv waved his hands defensively. " It wasn't a real poison.  It was all an act.  I knew the duke's men were watching us.  I had to make it look like Friln was harmless and I needed you human." 

Nelrin crossed his arms over his chest. " What are you talking about?" 

His head still ached from the transition, and his body didn't feel like his own.  The fact he looked down at Priv when before he'd always been two inches shorter than the innkeeper unnerved him. 

"When Friln told me he was here to capture the duke, I had to make it look like he wasn't in any shape to do anything.  Also, now the duke is obligated to take both of you under his care until you are in better health.  Friln is the king's man.  To not offer him lodging wouldn't reflect well on Hellbur.  But before, he would've watched Friln's every move.  Now he'll feel sympathy for the poor, sick soldier. 

"You're a spy!"  Nelrin stared at Priv with new appreciation. " What about what you said about exchanging Thresls for liquor?" 

"Total bullshit.  I'd never do that.  But everyone here already thinks I do, and it flushes out the smugglers.  If they believe I'm already condoning that sort of behaviour, they'll come and try to barter for my business.  Then I arrest them and send them off to the king." 

"Duke Hellbur doesn't run you?" 

Nelrin had thought the duke had his fingers in everything. 

Priv shook his head. " No.  The king contacted me a few months ago.  I've always done some work for Prince Bleine, but when Thresls began disappearing, I agreed to keep an eye out on possible exporters." 

"Wait, you said when Friln told you he was capturing Hellbur, he never said that." 

Priv smiled. " I can read between the lines.  You don't send an army to catch a spymaster.  You send a pretty soldier with a broken heart." 

Rin growled. " Friln didn't come to seduce the duke." 

"No, but it wouldn't take much for him to succeed." 

"What about the beer?  What did you give him?" 

"A small nerve potion.  He'll be blind for a few hours.  Long enough for you to get positioned nicely in the duke's household." 

Priv pulled a syringe out of his desk drawer and handed it over. " Here's a saline solution.  Give it to Friln so they think I gave you the antidote." 

"It frightens me that you have all this on hand." 

Priv shrugged. " I like to be prepared." 

Nelrin accepted the potion, then punched Priv again. 

"Ow."  Priv grabbed his nose. " Why did you do that?" 

"Because right now Friln is afraid he's never going to see again.  You deserve it for making him worry." 

"Fucker.  Go put on some clothes." 

"I'm sure Friln has some—he's always prepared." 

"When you get out of this, tell him I'm sorry." 

Nelrin shook his head as he walked away.  He needed to get Friln out of there.  It only annoyed him more to find his mate surrounded by three soldiers. 

"Is there a problem?" 

He almost wished he still had fangs—biting the man standing too close to Friln would've made him happy. 

"Rin?" 

"Hey, babe.  I've got your antidote." 

Nelrin crouched on the floor in front of Friln, careful to avoid the vomit.  Served Priv right.  He hoped the guy had to clean it up himself.  Making sure the soldiers saw him give Friln the shot, he patted his mate's arm when he finished and tossed the needle on the table. 

"I have clothes for you."  Friln pointed at his bag. 

"I had no doubt."  Rin pulled out his favourite pants and shirt.  Dressing quickly, he found his pants only reached his ankles and his shirt didn't button. 

"I'm sure Duke Hellbur will have something that fits.  Or at least buttons," one of the soldiers offered. 

Nelrin scowled at the smirking officer.  He slipped the bag over his shoulders then helped Friln to his feet. " Come on, love, let's go visit the duke." 

Friln sagged against him. " How is it possible to be dizzy and blind at the same time?  I mean, can the room spin if I can't see the room?" 

"It must be if it's happening to you.  Now don't scream, I'm going to pick you up." 

"Okay." 

Friln lay placidly in Nelrin's arms.  He wished he could tell him there were no health dangers, but he truly didn't know what Priv had given him.  If Friln died, Priv better pick out his burial plot because he had no hope of living another day. 

They followed the soldiers to a hover car.  The seal on the side proclaimed it the property of the duke.  Nelrin didn't think the king had as many things marked with his coat of arms as a mere duke. 

"You'd like this, love.  It's super plush inside.  The duke's men are spoilt." 

The soldier who appeared in charge of the group snorted. " We don't usually travel like this.  We brought this car for your mate." 

"A fancy car to retrieve a soldier."  Nelrin stroked the seats, wondering at the cost.  He never understood expensive transport vehicles.  Why did you need something fancy to go from one point to another?  Maybe it escaped him because he could generally walk anywhere he needed to go. 

The soldier shrugged and said nothing more. " Anything you want to tell me about your relationship with the duke, love?" 

"Mm-hmm.  We had a mad, passionate affair.  I was going to leave you for him.  You know I prefer blonds." 

Nelrin threw back his head and laughed. " If you really preferred blonds, I'd be blond.  You just ruined your argument." 

"Huh.  Sorry?" 

"You should be.  Next time you have an imaginary torrid affair, try to get your facts right." 

Friln snuggled closer, the movement so dear Nelrin had to catch his breath. 

"I'll keep that in mind." 

Nelrin cradled Friln's head against his chest. " You do that." 

* * * *

He didn't realise he'd fallen asleep until someone shook him awake.  Transforming into a human had messed up his energy levels, not to mention the stress of thinking Friln was at death's door—again. 

A worried Duke Hellbur waited for them when they came out of the vehicle. 

"Is he all right?"  He stepped forward as if he was going to take Friln, but Nelrin growled and jerked his mate out of reach. 

"He'll be fine.  I gave him an antidote.  He just needs rest." 

Friln still slept, undisturbed by Nelrin carrying him around. 

"I had that innkeeper arrested.  Poisoning a king's soldier is a punishable offence." 

"Thank you."  Nelrin quickly suppressed any guilt he felt over Priv.  The king would find a way to set Priv free. 

"I'm afraid I don't have my own physician, but if you feel the need for one, let me know and I'll have one brought in." 

Nelrin shook his head. " I don't think that's necessary, but if he takes a turn for the worse, I'll let you know." 

Hellbur hesitated, then nodded. " If you think that best.  I'll be in my office.  Grab a servant to come get me if you need me for anything.  Otherwise, my staff is at your beck and call." 

"I doubt we'll need anything before tomorrow.  Right now, we just need some rest." 

Hellbur pointed to a small maid to his right. " Styla will show you to your room." 

"Thank you." 

Nelrin watched the duke.  Hellbur's usually tidy hair stuck out on all sides as if he'd spent the afternoon running his hands through it, and his cheeks had a fine layer of stubble.  His overall appearance leaned more towards finely dressed hobo than elegant duke.  Duke Hellbur's sense of style kept the palace gossips on their feet constantly trying to copy his look.  Maybe he relaxed more around his home, but Nelrin suspected there were deeper issues at hand. 

Carrying Friln, Nelrin could only offer a short bow to the duke before following the servant down the white marbled corridors.  The duke's private home rivalled the castle for elegance if not for size.  He didn't have far to go before the maid showed them into a beautiful suite bigger than the one they had at the castle. 

"Let me know if you need anything," Styla said, curtseying. 

"I'm sure we'll be fine."  He wanted her gone so he could check on Friln.  His inner cat growled at the idea of anyone other than him seeing Friln naked. 

The maid curtseyed again, then headed out. 

Nelrin carried Friln to the bed.  He carefully set his mate down on the mattress before removing his shoes. 

"I need to brush my teeth."  Friln's soft voice broke into Nelrin's thoughts. 

"You okay, love?" 

"Besides feeling like crap and the very strong possibility I might puke all over this beautiful bed, I'm good." 

"Can you see?"  Nelrin slid up the covers to check out Friln's eyes. 

Friln scowled up at him, but his blue eyes appeared focused. 

"What happened to you?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"I mean you're bigger, and your face is a bit different." 

"Is it?"  Nelrin resisted the urge to jump up and see himself in the mirror. " Maybe it's because you're not the same person you were at eighteen.  I've changed to meet your preferences." 

Friln's eyes went wide. " I had no idea I needed such big preferences." 

Nelrin laughed. " Me either." 

"I still don't feel our connection.  Why didn't it snap into place when you shifted to human?" 

Nelrin reached for their link.  Nothing.  He growled in frustration. " We didn't connect until we had sex the first time." 

"Then I definitely need to brush my teeth." 

"Me too.  You think the duke has toothbrushes in there?" 

"Probably, but I brought ours in my pack." 

"You really thought I'd turn back into a human, didn't you?"  Nelrin couldn't hold back his surprise at Friln's determination that Nelrin would return to him. 

"I hoped.  If I didn't have at least hope, I would've gone mad." 

"Come on, let's go brush our teeth, get a good night's sleep, then we'll see if we can reconnect tomorrow." 

"Not tonight?" 

Nelrin shook his head. " No, you need rest.  Throwing up in the middle of sex isn't romantic." 

"Hmm, I suppose not.  I still can't believe Priv poisoned me.  I guess you were right all along when you said he was bad news." 

Nelrin bit back the words exonerating Priv.  He didn't know if the walls had ears, and he couldn't break Priv's cover.  Better to let him sit in jail than ruin the potential good he could do for the kingdom. 

"As least he gave us the antidote," he said neutrally. 

"After you beat him up." 

"Yeah."  Nelrin grinned.  Out of the entire encounter, he'd enjoyed punching Priv the most.  The reason he'd believed Priv guilty so quickly was due to him always hitting on Friln when they went to visit.  Priv deserved every punch, and for once, he didn't get in trouble with Friln for giving in to his instincts. 

Friln wiggled his way to the end of the bed like a worm. 

"You could've rolled." 

Friln shook his head. " Not with my stomach." 

Nelrin helped Friln to the bathroom where they brushed their teeth, then stripped off their clothes.  Nelrin turned off the light before joining Friln in bed. 

For a moment, complete silence surrounded them.  The quiet room had even fewer noises than their soundproofed palace suite. 

Friln slid over until his head rested in his favourite position on Nelrin's chest. 

"I thought I'd lost this forever." 

"What?  Sleeping on me like a mattress?"  Nelrin teased, trying to prevent his lover from falling into melancholy. 

"No.  This connection.  I thought I'd never be able to feel you as a man again.  Don't get me wrong, you make a handsome cat, but I prefer the human version." 

Friln then proceeded to pet Nelrin's chest as if he were still a cat. 

"Hmm, well, I'd be a bit disturbed if you preferred the cat.  I'll talk to the king.  I know Saint taught some people how to change back and forth from cat to person.  I'd like to be able to switch between.  There is something liberating about being a four-legged animal sometimes." 

"As long as I don't have to buy you a big-ass litter box, I'm fine with that." 

"Deal." 

With his mate snuggled to his heart, Nelrin tumbled into sleep. 
Chapter Nine

Waking up to his mate's mouth around his erection ranked as the best way to wake up—ever. 

"Oh."  Nelrin clenched his fists to resist the urge to grab Friln's head and feed him his cock.  Friln's technique didn't need any improvement, but Nelrin hated giving up control even to his mate.  A fact Friln knew very well.  Friln peered at Nelrin through his lashes, his eyes bright and amused. 

"Keep that up, and I won't have the energy to love you properly." 

Friln pulled off. " Nonsense.  You always love me properly." 

Nelrin's heart ached.  How much love could one paltry organ contain?  He grabbed Friln by the arms, yanking him up until they were chest to chest. " I'll be right back.  Prep yourself.  I bet you threw lube into that bag." 

Friln grinned. " Maybe." 

Nelrin dashed into the bathroom.  He paused in front of the mirror to examine his reflection.  He'd seen himself just last night, but the changes still shocked him.  He stood at least three inches taller than he used to, and his body had more power overall.  He'd heard from some Thresls that when they converted the second time, they helped shape their final look. 

Perhaps it was his compulsion to keep Friln from harm that made him bigger and stronger.  Not abnormally huge but definitely larger than before.  He glanced down at his erection.  Apparently, they were both fine with its original size and shape.  He brushed his teeth quickly then rushed back to find Friln lying on the bed with his legs spread wide and his fingers prepping his ass for Nelrin's entry. 

"How's your stomach?" 

"I'm fine, Rin.  I feel good today.  Now you're going to fuck me until we're connected again, then we're going to take a shower and hunt down the duke.  I'm tired of this crap.  I want our old lives back and our bed." 

"Yes, sir."  Nelrin grinned at his annoyed mate.  He snatched the lube off the bed and coated his erection. " I hope you prepped well because that's all you're getting." 

"I'm good."  Friln lifted his lips in invitation. " And I brushed too." 

Nelrin slid his shoulders beneath Friln's legs and pushed inside. 

"Oh, perfect." 

Nelrin had finally come home. 

"Fuck me," Friln demanded. 

"Yes, dear."  Nelrin took Friln at his word and began a hard rhythm that had both of them grunting their appreciation.  He worked Friln's cock as he screwed him.  Desperation drove him.  It wasn't about slow love and building heat.  This was a raw, primal claiming.  No one but him would ever touch this man.  Friln was his. 

"Mine!"  he shouted as he poured his seed into Friln. 

A searing pain slammed into his head.  Nelrin jerked back.  He forced his body to behave while his brain screamed with pain.  He carefully disengaged himself from Friln before collapsing beside his love. 

Friln curled into Nelrin's body. " It hurts.  What's happening?" 

Nelrin tried to form words over the piercing knife stabbing through his skull. " I think.  I think my brain is growing back." 

"Wh-why does it hurt me?" 

"Because we're connected." 

The bonding they'd both longed for decided to occur while Nelrin's brain still hadn't entirely reformed.  Nelrin sobbed and clutched at Friln as they rode the wave of pain battering through their heads. 

"Kill me now," Friln begged. 

"Shh, love, it's almost over." 

"You don't know that." 

Nelrin didn't, but he hoped it was or he'd happily kill them both to stop the pounding, pulsing and searing pain.  On the verge of losing consciousness, it all stopped.  Completely. 

"Rin?" 

"Yeah." 

"My head's not hurting any more.  Yours?" 

"No.  I'm good." 

"Try something." 

"You try something." 

Nelrin didn't want to disturb the sudden lack of agony. 

_"Rin."_  Friln's tentative voice in his head had Nelrin gripping his lover tightly. 

"I heard you.  I fucking heard you." 

"Stop shaking me." 

"Oh, sorry." 

_"I love you."_  Nelrin sent through their connection. 

"I love you too." 

"Yes!  We're back!" 

Nelrin grabbed Friln and rolled them around on the bed.  They went through two rotations until they tumbled completely off. 

"Oof.  You're heavy." 

Nelrin climbed off his lover. " It's your fault.  You made me this way.  You okay?" 

Friln paused a moment as if assessing the state of his body.  A slow smile crossed his handsome face. " Yeah, I think I really am." 

"Good.  Let's move on to phase two of our day." 

Friln nodded. " Shower." 

The duke's shower should've been labelled paradise. 

"We need more nozzles like this one."  Friln pointed at the triple showerheads on either side.  The water positioning didn't neglect a single body part. 

"Mmm, it is nice.  I like the middle one, it has massage." 

"Did you just purr?" 

"Maybe.  I'm closer to my cat half since I last transformed." 

Nelrin's cat half had always crouched quietly deep inside.  Now that he'd shifted recently, his Thresl animal had turned more feral, more willing to push itself forward.  Nelrin didn't know if he liked the difference yet, but he would learn to cope.  As long as Friln lived and loved him, anything could be tolerated. 

"Hmm, we should have Balaze check you out when we get back.  He can let us know if your brain is fully healed." 

Nelrin smiled.  Standing in the shower and talking about mundane issues was almost better than sex.  The daily intimacies of living with another person were what made his life special.  He heard of other soldiers hitting the bars every night trying out the flavour of the evening.  Nelrin didn't need to sample other people when he had perfection in his shower every day. 

"I love you." 

"Good because if you think about sex with another guy again, I'm going to punch you," Friln threatened. 

"Hmm, picked that up, did you?" 

Friln nodded. " I think our bond is a bit stronger.  I can read more of your thoughts than I could before." 

"Good.  If we're going to do much more of this stupid spy crap, we'll need to learn to communicate silently." 

Friln went to his tiptoes and kissed Nelrin.  Not one to let a good opportunity pass, Nelrin wrapped his arms around Friln and returned the kiss. 

"I love you," Friln said when Nelrin released him. 

"I love you too.  If you ever die on me again, I will kill you." 

Friln tilted his head to one side. " You know that made absolutely no sense, right?" 

Nelrin cupped Friln's face with his hands, forcing him to stay still. " I don't care.  You're mine, and we're supposed to die together in three hundred years or something.  I need a lot more time to enjoy you." 

Someone banging on their door snapped Nelrin's attention away from his mate. " Get out and dry off.  Don't come out until I tell you it's safe." 

Friln snorted. " Maybe I can wring my hands while I'm waiting and shriek 'Thank you for saving me, my big, strong man'." 

Ignoring Nelrin's advice, Friln wrapped a towel around his waist and marched into the other room. 

"Friln!" 

Growling and cursing, Nelrin wrapped a towel around his waist and marched after his mate.  He didn't care if anyone saw him naked, but he knew Friln would fuss. 

Friln stood in the sitting room talking to the maid who'd brought them to the suite the night before. 

"Styla brought us some clothing.  She'll take us to the duke once we're dressed." 

The maid blushed when she saw Nelrin's bare chest. 

Nelrin sighed.  Too bad she hadn't come a little later.  Now he'd never get to try sex in that amazing shower. 

_"Shower sex later.  Dressing now,"_ Friln whispered in his mind, followed by a raunchy image that had Nelrin all but racing to the bedroom so he wouldn't further shock the maid. 

Chuckling, Friln followed. 

"I'll get even with you for that." 

"You said we needed to practice.  I was practicing."  Friln's calm reasonable tone made Nelrin want to throw Friln over his shoulder and re-enact the shower scene in his head.  Nothing turned him on more than mussing up his fastidious lover. 

"Mmm hmm.  Give me my clothes.  If I don't get dressed, that poor maid is going to learn more about our sex life than she ever needed to know." 

"I doubt she'll be more shocked than that eighty-year-old librarian." 

Nelrin froze. " Are you talking about Darit?" 

"Yes."  Friln pulled on his shirt. 

"Are you kidding me?  She offered to loan me a book on the arts of homoerotic sex.  She worried you might get bored since you always make the same noises." 

Friln laughed until he toppled backwards onto the bed. " What did you tell her?"  he asked when he finally caught his breath. 

"I told her when you stopped making noises, then I'd be worried." 

Shaking his head at the memory of that conversation, Nelrin put on the outfit the maid had brought. " I think these are nicer than anything I own." 

He smoothed his hand over the navy blue shirt and admired the fit of his pants.  They were both made of a finely woven polished cloth he'd only seen in stores. 

"That's because ninety per cent of our clothing are uniforms." 

"True." 

Looking up, he almost choked on the surge of lust. " You look great in that." 

Instead of dark navy like Nelrin's clothing, the duke had sent a light blue, matching the colour of Friln's eyes. 

"Should I be concerned the duke knows the exact shade of your eyes?" 

Friln shook his head. " I'm sure it was a coincidence." 

"Uh-huh." 

They returned to the maid and let her lead them to the duke's quarters.  She knocked, and when a guard on the inside opened up and motioned them forward, she departed with a quick curtsey.  She didn't quite flee, but it was close. 

"She'll never be the same again."  Friln's shook his head with mock sadness. 

Nelrin pushed Friln farther into the room and followed after. 

Duke Hellbur sat at a round dining table sipping coffee and reading something on his news pad.  A small buffet of food stood to one side, and three soldiers were posted at various intervals around the room. 

"Good morning, gentlemen.  Help yourself to some food.  I always say you can't face any problems on an empty stomach." 

"That's a good philosophy, Your Grace," Friln agreed. 

_"Eat up, love.  It might be the last meal we get for a while,"_ Friln sent along their link. 

Nelrin barely caught himself from responding out loud.  A quick glance showed the duke still watching them. " Excellent advice," he offered awkwardly. 

He grabbed a plate off the small stack and followed Friln down the small buffet, piling on food as they went.  Friln made a good point.  Depending on how things went, they might not eat again until dinner. 

They settled in the seats the duke pointed out. " We can talk after you've eaten.  Are you feeling better, Friln?" 

Friln nodded. " Yes, thank you, Your Grace.  My stomach has settled.  I feel much more like my old self this morning." 

_"Exactly like your old self,"_ Nelrin projected along with an image of his view while fucking Friln. 

Friln choked on his eggs.  Gasping, he grabbed a glass of water and swallowed it down while glaring at Nelrin. 

He grinned back at his mate. _" I warned you I'd get even."_ 

Friln's kick to his shin hurt. 

They bantered with the duke, sharing non-essential information about castle life and if Kres would succeed in avoiding the child discussion much longer. 

"Truly I worry about what offspring those two might create."  Duke Hellbur shuddered. 

"I think Kres would make a good father," Friln said loyally. " He's a good protector." 

"I'd only worry if it were a girl," Nelrin stated. " She'd either have her fathers scaring off all potential mates, or Kres will teach her everything she needs to know about knives and she'll scare them off herself." 

"I find it curious that in all their incarnations, not once did they have children," Duke Hellbur stated. 

A silence fell upon the table as Nelrin and Friln thought it over. " That is rather odd.  I mean, we've had the technology for a while, but they could've had a surrogate at least four hundred years ago," Nelrin stated as he considered the comment. 

"Maybe they weren't ready.  I mean we've been together ten years, and we haven't discussed it once."  Friln waved a hand back and forth between them as he talked. 

"But we're soldiers, not leaders of an entire planet." 

"True." 

"Leave us," Hellbur commanded his people.  They all quickly exited except the man standing to the duke's left. 

Nelrin nodded towards the man in case Hellbur hadn't noticed. 

"You too, Enret," he said. 

Enret glared at Nelrin. " But we don't know these men.  What if they do you harm?" 

"I know them.  They are the king's men.  Are you saying you don't trust your king?"  Duke Hellbur asked. 

"Uh, no, Your Grace.  Not at all.  Excuse me."  Enret bowed and left the room. 

The duke walked over to the door and locked it behind the servant.  When he returned to the table, he set a small device on the surface.  With a flick of his nail, the little square glowed red. 

"That will jam any electronic monitoring.  Now which of you is going to tell me what you really came for?" 
Chapter Ten

Friln stared at the duke for a moment.  He'd known this time would come.  He just hadn't figured out how to tell a duke he was considered a suspect in a worldwide conspiracy. 

_"Easy, love,"_ Rin's voice in his head soothed his sudden onset of panic. 

"We have uncovered some evidence that points to you as the backer of a new scientific division." 

Duke Hellbur retook his seat. " And what do these scientists do?" 

"They are creating a drug to suppress the Thresl need to mate," Friln answered. 

Hellbur leant forward and interlaced his hands as he listened. " I thought that was the king's project, to help Thresls who lost their mate." 

"No, this project is for unmated Thresls.  To suppress their urge to bond." 

"But that would ruin the Thresl nature.  We bond when we find our mates.  This could cause a bunch of Thresls to never find the one fated to be theirs."  The duke paled. " And this is pointing at me?  Who found this information?" 

Friln raised his hand "I did.  It was encrypted, but it was written using one of your commonly chosen codes." 

Hellbur frowned. " I don't suppose you'll take my word for it that I'm not responsible for the potential genocide of our race." 

"Sorry, the king requested your presence," Rin said. " He said he wanted to speak with you in person." 

Unspoken was the fact they could take the duke back to the castle one of two ways—with complete cooperation or stunned and in cuffs.  Friln had cuffs in his bag. 

Friln met the duke's hard gaze.  He didn't back down.  Duke Hellbur might be a powerful man who could have Friln killed with a snap of his fingers, but Friln had his duty.  He wasn't leaving there without the duke. 

Duke Hellbur turned his attention to Nelrin, breaking off their silent staring contest. " You're not the least bit afraid of me, are you?" 

Friln shook his head. " I've already died once this month.  It takes more than a dirty look to frighten me." 

Hellbur smirked. " Fine, I'll go with you, my little code-breaker, but only to prove my innocence to the king.  I refuse to be prosecuted for something I didn't do." 

"Well if you didn't do it, you might want to think about who could access your information well enough to convincingly pretend to be you," Friln said. 

"That's a good point.  Gather your things.  We leave in an hour."  The duke stood up, swept the jamming device off the table then unlocked the door. 

Friln and Nelrin nodded respectfully to him before leaving. 

"Do you think he'll be there when we get back?"  Nelrin asked. 

Friln nodded. " Did you see his expression?  He's angry.  He'll want to prove his innocence." 

He'd seen that expression on men's faces before.  Righteous anger would carry the duke all the way to the castle. 

It didn't take long to collect Friln's pack and head for the front walk.  Duke Hellbur stood by the luxury vehicle they'd taken the day before. 

"Please get in, gentlemen."  Hellbur waved them inside. 

Friln slid in first, followed by Nelrin.  He knew his mate didn't want the duke sitting beside him.  He had to stifle a laugh when Hellbur slid across from him. 

_"It's not funny,"_ Nelrin protested. 

_"It kind of is."_ 

They travelled in silence for a long while.  Hellbur stared out the window for the first hour of the trip.  Nelrin and Friln bantered back and forth through their silent link. 

"You know it's annoying to converse without including someone," Hellbur commented. 

"What makes you think we're talking?"  Nelrin asked. 

"You have a different expression.  My parents used to do it all the time." 

"You lost them in the Great Purge, didn't you?"  Friln thought he remembered hearing about how many royals had died, especially those who protested. 

Hellbur got a faraway look in his eyes. " Yes.  My father rejected the ways of those who said we could live without our mates.  He refused to give my mother up.  He said we were stronger as two than we'd ever be as one.  They killed him in front of me as a lesson not to fight the tide of progress."  Hellbur gave a bitter laugh. " Then they killed my mate to prove my father was wrong." 

"That's horrible," Friln said.  He'd known the Purgers had been brainwashed monsters, but he hadn't known how horrible until this moment.  Most people wouldn't talk about the purge except as a historical landmark of the Thresls' dark past.  He'd never talked about the consequences with anyone before. 

"I did learn one thing, but probably not the lesson they were hoping for," Hellbur continued. 

"I'm almost afraid to ask what you learnt," Nelrin said dryly. 

Friln cast his lover a hard glare.  Sometimes his mate lacked compassion for anyone other than Friln. 

"I learnt if you want to kill your enemy, hit them from within.  The king is right to suspect me.  Hell, I'd suspect me.  But what I have to figure out is who learnt my lesson and began twisting things from within my organisation.  Buying a scientist is an easy task.  Convincing them they are working for me and accessing my communication signature is a bit trickier." 

Friln could see the duke was weighing the different people in his head.  He hoped the duke figured it out.  If he didn't, the person Friln considered the smartest man he'd ever met might also be the deadest. 

"Who do you think would want your image tarnished?"  Friln asked. " Who would gain the most?" 

"There are several people who could gain from my death.  You ask good questions for a pretty soldier, but then you were always one of the smarter soldiers." 

Rin growled. 

"Easy, Nelrin.  I'm not taking your mate.  You should be proud of having a mate worthy of admiration.  It reflects well on you." 

"You wait, Your Grace.  When you find the perfect match, you'll understand how annoying it can be." 

Hellbur's stark expression could've made stone statues weep. " I lost the one I thought perfect for me.  I doubt I'll find the same love again." 

Friln patted the duke on the knee.  A shockingly forward act, but he couldn't ignore his compulsion to soothe. " You never know, Your Grace.  Sometimes things happen for unexpected reasons." 

An explosion rocked the vehicle.  Friln slammed into Rin, his head snapping back from the impact. 

_Fuck!  That will teach me to say stupid things._ 

Friln lost track of how many times the hovercar flipped around, but his neck didn't.  He felt every jerk, slam and jolt.  When the vehicle finally shuddered to a halt, he felt as if he'd been shaken in one of those silver bar-containers.  Whatever they were called. 

"Shakers, love.  They're called shakers," Rin answered his silent question. 

"Really?  Huh, no wonder." 

He peeled himself up off the floor and slid back onto the seat.  Somehow the limo had righted itself. " You okay, Rin?" 

Rin collapsed on the seat beside him. " Yeah.  Nothing seems to be broken.  You?" 

"A little battered but not fried." 

"If you're cracking bad jokes, you can't be that injured," Rin grumbled. 

Friln laughed, the sound shaky at best. 

Duke Hellbur lay on the seat like a broken doll. " Oh crap, the duke!" 

Rin slid off the seat to kneel in front of the royal.  He set his fingers on Hellbur's neck to check for a pulse. 

"Anything?" 

After a moment, he nodded. " Yeah, I feel a weak one." 

Friln looked around. " We need to get out of here." 

"And do what?  I think we set off a bomb." 

"The question is was the bomb planted on the car or on the road.  If it was on the car, then they probably think we're dead, and they'll wait a bit to hunt us down so it won't look suspicious.  If they planted it on the road, they are probably waiting for us," Friln reasoned. 

Rin knocked on the driver's window.  With the privacy screen up, they couldn't check his status. " Hey, you all right in there?" 

Nothing. 

"Since he didn't come to check on us yet, he's either dead, injured or searching for a weapon to finish us off," Friln decided. 

"Got anything in your magic bag of tricks?"  Rin nudged Friln's pack with his foot. 

"Nothing to bring the duke back.  I do have a non-traceable communicator to the king." 

"When did you get that?" 

"A while ago, but I haven't used it before." 

"Are you the king's new favourite?  Does Kres know?" 

Friln rolled his eyes. " Since he gave it to me, I suspect he does." 

"Well, stop stalling and call them.  I don't know what's wrong with the duke.  He could have internal bleeding for all we know." 

"Crap!" 

Friln grabbed his bag and ripped open the zipper.  Reaching his hand blindly inside, he found the communicator.  He quickly dialled the king. 

When King Vohne picked up, Friln explained the situation.  After a quick conversation, he hung up. 

"They are using the locator chip in the communicator to find us.  They'll be here soon." 

"Let's hope the bombers aren't waiting around." 

"I've got my two knives and a hand weapon, but that's it."  If anyone came after them with heavy artillery, they were toast. 

"The king better get here soon if he hopes to get any information from the duke." 

"Yeah."  Hellbur had a bump on his head that began to bruise but no other signs of trauma.  The lack of an obvious wound bothered Friln more than a gaping wound.  At least if they could see the injury, they could help fix it.  With no visible signs, there was little they could do. 

Friln's communicator went off. " Hello?" 

"We're right outside." 

Friln popped open the door.  He sighed with relief when Kres' face appeared in the opening. " We need to get the duke to the medic." 

"I'm right here," Balaze peeked over Kres' shoulder. " Bring him out, carefully." 

The transference from vehicle to air shuttle went smoothly.  Within an hour, they were back at the castle. 

"I'll take care of him."  Balaze shoved away the nurses who rushed to help. 

Friln stopped mid-step. " _ Did his eyes..."_

_"Turn gold?  Yeah, I think they did."_ 

_"Maybe he's not completely human."_ 

They followed Kres back into the castle where the king waited for them. 

King Vohne paced back and forth. " I told you to bring him back.  Not break him." 

"Sorry, Your Majesty," Friln bowed. 

"You should be more concerned about someone bombing the duke's transport," Rin argued. 

"Yes, an investigation is under way."  Vohne waved a hand as if dismissing the gesture. 

Prince Bleine entered the room along with Zander, the official Thresl off-world representative. 

Zander locked the door behind him. 

"No Leo?" 

Zander shook his head. " We just got in.  I told him I'd fill him in later." 

The king set up a box similar to the duke's and started it up.  The light turned blue. 

"The duke's box was red," Rin commented. 

The king paused in his walk back to his chair. " That means he was blocking something." 

"That's what he said."  Friln was happy the duke had told the truth.  He liked Duke Hellbur, he hoped the man proved to be innocent. " What did you learn from the soldier dressed in the duke's uniform?" 

Vohne and Kres exchanged a look.  Kres spoke for them both. " He hung himself with his belt before anyone knew he was awake." 

Friln cursed. 

"So what do we have?"  Zander asked. " We have scientists who are dead so they can't tell us what's going on, a soldier, possibly the duke's, who is now also dead and a duke who is unconscious so he can't tell us anything.  Meanwhile, we have military spaceships circling and looking for weaknesses, possible rogue scientists trying to destroy the Thresls and others working at exporting cats as if they're crops raised for cash." 

The king nodded. " That sums it up." 

Zander closed his eyes. " Let's focus on one thing at a time.  We need to get the human military to back off." 

"The recording seems to be helping.  The other agencies are bringing pressure on the military to back off.  I think that problem will take care of itself.  The top brass are definitely feeling the heat," Bleine said. 

"Good, one thing off our list.  Now we just need to work on the others."  Vohne rubbed his hands together as he thought. 

"Maybe the duke can help us discover more," Friln said. 

"We still don't know if he's guilty," Kres said. 

Kres stood up to pace. " We'll have to wait until he wakes back up.  We can question him then about everything we have questions about.  Either he's guilty or he can help us out.  Either way, he'll answer some questions." 

The king nodded. " Everyone get some sleep."  He pointed a finger at Friln and Nelrin. " You two should be double checked by the medics and make sure you're fine.  Physically, you've had a rough time of it lately.  By the way, Nelrin, welcome back." 

"Thank you, Your Majesty.  Don't worry we'll get this straightened out." 

Rin grabbed Friln's hand, and they left the room. 

* * * *

Nelrin slammed the door closed behind them.  The medics had given them a clean bill of health, and he planned to take complete advantage of that. 

"Finally at home again.  If we never leave again, I'll be very happy," Rin declared. " In fact, they might just have to drag our dead bodies out of bed." 

"I told you we should've called in cuddly last time.  Maybe you should start listening to me." 

"Next time you want to do that, _you_ can explain it to the king." 

"He owes me after the duke debacle.  Not to mention Priv poisoned me." 

Rin shuffled from foot to foot. " He didn't technically poison you.  He gave you a potion to make you temporarily sick.  He said it was to get them to take you to the castle." 

"But you gave me the antidote." 

"Saline water." 

"Huh.  So I don't need to go back and stab him?" 

"I broke his nose for you." 

Friln smiled. " My hero!"  He leapt at him. 

Nelrin caught his mate mid-air.  Friln wrapped his legs around Nelrin's waist. " Got you." 

Friln kissed Nelrin with all the pent-up, desperate energy from their latest brush with death. " You always have me," Friln replied. 

"Yes, I do.  I've transformed for you twice.  I'll always be yours." 

Friln grinned.  Their connection hummed between them stronger than ever before. " I can feel you inside me." 

"Hmm, I bet I can do better than that." 

Nelrin dropped Friln on the bed, smiling when he laughed. " Strip." 

Friln pulled off his shirt, distracting Nelrin from his own undressing.  He kissed Friln's neck, slowly making his way down his mate's stomach. 

They removed clothing frantically between kisses.  With each revealed bit of skin, Nelrin placed another kiss.  He licked the spots he uncovered and bit the ones he liked best. 

"Hey, watch it!  Toothie!" 

"I was watching."  He nipped Friln's hip, pleased at the noise his mate made. 

Friln scooted up on the bed. 

Nelrin grabbed his hips. " Trying to escape?" 

"Never."  Friln shook his head. " I didn't want you fall off the bed." 

Nelrin got to his feet and yanked off his clothes.  He then turned his attention to Friln, stripping him down with more speed than discernment. 

"Hey!  Don't hurt my pretty new clothes." 

"I'm sure if you smile nice, the duke will buy you more," Nelrin teased. 

Friln snorted. 

Nelrin blew a raspberry on Friln's stomach, making him squeal. " What a girly sound from the Captain of the Guard." 

Before he barely acknowledged the motion, Friln did a complicated twist and rolled them over.  Friln smiled in victory when he landed on top. " I bet I can make you scream." 

"Oh, I bet you can." 

Nelrin lay passively beneath his mate's hands as Friln finished removing the rest of both of their clothing. 

"Much better," Friln said with satisfaction. " I like you in this uniform best." 

"Yeah, but you'd never let me out of the room." 

"Who said you were going to be allowed out?  I'm thinking of chaining you to the headboard and keeping you as my love slave." 

"Hmm, does the position pay well?" 

"Nope.  But the fringe benefits are awesome." 

Nelrin laughed and rolled them back around until Friln lay on the bottom. " I love you, Friln.  We're going to straighten out this mess for the king, then we're going to retire and become pumpkin farmers." 

"Pumpkins?  What are pumpkins?" 

Nelrin shrugged. " I read about them in some stories once.  Apparently, they can turn into carriages and people." 

"Sounds scary." 

"Maybe that's why they need farmers to watch them?" 

Friln smiled and shook his head. " I think we'll stick with our current gig but no dying."  He kissed Nelrin.  Their bond hummed in perfect harmony as their love twisted their fates together. 

"Whatever you want, Friln—as long as you're mine," Nelrin agreed. 

* * * *

Saint sat behind the stack of crates.  Each hop, he'd followed the haunting scent and just missed it.  His mate was apparently an avid traveller because he never stayed in one place for more than a few hours.  Unfortunately, that didn't leave Saint enough time to find him, and asking strangers questions never fared well. 

Focused on picking out his next ship to take him away, Saint didn't hear the person come up behind him until a chain fell across his neck. 

"Gotcha.  You're a big fella too.  With the lockdown at Nilre, I can't get enough Thresls for a good battle."  He tugged on the chain, choking the air out of Saint. " You'll make a good one." 

Saint turned his head to focus on the big bruiser of a man with an evil glint in his eyes. 

"Yep, you'll make me a pretty penny." 

In the rough port, no one even turned around when the man fell to the deck, screaming and clawing at his face.  Saint shook off the chain and walked away.  He needed to see a man about a ship. 
Also available from Total-E-Bound Publishing:

Supernatural Mates: Protecting His Pride

Amber Kell

Excerpt

Chapter One

"Garret, you need to stop scaring the help away."  Ellie Halcon scowled at her brother, an odd expression on her normally sweet face. 

Sweat dampened her brow as she stood beside him in the hot kitchen, tapping her foot in an annoying rhythm.  Garret's sister worked as the manager of his restaurant and normally kept the place running with an efficient hand.  However, right now she was bouncing on Garret's last freaking nerve. 

Garret shrugged, indifferent to her concerns.  He'd been running the family restaurant for ten of his thirty years and knew what staff they needed to succeed.  There would always be people who were willing to work for him.  He didn't have to put up with crappy employees. 

"I wouldn't be compelled to scare them if they could do their jobs.  Besides, if he can't deliver a plate to a table without spilling it on a guest, he doesn't need to work here.  We do still have some standards, don't we?"  he snarled. 

He wasn't trying to be an asshole, but the waiter he'd fired had been completely incompetent.  Garret didn't care if the human waiter wasn't used to shifters and startled easily.  If the kid planned to live in a shifter town, he had to learn to adapt. 

"What crawled up your tail feathers?"  Ellie asked, tilting her head in a motion reminiscent of her hawk form. " You've been cranky for the past month." 

"Nothing is wrong," Garret snapped. " Now why don't you head home and go psychoanalyse your goldfish.  I'm creating." 

He waved her away with an impatient motion of his hand.  He didn't need to chat or discuss his feelings.  He wanted to be left alone. 

Garret returned his attention to his new pasta dish.  If it tasted half as good as it smelt they'd sell out the first night.  After a few more minutes of trying to glare a hole through Garret's head, Ellie gave up. 

"At least my goldfish is interesting!"  Ellie shouted as she walked away. 

The door slammed behind her as she left the kitchen.  Garret knew she'd do a final pass-through in the dining room and lock up on her way out of the front.  She might be an emotional, touchy-feely person, but she could be counted on. 

Garret sighed and drizzled a bit of truffle oil across his pasta.  No way would he admit to being heartbroken.  No one would believe he had a heart anyway.  He still didn't understand how that little fox shifter could have fallen for a coyote.  The look of adoration in KC's eyes while he dined with his coyote shifter mate had made Garret's chest ache with the poignancy of lost opportunity.  He'd never even had the chance to ask KC out.  At first his schedule hadn't allowed it, then the fox shifter had found his mate. 

After finishing off his dish with a handful of fresh herbs, Garret filled a bowl with pasta then snatched a fork off the counter before sitting down and taking a bite.  The flavours combined into an amazing medley in his mouth, but it might as well have been ash.  He poked his food around with his fork, unsatisfied.  Moping about wouldn't get him anywhere except to make everyone else around him miserable. 

"Maybe I need a vacation," he muttered.  He hadn't found joy in any of his usual pursuits even before KC had met his mate. 

Garret polished off the rest of his food then dumped his dish in the dishwasher.  After pulling off his chef jacket, he dropped it in the laundry chute then snatched his motorcycle jacket off the hook by the door. 

In order to save all the parking spots for paying customers, Garret kept his Harley in the alley behind the restaurant.  He only parked out front on trash day. 

Garret opened the back door.  It slammed behind him with a thud.  After checking the lock and setting the alarm, he headed for his ride. 

Maybe he wouldn't come back tomorrow.  He let the fantasy roll about in his head for a moment.  Surely his family could run things without him.  Hell, the restaurant almost ran itself.  Garret needed a new challenge.  The cold night air slid across his skin, a welcome relief after the stuffiness of the kitchen.  Maybe a change of scenery would solve the problem of his stagnant, lonely life. 

A soft, shuffling noise behind the dumpster had him spinning around.  Maybe the alley cats had returned.  Damn things.  He knew his cousin Markus sometimes left scraps out for the felines.  Markus' soft heart melted easily over the homeless kitties.  Garret just wished he'd stop feeding them.  He disliked felines.  The small version tried to trip him on the way to the dumpster and the big cat shifters came and ate everything in his restaurant.  He'd finally had to force them to make reservations or he wouldn't have enough food when they came to dine. 

Movement behind the dumpster had him approaching more cautiously.  Definitely not stray cats.  Anything large enough to move a trash container that large had to weigh more than a few pounds.  As he approached, someone tumbled from behind the dumpster then lay still on the ground.  Garret rushed over. 

"Hey, are you all right?"  he called out foolishly, as the man's eyes were closed and he wasn't moving.  The stranger's golden skin had Garret suspecting lion shifter, but it wasn't someone he recognised.  He knew most of the local big cats since they came into the restaurant on a regular basis.  This gorgeous man didn't belong to Talan's pride.  Garret hoped the unconscious shifter wasn't an interloper hoping to challenge the pride alpha.  So far no one had survived any battle against the pride leader and if someone eventually did beat Talan, they'd better sleep with one eye open.  Talan's sisters were scary. 

The smell of blood coated the alley like sticky cotton candy, sickly sweet.  Garret dropped to his knees to get a better look. " Where are you injured?" 

Not trained in medical care, Garret didn't know what he could do, but the compulsion to help in some way prodded him to investigate the shifter's injuries.  He pressed his fingers against the man's throat, letting out a sigh of relief when he found a steady pulse.  Not a super strong one, but a solid rhythm. 

The man's long golden lashes fluttered up revealing bright blue eyes—an unusual colour for someone Garret suspected of being a lion.  All the lion shifters he knew had golden eyes.  Garret wondered if his alley occupant was only a half-breed. 

"Shot..." A rough, faint voice emerged from the man's chapped mouth. 

Garret snatched his cellphone out of his pocket and dialled the paramedics.  Why he hadn't done that as soon as he'd scented blood he didn't know.  The sight of an injured man in his alley had obviously scrambled his usual common sense. 

"I've got a man, a possible shifter, with a gunshot wound!"  Garret shouted into the phone. 

"Just a moment, I'm transferring your call," the operator announced. 

The man whimpered in pain. 

Garret's gut twisted at the sound.  He almost felt the man's agony as if it were his own. " Shh... Shh... Help will be coming soon."  He didn't know why, but Garret knew he had to help out the stranger.  Previously unexplored empathy tied him up in knots.  Damn, he wished he'd taken his car this morning.  No way could he get the gunshot victim to the hospital on the back of his Harley. 

When the emergency line picked up, Garret could barely get the words out. 

"This is Garret Halcon.  I'm in the alley behind my restaurant with a gunshot victim.  Come immediately!"  He hung up not waiting for a response.  They had all the information they needed.  In a small town, landmarks worked better than addresses. 

The injured man raised his hand towards Garret.  Instinctively, Garret grabbed it and cradled the man's palm against his chest.  His heart hammered so hard he figured the injured man could feel the beat in his fingers. 

Garret had never had a compassionate moment before in his life, but right then he wanted to hold the golden-haired stranger close and make sure he received proper care.  Bile rose in his throat at the thought of him dying. 

"Where the fuck is that damn ambulance!"  The hospital was only a few minutes away.  Luckily for them, as soon as he jabbed the first number on his phone to call again, sirens echoed in the narrow alley.  The town's only emergency vehicle slid to a stop barely a foot from Garret's position on the ground. 

The paramedics jumped from the vehicle and rushed to his side.  Garret recalled their names were Donny and Palmer, distant cousins and fellow hawks. 

"Where's his injury?"  Donny asked. 

"I don't know.  He said he was shot and I can smell his blood."  Worry and panic began to take hold of him.  What if the shifter died in this alley? " Why doesn't he shift?" 

Surely he would heal faster if he transformed into his animal half? 

"If the bullet is still in there it could move to his heart if he shifted," Donny explained. 

"Crap."  He didn't know much about bullet wounds, but he should've known that.  He definitely wasn't at his best in this particular emergency. 

"We'll take good care of him," Palmer assured him. " But we need you to get out of the way." 

"No!  Mine!"  The injured man tightened his grip on Garret, his fingers digging bruises into Garret's wrist. 

Garret gasped in pain as his fingers began to lose feeling. " Ow." 

"Sorry," the stranger whispered and loosened his hold. " Don't go.  Stay with me." 

"I'm not going anywhere," Garret promised. 

The paramedics froze. " Do you know this guy?"  Palmer asked. 

Garret shook his head. " I just met him." 

"Sir, can you tell us your name?"  Donny asked, taking the man's pulse. 

"Cesar.  I-I'm Cesar."  He frowned as if he wasn't completely certain of that information, but it was all he had to offer. 

"Cesar, where are you injured?"  Palmer asked. 

"Back," he whispered. 

Before they could ask any more questions Cesar passed out again. 

"Good," Donny said. " At least now we can move him without having to drug him for the pain." 

"I'll get the board," Palmer said. 

"You can probably go home now.  I doubt he's going to remember you once he wakes up," Donny told Garret. 

"No.  I can't leave him."  Garret's heart ached for Cesar's suffering. " I'll meet you at the hospital."  He'd promised the damaged man he wouldn't leave him and he planned to keep his word. 

Donny stared at Garret for a long moment. " We can't tell you how he's doing or anything because of privacy laws." 

"I understand."  That didn't stop Garret from wanting to stay with Cesar. 

"We should probably call Talan and see if he's missing a lion.  Maybe someone came to visit and never showed up." 

"I didn't hear anything," Garret interjected.  If there was gossip in town, Garret usually knew it.  Everyone chatted while dining and Garret's servers loved to sit in the kitchen on their break and jabber on about who was doing what in town.  If Talan was expecting company Garret would have known. 

"Either way, you don't bring a big cat shifter into town without telling the alpha."  Donny gave Garret a disapproving look. 

Garret knew Donny had a good point.  None of them knew why Cesar had wandered into town and to hold back that information from the pride leader wouldn't reflect well on any of them. 

"I still want to go with you." 

"Follow us if you want, but like I said, we can't tell you anything about his health without his permission," Donny warned. 

"I understand, but I feel responsible for him.  He was behind my restaurant.  There's nothing wrong with me visiting him after the doctor checks him out, is there?"  Garret asked. 

The medics exchanged looks then Palmer shrugged. " Suit yourself." 

Garret watched carefully while Donny and Palmer strapped Cesar down and slid him into the ambulance.  His inner hawk tried to burst out, but Garret pushed it back down.  He couldn't be aggressive towards the paramedics—they'd banish him in a second if he tried to push his way into the ambulance. 

"See you soon," Palmer said cheerfully. 

Garret waited until they had pulled away before straddling his motorcycle.  He needed to watch out for Cesar.  The poor man lay helpless in a strange town.  Garret would make sure nothing happened to him.  Why he thought it was his duty to protect a total stranger, Garret couldn't explain, but that didn't make it less important. 

His hands shook on the handlebars as he followed the ambulance to the hospital.  If Cesar truly was a lion shifter it had to be a serious wound to have weakened a werekin to that degree. 

Garret pulled into the hospital parking lot and slid his motorcycle into the spot closest to the emergency room doors.  He didn't waste any time in rushing after the paramedics. 

He came to a halt when he spotted Andrew Everett with his two wren shifters hovering around him.  He knew Andrew was staying in town to visit with his shifter son, James.  Andrew was trying to make amends for the damage his actions through the People Against Werekin had caused.  Not to mention the medication he'd inadvertently addicted his son to in order to hold back his transformation.  Andrew had had the best intentions when he had started that agency, but it had been taken over by less discerning people. 

"What are you doing here?"  Garret asked. 

He hoped Andrew wasn't sick.  Humans were fragile and easily susceptible to disease.  Garret knew Andrew from his visits to the restaurant for lunch.  At least well enough that he didn't think the guy was gay despite what Chen and Marlen, the hovering wren shifters, wanted to believe. 

"He's injured," Chen said, touching Andrew on his arm, his wrist then his shoulder in short, fluttery motions.  Garret could almost see Chen's need to shift just so he could flit around Andrew. 

Andrew blushed over all the fuss. " I cut my hand.  I'm going to need a few stitches.  Nothing major," Andrew downplayed the injury as he lifted his right hand, which he had wrapped in gauze.  Garret could see blood seeping through the bandage and hoped Andrew would get help soon. 

"Did you know humans don't automatically heal?"  Marlen asked, his eyes wide with astonishment. 

Garret's mouth twitched.  He tried not to laugh, but the bird shifters amused him. " Yes, without a secondary form they can't heal as quickly," he agreed. 

Chen wrapped an arm around Andrew. " He could've bled to death!" 

Andrew rolled his eyes and gently tried to step out of Chen's hold, but the wren shifter would have none of it. 

"What are you doing here?"  Andrew said apparently giving up on trying to escape Chen's affection.  Since the older man didn't struggle too hard, Garret wondered if maybe there was something going on between the trio, despite James' assertion that his father liked women. 

"They brought in an injured shifter.  I found him in the alley behind my restaurant.  He was shot in the back," Garret explained, pointing over his shoulder. 

"Do you want me to take a look at him?"  Andrew offered. 

"Do you work here now?" 

Andrew nodded his head. " They hired me part-time in case more shifters come in with drug allergies.  I'm also a fully licensed physician.  I can practise general medicine." 

"As far as I know, drugs don't apply here," Garret said.  He doubted Andrew could do anything about a gunshot wound that the hospital staff couldn't. " I'll keep you in mind, though, if it turns out there are problems we didn't know about." 

"Andrew Everett!"  a nurse called out. 

"I'll be here for a little bit.  Have them page me if you need anything."  Andrew raised his uninjured hand in a gesture of goodbye. 

"Bye.  Good luck healing."  It didn't occur to him until the doctor had left that Andrew might've been looking for a reason to escape the wrens. 

Garret tried not to laugh at the bemused expression on Andrew's face as he was rushed away, but it was difficult. 

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About the Author

Amber is one of those quiet people they always tell you to watch out for.  She lives in Seattle with her husband, two sons, two cats and one extremely stupid dog. 

Email: amberkellwrites@gmail.com

Amber loves to hear from readers.  You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com. 

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