9781618852014TheSpaceCougarsCadetPierce by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page A

been certain he would come,
though she wasn’t quite sure what he would say to her. He wasn’t wearing his
officer’s sash, she noticed as she flipped open her door and motioned him
inside. She found that curious, though she couldn’t tell exactly what its
absence meant.
    “Did
you enjoy the ceremony?” she asked him.
    “Yes,” Jaret said, locking his hands behind his back. “My
parents did, too. They enjoyed meeting you.”
    “I
liked them very much. They’re both charming and obviously in love. I admit that
surprised me, given what you told me about Zaraxian marriages.”
    He
nodded. “Their arranged marriage blossomed into great love. It happens
sometimes, though not always. They are fortunate to have found each other, as I
am fortunate to have them as my parents.”
    “I’m
glad for them...though I admit I was a bit taken aback at your mother’s
subservience.”
    He
looked astonished. “Subservience?”
    “Well,
yes. She merely looks at your father while he speaks for both of them. I’m not
passing judgment, of course, but I never got the impression that your culture
was so… er , male-dominated. You don’t seem to think
that way at all.”
    His
eyes widened as she spoke. “Indeed I do not. In fact, Professor, your
impression is quite mistaken. Our world is not male-dominated in the least, but
is in fact a matriarchy. My father speaks for my mother, true, but only because
she is the Empress and gives him dispensation to do so. He rules on her behalf,
and only with her permission.”
    “Oh—oh,
I see.” Layla felt her face turn red. She had
completely misinterpreted who was giving whom permission for what. Her
assumptions, based on her own raw emotions, had led her astray. “Please forgive
me. What an embarrassing mistake.”
    He
shrugged, and she saw that he was biting back a smile. “Well, no matter. My
father was quite taken with you. He even suggested that if I were interested in
taking a mistress, I should ask you to be mine.”
    “Mistress?” Layla gaped, but some secret part of her was
flattered, as well. “I suppose he meant that as a compliment?”
    “Indeed
he did. I might add that on my world, unions between younger men and older
woman are both common and respected. However, I informed him that such an
arrangement was impossible.”
    “Impossible…yes.”
His matter-of-fact answer disappointed her, but she refused to let it show. “It
is. Even if I do decide to leave the Institute and join your father’s— er , your mother’s—diplomatic corps, you’re going off on the
Trailblazer. You’ll be gone for years, perhaps.”
    Jaret paused, averting his gaze and chewing on his lower
lip for a moment. “Actually, that will not be the case. Though the Trailblazer
is no doubt a fine vessel, I am not inclined to accept. In fact, I have already
resigned my commission. Despite all predictions to the contrary, mine may be
the shortest Starforce career on record.”
    “But
why?” she asked, dazed by his admission. “You would have been the finest
officer on board. You could have gained a command of your own in a few years.”
    He
shook his head. “Commanding a warship is not the future I envision for myself.
I have come to realize that no matter what the circumstances, I cannot and will
not learn to kill. After talking the issue over with my parents, I have decided
that I would be happier working for peace. At your side.”
    “You
mean…you’re interested in a diplomatic career?”
    “Yes.
My parents told me of their offer to you, and I have come to inquire whether
there might be an opening on your staff…assuming you are inclined to accept.”
    Tears
sprang to her eyes before she could stop them. All her plans for biding her
time and planning her every move around him faded with the rush of emotion that
gripped her.
    “I
do plan to accept,” she blurted as they moved toward each other and wound their
bodies together. “Both their offer and yours.”
    “I
have not finished