Command by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

just on the line of decent.
    He lifted a box out of the wardrobe and placed it on the bed. In just a few days, her Base Command quarters had gone from being hers to theirs. His clothing was sharing space in her closet, his spare boots were at the edge of the bed and his documents were on her desk.
    He opened the box and held out a set of bands that matched his. “Wear these. They will mark you as Bael.”
    “Why not? Whatever will cover more skin.” She wrinkled her nose as he slid the armbands into place and then snapped the bracelets on her wrists.
    He also reached in and lifted a headband from the box. It was wrought silver with a rainbow of gemstones embedded in the design. “This was my mother’s.”
    He set it on her head and held her face in his hands as he gave her a deep kiss. “You look wonderful.”
    “I feel naked.”
    “That too. They won’t be able to keep their concentration.” He laughed and wrapped his arms around her, telling her with his body that he was very pleased with her appearance. Her channel slicked and her clit throbbed and she shivered in his arms.
    “I don’t think I will be able to keep my concentration.” Her words were muttered as they transported out of the base and onto the mud flats where the meeting was going to be held.
    A white silk pavilion was already in place. Carpets and cushions were laid out in an arrangement designed to make all equal.
    Ythrin appeared next to them, his data pad ready to record the details of the meeting.
    “Hello, Ythrin.”
    “Bael Hislar, you look…” His gaze was running over her from head to toe and back again.
    She snickered. “Stop that, Ythrin. You will burn your retinas out.”
    He blinked and straightened. “I apologise, Bael Hislar. I didn’t realize you could look so elegant with so little fabric…I mean effort.”
    Orriko was shaking slightly with amusement, and Lilli wanted to smack him.
    At the appointed time, eight other groups of dark elves surrounded the pavilion, and on some unspoken trigger, they all walked forward to take a seat.
    Orriko sat down and settled against one of the nine seats with a backing, leaving her to figure out a decorous way of sitting next to him. She ended up using his chest and arm as a backrest while she folded her legs to one side. The pose exposed her leg, hip, ankle and the curve of her waist, but she had the idea that it was what Orriko had intended.
    A male across the gathering smirked, “If I knew that we could bring a pet, I would have.”
    “Be quiet.” Her words were calm, but when the man tried to speak, nothing came out.
    Orriko caressed her waist. “Gentlemen, I would like to introduce my mate, Bael Hislar. Her Heshi has extended her power of command to any within the reach of her voice.”
    The man next to the stifled one asked, “She has a Heshi?”
    “The Heshi demanded her, and they would not brook any argument.” Orriko’s fingers moved slowly against her skin.
    The man who couldn’t talk raised his hand, pressed it to his chest and bowed low.
    “You are excused. You may speak.” Lilli felt the ripple of power in her words.
    “Thank you, Bael Hislar. I apologise for my flippant tone. May I congratulate you on your recent bonding?”
    Orriko scowled. “We are not yet bonded mates, Bael Horsar.”
    “Then, she is available?” Bael Horsar was curious.
    To Lilli’s surprise, six of the men were staring at her with curious and admiring glances.
    Orriko must have noticed too, because the next thing she knew, she was being hauled into his lap. “She is carrying my child. Keep your gazes to yourself.”
    She settled on his lap and arranged her skirt to cover more of her. “I guess this is backfiring, isn’t it?”
    He gave her a squeeze and looked out at the other Baels. “I believe that war was declared against my people.”
    The other males shifted.
    A young man spoke. “I believe that we are due to receive three females from your folk in this season. Can you still