The Bond That Ties Us by Christine D'Abo Read Free Book Online Page A

she was, but he had to find her. Soon.
    Only a mate caused such a reaction. But it was impossible for a human to be his mate. Wasn’t it?
    He turned off the data pad he’d been staring at for the past hour and tossed it onto his desk. Nothing. He hadn’t accomplished a single thing since the assembly. Kamran sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair and down over his face. Now he understood why bonded mates returned to live on the home world. They were as productive as space dust.
    It had been a few hours since he’d last seen her, but she didn’t feel very far away. It was as if she’d stepped into the next room and would step back out any moment.
    Impossible .
    Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his soft mesh chair and tried to relax. Deep down, Kamran knew they had formed a connection. They were mates, or would be if he ever got out of this chair and went to look for her. Why wasn’t he? He should be tearing the colony apart trying to find her. Both his father and brother told him they’d gone mad until they physically held their wives in their arms. He smiled, remembering his brother’s story of passing his wife while on separate transports in the city and pulling the emergency brake, then climbing out the window to jump over to the other transport tube. Hopefully, the input of the authorities wouldn’t be necessary for Kamran’s courtship.
    The property his father had purchased for him would not go to waste after all.
    There would be a celebration in his hometown. Their family’s influence would grow yet again. Two sons in one family, both with mates. Amazing.
    So why was he still sitting in this chair?
    29
     
     
    The answer was simple. There was no way for a human to be his mate—it was a biological impossibility. And if he acted on this crazy impulse, he might miss the opportunity of finding his true mate. If she was even out there.
    To complicate matters, if she was his mate, no matter how unlikely, he’d be forced to resign his post and move back home. That was the way of his people. But this was his life’s work and a resignation at this stage of his negotiations between the Ecada and the humans would place the colony in great danger. The insectoid race would take advantage of the stalled talks and would likely attempt to invade the colony. Any sign of weakness was seen as a great advantage by the Ecada people, one to be exploited. He wasn’t about to let that happen.
    Kamran sighed and sat up straight, leaning against the cool surface of the light, golden wood desk he’d had shipped from Briel. The loose-fitting tunic he’d changed into pulled tight, forcing an adjustment. What had possessed him to wear this anyway?
    The data pad was once again in his hands, the details of the latest treaty updates staring back at him. This was what mattered. Providing a safe place to live for humans and Briel alike. Not some false obsession with a human woman he would probably never meet again.
    The door chime rang once. Kamran looked up and smiled. There was only one person who would call on him at this hour. He immediately rose from his chair and answered the door.
    “Taber, how very good to see you. Please come in.” Taking a step back, Kamran gestured with an open arm, welcoming the one person in the colony he considered a loyal friend.
    “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
    Taber was military and would never seat himself at Kamran’s table to enjoy a drink.
    Kamran offered regardless.
    “You know I cannot. But you honor me with your invitation.”
    “Some day we must break with that tradition. You know I see you as my friend and not as a subordinate. What can I assist you with?”
    Taber didn’t answer immediately. In his typical fashion, he merely stared at Kamran. Most Briel would find this disconcerting but Kamran had known him long enough not to be bothered by his friend’s intensity. Taber was renowned for his ability to get information from suspects without any physical harm. Ah, to be