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“Because we need to establish a relationship between the two of you before the trial—we need the jury to see a reason for you to defend Molly and go into Rage for her,” Councilor Paige said patiently. “Our defense works a lot better if you’re her husband than if you’re just her boss.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Commander Sylvan said thoughtfully. “The humans always seem to be enchanted by the way we Kindred are so protective of our Mates—though we’re only acting as any male should,” he added.
“Of course, we’re only talking about a temporary Joining,” Councilor Paige went on. “After the trial is over, the two of you can separate again…if you want to,” she added, giving Molly a look that Torus couldn’t interpret.
Molly, however, seemed upset.
“But…but you can’t make Commander Torus marry me like that!” she exclaimed. “I mean, he’s my boss—he doesn’t want to get married to his subordinate!”
“Yes, I do!” Torus’s own words surprised him. Clearly they surprised Molly too, because she looked up at him with wide, uncertain eyes.
“You do?” she asked in a small voice.
“I do,” Torus said firmly. Then he cleared his throat. “I mean, I want to do anything I can to help with this court case—and to protect you from further harm,” he added, looking down at her. “If pretending to get Joined and living as a couple for a little while will help win the case, then I don’t see a reason not to.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Unless you really don’t want to?”
“Oh, I mean, if…if you really think…that is, if you really don’t mind…” Molly’s cheeks were bright pink with embarrassment and confusion but she didn’t seem upset, Torus thought—just uncertain.
“I don’t mind,” he said softly, squeezing her hand which he still held. After all, it wasn’t as though their Joining would be real, he told himself. And if Councilor Paige thought it was necessary, who was he to say “no?”
Not to mention it will give you an excuse to get closer to Molly, whispered a little voice in his head.
Torus pushed it away. He was only doing this to help clean up the mess he’d made, he told himself. And to protect the little Elite. He wanted to stay close to her while the trial was going on to be certain no one could hurt or abuse her. This seemed to be the perfect way to do that.
And he swore to himself that he didn’t have any ulterior motives like being close to Molly and holding her in his arms again…none at all.
17
MOLLY
“Excellent.” Commander Sylvan clapped his hands together. “Then we have a plan.” He looked at Molly. “I’ll put you into contact with Kat—she’s our local wedding planner here aboard the Mother Ship. She can put together a beautiful ceremony in a short amount of time.”
“Oh, well…okay.” Molly was still in shock. The idea of getting married to her Kindred boss seemed so crazy she didn’t know what to say. No one else seemed to have that problem, though—Commander Sylvan and Councilor Paige were busy making plans.
“And after the wedding, we’ll send you two for a honeymoon on Earth,” Councilor Paige was saying. “There will be some publicity by then and that way the Press can take plenty of pictures of the two of you together.” She frowned. “You’re going to have to fake being Bonded, though.”
“I think I can help with that,” Commander Sylvan said. “Our Tolleg surgeon, Yipper, has been working on some thought and emotion transference devices for Hybrid Kindred who are unable to Bond with a Mate but still want to get Joined. They work on the same principle as a Think-me, but you can feel the emotions as well as hearing the thoughts of the person wearing the other device. They don’t have much of a range yet, but when you’re together they’ll give the illusion of the two of you being a Bonded couple.”
“That’s perfect!” Councilor Paige exclaimed. “Almost like really being Bonded.”
“Well, you and I both know that nothing can really replace a true Soul-Bond,” Commander Sylvan said. “But this will definitely help Commander Torus and Ms. Byrne simulate one—as long as they don’t get too far from each other.”
“But…but…” Molly said, but no one seemed to hear her.
No one but Commander Torus, that was.
“Excuse me…” He held up a hand for silence. “But though I have agreed to this subterfuge, Molly has not.” He looked at her. “Molly, are you comfortable with this?”
Molly swallowed hard, considering. Was she comfortable being fake-married to her boss so they could win the case that Zach was bringing against the Kindred? Looking into Torus’s silver-gray eyes, she felt her heart thump in her chest.
“If you’re comfortable, I’m comfortable,” she heard herself saying.
“Then it’s settled.” He nodded gravely. “Tomorrow we’ll be Joined. But today, we have some shopping and some planning to do.”
“Shopping?” Molly asked as he rose from his chair.
“Yes—it’s my understanding that when a male asks a human woman to be his mate, he must first offer her a ring. Isn’t that right?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Well…yes. I guess so.” Molly nodded.
