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We Leopardines have rejected so many new ideas, proud of upholding our traditions—even when it brought death to so many.
What if they reject my Jade?
The gnawing creature inside bit down and clamped on. Money and power could change circumstances—but thoughts were harder to buy.
“Here come the brides!” Elio and Dax arrived in the bay, dressed in neat black uniforms.
“What are you, the honor guard?” Ardol mumbled, but no one heard him. His ill-tempered mumble was silenced as Layla, resplendent in white, entered the bay. She resembled some fair angel with her silvery-furred cubs in her arms. Behind her stalked her hulking husband in his captain’s dress uniform, bursting with pride as he shepherded them into a small shuttle.
Talos was next, his huge frame bent so that his arm was under the outstretched hand of his bride. Wendy, wrapped in layers of translucent red veils and jewels, floated past them, every step serene.
“True love, huh, Doc?” Jaxson’s sighing voice was behind him.
“No finer thing in the world.” Marcus agreed. “Hurry up, lovepets. We have sunrise to catch.”
“Who?” Ardol turned his head. The shuttle was already gliding away. The besotted couples were heading into a lavender sky tinged with gold, the prairie-like landscape still more night than day.
Jaxson grunted and gave Ardol a cocky smile. “Once you go Pack, you never go back.”
“Oh, for Bastet’s sake...” Ardol grimaced as he watched Dax and Skyla mounting an atmo speeder. The Dholian female sat in front, and Dax sat behind her, his arms around her waist as the lavish swathe of her tail wrapped around him like a tutu.
“Sickeningly sweet, aren’t they?” Marcus snorted, but the older Leonid was smiling as he watched Elio rushing to open a shuttle door for Lycen.
“Everyone around here pairs up too damn fast,” Jaxson laughed and started to follow his comrade and her blushing human companion.
“Don’t look at me, flyboy,” Marcus growled. “You might have a thing for Felids, but I’m not dating material.”
“Female Felids, Doc. Besides, you’re not my type.” Jaxson stuck out his tongue and leapt over the side of the shuttle, taking the steering controls.
“I’m surrounded by cubs,” Ardol muttered.
“Funny, that’s what we said about you when you first arrived. Marriage is making you a more sensible adult, not a spoiled brat.” Marcus stepped into the shuttle with sedate grace.
Ardol snarled and took an atmo speeder instead of climbing into the shuttle, ignoring the laughter as he sped away.
JADE SAT ALONE IN THE back of the crowded hall, her body language asking not to be disturbed. Her husband-to-be was the only one who could make her drop her shield, and even then, her heart really never lost its armor, only lowered some exterior defenses.
“Jade. My Queen!” Ardol pushed through the crowds to take her hand. “We must move up to the front. We’re to sit with the crew—even though I’d rather be alone with you.”
Jade allowed herself to be pulled up the side of the packed hall. Ardol wanted to be alone with her? Good. Their stolen moments in her room had laid the trap, and soon it would spring. “Soon, my darling,” she ran a possessive hand down his arm, stroking his ego as well as his fur.
“Huh? Oh, yes, that.” Ardol gave her a hint of a smile. “I meant that I’m feeling a little restless with the crew these days. Comparing me to a spoiled cub... As if they’ve any right to judge my behavior. They could never understand the pressures of growing up in a noble family, of being groomed to take over as District Lord since I was old enough to crawl. Commoners.”
Jade’s lips thinned, but she remained silent. Arrogant and unaware. Does he think I jumped at working at a Pleasure Park because it was such a great career opportunity?
Spoiled and petulant.
Like most clients.
“I’m sorry. It’s our wedding day, and nothing else matters.”
Jade was distracted by a sudden piping of flutes and scraping of strings. Two Lynxian musicians played a tune with a lot of regal flourishes as the striking Leonid King swept up the aisle with his beautiful bride on his arm. Everyone rose, clapping and cheering.
They look so happy. So in love.
Rupex didn’t look ahead. He looked down and to the side, his eyes locked on Layla. When they reached the front of the hall, everyone sat, and Jade found a large, flat case shoved into her lap.
“For later,” Ardol whispered.
