Unleashed by the Defender (Brides of the Kindred #25) - Evangeline Anderson Page 0,57

was clear that the judge’s mind was made up.

“Yes, your Honor,” she said woodenly.

“Very good. Then I’ll see you tonight at Lady Bittlebum’s party. If I judge that your client is behaving himself in a civilized manner and that he poses no harm to those around him, I’ll release him permanently into your custody and you can take him wherever you like,” Judge Thoughtgood said. “If, however, I do not like his behavior, it’s back to the detention center he goes and from there, immediate execution. Do I make myself clear, Councilor?”

“Yes, your Honor.”

Imani swallowed hard. Tonight would be a test and failing it would mean J’are’s life. Could he pass this trial? Especially during the evening hours, when his feral side would be so much harder to control?

He’ll have to, she thought, casting a sidelong glance at the big Nightwalker. If he doesn’t, he’ll die.

And there would be nothing she could do to save him.

Twenty-Nine

“How do I look?” Imani held out her arms and did a slow turn.

“Well, the pain collar remote is very prominently displayed. Judge Thoughtgood will be pleased” J’are said dryly.

He nodded to the beaded necklace she wore with the remote dangling from it like some kind of strange ornament. They had decided it would be best for her to wear it openly, so that the judge could see that Imani was being prudent and responsible—not that she would ever use it. She had assured J’are of that and he believed her.

“No, not the pain remote—the dress. Is it too much?” Imani asked anxiously, indicating the Yonnite dress she was wearing.

It was the fanciest one she’d worn yet—a brilliant turquoise blue with a short cape of blue and green feathers which looked spectacular against her brown skin—and she looked gorgeous in it.

But then, J’are happened to think she looked gorgeous in anything…or nothing at all.

“Fucking perfect,” he said, trying not to look at the matching lace panties, which clearly showed the top of her pussy slit. But when he looked away from her pussy, his eyes fell on her breasts instead, which were barely covered by a band of turquoise lace. The plump, dark points of her nipples were pressing against the thin fabric, making him ache to suck them again.

Gods, this wasn’t going to be easy, he thought, forcing himself to look away altogether. His feral side was so close to the surface. By rights, it should have free reign at this hour. But J’are was staying in his thinking mind with a conscious effort of will and holding his feral half at bay. He couldn’t let it take over tonight—the result might mean his death.

“Are you all right?” Imani asked softly.

“Fine.” He kept his eyes down on her feet, clad in dainty little black slippers.

“Then why won’t you look at me?” Imani asked. “J’are, if this is about what happened at the spa—”

“It’s not. Well, not exactly.”

They’d already had a talk earlier about how the tasting at the spa had been a “mistake”—one Imani apparently didn’t intend to repeat. J’are had agreed that they shouldn’t have done something so unprofessional together and that they shouldn’t speak of it or do it again. But he couldn’t help the way he felt—couldn’t bury the knowledge that he was falling in love with his lovely Defender.

“What do you mean ‘not exactly?’” Imani asked, frowning.

“I mean my feral side…” J’are shook his head. “Look, I know we can’t repeat what we did at the spa. My thinking mind knows that, anyway. But my feral side…”

“What…what about your feral side?” Imani put a hand to her throat and took a tiny step backwards. The fear and uncertainty in her eyes made J’are hate himself.

“Never mind,” he said savagely, looking away.

“No, tell me.” She took a deep breath and lifted her chin as though gathering her courage. Then she stepped towards him again and put one soft, little hand on his arm. “Please, J’are—tell me.”

He sighed and ran a hand over his hair.

“It’s just what I told you at the spa—we’ve done every part of the Claiming period—Holding, Scenting, Bathing, Tasting…every part except Bonding. And because we’ve gone though all the rest, my feral side expects that Bonding is next.”

Imani’s dark eyes grew wide.

“J’are,” she said softly. “I’m so sorry but I can’t…can’t do that with you. After this is all over and I get you free of Yonnie Six, you’re supposed to go back to your own home world.”

“Because the other Kindred think Nightwalkers are dangerous, right?” he asked