Her Commanders - M.K. Eidem Page 0,107

we deal with your parents."

"I hope so."

"Xanto has assured them you are fine, so why are you so concerned?" Jamis had been watching her closely while she and Taarig spoke and could tell there was something else. "This is one of those things we need to know, Cali. Not just because we are now Zagreus but because we are your mates."

Cali rested her head against Taarig's chest for a moment, knowing Jamis was right. "Can we get dressed first?" she asked, giving each of them a pleading look. "Then I vow I'll explain everything."

"Go," Taarig told her, kissing the top of her head before releasing her.

She moved out of Taarig's arms, but instead of heading toward her closet, she stopped in front of Jamis. "Jamis?"

While his eyes were still swirling with questions, Jamis leaned down and gently kissed her lips. "Go get dressed."

Slipping out of his arms, she entered her closet.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

"What do you think has her so worried?" Taarig asked, looking at the uniforms laid out on the bed. Xanto had let himself into their quarters again. Why he thought they needed their formal uniforms, Taarig didn’t know, but it was the only thing here, so he began putting it on.

"Something to do with her parents," Jamis said as he reached for his uniform. "What do you know about the Zagreus besides what Xanto told us?"

"Nothing much, other than their leader is called the Paramount. He’s supposed to be the most gifted and powerful of all the Zagreus. He's rarely seen. Oh, and he's the sole owner of Wik Corp."

"That's the extent of my knowledge, too," Jamis replied, fastening his jacket. "It's strange that you don't see or hear more about the other Zagreus."

"That's because most Zagreus are even more arrogant and insufferable than the Apre," Cali told them, walking out of her closet, a teasing smile on her face. "They're also egotistical and condescending to any being they believe less powerful than them."

"Does that include…" Jamis began only to trail off when he turned and saw what Cali was wearing. Gods, their Lalla was gorgeous. She was wearing the same tight, black-and-brown, serpe-skin pants she'd worn on the transport. How he ever could have chosen Tecumseh over her, he'd never understand. She'd matched the pants with a form-fitting, brown shirt and black jacket with a shirt collar that closely resembled theirs. Her black boots had a low chunky sole and came up over her calves. Cali had pulled her glowing hair back in a single, long braid. The overall effect as she walked over to them was that they were a matched set.

"Gods, Cali, you outshine every star in the universe," Taarig growled as he took her in.

Cali felt her cheeks heat at the compliment because she could feel their sincerity through their strengthening bond, then her gaze ran over them. She'd never seen them in their formal uniforms before. The black pants and jacket weren't as form-fitting as hers, but it still enhanced their impressive physiques. Crystals emblazoned across their chests represented all their achievements and citations. Their ranks at the collar left no doubt they were both mighty Apre warriors. If she hadn't already thought them to be the most handsome males in the universe, this would have done it. "You two look pretty amazing yourselves. And yes, Jamis, that includes me, even though most are smart enough not to reveal their prejudice around my father."

"Just around your father?" Jamis caught the way she said that. "Not around your mother or other father?"

"Dad, I call him Dad," Cali told him, "and no. Mom and Dad were once pure Earthan, which is unacceptable to some Zagreus, as many consider them an inferior species." She saw a flash of shame cross Jamis’s face. "I’m sure the Zagreus would have shunned them if it wasn't for my father being so powerful and the gifts Mom and Dad received because of their meld."

"Gifts?" Taarig asked, frowning at her.

"Yes," Cali gave them a confused look then sighed. "You didn't realize that besides physically becoming Zagreus from the meld, you would be gifted powers?"

"What kind of powers?" Taarig asked.

"It depends on the powers of the Zagreus you've melded with," she told him, "and even then, there's no guarantee, just like there's no guarantee any young we have will. My mom was a brilliant engineer back on Earth. After she melded with my father, she became beyond brilliant. She now designs amazing things for Wik Corp, but that's the only