Lacey's Warriors (Bondmates #6) - Ann Mayburn Page 0,40

crystals that sparkled like diamonds on fire. The couch moved smoothly and a podium with the current directors of the Baladium slid into view to much fanfare from the crowd.

Lacey tried to keep her mind focused on the festivities, but as the representatives made speech after speech, her thoughts wandered to how much her mom and Jillian would have loved this. Her mother especially, with her love of all things fantasy and beauty. She’d be having a field day, and Jillian would be equally impressed.

God, how she missed them.

After closing down her bond tight between her and the men, she allowed herself to briefly feel the depressing emotions she blocked off in her mind. Negative feelings to be dealt with later being compartmentalized so she could get through the battle ahead. The constant worry and grief that she kept locked away as she thought about how much she missed her family. Yes, she’d be bringing her daughter back with her, but she’d have to leave behind her mom, and that was a pain she couldn’t even contemplate. Her mom had always been her rock, the best mom any kid could ever hope for, and Lacey’s best friend. The thought of never feeling her mom’s hug, smelling her magnolia perfume, or hearing her laughter broke her heart. And it would kill her mom to lose both Lacey and Jillian.

Chel gave her a slight nudge with his elbow, snapping her out of her worries as she realized her name was being said.

Both men stood and helped her up, and she clasped their hands in her own as Gwarnon whispered in her mind that they were going to go through her list of prizes, then there would be a brief reception and afterward they would ‘rest’ before the bonding ceremony. He left no doubt in her mind what his idea of ‘rest’ entailed, and she gave a little shiver as Chel subtly caressed her lower back where it was exposed by the glamorous gown.

The crown atop her head shifted a little bit, and she straightened her posture as the Baladium representative, a gray green humanoid with long purple antennas growing out of its forehead, began to recite a list of riches that were now hers. She barely understood a word the representative was saying, her mind busy interacting with her crystal implant to try and understand what was being given to her and what planet those riches had been donated by. Her mind was stumbling through a list of properties she now owned when the representative started to list the people.

Slaves.

Gwarnon gave her hand a sharp squeeze as he said via the implant, “My lady, what has you so angry?”

“I own people!” she mentally yelled. “I have slaves.”

“You do,” Chel replied while rubbing his thumb on her lower back, “though we find the idea abhorrent, and the Kadothian’s banned slavery generations ago, we do not control the Bel’Tan Galaxy, and many cultures permit or thrive on slavery.”

“Well, I don’t!” she thought back as her stomach curdled, the man still listing the living beings she now owned.

“We know,” Chel said, and the soothing balm of his voice helped her control her temper. “And we promise you that we will help you do whatever you want, but first you must complete the ceremony and accept your riches, so you do indeed own them.”

Gritting her teeth, she kept her gaze focused ahead as the ceremony wound down. The NevShoo were present in a massive clear case where they floated, their tentacles waving back and forth. They reminded her of octopuses in a way, and she watched as their tentacles eased between one color and another while the center of their mass remained their solid color. Despite everything that had happened, she was truly glad she’d managed to help their gentle race.

Her mind stilled for a moment as she realized that her winnings weren’t completely a bad thing—at least not for the people whose lives were considered a form of currency in this galaxy. While she might not be able to save everyone, she could free her slaves. She bet Roxy, who was excused from the ceremony by the NevShoo due to her bonding, would do the same.

Returning to Earth would have to wait just a little longer. Before she left, she wanted to make sure that her instructions as to what to do with her newfound wealth and the slaves were clear. Just in case she didn’t return, for whatever reason. She wasn’t a fool—sneaking through