us poor slobs have to keep hunting until we find something we’re reasonably good at. I’ve been on your case only because I know how much you want to be independent. You’re no different from me in that.”
“I found out Grandpa earmarked some of the trust money for me to start my own business. Demanded it, actually. A candy business. I’ve already named it—‘Evie’s Eden: A Garden of Berries.’ I’ll start looking for someplace to lease with the equipment to make the candy and refrigerator space to store it.”
“Very cool. You needed a break. Sounds like this is it.”
“What I needed was a kick in the butt. Grandpa knew that.”
“Even though he’s gone, he’s still making his presence known,” Jared observed dryly.
“He talks to you too?”
“At the most amazing times.”
“Well, for the first time I’m feeling positive about the future.” She winced and her face fell. “Sorry. That was a stupid and selfish thing to say.”
“Just because my life’s come to a screeching halt, it doesn’t mean everyone else’s has to.”
She looked even worse, and he didn’t know how to make it better. Hell, he wasn’t sure he could. It was like dying of a disease and putting so much effort into making others feel better about it that you forgot to cheer yourself up. “Who says I’m not feeling positive about the future, anyway? It just so happens that I am.”
“Yeah?” Evie looked relieved.
“Yeah.”
It sounded good. Now all he had to do was believe it.
It was perfect. Minister Vemekk had outdone herself. Smiling, Keira sauntered around the room, dragging an almost loving fingertip over the smooth walls. Metal cables for the restraints were anchored deep within the stone. No matter how hard her new husband pulled, he would not be able to free himself.
As she continued her inspection, trailed by Taye and several of the other eunuchs, she came up on her toes, bouncing slightly. Yes, the heated floor had just the right amount of give. Her prince would not suffer cold buns when sitting on this floor. It served the dual purpose of softening the prison she’d made for him.
After all, this torture would be play, not the real thing, though she wondered if he’d feel the same after a night spent here. She smoothed a hand over a piece of cable designed as an ankle restraint. It was a bot-cuff like the others. It was intelligent. The harder one pulled, the tighter it squeezed. Same with the wrist restraints. The Terran would learn very quickly that resistance was futile.
At her whim, he’d be spread-eagle. An image of his muscled body in that position aroused her, made her blood flow hotter and her pulse throb between her thighs. But as she closed her eyes and gave in to the fantasy, it was his arms around her she imagined.
She reared away from the image. He must be restrained! Hands and feet! He must not be led to think he was in control until she was certain she could control him.
“What is this place, my queen?”
Tibor Frix had entered the chamber, appearing quite surprised. “It is a recreational chamber for my new husband,” she informed him with a sniff.
The big guard made a small sound, which he quickly smothered. Eyes narrowed, he peered around the room, lifting a dark brow at the cuffs and shackles. “Are those for him or for you?”
Keira blushed deeply. And hated that she did so. “For him, you ignorant eunuch!”
“You did not tell me you were remodeling this area of your personal gymnasium.”
“Minister Vemekk arranged its construction.”
“I did not realize the minister of intelligence’s job responsibilities extended to the construction of personal torture chambers.”
“I am the queen! I can have whatever I wish. And besides, she offered when I made the merest mention of my desire to have such a room.” Keira wished she didn’t sound so defensive. She could have a friend, could she not?
Tibor inspected the chamber. Every once in a while he’d tap his sword against an instrument of play. It made a clanking noise. “And if his view of play differs from yours?”
“He does not have an opinion.” She flounced away to the opposite side of the room, where she turned, exhaling noisily. “Not one that matters, anyway. He is a frontiersman.”
“Who happens to be the leader of a civilization powerful enough to cause parliament and the space force to take notice.”
“He’s a brute, as well. A barbarian!”
“Who, with a strong taste for freedom, will not take kindly to being—” He