Stress Relief (7 page)

“Kinswoman?” Locke frowned.

“Sister. My little sister.” The words seemed to stick in Saber’s
throat but he forced himself to say them anyway. After all, by the laws of his
people they were true, even if his heart told him otherwise. “She is to be part
of the mission to recover the stolen scrolls which were sold to a collector on
Yonnie Six.”

“Yonnie Six, huh?” Deep looked him up and down again. “Well that
explains the way you’re dressed, at least. You know what they do to males on
that planet?”

“I’m aware, yes,” Saber said stonily. “I could hardly put on a
collar and leash and not have
some
idea of what I’m getting into.”

“You’re very brave,” Locke said quietly. “The Yonnites have the
correct physical characteristics to make a genetic trade with us but we’ve
never even approached them because of the barbaric ways they treat their males.
Yet you’re going among them voluntarily.”

“That
does
take courage,” Deep said grudgingly. “I don’t
know if I could do it. Don’t know if I could
submit
so completely.”

Saber took a deep breath. “I don’t expect it to be easy. But I
have to keep Lissa safe. For her I would do anything—dare anything.
Submit
to anything.”

Deep cocked an eyebrow at him. “You may have to keep that pledge before
long. I hope you mean it.”

“I do.” Saber thought of Lissa, of her wide jade green eyes still
so innocent, of her tender pink lips which had never been kissed. They were
going to an ugly place—it was opulent and extravagantly wealthy to be sure. But
from what he had learned, Yonnie Six was seething with depravity and
corruption. He was determined to protect not only Lissa’s life, but her virtue
and innocence as well.
No matter what it takes,
he told himself.

“She’s more than just a sister to you, isn’t she?” Locke said
quietly.

“Of course not.” Saber shifted uneasily. “We would never…I mean,
by the rules of my people…”

“Uh-huh,” Deep rumbled sarcastically. “She’s just your sister but
you’re willing to die for her even though you don’t love her at all. Keep
telling yourself that. It’s so obviously
true.”

Saber frowned. “There is no blood relation between myself and
Lissa. But we are connected by more than blood—by the ties of clan and adoption
I am her older brother. Nothing can ever happen between us. Nor do I want it
to.”

“Are you sure?” Locke looked at him earnestly. “No one will judge
you here, brother. No offense but we find your people’s laws both archaic and
much too stringent.”

“Our ways of thinking may seem outmoded to you but they are the
ways I have to return to once this mission is completely,” Saber said stiffly.

Locke raised both hands in a gesture of reconciliation. “Just
trying to help.”

Saber merely nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
As if I
needed help to feel more for Lissa than I should!

“We’d better go find Kat,” Deep said, frowning slightly. He nodded
shortly at Saber. “Good luck with your trip to Yonnie Six. I wish you success
in your…submission.”

“Deep…” Lock threw his twin a reproachful glance. “I’m sorry,
Saber. Please forgive my brother’s rudeness and accept our best wishes for your
mission.”

“Thank you,” Saber said stiffly. “Excuse me, I need to change.” He
turned to go but Deep’s voice followed him down the hallway.

“You might as well just leave the leash and collar on. You’re
going to have to get used to it on Yonnie Six.”

Saber felt tension creep into his shoulders but he refused to rise
to the bait. Clearly the dark twin was spoiling for a fight but Saber was not
the one to give it to him. A lifetime of controlling his emotions and
restraining his abilities helped him keep his cool. Still, Deep’s sarcastic
remark burned. Exactly how far would he have to go with this ruse in order to
protect Lissa?

All the way,
he
told himself as he turned into the bathroom and looked at the black leash and
collar encircling his throat.
I’ll go all the way if I have to.