Cecilia's Mate Read online

  “Yes, sir,” he said. Draven set the data pad back on Bracken’s desk and went back out onto the command deck. He went over to the security screens and saw Cecilia floating in the middle of the zero grav room. Picking up a headset, he turned on the speakers in the room. She would hear a clicking noise and hopefully not come out of her skin when he spoke. “Sorry, little one, but I need you to come out now. I’ll meet you down there. It’s important.”

  * * * *

  Cece moved to the sides so that she could grab the handholds and began to pull herself to the anteroom of the zero gravity chamber. She knew it had to be important for Draven to interrupt her time there. Once she was down she pressed her hand to the keypad and stepped into the corridor. Seeing Draven approaching her, she felt that familiar heat between her legs and the ache in her breasts.

  When he was before her she moved so she could put her hand on his chest and whispered, “Draven.”

  He smiled, leaning down so he could give her the kiss she ached for. “I’m sorry I had to cut your time short, Cecilia. Come, we need to speak privately,” he said softly. His gaze darted to a corner where she knew a camera was.

  That had her frowning but she nodded. Her hand in his, she moved along with him through the corridors and didn’t speak for a while. “I think I’d like to try to paint in zero grav. Do you think Bracken would let me attempt it?”

  He shot her a confused look and seemed to be trying to think up some sort of answer. “Uh, maybe?” He really didn’t sound all that sure. “You can ask. Just make sure I’m there for the answer, because I really want to know how that turns out for you firsthand.”

  “I will. I just wanted to ask you first to see what you might think about it.” She could do things to make sure the paint didn’t get onto the walls. “I think it would be fabulous to try to create something new in zero G.”

  “I’m not sure how that will work out for you, but if anyone can figure it out I know you can, Cecilia.” Squeezing her fingers, he led her off the lift and down the corridor to their quarters. Once inside he urged her over to the sofa and sat down on the ottoman, facing her. “Bracken received a message from the marshal about a video call that will be happening in just under three hours. He wants us to both be there for this. He’s pretty sure it has to do with the investigation that the offices have been conducting into your mother and Sadie’s mother’s activities.”

  “Oh.” She felt herself going pale. She felt a bit ill, actually. “Hopefully the marshal’s office will be telling us they’re seeing to it that our mothers are getting the help and punishment they both need.” Cece fully believed that both her mother and Sadie’s needed serious mental help.

  Draven took her hands in his and gave them a squeeze. “If not, we’ll definitely mention it,” he said softly. “I wanted you to have a little bit of warning about this so you could prepare yourself as much as is possible in a situation like this. Your brother isn’t actually clear on the topic of this video call. But he said the tone of the message didn’t sound good, so he’s a little worried.”

  “You’ll stay with me, right?”

  “I will be there. Bracken said I should be there, and seeing you now I completely agree. I won’t be going anywhere, little one. I swear it.”

  “Good. How long do we have before this meeting takes places?”

  “Still a couple more hours before the call will come through,” he said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “We can spend that time right here, or we can get something to eat, or we can do anything else you want. We’re not getting naked, though. I don’t think either of us is in the right head space for this.”

  “I was just thinking of maybe getting something light to eat. I skipped breakfast this morning and I’m feeling it now.” She forced a smile.

  “You know, I’m learning to read the many expressions you have, Cecilia. When you begin to worry you chew your inner lip and get a little furrow between your eyes.” Lifting a hand, he rubbed a finger lightly to the spot he’d mentioned. “Try not to worry, little one. We are solid, you and I. No one can pull us apart.”

  Cecilia nodded, knowing he was right. Draven would be her rock, always, and that made the future and the impending call seem far easier to deal with.

  Chapter Eight

  Sitting next to Draven while they waited on the video conference to begin, Cecilia was starting to get nervous. Ten minutes ago Bracken had let them know the marshal’s offices were setting up the links, but the marshal herself was delayed getting out of a meeting. They were all sitting around waiting for the call to begin. Sadie looked oddly serene, while Bracken seemed impatient if the drumming of his fingers on the arm of his chair was any indication.

  At her side Draven sat quietly, a calming presence as he held her hand tightly in one of his. Catching her looking his way, he smiled slightly and began to rub his thumb up and down her knuckles.

  When the call began, Cece squeezed his hand once more. She looked to the marshal and the others that were around the room with her. How odd. It was the ruling council. What was happening?

  Bracken sat up straighter in his chair with a frown. “Marshal, a pleasure to see you as always. But I must admit I’m more than a little confused at the moment. I don’t mean to rush you into anything, but would you mind telling us what might be going on?”

  “Oh good, you have Lt. Colonel Draven Ackermann with you,” the marshal stated. “You see,” she took a seat and waited for the men around her to sit as well before continuing, “when the colonel petitioned to marry Ms. Kauller he had to submit a DNA sample.” They all saw her folding her hands before she began to chat again. “We have news,” she said before taking another deep breath. “Lt. Colonel Ackermann, you were raised as an orphan, correct?”

  Draven shifted next to her when everyone on the screen turned their attention his way. “Yes, ma’am. My father died a couple of months before my birth. My mother passed within two days after I was born. She was heartbroken and gave up, from what the medical staff reported.”

  The marshal accepted a data pad from an unseen aide and flashed through several images before she settled upon one. “Actually, they weren’t your birth parents.” She didn’t prevaricate, simply stated. “They had stolen you from your true birth family. Typically we don’t test DNA but as you were marrying into one of the off branches of an original family we have laws in place.” They all watched as she took a deep breath. “Lt. Colonel Ackermann, you yourself are from an original house. A house that we all thought ended when your parents were murdered and everyone thought you had died as well. You see, there was a dead baby boy left at the scene and he was dressed in your clothing. We feel that the people who had stolen you had lost their son and exchanged the two of you. From what we have learned they were employees of your parents.”

  There was nothing but silence in the room Cecilia sat in. Draven’s grip on her hand tightened. “Oh,” he finally said. A glance to him showed he was a little pale and looked slightly uncomfortable. “I don’t really see what that has to do with anything, but thank you for letting me know, ma’am.”

  “Actually, it changes quite a bit,” the marshal said. “Your status within society has changed dramatically.” She sighed, rubbing her temples as she did so. “It also means that should you wish to one day become marshal you can as only the original houses can retain that position. But more than that, it means you have titles, lands, and monies that are all part of that heritage. I knew your parents,” she stated softly. “I should have known that you belonged to them and for that I am so sorry. You look so much like your mother and father. If you would like I will send you the video archives of their video and photo memories?”

  Draven seemed to pale even more when she looked his direction again. Suddenly, he got up. “Excuse me.” He gave a slight bow to the screen before walking briskly out of Bracken’s office.

  “Shit,” her brother muttered. “If you’ll give us a moment, Marshal.” He didn’t wait for an answer. He instead sla
pped a hand on the remote pad for the video screen and put the conversation on hold while shooting her a look. “Go find him, Cecilia.”

  Cece nodded, then rose quickly and raced after Draven. She finally found him in an empty room. “Draven?” she asked before reaching out to touch him. Her hand on his arm, she moved in closer. “Hey, it’s just you and me. Remember, no matter what happened in the call nothing would change between us, right?”

  He stared at her and nodded. He pulled her into his arms, wrapping them around her as he pressed his cheek to hers. “By the stars, why the fuck would they tell me any of that?” he whispered. “I was more than happy with my life. I have you. I don’t need anything else. But to tell me that. I feel like I don’t know myself anymore. Everything I thought was true was a lie.”

  “You are still you, Draven. You know that as well as I do. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is the two of us. The past is just that, the past. Right now, the present and the future is all that matters. You are you. You just have more options now if you ever wanted to use them. If you don’t, I’m more than happy to keep you all to myself.”

  “I feel like everything’s been tossed around,” he muttered. With a sigh he lifted his head so he could meet her gaze. “The only constant, my rock in all of this, is you. I can’t even begin to process any of this right now. I’m not even sure I want to, or will ever want to. I’m curious, but I don’t know if I want to take the marshal up on her offer of the files. You’re right—the past is the past. Why upset what I’ve always known with something I can’t have anyway, right?”

  “You might one day change your mind and if you do we will be together in this. I’m not leaving, honey, not now and not ever. We have a future together.”

  “We are forever,” he said. Cupping her face, he kissed her, hard and fast. When he pulled back a few minutes later she felt mildly light-headed. “We should get back in there before your brother sends some of the guards looking for us.” Draven shook his head. “If I was really smart I’d toss you over my shoulder, take you back to our rooms, and hide out there until they finished that damned call.”

  She nodded and took a deep breath. “Okay, then. Just know that I’m here with you. No matter what, okay?” She touched his cheek and smiled. “I love you.”

  He placed another gentler kiss to her lips before taking her hand in his. Heaving a sigh, Draven rolled his shoulders before they left the room and returned to Bracken’s office. Walking in, he gave a nod to her brother, then sat down, pulling her onto his lap. At her look he slipped his arms around her waist to hold her in place and rested his chin on her shoulder.

  “They’re getting more than a little impatient. Are we good to continue?” Bracken asked.

  “Yes, sorry about that,” Draven said.

  “No worries, Draven. That was a lot to try and process with all of them watching.” A moment later the screen returned to a live shot of the marshal and the others. “Apologies for the delay, Marshal. Shall we continue?”

  “Of course,” the marshal said with a nod. She looked to Draven once more and added, “You should know that the word slipped out on our home world who you truly are and I’m afraid…” She now looked to Cecilia. “I’m afraid that the Kauller parents are raising a bit of a fuss that she’s with you now. To say that your mother is pissed is an understatement. Most mothers would be happy that their child was bonding with a male from one of the first families, but she’s livid. If I had to guess I would say it’s because it’s Cecilia who has bonded with him instead of one of her older and more malleable daughters.”

  “There is nothing she can do about it. Bracken has taken over as my guardian, so it’s too bad. Draven is mine.”

  “I didn’t say she could do anything about it. I just warned you that she’s very pissed. I would suggest you watch yourselves, carefully.”

  Cece nodded and looked back at Draven. How he could love her with all the hell she was bringing into his life was beyond her.

  “I love you,” he breathed in her ear. “Soon it won’t matter. We’ll be married officially and there is nothing she can do to stop that. You are out of their reach, and they’re annoyed they can’t use you to their own gains so they are getting desperate.”

  “Agreed,” she murmured. Once more she looked at the marshal. “Is there anything else you need from us?”

  “No, you are both welcome to leave. When you are ready to learn your true family name, Draven, let me know?” she added softly.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” he said. Urging Cece off his lap, Draven stood. “If you wouldn’t mind, please send it through. I may never look at it, but I’d like to have it on the chance I feel the need.”

  “Of course.” The woman then looked to Bracken. “Colonel, we still have things to discuss.”

  Cece took the moment to drag Draven out of there before they were drawn into some other conversation that might or might not upset the man she loved.

  He squeezed her hand as they left the office. Draven pulled her across the corridor into his office and sealed the doors behind them. “Should I feel sorry that we abandoned your brother and Sadie to the marshal and her gaggle of supporters?”

  “Not at all,” Cecilia told him with a grin and began to undo the buttons of his suit jacket. “I think you do, however, need to get naked with me.”

  “In here?” He looked around his office. “Not exactly the most comfortable location I would have chosen. You sure you don’t want to go to our quarters instead? Where we have a bed, and better locks on the door.”

  “Oh, can we? You don’t think we’ll be caught up along the way, do you?” If so, she might have to actually hurt someone. She loved this man and when she wanted and needed him, she needed it then.

  “We’ll take the maintenance corridors. That way we won’t run into anyone, at least not right now.” When she continued to stare at him he rolled his eyes. “There are corridors through some of the walls along the outer shell of the ship. Between many of the rooms and the outside protective siding. A lot of electrical and piping runs through there. They tend to be very warm, though, so when a team has to go in we open several doors to get airflow through. I only mention this because there hasn’t been a team in there recently so be ready to start sweating the moment we step into them. On the up side of things, we’ll be down to our floor quickly, and we’ll come out within twenty meters of our quarters. That’s the only portion we have to traverse in the general corridors.”

  “That’s fine with me. We’ll be able to get naked the moment that we walk into our quarters.”

  He kept a tight hold on her hand as he led her through the dimly lit corridors. They were much narrower than the general ones and definitely hotter. He’d been right about that; she’d started sweating within moments of entering the corridors. There were no portals to see out, no markings of any kind that she could see, and yet Draven seemed to know exactly where he was going through the maze. When she was about ready to beg him to stop moving, he pushed open a door. The blast of cooler air sent a shiver through her as they stepped back out into the main corridors of the ship.

  “Mercy. Right, remind me the next time we do that I need to get naked.” Okay so she was teasing him, mostly. “And here we are.”

  He entered the code and waved her into their quarters. “Strip,” he told her as soon as the door sealed behind them. He set the locks, then began to stalk her slowly so she was backing toward their sleeping room. “I want you in the shower quickly, Cecilia. Facing the wall, hands on it, and your feet spread apart.”

  She had a full-body shiver at the dominance in his tone and licked her lips. “Yes, Sir.” She did as he instructed, stripped out of her clothing, then got into the shower. She didn’t turn it on, simply stood there as he told her to.

  He joined her a few minutes later and got the water going on their preset. Sliding a hand down her spine, he leaned in against her to press kisses on her shoulder. “Thank you for being there when I needed you today, little on
e. You have no idea what that means to me.”

  “You would be there for me, that’s what’s important. We are together. Always. Doesn’t matter. I will always be there for you,” she told him without missing a beat.

  Slowly he slid his hand around her waist to her lower belly. Pushing her hair to the side, he pressed his mouth to her neck, sucking and nibbling on her skin. His hand slipped lower until he could tease her clit with a finger. “Are you wet for me, Cecilia?”

  “Yes, Sir. I am always wet when you touch me.” And when he took that tone of voice with her it made her even more so. The way he would growl, that low rumble of sound. She loved it.

  “That’s what I like to hear.” He bit down a little harder on her shoulder, scraping his teeth slowly over her skin. “Stars but I feel this need to devour you, little one. Turn around to face me, arms around my neck.”

  She turned and looked up at him, a happy grin on her face. Licking her lips, she wrapped her arms around him and shivered. “Like this?” she whispered. She wanted to tug his head down to her and kiss him. She needed him, desperately.

  “Exactly like that,” he said. Stepping closer, he cupped her ass and lifted her effortlessly. “Legs around my waist and kiss me, Cecilia. I can see it on your face. You need a kiss as much as I do.”

  She nodded. “So true, I do.” She was lifted up with his help and wrapped her legs around his hips. Arms tightening around his neck, she leaned in to brush her lips to his. “I always seem to need to kiss you or touch you.”

  “As do I, little one,” he said against her mouth. He was making her work for her kiss, keeping his lips just out of reach in a tease she knew he’d stop if she got upset. Draven never left her wanting when she needed him. He could quite easily, she knew that. But he never did.

  She was grinning as she kept leaning in to kiss him and he kept pulling away. “You are giving me a complex here,” she muttered, then brushed her nose to his. “You know you want to kiss me every bit as much as I want to kiss you.”