“I am. Listen, Mai, Dai, I’ve got this on secured so I need to tell you something you can’t repeat until I give you the all go.”

  They both nodded, giving her their assurance. “First of all, I’m here in Sanctu but I’m finishing up a mission. When I complete it, I’ll come straight to you. Second of all, you’re going to start hearing news so I need to tell you first. I’m marrying Brandt Pela within the hour.”

  Her mother began to cry and her father demanded answers. Sera held her hand up.

  “Wait. There’s more.”

  “Sera, that’s never a good sentence,” her father said.

  She laughed. “It is good. I’m also going to file as Ash Walker’s mistress.”

  Instead of screams, both her parents got utterly silent for a long time.

  “Did you just tell us you’re marrying one man and becoming another man’s mistress? A man who you left for asking that very thing ten standard ago?”

  She knew that tone. Her father often got grumpy about things but rarely truly angry. He was truly angry just then.

  “It’s so much more complicated than I can go into right now but please trust me. Ash is a good man. Better than you and I knew. And Brandt is a good man as well. I’ll come to you after this is over. We’ll talk. Please.”

  “You can’t just throw something like this at us and expect us to take it without an explanation.”

  “Mai, I love you both so much. I will explain. I promise but I can’t now. I need to go. I just wanted you to hear it from me first.” Sera pressed her hand to the screen and ended the communication.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Sera came downstairs to find them changed into military uniforms and looking unbelievably handsome.

  “Wow. Look at you two.” She fanned herself and walked around them to catch the look from behind. “Impressive. I feel underdressed. Shall I change into my uniform as well?”

  Ash took one hand and Brandt the other. “You look beautiful. You can change after we deal with the ceremony and paperwork. For now, let yourself enjoy it a little bit.” Brandt kissed the hand he held and slipped a ring on. Sneaky man.

  Sera looked at it. The flat band was embedded with stones. Nothing flashy but beautiful, classic. Totally her. “Oh. It’s perfect. I love it. I’m, well I don’t have anything for you.” She blushed.

  He laughed and kissed her quickly. “I’m glad you like it. I thought it was perfect for you. We can deal with rings for us later. This was a surprise for you, I know.”

  She turned to Ash who slid a ring on her other hand. “What?” He grinned. “You didn’t think only Brandt would give you a ring did you? You’re mine too. I wish with all I was we could marry but we will declare our forever anyway.”

  Ash’s ring was the mirror of Brandt’s, only with a warmer colored metal.

  Emotion choked her. “I’m so…I just never expected to feel this way for anyone again. To have this with you, Ash, when I thought it lost forever…” She shivered, without words, turning to Brandt. “To find it with you when I least expected it. To feel it for two men and have it be all right, it just seems like a dream.”

  Both her men looked at her, stepping forward to embrace her.

  “We love you. We have the forever you’ve deserved for so long,” Ash whispered in her ear.

  “I know. I believe it. I’m so happy. I love you both so much.”

  “Then let’s go and do this,” Brandt exclaimed.

  “We can borrow one of Paul’s vehicles. I’ve left him a note about it.” Sera led them outside.

  “Were you able to get in contact with your parents?” Brandt asked as they got in.

  She winced as she navigated out of the drive and headed toward Mirum. “Yes. I told them we’d come to see them after everything was taken care of. They’ll keep the news quiet until then.”

  Ash laughed from his place just behind her. “That was a fine bit of avoidance, Sera. I take it they didn’t react well?”

  “They’re shocked about the triad thing. They’re not that opposed to me marrying Brandt but they’re upset about my being anyone’s mistress much less yours. They’ll get over it once I can explain. Once they see things are different now. But after…after things ended I was a mess for a while.”

  “How much of a while? Tell me,” Ash asked quietly, his normal demand absent from his tone.

  She sighed. “It’s not important. It was a long time ago. I’m not there now. We’re together again. Let it go.” She didn’t want to be in that place again and she didn’t want to take him there either.

  “I’m sorry. I just want to know.”

  “Why? And don’t be sorry, it’s over and done. What good would it do to know now, Ash?” She focused on the track in front of her. “It can’t help you.”

  “How do you know? I thought of you every day, you know. But I forced myself to let you go. To never look to see where you’d gone or what had happened to you. I couldn’t know. Selfish. But when we called your name up for the team, I looked and learned a bit. But so much is missing.”

  “Tell him,” Brandt urged.

  “Why? It will only hurt. I don’t want to hurt you, Ash.”

  “Please.”

  She sighed, frustrated. “What do you think I was like, Ash? I believed in you. In us. I believed in love and forever and all that good stuff. In the span of a day, it was all a lie. It sent me reeling. I fucked my way though many men in the following months. All of them incredibly unsuitable. It was dark, self destructive and bad. My parents were distressed. And then I found my way into the military corps and I had a regimen to guide me. Structure. I was so busy and inundated with rules and tasks every moment of my day it stopped hurting so much and I stopped hurting myself instead of you.” She swallowed. “My family had one Sera one day and a stranger the next. It took a while before I got back in my own head. But I was never the same as I’d been with you.”

  “So of course they resent me. I resent it too, Sera. I wish I could take it back.” Ash’s voice was quiet as he touched her shoulder.

  “Don’t. Don’t, Ash. Yes they resent you but as I told them, you’re a better man than I gave you credit for then. It hurts, I can’t say it doesn’t. But I understand what you did. I don’t think you could be the man you are if you’d walked away from your duty then. Doesn’t mean I like the ranking system and what it does to everyone who doesn’t agree with choices made for them. But I understand your choice.” Sera blinked back her tears. Truly forgiving him made her lighter, easier in her own skin.

  He leaned closer and touched her neck. “You don’t know what that means to me. You really don’t.” Ash’s voice was the merest whisper but she heard him.

  She reached up and touched his hand and Brandt simply covered theirs with his as well.

  The ride to Mirum took some time so they all settled in and began to speak of the future. Something Brandt hadn’t done in many years because his life had become about the present and not thinking past the end of whatever mission they were on.

  “Do you two live in Borran all the time when you’re not on an assignment?” Sera asked.

  Brandt twisted the end of one of her short curls around a finger. His body was turned toward her in the seat so he could see her and Ash both.

  Ash had been shaken, he knew, by Sera’s admission of what her life had been like and also by her forgiveness and understanding. He’d been quiet for a while but he’d begun to perk up as they’d started talking about their plans.

  “We have the compound in Borran and we both have large residences in Ravena. I have a house adjacent to Family grounds in Majar as well.”

  Ash finally spoke. “As Brandt says, I’ve got a residence in Ravena and a small house here in Sanctu, just outside Mirum near the Family residences. I moved out of the house I shared with you. Kira and Perry sold it I believe. I also have a few residences scattered through several ‘Verses. Nowhere I’d call home though. Funny how I never thought of it that way until you came into my life again.”

  Sera shrugged. “I don’t have any residence. I had quarters in Borran but they reassigned them when I was placed on your team. Having been in the corps as long as I’ve been, I don’t have a lot of possessions. My parents came and packed me up. I imagine the few boxes are with them or in storage.”

  “Where would you like to live? When we’re not out on assignment?” Brandt asked her. He wanted to buy her things. Shower her with luxuries but he knew they’d have to take it slow or she’d be offended. Whether she liked it or not, once they married she’d be a rich woman.

  “Not here. No offense but I really think I’d like to avoid Sanctu and Majar just now and for the immediate future. I’m not going to be welcomed, you know. Borran is fine if you two don’t mind. Ravena is fine as well. I just want to be where you are.”

  Brandt supposed that was the exact point but until they slept in the same bed every night openly, he’d be uneasy.

  The outskirts of Mirum began to spring up around them as they drove. Residences, outlying neighborhoods. Because the atmosphere was breathable, there was far more sprawl than in the ‘Verses like Nondal where people needed to be in atmospherically controlled environments.

  Ash leaned forward. “Let me take over, please. I’ll take us to one of the bureaucratic divisions out here instead of dragging us into the chaos of the heart of Mirum.”

  Sera pulled to the side but Ash didn’t let her into the back, he simply scooted in, settling her in between them.

  * * *

  The small registry office was staffed by a very wide-eyed young woman who nearly fell from her chair when she caught sight of Ash as they entered.

  Ash knew he was recognizable with the bald head and the markings. It pleased him in a sense and it pleased him even more to know he’d be able to shed the indolent shell and let people know he was more than that.

  “Mr. Walker! It’s, oh my! Welcome. What can we do for you?” The girl looked at Brandt, her gaze moving from toe to head and Ash wanted to laugh at the fierce look on Sera’s face.

  Brandt put the marital papers on the counter. “I need this witnessed and entered into Federation System records immediately.”

  “Of course.” The girl took the sheaf of papers and looked through them, signing, stamping and entering different codes into the comm unit at her workspace. “Marital union. Congratulations.” Her gaze flicked to Sera a moment. Sera stood tall and met her look until the clerk broke the stare and looked back to her papers. “Everything is in order. I need you both to enter your personal numbers and submit to blood and retina scan and you’ll be officially joined.”

  Sera entered a number on the keypad and Brandt followed. The retina scan verified their identity and the blood sample would go on record as well.

  “Okay then.” The girl gave Sera a tight smile and a warmer one to Brandt.

  “It seems so cold for such a momentous moment.” Brandt turned to Sera and kissed her. And then he kissed her some more. Sera wound her arms around Brandt’s neck and Ash heard her soft sigh as she opened her mouth to Brandt’s demanding tongue.

  Ache, sharp and deep, spread through him. He wanted her this way. He wanted to be her husband, was meant to be. If and when he got enough power to sway the Walker Family, he would abolish the rule that allowed the first and second sons to marry only with the head of the Family’s permission.

  Sera stood back, pressing her fingers against her lips. “I enjoy being married already.”

  Ash laughed and put his arm around her waist. Confusion slid over the clerk’s face as she tried to figure out just what was going on.

  He pulled his own sheaf of papers from his pocket and put them on the counter. “Now these, please.”

  She picked them up warily, her brows sliding higher and higher as she worked through each page.

  “Mr. Walker, are you sure the names on this application are correct?” The clerk handed the papers to him.

  He handed them back. “Yes. Ash Walker and Sera Ayers-Pela.”

  Color infused the clerk’s cheeks then and her cold gaze turned curious when she took Sera in again. Sera laughed and nodded. “I know. I can’t believe it either.” She raised one shoulder good-naturedly.

  Brandt kissed her temple and squeezed her from the other side.

  They went through the same process. Entering personal numbers, blood and retinal scans.

  “It’s all official now. Anything else I can do?” The clerk’s voice has gone a bit high.

  “No, that’ll be all for today. Enjoy your evening.” Ash took Sera’s hand and Brandt took the other and the three of them walked out together. Together.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  “All right then. I’ll give that news about ten standard minutes to spread far and wide.” Ash laughed. He did feel good. The ache had gone once the papers had been entered and Sera had looked to him, loving, trusting and happy.

  “I imagine so. Let’s go to your house, Ash, and get Sera changed. I want everyone carrying weapons. I know they’re your family but we don’t know what some of them are capable of.”

  Ash knew only too well.

  He drove the track around the edge of Mirum. The heart of the city was a snarl of commerce, residential and all manner of vehicle. It could take longer to get from the outskirts of one side of the city to the next than to traverse the whole of the western regions of Sanctu.

  He’d told Sera his home was adjacent to Walker lands but by adjacent, he’d meant within eight clicks. They wouldn’t know he’d arrived as he’d changed the main security protocol to recognize his call alone and report any ingress to the property only to him.

  As they made their way up the winding, tree-lined drive to the house he realized just how much he’d been avoiding the place since he and Kira had broken up. He hadn’t wanted to deal with his family if he didn’t have to. Resentment, he’d figured, at losing what had been so important.

  Sera touched him, caressing his neck. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine, Freka. You’re truly mine and we will finally have a life together after so long. I think I’m just digesting it.” He caught her hesitation in the way her hand had stiffened. “No, not that. It’s a wonderful thing.”

  She relaxed. “I know this has to be difficult for you. I’m sorry.”

  He put his hand over hers. “Stop apologizing already. Now, we’re here and this is your home too. Both of you.”

  He grabbed the bag holding her weapons and uniform while she got out and Brandt followed.

  “This is spectacular, Ash.” Sera turned a full circle as they walked into the large common area. A wall of glass fronted the lake just beyond and the treeline and mountains.

  “Thank you. Come on, let me show you the bedroom. You can get dressed.”

  Brandt laughed. “Undressed. And then dressed. We have time, don’t we?”

  “Again?” Sera threw her arms around Brandt, laughing. “You’re a greedy little thing, aren’t you?”

  He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. “Where you’re concerned, yes.”

  “Don’t get started yet. I need to catch up.” Ash led the way through the long corridor back to the master suite and he threw the double doors open. “Put our prize on the bed.”

  Brandt laid her down carefully.

  “I expect after our interlude earlier you’ll be a bit sore. But there’s so much more than cock in cunt to do with you.” Ash began to unbutton his uniform.

  “To you,” Brandt added.

  She sat up and tossed away the sweater and lay back down to shimmy out of her skirt.

  “No panties. You’re naughty.” Brandt moved over her body, kissing up her belly. Ash caught the wink of the necklace Brandt had given her back when they’d first left for Nondal. It’d seemed so long ago, he’d wondered if he’d ever touch her again and how she was his.

  “I hope to be.” She smiled lazily up at Brandt as Ash joined them.

  “Too late, you’ve been naughty a very long time.” Ash tugged on her nipple ring and she sighed her pleasure.

  “Mmmmm.” She rolled to the side facing him as he knelt and licked up his thigh and made her way over to his cock. Even with all that work earlier, you’re not flagging at all. I do love your stamina.”

  “I hope you can say that when I’m an old man.” Ash looked down at her head bent over his lap.

  Her hand surrounded him, sliding up and down his cock slowly as she licked the head. He shivered and locked his thigh muscles to keep from toppling over at how good it felt with her tongue sliding over the sensitive head.

  His eyes flew open when she moved back and broke contact. But what he saw was his woman wrapped in an embrace with his friend and instead of feeling bereft, it buoyed him.

  What they had was miraculous. Amazing and complicated but utterly beautiful. The sweep of Brandt’s dark lashes over his cheek, the line of Sera’s neck as she arched into the kiss, the press of her breasts, small but perfect, against Brandt’s chest, even the contrast between her pale skin and Brandt’s darker tones thrilled Ash’s eye.

  He stroked his cock as he took them in, the woman he’d never ceased to burn for and the man who’d made their reunion possible. No, more than that, Brandt was part of him too. He loved Brandt, felt a deep connection and bond with him. They came into the relationship with Sera with mutual attraction and respect but their bond deepened over their love for Sera.

  His blood stirred as he greedily took in the sweep of Brandt’s hands down Sera’s sides, over her back, down to cup her ass. All the while Brandt’s mouth fused to Sera’s.

  * * *

  Sera drowned in Brandt’s mouth, fell into his spell as he touched her, bringing her skin to life. His taste rang through her like a bell, surging through her system, charging, racing, taking over as she held on and let him devour her.

  The taste of Ash’s cock lay on her tongue as she shared it with Brandt. Brandt’s moan signaled he’d tasted it. Knew it himself. The idea made her restless, needy.