I return to my quarters after lunch, once I’ve escorted Natalie back to her room. Leaving her locked away is painful. It doesn’t matter how nice the room is, she’s still a prisoner, and we both know it. Not for long, if I have anything to say about it. But I need to proceed very carefully. My brother is not one to be misled, disobeyed, or betrayed. The grave pits outside the city are filled with nameless men and women who’ve tried.

“You picked one hell of a time to develop a rebellious streak, brother.” As if on cue, he materializes from the shadows in my room. I immediately start to perspire. “I never thought I’d have to remind you to keep your hands off things that don’t belong to you.”

My head spins. How could he possibly know what has happened between us? It was less than an hour ago and I’m absolutely certain she didn’t tell him, or anyone else, about us. Unless…

“You were watching us?” I can’t keep the shock or the accusatory tone out of my voice.

He casually waves his hand, dismissing my anger with little concern. “I’ve had your lab under surveillance for months. I’m not a fool.”

“If you think it’s necessary to monitor me to keep me firmly under your thumb, perhaps you are a fool.” It’s been years since I’ve addressed him with such anger in my voice but the thought of him watching the sacred connection between me and my mate is just too much. “She doesn’t belong to you, brother. You repulse her.” I can’t resist throwing in an added insult, even though I know rationally it’s not a wise idea.

My anger only seems to amuse him. “And you think she’s attracted to you, Ramyx? You know she only humors you because she thinks you’ll help her escape. Do you really think she got down on her knees because she wishes to be your mate? I think the odds are better she’s hoping you leave her door unlocked one night and maybe escort her out of the city.”

My anger threatens to boil over. For the first time since we were children, I want to push him to the ground and pummel his face until he’s bloodied and bruised. But that won’t help me. Or Natalie. Instead, I push my anger deep inside and set to work convincing him of my loyalty. “You must think I’m an idiot, brother. We both know I’d have no chance of getting her to the outpost. No hope of reuniting her with her crewmates. Nobody can survive out there except for the Guards. Do you really think I’d escape with her on a fool’s errand that would get us both killed?”

“I think love will make a man do foolish things.” My brother steps closer, taking an appraising look of me, trying to determine where my loyalties lie.

“And letting a woman suck my cock hardly equals love.” I look him straight in the eyes, unflinchingly. “Perhaps if you treated her with a little more kindness, you’d reap the rewards as well.” Speaking of my mate this way turns my stomach but it’s the only way I can save her. Save us both, really, so I give it everything I have.

“Oh, I’ll take her to my bed, brother. And she’ll do more than suck my cock.” I turn away and look out the window as my cheeks redden in anger. If I look at him, there’s no way I can hide what I’m feeling. I know it. “You see, I have far bigger plans for her,” he says.

“And is she aware of these plans, Minister?”

“Of course not. She’s far too emotional to understand they’re in her best interest. You have to understand, brother, that women are like children. They need our guidance to follow the right path.” I clench my hands behind my back until my nails dig into my palms. I hardly recognize the person in front of me. He’s always been ruthless and uncaring, ever since we were children. But there’s a cruelty in him now that’s a new addition.

“Any what are these plans? Or am I to be kept in the dark as well?” I move away from the window and lower myself into one of my chairs. Trying, and failing, I suspect, to maintain an air of casual indifference.

“I’m going to take her as my mate, brother.” I want to scream to the heavens at the unfairness and indignity of his proclamation. At the cruelty of someone who just takes what he wants, without ever considering the consequences to others.

“She’ll never agree to that,” I say.

He chuckles at that. “She doesn’t have to. I can keep her under lock and key indefinitely.”

“That’s a new low. Even for you.” My eyes shoot daggers across the room to him.

“Please try to appreciate the practicality of my plan. We need the Eclaydian if we’re going to survive and thrive as a species. And we need the Earth women to help us process it and harness its power.”

“So you never planned on letting them leave the planet with it?”

“Certainly not. And, for the record, I never planned on letting them leave the planet at all.” I shake my head in disgust.

He tilts his head as if something new has just occurred to him. “Brother, I have to say, I find your recently developed concern for the Earth woman charming. And I’m glad it wasn’t yet in place when our guest was in a medically induced coma and you helped remove the navigation system from their disabled starship.” He rests a finger against his cheek. “I really wonder what she’d think if she were to find that out.”

“You’re playing with fire, brother,” I say as I shake my head in disappointment. There are five Earth women here but billions back on their planet. I doubt they’ll appreciate what you have in mind.”

“And you forget, there won’t be Earthlings around at all for much longer. It’s foolish to fear retaliation from a dying race. Once their sun dies out, the rest of them will as well.”