Unexpected Mates (Sons of Heaven) Read Online Free Page A

the sofa. Then she placed Alice in the playpen and offered her the Sakk version of a spill-proof training cup.
    With no further excuses, she took the last remaining open chair in the living room area.
    The two liaisons were busy, looking around the room she shared with Alice. The older of the two— Ellwood —had one eyebrow raised as if he meant to challenge something.
    “Not a cell, then? I know there are cells here at the consulate.”
    Meredith replied to it, though she wasn’t certain if the question had been intended for her or for Janice. “I was in a cell for a while, but now I’m here.” She hesitated and then offered the rest. “There are two guards on the door, so I guess it’s a more comfortable cell.”
    Janice cut in. “The Sakk do not believe in long-term incarceration of females, unless it is a case of capital crimes. The guards are posted for the safety of Ms. Mallory and of Alice. When they do have reason to leave the room—to visit the garden or to go to the clinic, the guards accompany them. The guards also deliver whatever food items Ms. Mallory requests for herself and Alice.”
    She motioned to the curtain that separated the living room from the bedroom. “We have provided clothing, food, comfortable shelter, and even medical care. I dare say Ms. Mallory is better cared for here than she would have been in a stateside prison.”
    “Medical care?” Gorse asked.
    Meredith managed a weak smile. “I slipped on a wet stone in the garden and cut my knee. It was just a little cut, but the guards demanded I go to the clinic and have it tended to.”
    Janice nodded her agreement. “Sakk warriors take protecting a woman or child very seriously.”
    Ellwood jumped into the conversation again. “The reason she’s caring for Alice?”
    Janice cut Meredith off at the pass. “Ms. Mallory is someone Alice knows and trusts. Since she brought Alice here, it seemed best to use her community service to provide the continuity of care a young one needs.”
    “Your proposed punishment is community service? I don’t mind telling you there are people involved who will not feel that is an adequate exchange for the crimes they believe she has committed.” The tip of his head toward Meredith let her know he didn’t agree with it, but he had to play political games.
    “That’s one part of her punishment.”
    “And the rest?”
    Meredith’s heart pounded in apprehension. They hadn’t discussed that further since Janice brought it up.
    “That has not been decided yet, but it will be a Sakk-appropriate punishment for her level of crime.”
    Gorse shook his head. “Meaning what?”
    Janice smiled. “We will give Ms. Mallory a choice. We will not impose a punishment on her she doesn’t feel able to bear.”
    Considering the punishments she’d heard of so far, Meredith wasn’t sure that was going to be a choice she wanted to face.

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Two weeks later
     
    He was back again, and even Jarem couldn’t state why he kept coming to see Meredith. He tried to convince himself it was Alice he came to see, but he knew that wasn’t true. While he played with the babe, his attention often strayed to the female in question.
    It made no sense that he could fathom. She wasn’t a Sakk-descended woman. She wasn’t a woman who could give him sons to save his dying family line.
    But I want her. There was no question of it. His sights were firmly fixed on Meredith Mallory, and his libido demanded a taste of whatever she would grant him.
    This isn’t intelligent. I have to focus on finding a mate who will provide children for my family. He was the last hope of it. If Jarem failed to make a match or failed to produce at least one son with a mate, his family was doomed to extinction.
    The guards offered a curt nod, and one knocked lightly at the door for him.
    Meredith opened the door and smiled. She whispered across the opening, “Alice is already asleep.”
    Disappointment lodged in his chest