of sorrow.
* * * *
The landing was uneventful. The spaceport had the
same stagnant air and echo of other spaceports.
A tall body brushed against Tor's right.
A smooth voice spoke. "My lord." Tor's hand was
gently lifted and wrapped around a huge, muscular arm.
The small scar beneath Tor's fingers and his voice
gave the man away. "Greetings, Crillon," he said to the cat
shifter. Crillon was one of the twin cats he'd rescued from
the streets. The knife wound on Crillon's left arm always
5
Mate Test
Amber Kell
identified him to Tor. As a courtesy to his blindness,
Crillon always wore short sleeves so that Tor would know
who was escorting him.
Tor felt as if all eyes were staring at him. Leather
brushed up against his arm as the guard leaned closer. "You
did not sleep well?"
"I rarely sleep well these days."
Crillon patted his hand. "It'll get better with time,
Your Grace."
"That's what everyone tells me."
Crillon cleared his throat, and Tor heard him shift
his feet. "Pietro has gone ahead with the house staff to
prepare your room."
"Thank you, Crillon. Sounds like you have
everything ready as usual. What's my schedule?"
If anyone knew about his day, it would be Crillon.
Besides Pietro, the man was the closest thing to a walking
calendar.
"Nothing planned this afternoon, Your Grace. I
know how space travel tires you, so we'll go straight to
your room with a quick tour of the castle on the way.
Tomorrow you'll have breakfast with the king and the other
delegates, then everyone will be given a tour of the mines."
"What do we know about the others?" It was always
6
Mate Test
Amber Kell
best to get a handle on the competition. His people were
good about seeking any weaknesses that would give Tor
the edge.
The weapons decorating the cat's body clinked
softly together with each step, a sound Tor always
associated with friendship and safety. "I have downloaded
their files so you can listen to them tonight while you rest."
"Thank you, Crillon, you're always so efficient."
"Let me know if there is anything else I can do for
you, Your Grace." Crillon's tone was suggestive of other
things he'd like to help Tor with. He knew it was more
habit than invitation. Crillon's other half, Dillon, was also a
member of Tor's staff. Between the two of them, Tor knew
they were looking for a female third but weren't opposed to
tasting others on the way to their groom's day.
"I think you've done enough for now." Tor had a
rule about not taking advantage of his staff; however that
didn't stop them trying to change his mind from time to
time.
* * * *
The castle was big, as most castles are. As he
walked he got the impression of endless hallway after
7
Mate Test
Amber Kell
endless hallway. The cavernous rooms echoed with each
word exchanged. It took several minutes to get to the guest
wing where the thick tapestries and tall stone walls
overshadowed him.
He put his faith in Crillon to lead him forward as
Baroy entered his mind.
"The castle is surrounded by dragonkin. I have
warned them to be friendly or die."
"Way to make friends ," Tor sent back, amusing
himself. Space dragons were extremely protective and their
power was incredible. It didn't matter that Baroy was
circling the planet. He could still pinpoint Tor's exact
location at any moment in time and annihilate any signs of
danger.
Baroy could push his powers through Tor's body. It
was a painful process that Tor actively avoided; however
he'd be lying to himself if he denied he enjoyed the ability
from time to time.
About the time his tired mind started to lose track of
where he was, they reached his chambers.
"Here we are, Your Grace." Crillon opened the
door, and Tor was pleased to be greeted by his staff.
Whenever he was in a strange place, it was comforting to
have the same people around him.
8
Mate Test
Amber Kell
Sighing, he allowed Pietro to undress him. The
servant guided him into bed and smoothed the
* * * *
The landing was uneventful. The spaceport had the
same stagnant air and echo of other spaceports.
A tall body brushed against Tor's right.
A smooth voice spoke. "My lord." Tor's hand was
gently lifted and wrapped around a huge, muscular arm.
The small scar beneath Tor's fingers and his voice
gave the man away. "Greetings, Crillon," he said to the cat
shifter. Crillon was one of the twin cats he'd rescued from
the streets. The knife wound on Crillon's left arm always
5
Mate Test
Amber Kell
identified him to Tor. As a courtesy to his blindness,
Crillon always wore short sleeves so that Tor would know
who was escorting him.
Tor felt as if all eyes were staring at him. Leather
brushed up against his arm as the guard leaned closer. "You
did not sleep well?"
"I rarely sleep well these days."
Crillon patted his hand. "It'll get better with time,
Your Grace."
"That's what everyone tells me."
Crillon cleared his throat, and Tor heard him shift
his feet. "Pietro has gone ahead with the house staff to
prepare your room."
"Thank you, Crillon. Sounds like you have
everything ready as usual. What's my schedule?"
If anyone knew about his day, it would be Crillon.
Besides Pietro, the man was the closest thing to a walking
calendar.
"Nothing planned this afternoon, Your Grace. I
know how space travel tires you, so we'll go straight to
your room with a quick tour of the castle on the way.
Tomorrow you'll have breakfast with the king and the other
delegates, then everyone will be given a tour of the mines."
"What do we know about the others?" It was always
6
Mate Test
Amber Kell
best to get a handle on the competition. His people were
good about seeking any weaknesses that would give Tor
the edge.
The weapons decorating the cat's body clinked
softly together with each step, a sound Tor always
associated with friendship and safety. "I have downloaded
their files so you can listen to them tonight while you rest."
"Thank you, Crillon, you're always so efficient."
"Let me know if there is anything else I can do for
you, Your Grace." Crillon's tone was suggestive of other
things he'd like to help Tor with. He knew it was more
habit than invitation. Crillon's other half, Dillon, was also a
member of Tor's staff. Between the two of them, Tor knew
they were looking for a female third but weren't opposed to
tasting others on the way to their groom's day.
"I think you've done enough for now." Tor had a
rule about not taking advantage of his staff; however that
didn't stop them trying to change his mind from time to
time.
* * * *
The castle was big, as most castles are. As he
walked he got the impression of endless hallway after
7
Mate Test
Amber Kell
endless hallway. The cavernous rooms echoed with each
word exchanged. It took several minutes to get to the guest
wing where the thick tapestries and tall stone walls
overshadowed him.
He put his faith in Crillon to lead him forward as
Baroy entered his mind.
"The castle is surrounded by dragonkin. I have
warned them to be friendly or die."
"Way to make friends ," Tor sent back, amusing
himself. Space dragons were extremely protective and their
power was incredible. It didn't matter that Baroy was
circling the planet. He could still pinpoint Tor's exact
location at any moment in time and annihilate any signs of
danger.
Baroy could push his powers through Tor's body. It
was a painful process that Tor actively avoided; however
he'd be lying to himself if he denied he enjoyed the ability
from time to time.
About the time his tired mind started to lose track of
where he was, they reached his chambers.
"Here we are, Your Grace." Crillon opened the
door, and Tor was pleased to be greeted by his staff.
Whenever he was in a strange place, it was comforting to
have the same people around him.
8
Mate Test
Amber Kell
Sighing, he allowed Pietro to undress him. The
servant guided him into bed and smoothed the
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