Valan's Bondmate by Mardi Maxwell Page B

worried about you. Did he hurt you? When I saw the look on his face, I was terrified for you. I asked Cam, but he told me it wasn't my business. That's his answer for most of my questions."
    Unwilling to admit the exact means of her punishment, Lia assured her he hadn’t hurt her. "He isn’t as fierce as he looks. What did Cam do to you?"
    "He started to use these wretched bands, but I told him if he did, he'd have to force me to his bed from now on. I guess it stopped him. So, he, uh, did something else." The blush on her cheeks told the story.
    "Has he ever used the bands, Minda?"
    Paling, the younger girl nodded. "Once. The first cycle but only for a few seconds. It wasn’t too bad really." Minda glanced around then asked, "Has Valan used them on you?"
    Lia nodded but before she could say anything further Educator Fergusson called for their attention.    
    The lessons in his class were loud and fun. He encouraged them to ask questions, often telling them more than they needed to know. Lia, always curious and eager to learn, soon caught up with her classmates.
    Educator Fergusson explained the Zarronians used technology to make their lives easier, but they didn't let it rule them. Anything considered excessive was discouraged. 
    A statuesque blonde in the back row asked, "If you don't own females does it mean we can leave whenever we choose?"
    Thrown by the question, Educator Fergusson paused for a moment. "I understand the males of your planet own and mate with many females, and they also use their females as trade items. Is this correct?" Receiving several nods, he went on. "Living with a Zarronian will be completely different from what you're accustomed to. Zarronians bond with only one female."
    "What does it mean—bond?" Minda asked.
    "It means to choose and keep one female and, uh, be with only her."
    Their reactions surprised him. At first, they stared at him in disbelief, then, slowly, smiles appeared on their faces.
    "You mean Zarronians only share pleasure with one female? Ever?" another woman asked.
    "Well, no. A young warrior might share sex with many females but he can only bond with one female."
    "I still don't understand," Minda said.
    Educator Fergusson cleared his throat then shuffled some papers in his hands. "I think I'll have Doctor Veeson visit the class and explain this to you. In the meantime, let me tell you more about Zarronia. As you know, there are five provinces, what you would call strongholds. Kadia is the largest, and is also the location of our High Council. There are five members of the High Council. Four of them are Council Rulers. The fifth is referred to as the High Ruler, and he is the highest member of the Council. Lia, your mate's father, Eirik Dagson, is the High Ruler of Kadia."
    Lia smiled but it faded as she wondered if he'd hate her because of her sire. Valan has said his mother and sister died when he attacked Zarronia.
    Educator Fergusson continued. "The Council has total and absolute power, ruling over matters ranging from the most insignificant to decisions concerning war. They can also be removed from office by a vote of the warriors if they are derelict in their duties."
    The lesson went on, but Lia didn't really hear it. Her mind was still on the subject of bonding.  She'd been raised to accept a warrior could own as many women as he could afford. With Gorm, she would have welcomed another woman who drew his attention from her, but she couldn’t bear the thought of Valan in bed with another woman. Just the thought made her sick.
    Educator Fergusson said Zarronians bonded with only one female and Valan once called her his bondmate. Did it mean he'd share sex with only her from now on? Before she could ask him the class was dismissed. She thought about asking Valan but was afraid his answer would hurt her.
    The next few cycles flew by. In the evenings, after dinner Valan held her on his lap and asked what she'd learned. She'd tell him and then he'd answer the