Read Casey's Warriors (Bondmates) for Free Online

conflicts together, had been each other’s sole source of affection and love in a world where nothing was guaranteed and every day was a gift that could be snatched away at any moment. For years they’d worked to build the manor that would someday house their alyah, and when Lorn had been injured during a fight or when it seemed like he’d never make it out of a battle alive, he would hold on to the dream of someday sleeping in safety with their beloved nestled between them, the final link that would draw them together as a true family. 
    He glanced over at Nast, sitting next to him, and studied the other man. His blood brother was dressed in his black officer’s armor that set off his long, blood-red hair streaked with blond and his deep green eyes. Nast met his gaze and the excitement and worry he saw in his friend’s eyes made him want to reassure him, to reach out through their psychic bond and send his love.  In this viper’s pit of politics, however, he didn’t dare to do anything that might give their enemies ammunition against them. Their shielding was formidable, forged over hundreds of cycles spent together, but even the best shielding in the world couldn’t protect them from the powerful minds of the Congress. So he had to settle for giving his blood brother a small nod, moving his head only a fraction while still letting Nast know it would be all right because he would make it all right.
    Lorn’s attention was drawn back to the center of the room when the Master Scout with his dark, weathered skin cleared his throat. “I present to you, Earth. A planet smaller than our tiniest moon with a populace of a little over seven billion.”
    Doing a quick calculation Lorn surmised that in accordance with the ancient Treaty of the Matriarchs, they would be allowed to take seven thousand women from the planet. His heart sank as he realized how many of his friends and fellow Warriors would lose out on the opportunity to search for a Matriarch. Thankfully he’d been a Warrior for over six hundred cycles and through his military efforts had enough points to be at the very top of the list of those approved to seek their soul mate. But even that wouldn’t help if the diminutive planet didn’t contain a woman who could be both his physical and spiritual mate. After all, he’d gone through three Reapings already and hadn’t been able to find a suitable woman on planets twenty times the size of this place called Earth.
    Drawing in a deep breath, the Master Scout said, “The people of Earth are a very young race, but they possess the characteristics of what we recognize as a civilized society. They are a mainly monogamous culture, and though there are polygamous households, they tend to remain hidden for fear of discovery and retribution from their government. Like all children of the Lord of Life they bear the physical characteristics of our race. The humans, as they like to call themselves, have a reproductive system similar enough to ours to birth our children; they are intelligent, and for the most part, honorable people.” He stopped and looked around the room slowly before returning his attention to the High Congress. “Our scientists agree, these beings are a biologically compatible race to seek brides from.”
    A burst of conversation came from the assembled Warriors, and Nast leaned over and whispered in his ear, “If you find a bride and she doesn’t want to bond more than one husband, promise me you will not jeopardize your own happiness for mine.”
    Nast knew him far too well and Lorn didn’t even try to lie as he whispered back, “The Lord of Life created us all with more than enough love for the entire universe. I refuse to believe He did not gift the women of Earth with His greatest blessing. Have faith.”
    The Master Scout reached out to the crystal and adjusted it. “High Congress, I present to you the females of Earth.”
    Whistles and cheers rose from the audience of men and they returned