16. Torus
Torus wasn’t sure what to think. He was still holding Molly’s hand in his but his brain was momentarily blank. Joined to a human? Wasn’t that exactly what he’d been trying to avoid?
“I don’t understand,” he said slowly. “Why would Molly and I get Joined?”
“Because we need to establish a relationship between the two of you before the trial—we need the jury to see a reason for you to defend Molly and go into Rage for her,” Councilor Paige said patiently. “Our defense works a lot better if you’re her husband than if you’re just her boss.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Commander Sylvan said thoughtfully. “The humans always seem to be enchanted by the way we Kindred are so protective of our Mates—though we’re only acting as any male should,” he added.
“Of course, we’re only talking about a temporary Joining,” Councilor Paige went on. “After the trial is over, the two of you can separate again…if you want to,” she added, giving Molly a look that Torus couldn’t interpret.
Molly, however, seemed upset.
“But…but you can’t make Commander Torus marry me like that!” she exclaimed. “I mean, he’s my boss—he doesn’t want to get married to his subordinate!”
“Yes, I do!” Torus’s own words surprised him. Clearly they surprised Molly too, because she looked up at him with wide, uncertain eyes.
“You do?” she asked in a small voice.
“I do,” Torus said firmly. Then he cleared his throat. “I mean, I want to do anything I can to help with this court case—and to protect you from further harm,” he added, looking down at her. “If pretending to get Joined and living as a couple for a little while will help win the case, then I don’t see a reason not to.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Unless you really don’t want to?”
“Oh, I mean, if…if you really think…that is, if you really don’t mind…” Molly’s cheeks were bright pink with embarrassment and confusion but she didn’t seem upset, Torus thought—just uncertain.
“I don’t mind,” he said softly, squeezing her hand which he still held. After all, it wasn’t as though their Joining would be real, he told himself. And if Councilor Paige thought it was necessary, who was he to say “no?”
Not to mention it will give you an excuse to get closer to Molly, whispered a little voice in his head.
Torus pushed it away. He was only doing this to help clean up the mess he’d made, he told himself. And to protect the little Elite. He wanted to stay close to her while the trial was going on to be certain no one could hurt or abuse her. This seemed to be the perfect way to do that.
And he swore to himself that he didn’t have any ulterior motives like being close to Molly and holding her in his arms again…none at all.