Free Jaz's Warriors (Bondmates Book 2) by Ann Mayburn

breath, Jaz watched the older woman begin to realize the consequences of her actions. “Tandar, would you please escort her out.”
    Without delay, he did as she asked, hustling the ashen-faced woman from the room and into the confused and waiting arms of some older men who had to be her husbands. Tandar said a few words to them and their expressions turned thunderous, making Matriarch Hilmini let out a despair-filled wail.
    Jaz hesitated, not wanting to interrupt Lisa and her husbands as they came together to care for an obviously anguished Mastrint. “I’m sorry it had to end like that, but you did the right thing. Lisa, you know how to reach me if you need me, sweetheart.”
    Nodding her thanks, Lisa pressed her lips to Mastrint’s head as she held him close, her expression just as tormented as his.
    Jaz’s heart was heavy as they stood outside the suite.
    To her surprise, Tandar pulled her into a supportive hug, allowing her to shift at least part of her physical burden to him. His large hands stroked her back and she pressed her cheek to his armor, wishing it was his velvety skin against hers instead. Just being around him relaxed her, and she smiled to herself, recognizing that as a sign of their bond deepening. There was something about bondmates that made their comfort more than just words; it was a physical sensation through their bond, which actually did help take away the stress.
    Moving out of his arms, she stood on her tippy toes so she could give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, I needed that.”
    His happiness made her smile. “It is my pleasure to serve you, bride. I did not realize how difficult and consuming your role as Ambassador is. Whatever you need to help lighten your burden, I would be honored to provide.”
    Her heart lightened a little bit as she reached up and stroked his cheek softly. “Thank you. Come on, let’s head back before any more drama finds us.”
    Motioning to Tandar to follow her, she sent her husbands a quick mental message that they would be arriving back home soon. Immediate happiness and anticipation rocketed from Mavet and Xentix, allowing her to relax further as they moved through the ship. They were nearing one of the training facilities now where the Warriors worked out to keep in battle-ready shape, but Jaz ignored the eye candy in the form of half-dressed men striding around in their silky black pants.
    Shutting down her bond with her husbands so she could think, Jaz tried to push away the constant worries that came from being an Ambassador. If she dwelled on all the couples she was responsible for, all the women who relied on her, she started to freak out. But she couldn’t quit. This was her calling, and she knew in her heart of hearts God had put her here for his own reasons, and she tried hard to honor his love by being the best Ambassador she could.
    For a while, they walked in silence, or at least physical silence. She was pretty sure Tandar was talking with Mavet, because she kept getting this sense like they were whispering together just over her shoulder. She was curious about what they were discussing, but gave them their privacy. Yeah, she could probably force the bond open and listen to them, but not only would it be incredibly rude, it would also indicate that she didn’t trust her husbands, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
    Tandar returned his complete attention to her as they waited for a lift in one of the viewing galleries. Artwork from across the Bel’Tan galaxy filled the room, along with representations of various plants and animals. Around the room stood experts from the galaxy, eager to explain their treasures to any curious Earth brides. While the majority of the ship was designed for pairing up bondmates as quickly as possible, the rest was devoted to educating the Earth Matriarchs before they left for their new homes on Kadothia.
    She searched the faces of people from the Bel’Tan galaxy talking with Earth women, not