Triad

By Cyndi Friberg

Letos, a notorious technomage, along with the other two members of the Triad must calm the people of Rodymia and prove that a new kind of government can work for a planet that has only known tyranny. As if that’s not challenging enough, into his life strolls Mirella, the enigmatic Bilarrian Ambassador. Letos wants her with an all-consuming passion, yet he senses deceit, and one wrong move at this point could reignite the fires of war.

Mirella has lived her entire life in the shadow of others. She is sent to Rodymia under false pretenses, never expecting to encounter her mate. But once she sees Letos, inhales his scent and experiences his taste, her heart will accept no other outcome than bonding with the other half of her soul. She knows he wants her too, but can their budding affection survive her deception? Or will the secrets hidden in her past destroy any hope of peace between their worlds?

From Cyndi: Battle Born is a fully integrated sci-fi series. Each romance is resolved within the given book, but many plot elements continue on from story to story. For this reason, it’s best to read the books in order. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anything-but-Ordinary Books
• Release date: Dec 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370814275

Cyndi Friberg

Passionate Sci-Fi with a touch of danger and a whole lot of sass. Cyndi has written about rock stars, vampires, and cat shifters, but she’s currently focused on outer space. Her stories are fun, fast-paced, and seriously hot. Her books have made the USA Today Top 100, and frequently land on Amazon Best Seller lists. She is currently working on the Shadowborn Rebellion, a spin-off series set in the Outcasts universe.   She loves to hear from readers: [e-mail] https://facebook.com/fribergc https://twitter.com/Cyndi_Friberg

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Triad

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © 2016 Cyndi Friberg

Cover art by Dar Albert

Editor: Mary Moran

Electronic Book Publication, December 2016

Trade Paperback Publication, December 2016

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Version 1b

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Taken by Storm

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~Fallen Angel Reviews

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~Romance Reviews Today

Operation Hydra

"I highly recommend Operation Hydra…it’s one of the best science fiction romances I’ve ever read. Perfect 10!"

~Romance Reviews Today

"Outstanding! This segment only whetted my appetite for more. The heat between Kyrsta and Trey could cause a nuclear meltdown."

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City of Tears

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~eCata Reviews

Triad

Cyndi Friberg

Battle Born, Book Nine: Letos, a notorious technomage, along with the other two members of the Triad must calm the people of Rodymia and prove that a new kind of government can work for a planet that has only known tyranny. As if that’s not challenging enough, into his life strolls Mirella, the enigmatic Bilarrian Ambassador. Letos wants her with an all-consuming passion, yet he senses deceit, and one wrong move at this point could reignite the fires of war.

Mirella has lived her entire life in the shadow of others. She is sent to Rodymia under false pretenses, never expecting to encounter her mate. But once she sees Letos, inhales his scent and experiences his taste, her heart will accept no other outcome than bonding with the other half of her soul. She knows he wants her too, but can their budding affection survive her deception? Or will the secrets hidden in her past destroy any hope of peace between their worlds?

Note to Readers: This book contains detailed descriptions of sizzling passion only suitable for mature readers.

From Cyndi: Battle Born is a fully integrated sci-fi series. Each romance is resolved within the given book, but many plot elements continue on from story to story. For this reason, it’s best to read the books in order. Enjoy!

Table of Contents:

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Epilogue

Chapter One

Triumphant

Rodyte controlled space

With a frustrated sigh, Xorran Blytor pulled off his helmet and tucked it under his arm. This was the fourth time this week Apex General Paytor had summoned him back to base in the middle of a training exercise. The new recruits were young and hopelessly inexperienced. Most had been rejected before the rebels flew off to Earth with two-thirds of the Rodyte military. Xorran could no longer afford to be as choosy as he’d once been, which made training even harder. And still AG Paytor expected him to make the new class of soldiers battle ready in two short weeks. The goal was unrealistic at best, utterly impossible with all these interruptions.

The Triumphant was massive, the largest and most technologically advanced ship Rodymia had ever built. Still the path from his assigned docking bay to Paytor’s office had become so familiar he could complete the trek in his sleep. Two decks up, turn right, two left turns and stop in front of the third door down on the right. Each man he passed quickly pressed his back against the wall and lowered his gaze. No spaceship could operate without discipline. Still, the show of deference always made him feel slightly uncomfortable.

Well, you better get used to it, his inner voice nagged. You’re First Officer aboard the Triumphant, second only to Apex General Paytor himself. Xorran had fought hard for every promotion and proved himself during countless engagements. So why was it so hard for him to accept that he deserved the recognition?

He stepped in front of the door to AG Paytor’s office and waited as the beam scanned his face. The computer announced his arrival. Paytor must have authorized his entrance because the door parted, allowing him inside. The office wasn’t large, but the furnishings were nice, the entire room well-organized and immaculate.

Paytor sat behind his desk and motioned Xorran forward. I have a special assignment I can only trust to you.

Rather than taking a seat, Xorran stood behind the chairs and tried not to let his frustration show. I have an assignment, sir. One we both agreed is vitally important.

Paytor was career military and looked the part. His posture was stiff, back straight, chin slightly lifted. His deeply lined face only made him look more intimidating and authority radiated off him in tangible waves. He made a dismissive gesture, then pushed back from his desk. Anyone can make those puppies into war dogs. This mission requires finesse.

Finesse? What in creation made Paytor think of him in the same sentence with finesse? He was a warrior. He’d never known anything else. Search and destroy were his only mission parameters. I think I’m better suited to—

You haven’t even heard the details yet. Now sit down and pay attention.

Reluctantly, Xorran sat.

When those battle born bastards captured Quinton, they created a massive vacuum that must be filled as soon as possible.

Xorran narrowed his eyes, unsure where Paytor was headed. Quinton had been incompetent and corrupt. Paytor might well be the only person alive who was upset by his removal. I thought that’s what the Triad was for.

The Triad? he scoffed. Do you mean Bandar Nox, aka General Nox’s puppet; Letos, failed spy for the Integration Guild; and Haven Tandori, former mistress of a disgraced guild master? None of them are qualified to rule our planet. We need someone who will intrigue the masses yet have a pedigree impressive enough to calm the elite.

And you know such a person? He couldn’t quite hide his doubt. The only person the elite would unanimously accept was a Keire and to his knowledge, Quinton was the last living member of the Keire family. Who are you talking about and what does this have to do with me?

Pern Keire, Quinton’s older brother, launched the war bride program.

I’m aware. Xorran carefully controlled his expression. War brides and their battle born children. He shuddered. He’d always found the practice of capturing Bilarrian females and forcing them to breed in the hopes of producing children empowered by magic dishonorable, but his place was not to question long-established practices. He was battle born, as were the vast majority of his friends.

Pern had four war brides that we know of, likely more.

Paytor’s nonchalance increased the tension already gathering in Xorran’s gut. Paytor was elite. He had no idea how it felt to be battle born. He’d never experienced the disdain or indignation the battle born endured on a daily basis. They were treated with disrespect and scorn because of the way in which they’d been conceived, a circumstance over which they had no control.

Are you listening? Paytor snapped. Your mind is clearly in another sector.

Paytor had no idea how often his mind drifted off to another sector, Earth controlled space to be exact. No, sir. I’m here with you. Loyalty and honor required that he remain. He’d always played by the rules, always followed orders. Without honor, life had no meaning.

Paytor’s chin lifted and challenge flashed in his dark eyes. What did I just say?

That my mind appeared to be in another sector.

He glared, but the irritation melted from his gaze. Smartass.

Pern Kiere had at least four war brides, which means he had many battle born children.

Very good. He had at least eleven, but he only legitimized two.

That snapped Xorran back to the present and fully engaged his attention. You’ve located his legitimized children?

Only one is still alive. Then something unexpected happened. Paytor grinned like a mischievous child. Xorran had never seen anything like it, not on AG Paytor’s weathered face. And we only need one to retake the throne of Rodymia.

We? What in hells rings did this have to do with him? I presume you have a plan.

Of course I have a plan. And as suddenly as the amusement appeared, it was gone. Paytor was all business again. The Triad won’t know what hit them. It’s a daughter, which is disappointing, but she’s by far our best option. How can the battle born possibly object to their new queen? I’ll be putting one of their own on the throne.

And the elite will accept her as well because Pern Keire’s blood flows through her veins, Xorran realized, reluctantly impressed with Paytor’s solution.

Tandori Tribe will fade back into obscurity where it belongs, and order will be restored to Rodymia.

Xorran nodded as the possibilities began to form within his mind. Rodymia had always been ruled by a monarch. The people had only demanded change when the reigning monarch proved unworthy of the title crown stirate. What role will I play in this endeavor?

You’ll be my eyes and ears every step of the way. I’ll present you as an advocate, an adviser, who will offer guidance and protection for our queen, but in reality you’ll keep me informed of every development.

A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of Xorran’s mouth. He’d been irritated by the interruption, but this sounded exciting, perhaps even fun. When do we leave, sir?

As soon as possible. We need to strike before the Triad gets too comfortable.

* * * * *

Seaview Palace,