“To confirm, my lady, you are Commander Helion’s bride?”
“Of course.” I threw a slight frown over my shoulder. “Didn’t the bride center send any details about me before I arrived?” I’d seen an imagine of Zarren, back at the testing center, but that had looked more like a mug shot than a portrait. He’d been extremely handsome, but his expression in the picture was severe, as if he were angry.
“Apologies. I do not know. I do not monitor communications.”
Suddenly his behavior made a lot more sense. I stopped, turned completely around to face him and held out my hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Willow.”
He stared at my hand for a few seconds before gently—very gently—wrapping his entire hand around mine. His hand was huge. The size of a dinner plate.At least. I’d met a lot of Prillons, but this was only my second Atlan. Seeing a male that was not Prillon after so many months living on Prillon Prime seemed…strange. “I am Warlord Razmus, my lady.”
I smiled, pulled my hand free and resumed walking. “Now we can be friends, Warlord Razmus.” Definitely going to call him Raz.
I arrived at a second crossroads. “This way?”
He nodded, but I thought I heard a slight groan come from behind me as we approached yet another male—who was alsonotmy mate. He wasn’t Prillon, either.
The warlord introduced us. “Elite Hunter Kayn, this is Lady Willow Helion.”
Kayn bowed low, then resumed his stance blocking access to a closed door I could see directly behind him. Fascinating. An Elite Everian Hunter. I’d never met one of those before. I’d heard they could move so fast they literally disappeared, too fast for the human eye to track.Andthat they could hunt anyone, anywhere in the universe, just bythinkingabout them. Some kind of quantum field, psychic connection that led them in the right direction, like a psychic bloodhound. They were the Coalition’s bounty hunters, FBI and police all in one. That was cool. And terrifying. Hope none of their males had stalker or serial killer inclinations.
Add to the list one more species of alien male I was thankfulnotto be mated to. Fanged criminals and interstellar stalkers. No and no.
He’d be handy to have around. Bet he’s better than sniffer dogs.
Don’t care.
I blinked a couple times and shook my head to clear it. Enough of that nonsense.
So, what was this Elite Hunter doing standing here all alone, guarding this door? Was he my mate’s personal security? Was he watching over the meeting my mate was supposed to be in? Why did they need to post guards inside, on their own ship? That seemed odd.
I turned around and addressed Warlord Razmus. “Are we safe on this ship?”
“Of course, my lady.”
Okay. Perhaps my mate—their commander—preferred an overabundance of caution. After everything I managed to live through, I approved.
I would say a quick hello, check out my new mate, hopefully, kiss him, then settle into our personal quarters and wait for him to bring his second so they could strip me naked, fuck my brains out, and make me fall crazy in love.
I had something special packed for my first night with my mates. It had taken me twice as long to create the delicate lingerie as it had to figure out how to make my dress. I couldn’t wait to see my mates’ faces when I put it on. Or when theytook it off.
But that was for later. Right now, I wanted to seemycommander’s face. In person. Those stupid digital images never did anyone justice. My mate had looked very handsome—if a bit stern—on the screen. In person? I had no doubt my panties would melt right off the moment he looked at me.
“Is Commander Helion behind that door?”
“Yes, my lady.” Kayn looked to the warlord behind me, their gazes locked over my head.
“Wonderful.” I lifted a hand to make sure the braid and ribbon I’d put in my hair was still in place. Yes. Still there. I looked my best. “If you’ll excuse me, please.” Time to get some Prillon lovin’ going on.
“My lady?” Kayn did not move aside. He looked confused.
“Kindly step aside, Elite Hunter Kayn. I want to say a quick hello to Commander Helion. Then I will ask one of you to, please, show me to my new quarters."
"Of course, Lady Helion,” Warlord Razmus spoke from behind me. “I would be honored to escort you.”
“Thank you.” I stared at the Everian Hunter, my head titled to the side. Was he obtuse, or just pretending to be? Silence stretched between us. “Did you not hear me? I’d like to meet the commander and I prefer not to wait.”
Waiting, wondering, not knowing. These things were an eternal darkness of the soul. Waiting filled my head with all kinds of demons I preferred not to host.
A deep chuckle filled the tight corridor behind me. The warlord was laughing. “I believe Lady Helion ordered you to step aside. As our commander’s mate, since we are not in an active military or battle situation, she outranks both of us.”
