I may or may not already have a theme in mind for our formal attire—which I know she’ll hate. That’s probably Marta’s greatest flaw, she has such boring taste in clothing.
But I want her, flaws and all.
There may also be a grand plan in place about how I’ll announce she’s my mate—we’ll stake our claim on each other for the universe to see.
“Jens’i!” I yell down the hall as I see the fi’len male dart into the kitchen, looking flustered. He stops in his tracks and turns to attend me.
“Your Grace?”
“Did the jeweler deliver the order yet?”
His eyes light up and his fingers fly to his suit pocket. He produces a long black case and places it into my eager hands. Running my fingers over the smooth stone, I gently pull back the lid.
It’s even better than I’d imagined it would be. The delicate tre’al stone links of the necklace chain are going to look stunning on the chest of my mate. The pendant, the shape a copy of the bead she says is a human good luck charm, is cut out of emerald. It’s not smooth, but the gem holds thousands of tiny facets to give it the appearance of being round. Each facet glitters in the light.
“It’s perfect,” I breathe.
It’s not as ornate as something I would wear myself—but I know she’ll appreciate its simplicity.
“I think it will be well received indeed, Your Grace.” He gives me a knowing smile.
"Do you think it could work?” I ask the person who, before Marta, was the only one I let see the real me.
“Could what work, Your Grace?” He arches a brow on his weathered face.
“Us, Marta and I…do you think we could work? Do I trust a chemical reaction inside my body to decide my life for me?”
Jens’i chuckles and places a hand on my arm. “The mate bond may start as something biological—but I know from experience that the bond itself is just a spark. If there’s nothing to ignite the hearts, the mating bond can fail. I know your hearts burn for her, and I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”
“I worry about the subjects of the Reefs. Marta is going to make the return to aquatic living all the harder,” I confess for the first time aloud.
“Oh pok’en spurs!” Jens’i breaks his cool demeanor and slaps his palm onto his thigh. “Get your head out of your f’teeing ass and go claim your mate! If the goddess was wise enough to select her for you, why should they care!” He huffs and clears his throat, regaining his composure. “With all due respect, Your Grace…”
“You like her, don’t you, Jens’i?” I let a half smile form on my lips.
“As I said, it shouldn’t matter what I think—but yes. I like Marta.” He’s nonchalant in his response.
I nod and start to head upstairs before he speaks again.
“She’ll stay,” he says quietly, but I know I’m not strong enough to acknowledge his statement.
I hope she will too.
I bound up the grand staircase with Nubbins under my arms, excited to give Marta my gift, to plan for the future—to tell her she’s my mate.
I’m careful not to swing the door too wide, not wanting to let the ocean view roof spoil my moment. So, I crack it open and back in, trying to use my body to shield the view that upsets Marta so much.
I’m grinning like an idiot when I turn around—but before I’m able to enjoy the moment, my nostrils flare. An intruding scent fills my lungs, and I nearly gag at the wrongness of it.
When my vision catches up with my other senses, they are just as assaulted.
Tri'ot, the social climbing parasite I used to enjoy bed sport with is lying on her side in the bed Marta and I share. She’s wearing a silver lingerie set. The straps cut into her fi’len shape in a way I should find pleasing, her gray skin shining and smooth.
On the nightstand she’s arranged a selection of her favorite toys, five or six different devices positioned just so.
“Did you miss me, Duke Daddy?” she purrs. “Because I’ve missed you so much.” She flips to her stomach, her white tresses spinning.
Tri'ot pushes her ass up in the air, as if presenting some gift to me.
