As if they know our mate needs to be soothed, the brothers instinctively reach for the weary-looking Lena. My arms soon follow.
As we stand, my mate slumps against me, her body as heavy as her heart, I think.
“What’s the last test, Kitaico?” she mumbles into the crook of my neck.
“It doesn’t matter, because I will win for you.” I kiss her eyelids. The human gesture just seems right at this moment.
“I believe you, but my goal is to be prepared. I wasn’t ready for most of what space has offered me. Some of it’s been awful—but you, Kitaico, have been one of the best parts. Despite the heats, despite the situation we’re in now, I love you.” She grips her fingers into the muscles of my back, as if she’s afraid she’ll disappear.
My heart racing, I find the words to respond.
“I love you, too,” I tell her, feeling completely surprised. “I never thought it was possible to feel this for someone without the mating sting. Even without the mark, or your venom, I know you’re my mate.”
I stroke my hand down her pink hair, which has faded since she first arrived.
“So, we both care about each other. You can’t shoulder this fight alone. Tell me what to expect and how I can help you win.” She pulls back, her brown eyes determined.
I suck my bottom lip between my fangs, trying to find the best way to break the gravity of our situation to this precious creature.
“The last test of the Great Proving is a gladiator battle against the hopefuls from my division.” I lower my eyes. “The last Andjin male left alive will have the privilege to mate for life with one of the jewels.”
“A battle to the death?” Fat tears are already cresting over my sweet Lena’s lower lids.
“Yes, but save your tears for the others. Knowing you’re what awaits me after victory gives me no choice but to succeed.”
I know about my competition. For my entire life, we’ve been trained side by side, all while knowing that only one of us can complete the last challenge. They are, and always have been, my rivals, and for as confident as I’d like to say that I’m stronger…I don’t know if I am.
So I must be more cunning and more ruthless than the other males. Knowing what I could lose is going to be the fuel I need to win.
“What happens if you—what if you don’t come back to me?” The look on Lena’s face kills me.
“I will.”
“But I need to know, what happens to me? I don’t want to be here without you.” She puts her hands on my face, cupping my cheeks.
Pain, from her eyes, in my heart, pain is all I can feel.
“Y-you,” I stutter, not wanting to think about the reality of a future without Lena. “You’ll be treasured. As a jewel you’ll be taken care of for your entire life. If you choose, in time, you can even mate another worthy male.” The last part hurts to say, but I will be honest with Lena, because that’s what she needs.
I will always give her what she needs.
The shaking starts in her shoulders until it takes over her whole body. My appendages wrap around her, trying to weather this storm of emotions my words have triggered.
I keep kissing her face, my tongue salty with the taste of her tears.
I’m taken aback when she clutches me, pressing her mouth to my lips, her tongue searching me for some kind of comfort.
Comfort is something I can give her.
I return her kiss, letting my hands run over the curves of her human form. We are different, but there’s something so beautiful in the softness of her body and the slickness of her hair where tentacles should be.
Mine, always mine.
“I will win for you, to ensure we’ll live a long and happy life together.” I mumble between the clashing of our mouths.
“Forever?” Her hands run lower along my body.
“Until we’re so old we can’t move, until we decide to return to the Great Mother in the same second—I never want to be parted from you, even in death.” The brother’s cup her ass, lifting her body until I let my kisses trail down her chest.
