Her hand froze above the jewelry piece she'd been touching."Affects me how exactly?"
"When I bite you," he said, fingers brushing the spot on her neck where he'd bitten her, "it altered something fundamental in you.The aging process has already begun to decelerate."His voice lowered."We keep this aspect of our biology rather private."
"Are you saying I'll have a longer lifespan now?"Ancelin whispered, her eyes never leaving his.
“As long as you stay safe.”Krevan nodded."It's more than just longevity.The connection between mates runs deeper than human partnerships.Each time we're together, the bond strengthens.It's why everything between us feels..."
"Magical and meant to be," she whispered."Like I've known you across lifetimes.When you touch me, something deep inside recognizes you."
“How poetic of you.”Krevan took her hand and pressed it against his chest where his heart was beating powerfully and steadily.“What we share transcends ordinary connection.My bite wove us together at our core.Our children will carry both worlds within them.But my traits are strong.They will be Triaxens."His eyes softened."You'll have many of my traits.You’ll share my resilience, my longevity.Each day together will deepen our connection.”
Ancelin sank into her chair, her cheeks flushed with wonder and uncertainty.Her hand drifted unconsciously to her abdomen."Children?Our children?"The possibility hung between them like a glittering promise."I want that future with you, but—" Her eyes sought his, vulnerable and honest."I'm not ready yet," she whispered, her fingertips tracing the outline of his jaw.Her eyes softened as she looked around the room they now shared."And I want our home to be safe.Secure."She pressed her forehead against his.
"I agree.But whatever the creator gives us, I accept."His thumb traced the curve of her wrist, finding the pulse there.
"Agreed."She kissed his cheek, lingering a moment to breathe him in.
"When we go to town tomorrow, we'll stop at the clinic."Krevan's voice dropped to a murmur, his forehead touching hers."They have a contraceptive shot that lasts six months.They'll test you first."His fingers found a loose strand of her hair, tucking it gently behind her ear."And Ancelin, what we share goes beyond physical intimacy."
He paused, his eyes searching hers like someone memorizing a landscape they feared might vanish."If you regret how quickly things developed between us—" His voice caught."I understand."His hand cradled her face, thumb brushing her cheekbone."But I promise to treat you well, always.The connection we've formed—it's permanent now."
Krevan knelt before her, taking both her hands in his."I've never been this way with anyone else.For my kind, love and sex are separate.Most Triaxen males are known for being cold, indifferent, selfish, even rough during sex.Some females seek us out for that very reason—the danger of a sexual encounter with us excites them.Most avoid us entirely, regardless of our good looks.”His thumb traced circles on her palm."But the tenderness you've experienced with me—the kisses, the embraces, are because you’re my mate.It’s a very special bond.Ancelin, I want to show you in every way the emotion I feel for you.You’re my mate and bonded to me in a unique way.I know it’s early for you to tell me whether you love me.I’ll earn that.I promise.Always trust me, never fear me, and I’ll never harm or betray you.”Krevan’s confession spilled forth from him.His silver eyes bore into hers.Bringing her hand to his mouth, he kissed the back of it.
Ancelin's throat tightened as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers grazing the soft hair at his nape.She pressed her cheek against his, feeling the warmth of his skin."Krevan," she whispered, her voice catching slightly, "I trust you with all that I am."She drew back just enough to meet his silver gaze, her thumb tracing the curve of his jaw."Some things in life arrive like whispers, not storms.That's us."Her eyes glistened as she took his hand and placed it over her heart."I prayed in my darkest hour, and somehow, the universe brought me to you."With gentle hands, she unfolded a velvet cloth, revealing her jewelry creations one by one.
"I think you arrived in my life as both a whisper and a storm," he said, his voice catching slightly.His fingers traced the curve of her arm with a touch so light it raised goosebumps."Just what I needed, when I didn't even know to ask for it."His silver eyes softened at the corners as he looked at her, the way one might gaze at something precious and unexpected.He turned his focus to her jewelry creations.“Your craftsmanship is remarkable.This piece for your father—I've never seen anything like that center gem.The way it catches the light...extraordinary.Where did he find such a stone?"
"Dad never said."Ancelin's fingers trembled slightly as she cradled the stone, her touch as delicate as if handling a butterfly's wing."Just handed it to me with strict instructions not to cut or reshape it.He wanted it to be part of my mom's anniversary necklace."She lowered it into its velvet-lined box with the precision of someone defusing a bomb, then closed the lid with a reverent click."He gave me this case specifically for it."
"The crystal isn't just pretty."Krevan's voice dropped lower."There's something...extraordinary about it.We shouldn't share images of this online."He met her eyes, the green of his irises darkened to gun metal."I have a secure lockbox that I rarely access.Would you allow me to safeguard it there?"
"If you think that's best," Ancelin nodded, noting his uncharacteristic urgency.
"Ancelin, your computer—when I connected it to the Galaxnet, something happened," Krevan said, his brow furrowing.His jaw clenched tight enough that a muscle jumped beneath his skin."A message flashed across the screen.No source.No trigger."He pulled her closer until she could feel his heartbeat hammering against her chest."Before I show you what it said—" his voice dropped to a ragged whisper "—I swear on my life, nothing will harm you while I draw breath."
Ancelin hugged herself, her fingers pressing into the soft flesh of her upper arms."My heart just dropped into my stomach," she whispered, leaning slightly toward him.Her eyes searched his face, wide and vulnerable."Please, what was in the message?"
"I took precautions," Krevan said softly, his fingers brushing against hers as he spoke."You can use one of my older systems—a secure little relic I keep just for situations like this.No personal data, completely isolated from the Galaxnet.The message vanished but I was able to find the file and safely reopen it."His eyes held hers, warm with concern."I want to show you what I found.Until I can make your system safe again, please don't use it.I've already set up a private account for you on my system.”
"Krevan, you're frightening me.Please show me now," Ancelin asked, her voice tight with anxiety.Krevan guided her to his side of the desk where his monitor glowed ominously."I've queued up the message.Try to stay calm."With a tap of his finger, text filled the screen.Ancelin's eyes widened as she read, the color draining from her face.A violent tremor seized her body, her fingers clutching the edge of the desk as silent tears carved paths down her flushed cheeks."Sweet girl, no harm will come to you here," Krevan murmured, drawing her against him."I'll keep you safe, I promise."
"But why?"Ancelin whispered, her voice breaking."What could these people want?My father was just a scientist—a brilliant man who created innovations to benefit humanity.What could he possibly have possessed that warranted murdering my entire family?And now they're hunting me?"She pressed her palms against her temples."It makes no sense."
"Let it out if you need to," Krevan said, his voice a gentle murmur as he drew her against his chest.The steady rhythm of his heartbeat offered more comfort than words could."We'll solve this together."His fingers traced small circles on her back as he spoke."I just need to know about your father."He kissed her tear-dampened cheek, his lips lingered there, warm against her skin."I can taste the salt of your sorrow," he whispered."Let's take a break and visit the neighbors.Fresh air might help."He laced his fingers through hers, thumb stroking her knuckles as he guided her from the room, watching her face with eyes that missed nothing.
“Krevan, I want to freshen up first,” Ancelin said, her eyes wide and shining.“Then I’ll wrap up a loaf of bread to take to their house.It’s neighborly—and a sign of friendship.Is that all right?”
"Of course, my sweet girl," he replied, his hand finding the small of her back as he guided her toward the kitchen.His fingers pressed just firmly enough to make her breath catch."That's very neighborly—almost civilized."His voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned close, his lips brushing the side of her face.“And remember, you're not alone anymore.I survived years of solitude until I found you, and now you're mine."He looked at her with protective intensity."We'll face whatever threat comes."
"I trust you," Ancelin whispered and hugged him."I don't know what I'd do without you."She headed to the bedroom to get ready, feeling his gaze follow her every step.
Ancelin returned to the garage entrance, freshly baked bread wrapped in a checkered cloth.
"All set?"Krevan's eyes crinkled at the corners."Derrick and his wife are expecting us—they're quite eager to meet you.The drive takes about twenty minutes.And later, I want to show you one of my favorite places in the house that weathered the storm."
"Let me guess—your new bedroom?"A smile played at her lips.
"Better.The observatory deck on the roof.It's protected by a dome where we can watch the twin moons rise."
