Rexnor stepped closer and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Is the human yourVenya?”
I’d avoided this question before now and couldn’t circumvent the truth any longer. “She is. Kerra is mine. My hearts. My soul. My forever breath.”
Hearts. Soul. Forever breath.The mating bond of our people. A declaration a Braxthar male made only when he found his true mate. Hisone. Once uttered aloud it cemented the relationship between the couple until death. My vow was now spoken, and I could never take another to my marital bed, much less into my hearts.
Rexnor’s eyes widened and he swallowed hard as the full realization of my sacrifice hit us both. “Brother,” he croaked, “I honor yourVenyaand your bond. I will protect her with my life.”
Orion repeated the same words as our gaze met and I caught the tears that briefly filled his eyes. “We will give you time to consummate your vows.”
Kerra was staring at the three of us with obvious confusion. I could see her eyes widen with uncertainty. If I only had one night with my mate, I would leave her with a full heart and every bit of my love. She didn’t protest when I scooped her up into my arms and left to find an empty room that would service our needs. Usually she would be showered with the petals of aluaraas the velvety round flower led a shimmering violet path all the way to our bed. I would have provided every luxury available and spent days preparing our mating ceremony.
There was no such extravagance today.
The final hours I could hold her in my arms pressed heavily upon my chest and I rubbed above my hearts in an effort to force the ache away.
“Tok?”
“We’ll be arriving on my home planet in a few hours. I wanted a chance to spend time with you. Alone.”
Her expression was surprised as I pressed her body close, my head lowering to capture her plump lips before she could deny me. Desperation filled my chest and I was afraid my one and only chance to show her my love would be ripped away before I could complete the task. Her lips parted under my assault as my tongue plunged into her mouth and my hands roamed over the curve of her waist and down the rounded slope of her succulent ass.
“Give me this moment, Kerra,” I pleaded, picking her up, relieved when her legs wrapped around my waist. “I need you.”
“Only tonight?” The heat of her gaze scorched my skin and I nodded, afraid to say the wordforever. “Yes, Tok.”
My hearts broke at the thought of our mating meant nothing more to her than a few hours of consensual sex. Much like the one-night stand she told me about in that conversation days ago. I didn’t want to be another male who vied for her attention or speared her with my rigid length.
I wanted to be theonlymale.
Staking my claim was as useless as the dying stars around my planet, but I’d love my Kerra this night and forever whether she understood or not.
Cosmosbless our union. Always.
Chapter 13 – Kerra
“Only tonight?”
