My nostrils flared. Asking questions meant a lack of knowledge. Lack of knowledge was a weakness. And weakness was not to be tolerated.
Paz searched my face. When I didn’t reply, he said, “You think asking questions is for weaklings, don’t you?”
My gaze snapped to his. How did he know that? Yet another reason to doubt his power-related claims...
Paz laughed. “Oh, don’t give me that incredulous look. And before you ask again, no, I’mnotmagical.” He put his small, soft hand on my arm muscle. “You’re not that hard to read, Kur’tok.”
The warmth of his hand dispelled my annoyance.
“Yes, I am. Nobody understands me,” I grumbled. “You are special, Paz.”
Paz’s eyes widened, and his cheeks flushed a deeper color. It reminded me of the way Maeleon feelers flashed with emotion. Perhaps humans weren’t so starkly different than Maeleons after all.
Out of nowhere, I recalled what Paz mentioned about his human friends—that they’d become impregnated by Maeleons.
It was ridiculous. And stupid. And flat-out impossible.
But this fragile, intelligent creature came from another planet. He hadn’t lied about that. And if that was possible, what else could be?
“Tell the truth about your human friends,” I warned. “Did they truly get pregnant by Maeleons?”
An unreadable emotion flashed across Paz’s face. After a beat, he nodded slowly. “Yeah, they did.”
My heart skipped like fluttering insectoid wings. Paz felt deeply close, even closer than our touching skin, almost as if he’d burrowed into me. A burning question hung at the back of my throat, creeping forward to my hesitant tongue.
Could he possibly...
No, I couldn’t ask himthat.It was idiotic to even entertain the thought.
Paz the human was my captive. A pet against his will. Even if he promised to stay here, it couldn’t last. He’d want to leave eventually. He would return to his human companions and the stupid village, leaving me behind.
In the end, there was no way he could love a brutish Maeleon like me.
I wrangled myself away from Paz and stood with a grunt. “You should rest,” I stated. “It’s been a long day for a weak human like you.”
Paz blinked. I ignored the disappointment that washed over his face. “Oh. Yeah, sure. I am pretty tired.” He bit his lip. “But you said you’d stay with me. Are you leaving?”
My heart fought tooth and claw with my brain. More than anything, I wanted to remain here with Paz—but it wasn’t the right choice. I couldn’t imagine any way for it to end well.
“I must hunt,” I said, turning away so I couldn’t see his expression. “My underlings haven’t returned yet. I’m hungry.”
A dense silence hung in the air. Then Paz muttered, “It’s not nice to lie, Kur’tok.”
His words pierced me deeper than any thorn. I whirled around, baring my fangs, and spat, “I can say whatever I want! This ismydomain, and you’remypet!”
Instantly, regret stabbed my chest. The shift in Paz’s expression hurt more than if I’d bitten my own arm off.
Hot shame boiled in my veins. I couldn’t stand to face what I’d done. Dropping to a crouch, I rushed out of the den—away from Paz’s heartache.
11 /Paz
I was confusedand hurt by Kur’tok’s random outburst. But more than that, I was fucking annoyed. He was supposed to sleep with me. I was looking forward to a cozy night in his arms, dammit.
Frustrated, I exhaled a deep sigh. I nestled deeper into the fur blanket. It was a pale imitation of being held.
Stupid Kur’tok.
I closed my eyes and took a few calming breaths. My training came back to me. Conflict was never resolved while tempers ran high. I wasn’t hotheaded by any means, but damn, it hurt more when someone you liked snapped at you.
