“What was that?” Erlyn demanded.
“I don’t know!”
“Do I need to call Qatszo to inspect you?” Erlyn asked, concerned. “We can’t have you attacking anyone tomorrow. It’s a historic day, and we can’t afford to lose the humans once again.”
“I will get myself under control,” Idris said as he continued to pace the floor. “I promise.”
“Can you tell me what you were thinking? What was going through your mind?”
“I don’t know,” he whined. “That’s the problem.”
“Explain to me why you attacked Aydin and then healed him.” Erlyn stepped into his path, locking his worried, pale green eyes with Idris. He placed his hands upon his shoulders. “The last time I checked, those were displays of possession.”
“It can’t be,” Idris muttered in disbelief. “I am not attracted tomales.”
“Maybe not Daextru males, but who said anything about human males?” Erlyn tilted his head forward, gently clicking their horns together. “Aydin is smaller, weaker, and looks softer. It would be natural to be attracted to him, for those are the same characteristics most Daextru females have.”
Idris pulled his head away, shocked by Erlyn’s suggestion.
“I am not attracted to males, and even if I was, I would more likely be attracted to you than him. It’s not like I can be with Aydin anyhow.”
“Why not?”
“Because I scared him, and probably ruined his trust in me.”
“We’ll just need to make sure you are not alone with him until he leaves,” Erlyn muttered. “And then we can work on whatever has gotten ahold of you before the embassy visits. Perhaps that’s when you can try to mend the friendship you’ve developed.”
“I guess that is all we can do. Wish for the best.”
Erlyn studied him for a moment. “Do you need anything before I retire for the night?”
“I just need to be left alone to think.”
He nodded and stepped away. “Good night, Sire. Let me know if anything comes up.”
“Erlyn.”
“Yes?”
“I want you to know that I’m sorry for making things harder on you,” Idris sighed. “I’ll work to be a better friend in the future.”
“We may have our ups and downs, but I am not going anywhere.” Erlyn smiled. “See you in the morning.”
Idris waited until the doors closed before he sank down onto his sand bed and lay back, bringing both hands up to cover his face. His heart still pounded, despite the last thirty minutes of calm and sanity. He could feel adrenaline still surging in his elevated pulse from their dance of skill.
He moved his hands up to rub the base of his horns, only to freeze. Aydin’s scent still lingered on his palms.
He didn’t want to believe that he had fallen into a blind lust—that he desired the human male and had challenged him into a courting dance. He wasn’t foolish. Something about the human male called to him, the familiarity making some part of Idris feel as if Aydin could be his—washis.
Why was he so protective of this human male when they had never met before? Did humans have a biological signal, like a mating pheromone designed to lure potential mates that could be influencing him?
Neither species didn’t know any biological details about the other, including whether they were capable of producing hybrid offspring. Idris suddenly needed to wash the tantalizing scent from his body. He hoped it would clear his mind of thoughts of the fragile male.
He stripped off his cape and black pants, letting them fall upon the floor as he entered the stone shower. He stepped underneath the waterfall and let the steaming spray rinse his day away. Gathering a few soapberries from the wall garden, he lathered up his hair, taking in their strong fruity smell.
Grabbing a few more berries, he worked his way down his chest, allowing the water to rinse out the suds from his long mane. The lower he scrubbed, the more his mind wandered, conjuring forbidden thoughts about the male he was trying to forget.
I wonder how his cool, soft hands would feel on my cock . . .
Idris shook his head and tried to stop picturing Aydin on his knees, with his pink lips wrapped around the golden head of his sapphire cock. But no matter how he tried, the image kept resurfacing.
He admitted defeat to his desires.
With a handful of lust berries in his hand, Idris sat down onto the stone shower bench and leaned back, letting his head rest against the wall.
He began to lather up his hardening cock as he gave in to his fantasies, hoping he could cleanse the dirty thoughts out of his system before the morning came.
