“Kaede knows everything that happens on his ship, including this conversation. He warned everyone he would,” I pointed out. “I would be surprised if he wasn’t listening in.”
“And you’re okay with that?” He glanced around the room as if searching for the hidden vidrecorders. “Do you ever get any privacy?”
“I’ve never had privacy.” I shrugged and took a sip. “It’s hard to grasp what privacy is when I’ve never had the privilege until recently. I wasn’t lying when I mentioned that I was born from a test tube. All demi-humans living on my moon are products of Yaarkins experiments. My mate, the Aldawi Sovereign, provided us citizenship to his empire and gave us a sanctuary to live without fear.”
“I figured you meant you were a product of artificial insemination,” he muttered as his forehead wrinkled. “I didn’t know you were referring to artificial wombs. This explains why you don’t know much about Kaede’s nature or your own.”
“I may have let a few things slip accidentally while I was on your base, but I wasn’t purposely trying to broadcast sensitive information. I figured you already knew everything, especially after Xenak said he had studied me.”
“That’s a part of his interrogation process.” He chuckled. “I am assuming he wasn’t able to get a clearer read on you because of your Oetsae. So, he resorted to bluffing to extract more information from you.”
“That actually works?”
“You would be surprised how often.” He sighed, combing his long hair back.
Despite his insistence that we were fated, I allowed myself to appreciate his appearance. The male was gorgeous, with a lustrous, crimson-and-gold scaled tail and sleek, tanned body. While I found the features he shared with Kaede attractive, Zyxel was unique in many ways, like his fiery slitted eyes and softer facial structure.
Perhaps I wasn’t afraid of him because I was starting to form an attraction to dangerous males. Their lethal nature made me feel safer. Both Kaede and Zirene matched that description. My Circuli princes were warriors even though they didn’t radiate the same ferocious aura as the other two.
Regardless, all my mates had proven they would defend me and my children. What had happened to Odelm and Xylo was proof of how devoted they were to protecting me.
The assurance that my mates would fight to protect what was theirs, so that I never had to, comforted me. I had never been trained in combat and had never needed to learn self-defense until recently, but I knew I would never be as capable as those who had trained all their lives.
I still couldn’t understand how Zyxel had given up searching for his mate after a thousand years, only to claim that I was his. The Stars had crossed our paths now for a reason, but I couldn’t identify it.
While I couldn’t deny that our conversations came easily and I felt comfortable around him, I refused to blindly accept him as a mate just because he claimed that I was his.
“Zyxel, I want to address what happened near the end of our private dinner.” Biting my lip, I locked my eyes with his. “I am hoping you can forgive me for how I acted.”
He instantly sobered. “It is I who should be apologizing. I was inconsiderate about your situation and blinded by the joy that I had finally found my mate. It never occurred to me that you may not feel the same or had already started a family where you came from.”
“I would be lying if I said that I didn’t feel something,” I hedged with a small smile. “But out of respect for you, me, and my clan, it would be inappropriate if we explored that connection.”
“I understand.” He sighed, closing his eyes as he gave me a quick nod. “As much as it pains me, I had to wait over a thousand years to meet you, so waiting a little longer shouldn’t be as bad now that I know that you are mine.”
“But I am not,” I corrected. “Not yet, at least. This is what I mean, Zyxel. Though we barely know each other, you’re already declaring yourself a member of my clan.”
“Just because you haven’t accepted me as yours, doesn’t mean that you aren’t mine.” Zyxel glanced at the doors Kaede had exited through as if checking whether my guard had reappeared. “I will do whatever I need to join your clan because you areitfor me. There is no one else.”
The amount of confidence in his voice struck a chord within me. The sense of determination to become mine reminded me of my mates—even though we didn’t know each other. Was he another star within my constellation, looking for his place? Had I captured one only to discover another?
“I want you to know that if you are serious about becoming my mate, then you need to give me time. Giveustime,” I stressed, pinning him with my gaze. “I don’tknowyou. I won’t be able to focus on getting to know you until my clan is safe and whole. When we reach Destima, my focus will be on healing my injured mates and arranging my children’s return. They’re my topmost priority. I’m warning you that I won’t spend time with you or anyone else while my Circuli mates are recovering in the infirmary. I would feel guilty if I did. They were injured trying to save me, and until they are healed, I won’t leave their side.”
“Then I won’t leave your side, either,” Zyxel breathed. “I was the lead doctor on the asteroid base and am fully capable of assisting your medical team with your mates’ treatment. They are yours, and I know you won’t be content until they’re healed.”
“You would do that?”
“What else am I supposed to do on your moon?” Shrugging, he picked up his glass and took a sip. “I am a doctor. It’s my duty to heal any patient brought before me, not to be idle when my skills could be of use.”
His words stunned me.
Zyxel wanted to work with Destima’s medical team to treat my mates without requesting any sort of payment.He didn’t demand I accept him as a mate, that I pay him in credits or titles, or even that I spend time with him.
Zyxel was willing to help my mates because he wanted to make me happy.
“Thank you,” I whispered, wiping the tears that formed. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“It would be an honor.” He bowed. “It’s not often I get to work for an empire’s leader.”
