A chuckle escaped him. “Yes, I know. No need to worry.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Heknew?
“You knew?” I screeched.
“You don’t understand. You mean everything to me. I could not mark my claim on you while the Yaarkins still owned you—doing so would jeopardize everything—but I needed a reason to be able to claim you later. I knew of the Yaarkins experiments and got access to all your files. They were foolish and blind—throwing you away because you did not look like their other human toys. I did not anticipatewhat happened after you became pregnant—that they would back out of their deal to sell you to me. But have no fear—the Circuli are loyal and are bringing you to CEG HQ. From there, you and our offspring will be transferred into my possession. Once I mark you as mine, no one will be able to deny you belong with me.” His voice rumbled in self-congratulation over his plan.
Wait...
He’dmeantfor me to become pregnant? He’d done itintentionally?
“How could you? Don’t you think I deserved to decide whether I wanted to become pregnant? Or at least be notified?” I demanded, rigid with anger.
He simply looked at me, unruffled by my anger.
“You miscalculated, badly. I’m not ready for children. Whether or not I want children or how many, these are things I haven’t truly considered. Given my life, they were no more than a vague daydream. I don’t even know what my future looks like. Worse, you have taken away my choice. Not only have you kept me in the dark about who you are, you set your plans without any regard for what I might want. My feelings were irrelevant. Nor am I willing to ever allow another being to claim me as a possession again.” I heaved an agitated breath. “Besides, you only want me because I’m the only one of my kind, the sole prototype of the Yaarkins’ Project: Adapt. You don’t love me.”
His eyes hardened. “You are my Nova. There is no one else.”
“So you say, but what good has that done me? You used my vulnerability and our connection for your asinine plan to impregnate me without my consent. You abused my trust in you and the connection we built over the years. You want me to trust you, yet you still won’t trust me with something as simple as your identity!” I shouted, throwing my hands up. “What if something happened during delivery and the healers don’t know what to expect or do because the father’s species is unknown? They have already told me they don’t know how to proceed without knowing more about the father. Both my health and the health of my offspring are endangered by not knowing what you are.”
“I have already considered all of this. The healers aboard theDestinyare fully capable of delivering our offspring if required and assisting with your care until you arrive. I will claim you both and provide everything you need. But you must trust me, please!” he begged.
Turning away from him in disgust and frustration, I leaned on the railing and willed myself to calm down. His failure to understand my feelings and his distrust in me hurt. That I was still drawn to him despite all that he’d done hurt even more. I felt torn in two.
Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling my body against his. I closed my eyes, absorbing the warmth rolling off his smoky form. The weight of his head came to rest on my left shoulder, his face turned toward my neck. His breath tickled the fine hairs on my neck, making me squirm.
“You are my Nova, and any offspring of yours is mine as much as you are.” He paused as he breathed in my scent. “I know you’re distressed, but all I want is to provide for you and our offspring. To shield and protect you from harm. To ease your worries.”
I felt a gentle squeeze as he held me close.
“If it matters so much, and will lessen yours fears about the pregnancy, I’ll tell you what I am. But I can’t tell you any personal details, not yet. It’s still not safe—not until I have you by my side and can protect you. I can’t come for you myself, but I’ll send a special escort to ensure your safe arrival at the space station. And I’ll be there to welcome you. Pleasetrust me a little longer. All will be well once I have you in my arms,” he murmured against my neck.
“I want so badly to trust you, and that’s what hurts the most. I hate secrets. I hate being valued only as a commodity rather than who I am as a person. For my feelings not to matter.”
I closed my eyes as I leaned into his embrace.
“I do value you, Selena. You are my Nova. I’ll provide what answers I can.” He took a deep breath. “I am Aldawi,” he stated proudly.
“And what does me being your Nova mean?”
He sighed into my neck. “Novas are rare among Aldawi. And you being human—that’s unheard of. Combine that with my rank—Selena, it’s very dangerous for others to know who you are to me. You must keep this between us.”
I nodded, relieved he was finally giving me answers, not wanting to interrupt lest he stop.
“The average Aldawi gestation period is fifty days. The healers on theDestinyknow and will be able to factor that in when you tell them. You’re about fourteen days away from CEG HQ, and it’s been thirty-eight days since our night together—”
“You’re going to miss the delivery of our offspring?” I shouted—hiding I was pregnant with twins. I tried to shake off his embrace.
“Humans have considerably longer gestation periods. I’m hopeful yours will therefore be longer than the typical Aldawi pregnancy. You should make it to CEG HQ before delivery. I cannot leave, but I’m in the process of preparing everything for your arrival.”
“Why does it seem like you’re fine not being here when I’d need you most?” I jerked away and turned to face him, looking him in the eye.
“Aldawi females don’t allow males near them outside of mating season—”
“I’m not an Aldawi!”
He cornered me against the railing, caging me between his arms. Leaning forward, his black face almost touching mine, he snarled, “Believe me, I know this. It’s not my place even though you are my Nova.”
