“Thank you.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Zirene
Zirene stepped outside onto the villa’s porch, into the darkness of the night. It was late, and Selena wasn’t with the others. It has been seven days since he last talked to her. Royak had called him away, afraid to discuss private matters over the channels.
It seemed there was some unrest brewing along their borders—but by the time he investigated the matter, all evidence was nonexistent. Missing ships lost cargo due to pirates, and rumors of a rebellion forming circulated, created by those in the black market furious at Zirene for killing the Yaarkins—their main source of entertainment.
He needed to try one more time to resolve things with Selena, for he didn’t know when he would have the freedom to do so again.
Duty would call him away again, and soon. The Quaww hostility on the space station was something he couldn’t shake. War wasn’t something he wanted to fall back into—but he would prepare, for it was his responsibility to make sure none of the battles or mind games came near Selena and her cubs.
There could soon be a time for him to require Prince V’dim and Prince Z’fir to join him. He would rather have them onDestima, leading its defense squad, but if a war was declared, he would need every experienced commander under his command available.
Zirene would not allow thoughts of war to distract him from his hunt. Tonight, Selena was his prey, and he would make sure he came out victorious—because if his brother was right, there might not be many more of these nights soon.
He inhaled deeply. Selena’s unique scent assaulted his nose. It was a special combination of an exotic flower and something slightly citrus, something that dominated the salty oceanic smell of the island.
He followed her scent’s trail easily to her location.
Selena was leaning on the stone railing, gazing at the island’s nightlife below, strands of her silver hair blowing in the gentle ocean breeze. The sheerness of her lavender nightgown left nothing to his imagination.
Zirene kneaded his hands along his thighs, wishing he could reach out and touch her, but he needed to wait until she accepted him and allowed them to be together. Until then, he would not pressure her—the decision must be hers and hers alone. He’d already forced her into something once and couldn’t afford to do it again.
He didn’t want to do it again.
She hadn’t noticed him standing there, watching her. Slowly, Zirene stalked toward her, not wanting to interrupt the view.
She sighed and looked up to the night sky, causing him to still his progression.
“Oh, Stars, Fates, whoever blessed me before. Tell me what to do.”
“You should do whatever you want to do,” he replied gently, stepping out of the shadows.
Selena stood and turned toward him, finding him effortlessly in the darkness. She pursed her lips as her wary eyes trailed him.
“What are you doing here, Zirene?”
He stopped within arm’s reach, her head reaching mid-chest as he stared down at her. Instinctively, he brushed back her loose strands of hair and tucked them behind her ears as she stared up to him skeptically.
“I could ask you the same,” he purred.
She closed her eyes and leaned into his paw. His paw cupped her cheek, and he traced it with his thumb.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she breathed.
A rumble escaped from within as he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Her chest pressed against his stomach as she grabbed his side fur.
“Tell me what ails you, my Nova.”
Resting her head against him, silence fell between them as he waited for her to reply.
Having her in his arms felt right after all these years. It pained him there was still a barrier between them. She was warming up to him as things progressed between them, but still kept him out of reach.
“I don’t know what to do with you,” she murmured.
He took in a deep breath at that confession and stilled.
