“I want you to have this,” he said, his gaze landing on it.It was a family heirloom, something that obviously held much meaning for him…and he was giving it to her.She swallowed, a small breath escaping her lips.“I want you to have it.I took your choice from you and I have felt much guilt over it.I have lied to you in an attempt to keep you here, with me, and it was a purely selfish decision.Our agreement is terminated,luxiva.I want you to decide for yourself what you want.I will not force you to be here any longer if you wish to go.”
Kate stared at him, feeling a tear drip down her cheek.His gaze drew together tightly at the sight of it and he lowered his gaze in shame.
His voice was gruff as he spoke, “I will leave you to give you time to decide.I will return later in the span and if you wish to leave,” his body went ramrod straight, like the thought was physically painful, “I will have a vessel outfitted immediately.My men will make sure you reach your home safely.You can leave tonight, if that is what you decide.”
And then, with one last lingering look, he was gone.
TWENTY-ONE
During Vaxa’s absence, Kate did everything in her power to distract herself.
She roamed the house, walking from one room to the next.She dusted black sand residue that had blown in with the wind off shelving units and swept the floor with an old rag she’d found.She straightened the furs on their bed, smoothing out every last wrinkle.She fiddled with the silver screen on the wall, trying to figure out how it worked, and smiled to herself when she actually managed to order food.A Luxirian had shown up on her doorstep to deliver the plate oftrixavaand the strange purple fruit she liked…and he’d seemed quite perplexed to find her there alone.But he’d inclined his head on the way out and said, “Lavrix’an.”
Bidan came by briefly and she’d been happy to see his familiar face.But once she’d reassured him that she’d eaten, he left her at her own request, showing her how to contact him on the silver screen just in case she required his help.
Eventually, once she’d cleaned and bathed again and eaten, she had to sit still and be honest with herself.She had to go over every word that Vaxa had said to her.She had to ask herself if she wanted to return to Earth, if she wanted to go back home to Chicago and to her job and to her best friend, Beks.She had to ask herself if shecouldleave Luxiria and Vaxa behind or if she would regret it forever.
Sitting in the living room, with her back to one of the cushions, she sighed, staring at the crystal, turning it over in her hands, learning every smooth side of it.It was a simple question.Did she want to stay?Or did she want to leave?
Logic told her what the right decision would be.
But her heart went in the opposite direction.She imagined telling Vaxa that she wanted to go.His face would turn into stone and he would do that Luxirian nod because it was the honorable thing to do.She would be able to feel the turmoil inside him because his blood ran through her veins.
If she told him she wanted to go, she would never see him again.The finality of their time together was certain.He would do as she wished.He would do whatever she wished, she realized, anything she wanted.
Pain seared through her, pricking her eyes.Saying goodbye to him, when she was in the midst of falling in love with him…everything in her rebelled at the thought.
And she realized that she had her answer.
Yes, he had lied to her and it was a real shitty thing to do.But she could understand why he’d done it.Looking back to just a short time ago, her only desirehadbeen to get home.Of course, that would have been her natural reaction!Had Vaxa not gotten her to agree to that deal, she would’ve never given him a chance, giventhema chance.Because she’d very much started to think about them as athem.
Through the window facing the terrace, she saw that the suns were beginning their descent.Vaxa would be returning soon—at least she hoped he would be—and she was anxious to see him, to tell him that she wanted to stay, to explore where this would lead.
Kate smiled, looking down at the crystal before pushing to her feet.She approached the column Vaxa had taken it from and she slowly pushed it back into place, watching it bob up and down for a brief moment before settling into a steady float.
She turned her gaze to the door.Now, if only her mate would return.
* * *
It was dark when Vaxa’an landed the hovercraft before his dwelling.He hissed out a steady breath, preparing himself.Luxirians rarely felt nervous, but his heart was heavy with dread.He wanted to rush inside to hear hisluxiva’s decision, but he also wanted to stay out on the terrace all night, so that he would not have to face the inevitable.
But he was a Luxirian warrior.He would be strong and he would honor her decision, just like he’d been trained to do.Strength and honor and discipline…those values had been hammered into his skull.
When he entered the dwelling, he did not see Kat, even though the center hub was ablaze with light.Slowly, he strode towards their quarters, but something caught his eye.It was the crystal, back in its rightful place.Something unfurled in his chest, but he didn’t dare hope, not until he spoke with his mate.
His pace quickened, sensing her presence.She was not in their quarters, but then he heard the trickling sound of water and he veered towards the bathing pool.
Warmth spread through his limbs at the sight of her.She was sitting at the edge of the pool, her back to him, with her feet dangling in the water.
Kat heard him approach and she stood suddenly, turning to face him.Her little feet were wet and made a puddle on the floor but her face softened at the sight of him.
“Hi,” she said and Vaxa’an felt the surge of affection through her veins.Slowly, she stepped towards him and when she was just inches away, she touched his chest with both of her hands, sliding them up until they wrapped around his neck.She pulled him down for a kiss and he immediately pulled her closer, breathing in her scent, feeling his body respond.
When she pulled back, Kat looked up at him, biting her lip, and then said, softly, “I don’t like that you lied to me, Vaxa.”
Shame swarmed him.“I know,luxiva.”
She sighed.“But I do understand why you did it.”Vaxa’an said nothing, waiting for her to continue, his blood pumping.“And I forgive you for it, but I don’t want you to lie to me again.”
