That must mean he had a mate, didn’t it?
Rixavox took a moment to respond.His voice was guttural when he said, “Nix.I have heard rumors of the Instinct.Not many males have theirs awakened.There are many different variations of matehood on Luxiria.The fated bond is the most rare.”
Cecelia didn’t know why his words relieved her.She didn’t dwell on it too long and pushed the emotion from her mind.“You can choose to willingly bond with someone?Even without the Instinct?And the, uh, Fates?”
“Tev,” he said, inclining his head.“It is still a strong bond, even without the Instinct guiding the male.”
Curiously, she asked, “And have you ever decided to bond with someone?”It was only when she was met with silence that she realized her question might be a little too personal.“Sorry,” she murmured quickly, looking down at her lap again.“Sometimes I’m too nosy for my own good.Ignore me.”
“I have not,” he said, voice gruff.He leaned back slightly and Cecelia felt a little warmth go with him.“I never saw that path for myself.”
Why not? she ached to ask, the question on the tip of her tongue.He intrigued her.She wanted to know everything.Yet, she’d been too nosy already.Perhaps Luxirians liked their privacy, like most humans she knew.Perhaps one day, before she left back for Earth, she would be able to ask him.
Now, however, didn’t seem like the time.
His skin was a dark gray color, the only light source coming from the window.The darkness felt…nice.Quiet.She felt like she should whisper in case her voice broke whatever spell he’d put her under.
Instead, she cleared her throat, running a finger behind her ear.A nervous habit.“Um, what time is it?I didn’t expect it to be so dark.”
Nice, she chided herself.You are such a stunning conversationalist.
Rixavox looked out the window.“It gets darker earlier in the northern lands.It is…I think in your language, you would say early night.”
“Early evening,” she said, smiling a little.
He nodded, running a hand over one of his dark horns.“The moon will not be out yet.When it is, we will go to theRillirax.”
“The pool?” she guessed.“We are starting tonight?”
“Tev, Privanax was clear in his instructions.”
“Will it…will it hurt?The cleansing process?”
Rixavox chuffed out a small laugh and Cecelia’s breath hitched at the sound.“No.It is a relaxing experience.It will make you feel…” he paused.“It is difficult to explain with words.You will understood soon.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous,” Cecelia admitted.
That calming purr started up in Rixavox’s chest again and he leaned forward.Her breathing went a little funny when he said softly, “There is nothing for you to be frightened of,luxiva.”
“It’s just, um, it seems too good to be true,” she whispered.“I went through many treatments back on Earth, none of them pleasant.They made me sick most of the time and I never wanted to go through it again.For a moment, I thought I’d never have to.I thought I’d been cured.For good.Then it came back.”
She didn’t know why she was telling him these things.
He stroked her hair again briefly and her eyelids fluttered.His touch felt so damn good.Impossibly good.Maybe she was starved for touch.It seemed like nobody had touched her in a very long time, much less a man she was strangely and intensely attracted to.
“Privanax is the best healer on Luxiria,” Rixavox told her.“If he believes that you will be cured of thehellixaxava,then you will be.Trust this.You have nothing to fear.”
His words were like a balm and she found herself relaxing.Letting out a small sigh, she nodded and gave him a small smile.
“I have trained many Luxirian warriors during my rotations as a war general,” he said after a moment.“I have seen many great fighters, who are driven and motivated and mentally strong.I see that same strength in you.Here,” he said, lifting his thumbs to brush them next to both her eyes.“That strength will heal you more than any treatment could.”
Cecelia’s nose started to burn and her throat went tight.She was on the verge of tears but trying to hold them at bay.His words hit a sensitive spot within her, because many times she hadn’t felt strong.She’d felt sick and abandoned and helpless, most of the time.
But as he spoke, Cecelia realized that she wanted to be strong.She wanted to be what he saw.She’d beat cancer once.She could damn well do it again.
“Thank you,” she whispered, bringing her hand up to touch his, still lingering at her temple.The back of his hand felt smooth, yet roughened, and slightly cool.
An energy swirled in the pit of her stomach and she looked at him with tears shimmering in her eyes.But she felt happy.She felt like she could handle anything right at that moment.And as she looked at him, she was beginning to wonder if humans just might have Instincts of their own…
