Relief loosened his muscles and he knew then that she would be fully healed once Privanax gave her the final treatment.
“What do you feel?” he murmured, his throat rough like sand.The words echoed in the cavern, sounding strange and yet familiar to his own ears.
“I…” she trailed off, a shuddering sigh escaping her.Her eyes were wide, as if she was finally realizing the power of the Fates.She could feel them there, as tangible as a touch.“I feel…”
Rixavox couldn’t help but edge closer.His legs ate up the distance between them and he felt the hot rush of his blood with every step he took.Sessela didn’t move an inch.She didn’t hunch further into the water, as he half-expected of his shy human.Instead, she stared up at him, hisRissatorax, beautiful and defiant.
His lips curled at the sight of her.There was her strength.He sensed that at one time she’d lost it, but he wanted her to discover it once more.He saw a hint of it now and when it was fully restored…it would be glorious.His female warrior.
“It is hard to describe,tev?” Rixavox asked, crouching down near the edge of the pool before sitting back, settling into a comfortable position, his leg coverings creaking against the sharp stone.
“It doesn’t feel real,” she finally said.The water trailed from her hand as she raised it to trace her lips.
Rixavox swallowed, greedily devouring the sight of her.His female was sensual, devastatingly so.She might not realize the effect she had on him, and, not for the first time, he was beginning to doubt his vow to Privanax.Their time in theRilliraxwould test him greatly, even more than his warrior training had.
“The water feels heavy,” she continued.“And yet it feels as light as air.And I feel…my body feelswhole.Complete.”
“TheRilliraxhelps heal many things,” he told her.“Illness, a broken soul…grief or sadness, even.”He swallowed thickly, remembering the many nights he’d spend in its waters.
She glided closer to him until her body was pressed against the rocky edge of the pool.Her small, pale fingers grasped the edge and Rixavox traced the ripples that extended from her body.
“And what if you don’t have any of those things?” she questioned, her features relaxed, eyes reflecting the Luxirian moonlight that filled the cavern.
He huffed in slight amusement, not ever having thought about it before.“I suppose it would just feel like a comfort then.Nothing more than a soak in warm water.”
Sessela’s smile made his heart throb in his chest.He moved his knees slightly so she would not see how his body ached for her.After his own fumbling misunderstanding when they’d first met, when he’d asked her if she wished to mate after he smelled her arousal, he didn’t want to frighten her again.She certainly hadn’t seemed to appreciate when he’d reached down to undo his leg coverings to free his cock.And given what he now knew about human shyness when it came to nudity, tointimacyshe’d called it, he now knew he’d made a grave mistake when they’d been at the command center.
His actions in regard to her that span shamed him now.He shouldn’t have acted so carelessly, so impulsively.With a newly awakened Instinct, however, his thoughts had been muddled.
Rixavox could only thank the Fates that she didn’t shy away from his gaze now.
“Will you be coming in?” her melodious voice asked, breaking him from his thoughts.
Without thinking, he purred in response and he heard her breath hitch.The water around her moved slightly.Then, he realized what her question implied…that they would be unclothed, together, in theRillirax.
It seemed bold, coming from his skittish, shy female, especially since she’d asked him to turn around as she’d undressed.It was unexpected, maddening, and forbidden to him.
His Instinct raged within him, urging him to wade inside, to pull his naked female against his body so he could feel every inch of her against him, to explore her with his touch, dip into the lush spot between her thighs and make her pleasure echo around the cavern.
Vrax, he cursed, gritting his jaw.He’d never wanted anything more in his entire life span, even his position as Ambassador.If given the option, he realized he’d probably relinquish his post if it meant he could have his female.Right then and there.If she would have him.
“Not this night,” he growled softly, his gaze glued to her.
Sessela gave a short nod, her gaze sliding away from him.For a moment, he thought he’d stung her.Did she believe that he’d rejected her just now?Had her question meant what he’d hoped it had after all?
“Female,” he rasped.He decided to be as honest and transparent as he dared.It was the only way he could get her to understand.“I do not trust myself with you.You…tempt me in a way you cannot fathom,” he tried to explain and even then his words couldn’t convey theneedhe felt for her.“It is better for us both if I remain right where I am.”
Her cheeks pinkened but her words surprised him.“You are a charmer, aren’t you?Kate warned me about you, you know.”
Rixavox stilled, remembering Vaxa’an’s female’s jest that he was ‘a total ladies’ man,’ whatever that meant.But had Kat said more, once he’d left them to talk?Vrax, he could only imagine what had been said.
“What did she say?” he forced himself to ask, unsure if he wanted to know.Of course, he had a reputation.Privanax had basically sneered down at him for it when he’d confronted him.
“That I should watch out for you,” Sessela said softly, tilting her head back a little to meet his eyes again.“That you’re somewhat of a womanizer, if you know what that means.”
Rixavox might not have understood the exact word, but he understood her meaning perfectly.Shame beat at him again, but he returned her gaze, hoping that she would see the truth there.
“I cannot change what I have done,” he said gruffly.“Luxirians celebrate mating.We worship sex and touch, the release of it, the strength it provides us.”She inhaled a soft breath as he spoke.“I admit that I indulged more than others.Kat was not wrong in her assessment of me.”
