“It is nothing too serious,” Privanax finally concluded.“She needs rest.She is already weak from the disease.I fear I kept her too long at the labs and the heat did not help on the journey back here.She will awaken shortly.”
“She should stay in one of the empty quarters,” Rixavox said, “so she can rest without the other females interfering.”
“I agree,” Vaxa’an said, jerking his head in a nod.
Rixavox scooped her up from the cold floor before either of them could.In the back of his mind, he knew he needed to tread carefully.If Vaxa’an suspected that his Instinct had awakened to the female in his arms, there was no telling what the Prime Leader would do.
It was best to keep it to himself, at least for the moment.
Rixavox started back down the main hall that led to the council room, the war room, and the section of the command center with spare quarters, where they sometimes slept if they were in the middle of war plans or negotiations with the Uranian Federation.The large room where the rest of the human females were kept was also near there.
Rixavox couldn’t help but bring her to his own quarters.If Vaxa’an noticed, he didn’t comment on it.As Rixavox lowered the female to his sleeping platform, he felt his Instinct surge within him.He almost shut his eyes at the simple pleasure of it, of seeing his female laid out on his furs.
“How would you like to proceed, Privanax?” Vaxa’an asked, briefly glancing down at the female.He looked back towards the door, probably anxious to return to his own mate, Kat…a human female that he had won during his fight in the Pit and the first human to step foot on their planet.She was heavy with their offspring and Vaxa’an stuck to her side every moment of every span, constantly worrying.Their offspring would be the first Luxirian and human hybrid born.Needless to say, her health was monitored closely and Vaxa’an seemed even more anxious than the mother at times.
Privanax cast a glance at Rixavox and he straightened.He couldn’t help but wonder if the older healer picked up on his sudden intensity.Or perhaps he was just being paranoid.
“I recommend that treatment should be started immediately,” Privanax said, returning his blue eyes to their Prime Leader.“I suggest that she begins the cleansing at theRilliraxfor a quarter of a lunar cycle.At least.”
“TheRillirax?Near Rixavox’s outpost?” Vaxa’an repeated, his brow furrowing down.His friend cast him a speculative look, but all Rixavox could feel was his heart thundering in his chest.Would he have the chance to accompany her there?To know her, speak with her away from the watchful eyes of his people?“There are closer sacred pools than that.”
“Tev, but you see what the heat does to her body.It depletes her energy force,” Privanax replied.“I believe a cooler climate will help her heal more efficiently.”
“Tev, very well,” Vaxa’an said, jerking his head.The Prime Leader glanced at Rixavox and he straightened his spine.“You will take her there with you this next span.I do not believe I need to tell you that you must keep her safe.Hidden.I do not want males gathering foolish ideas in their heads.”
The thought of other males covetinghisfemale made his fists clench at his side.“I will allow no harm to come to her.”
“You will update me frequently through the Coms, Ambassador?” Privanax asked.“I will send you with some instruments to use on her.I will need the results every span, to monitor her progress.”
“Tev, I will,” Rixavox said, jerking his head.His gaze was once again drawn down to the female and he had the strongest urge to hold her in his arms, but knew that he shouldn’t.
“Prime Leader,” Privanax said, his voice slightly hesitant, “it is not my place, but I feel like I should tell you that the human females are scared.That is what she told me.They wish to know their fate and the longer we keep them without news, the more they fear.”
Vaxa’an went quiet, mulling it over, and then said, “I fear I have left this matter too long.Perhaps I will have Kat come and speak with them this span.It may help to see one of their own.”He looked down at the female lying on the bed.“I will have her come here as well.To explain.”
Rixavox said, “I will guard her until thelavrix’ancomes, Prime Leader.”
“Tev.I will depart then,” Vaxa’an said, before striding out of the quarters and disappearing from view.
Rixavox’s gaze flickered to Privanax, who was, in turn, studying him.Silence stretched between them before the healer said, “You seem on edge, Ambassador.Even…unhinged, I would say.”
Rixavox’s jaw ticked.He knew.But why hadn’t he said anything to Vaxa’an?
“You forget your place, healer,” Rixavox said, ice infusing into his tone.
“My apologies,” Privanax murmured, inclining his head in a show of slight submission.Rixavox relaxed, but barely.Privanax met his eyes once more.“It would seem that there will be no one better to protect her than you.”
Rixavox remained silent, never breaking the healer’s stare, his body moving to shield his female from view, an instinctive move.
Privanax turned to leave the quarters but before he left, he murmured softly, “Though I cannot help but wonder who will protect her fromyou.”
With that, the older Luxirian left.
Immediately, Rixavox’s gaze returned to his female and he cursed to himself, tugging on one of his horns in frustration.Never had he thought he’d find his fated mate.Ever.He had never envisioned that life for himself.And the Fates had never given him an indication that his mate had been born into their world…except now he knew why.She was a human.She was from Earth, a planet in the Fourth Quadrant, a long, long distance away from Luxiria.
Rixavox sank to his knees beside his sleeping platform, his eyes running over the form of his mate.The first human he’d ever seen had been Vaxa’an’s female, Kat.He thought she’d looked slightly strange, but strangely pleasing to look at.His female?Even more so.He never wanted to take his eyes from her.
Gently, he ran the backs of his fingers down the side of her face.She was soft…vulnerable.He frowned, knowing that she could be so easily harmed.If he wasn’t careful, even he could accidentally scratch her with his sharp claws.
