It was a happiness he would never be able to willingly let go.Shewas a happiness he would kill to protect at all costs.
After he carefully carried his sleeping mate back to their quarters—because they would never be sleeping apart again—he returned to the command center.Checking his Coms, he saw they were on schedule for an early arrival into Rozun.It would mark the fifth span of their journey, which meant he would have one more to prepare before Sarkon would begin to realize he’d been betrayed by his ‘loyal’ mercenary.
His only loyalty now was to his female, to Cara, and whatever life they could build together.
Or maybe there would be no life at all, he couldn’t help but think.Because if Cara asked it of him…he would find a way to return her to Earth.He would do everything in his power to convince her otherwise, to convince her to stay with him.But he would never be able to live with the guilt, knowing he’d taken yet another choice from her.
He wanted to do the right thing.He wanted to be the just, honorable male he’d been as a warrior once.
And he was slowly coming to the realization that he would doanythingto ensure his female’s happiness.
Even if it meant she decided to leave him.
It was a choice only she could make, Devix thought, grim.
But he wouldn’t steal her choice away.Not again.
FOURTEEN
Cara woke to the tips of Devix’s claws tracing her bare hip bone.He was careful not to leave a single mark on her skin, but the tingling sensation was so delicious that Cara arched into him, smiling, sleepy.
“Tervax rixa,” he purred and Cara laughed, remembering their conversation about ‘good morning.’
Her alien was exceedingly charming, she was discovering.And she was more than a tiny bit obsessed with him, especially when he looked at her like she was pure gold and when he gave her mind-blowing orgasms that made her see more stars than they passed in their spaceship.
Shewouldalmost be happy.If only her soreness from their training sessions didn’t remind her that her little ‘honeymoon’ would soon be coming to an end.Reality would come crashing back in, bursting her hazy bubble that she’d constructed around her and Devix.
It had been nice while it lasted, she mused, surprisingly level-headed about the whole situation, considering she had no idea what awaited her with this Azatian.
Her thoughts made her smile melt off her face and she sighed, snuggling deeper into his side.They were sprawled together.Devix was naked, as was she, and her eyes traced over the numerous scars etched into his skin.She’d meant to ask him how he received every one, but Cara didn’t think they had enough time for that now.
“What is this for?” he rumbled, running the pad of his index finger over the frown lines carved between her brows.Then he traced her lips, which were probably downturned.“And this?”
“Day five,” was what she replied.“One more and that makes six.”
Six days…the timeline he’d given her for when the Azatian expected her.For when Devix, her kind and gruff captor, who seemed more like a friend, was supposed to deliver her.To drop her off in a strange place and never look back.
And Cara couldn’t even be mad about it, she found.It just made her sad, but not angry.He’d told her from the beginning, straight up, what would happen to her.In a way, she appreciated his honesty.It gave her time to prepare mentally.
But damn, it was beginning to hurt more and more.
“Luxiva,” he murmured.“Turn around.”
Cara’s brow furrowed at the odd request, but she did as he asked until she faced the large, floor-to-ceiling panel of glass that allowed her to glimpse into space.Her first day on the spaceship, she’d spent the majority of her time in that very room, looking out that very window, in awe but also terrified.
And there, she saw it.
A planet.Still in the distance, but she could see it was large, with swirling colors of green and light grey.
Dread pooled in her stomach, making her want to vomit.
“We’re here already,” she whispered.“Azatia.”
“Nix,” he murmured into her ear.His arms wrapped around her front, just under her breasts and even then, Cara didn’t want to push him away.She still wanted to feel his warmth next to her, even when he was showing her her future.His horns tangled in her hair, surprisingly intimate, as he said quietly, “That is Rozun.”
Cara froze, a small breath escaping her.“What?”
“Rozun,” he repeated, his voice rumbly and deep.“My home.”
