“He told me everything,” Taylor said.“He told me about her, about Nitav.”
“Then you know that I cannot be certain he is…whole.Or ready for another mate.”
A flash of anger hit her, the need to defend her mate strong.Though Vaxa’an made a valid point, Taylor knew in her heart that he was wrong.Vikan had told her to trust in what she knew about him if she didn’t trust his words.And right then, she knew the truth.
“He told me he is ready to start a life with me.And I believe him,” she said, staring straight at Vaxa’an.
The Prime Leader studied her like she was a specimen under a microscope, as if trying to figure her out.
Taylor continued, hedging onto the subject of her mate’s punishment, “But you know, it will be a little difficult to start our new lives if he’s locked away, or whatever you planned on doing with him.”
“Locked away?” Vaxa’an repeated, quirking an arrogant brow.Taylor couldn’t help but think that Kate had her work cut out for her with this overbearing, dominant male.“I was not planning to lock him away.”
“Then what were you planning to do?”
Vaxa’an frowned, running a hand over his horn.“I had not decided yet.”
Hope sprung in Taylor’s chest and she pounced on that.“He did nothing wrong.At least in my eyes.Yeah, the fuel thing kind of sucked, but looking back on it now, I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” she confessed.“He’s a good male, Vaxa’an.He makes me happy.And I know that I can make him happy too.”
Vaxa’an looked down to the ground again and Taylor knew that she was making him think, at least a little bit.That was enough to spur her to continue.
And so she decided to tell him.
“After the rescue mission,” she started, “after I first saw Vikan, I began having dreams.”
“Dreams are not unusual, female,” Vaxa’an commented.
“They were always of him though.Every single night.But they felt strange to me.They felt…clear,” she confessed.“And I didn’t know what was happening, but the night that Vikan took me, I had a dream before he came.And in that dream, I saw us.I felt the blood bond then, even though I didn’t know what it was at the time.I knew his name even though I did not before.”
Vaxa’an’s brow furrowed, his lips turning down.
“He was familiar to me in a way he shouldn’t have been.I knew things that I shouldn’t have.I knew Nitav’s name before he ever told me about her.I know what his home looks like, though I have never stepped foot inside.”
“His gift…” Vaxa’an murmured, trailing off.
“His gift…it somehow affected me once his Instinct awakened.They weren’t dreams at all, but visions of our future together.”
Realization hit the Prime Leader.“Vikan has always been special, female.His whole line has always had those gifts, but you must know that they bring him much hardship.It is something he will always be burdened with and you as well, if you choose this life.”
“He told me,” she said softly, “about what happened here.I see how much it affects him still but I know that I can help him.I know I can be strong for him, just as he is for me.”
Vaxa’an’s eyes slid shut, his expression shifting slightly.
She bit her lip.“I…I’m falling in love with him, Vaxa’an.”His eyes snapped open to regard her.“And I know that we still have a lot to work through, but I’ve also seen our future and I know that it’s all worth it.Our love only deepens over time, until it’s something that I couldn’t have ever imagined.And I know that you can’t see it right now, but hehaschanged, not only for me, but forhimself.”
Taylor longed to go to her mate, longed to tell him she was sorry for shutting down earlier.She wanted to tell him about her feelings for him, wanted to tell him that yes, she wanted a future with him, that she didn’t want to leave.
“I know you’re angry about what he did,” she said softly.“Butplease.I know how importantLopixais to him.He’s been a loyal friend to you for a long time and I know that he would accept any punishment you give him.But please don’t take this place away from him.”
It was quiet in the room for a long time as Vaxa’an thought over her words.Taylor could feel her heart beating in her throat, hoping and praying that he would hear her loud and clear and that he would understand.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Vaxa’an inclined his head, huffing out a resigned breath.
“You are right, female,” Vaxa’an said quietly.“Vikanhasbeen a loyal friend to me for many rotations.And I do want him to find as much happiness as I have found with myluxiva.He certainly deserves it more than any other male I know.”
Hope bloomed and Taylor held her breath, waiting for his decision.
Vaxa’an continued, “I will forgive this, since youareunharmed and have obviously forgiven him yourself.”
