But then he remembered his loyalty to Vaxa’an, to Luxiria. As an Ambassador, he would respect his Prime Leader’s decision.
Even then, he felt the tendrils of his mind wrapping around the need to see the females. The need to see if one of them washis.
He shook his head hard, fighting against that pull. Kirov had always been different. But his obsessions had catapulted Luxiria’s technology further than others thought possible. And the toll those obsessions took on him was worth that, to see his race accelerating, despite everything they’d endured.
Kirov said then, “We all know why this has happened. The males are hearing stories of fated mates, that the human females are awakening Instincts. This is something we should have foreseen. Males would want the remaining females to stay here, not return to Earth.”
“I did not expect my sworn warriors to betray my orders in this way,” Vaxa’an said, his horns straightening in frustration.
“Desperation leads to action,” Kirov said simply. “I must say…we do not know when we will recover the crystal, Vaxa’an.Ifwe recover it. Perhaps it has already been destroyed by a desperate male. Because we do not know, we need to decide their accommodation until we do. As you said, I have heard reports from their guards that they are unhappy. Other arrangements need to be made.”
Vaxa’an puffed out another frustrated breath and looked between the both of them. “Tell me honestly, my friends, do you think I have been unfair and hypocritical in this matter? In keeping them hidden away, away from males whose Instincts would potentially awaken for them?” Vaxa’an looked to the door of the war room. “I am Luxirian. My main purpose in seeking out a female was for the purpose of breeding, of continuing our race. Instead, I found myluxiva. Is it my right to prevent another male from finding his own?”
Kirov’s jaw tightened and bitterness rose in him, surprising and cutting. Again, he tamped it down. Cruxan stood still beside him, unmoving.
Vaxa’an continued, “Should I simply let them out, let them see our planet, let them see our males, and decide for themselves? I thought I was protecting them, giving them a choice, but now I wonder if I have been giving them the wrong one. A mated Luxirian would treat them better than any human male possibly could.ThatI say with absolute certainty.”
“Give them that choice,” Cruxan advised. “That is the only way you will know for certain.”
“We can have one of the Ambassador dwellings at the top of the Golden City outfitted for them, if necessary,” Kirov said. “Vikan’s perhaps. It is still private and we would post guards, but it would be better than the quarters they’ve been in.”
Vaxa’an jerked his head in a nod and regarded the both of them. “And do you think I should allow them to be seen?”
The answer was on the tip of Kirov’s tongue, but he couldn’t decide if it was a selfish answer or not. Denying his initial reaction, he said, “No.”
Cruxan cut him a sharp look.
Vaxa’an said, “I confess, your answer surprises me, Kirov. I thought you would want to see if your own Instinct awakened for one.”
“What I desire and what is necessary conflict within me,” Kirov answered. He thought it only fair Vaxa’an knew. “I battle with it, every span. But like I said, desperation leads to action. We simply cannot predict what desperate males would do.”
“And you?” Vaxa’an asked, eyeing him. “Do I need to worry about you and your actions?”
Kirov thought about it, all too keenly aware that Cruxan was watching him too. “I will obey your initial orders, Vaxa’an,” Kirov finally told him. “I will not actively seek them out.”
Strangely enough, Kirov couldn’t decide whether Vaxa’an seemed relieved or disappointed in his words.
“However, my own dwelling in the Golden City resides on the higher terraces where I suggested they be housed,” Kirov continued carefully. “If I happen to catch sight of my female, if my Instinct does awaken for her…”
Longing so intense assaulted his body, tensing every single muscle.
Kirov growled and finished with, “If that does happen…nothing will keep me from her. Not even your orders, Prime Leader.”
Vaxa’an regarded him carefully with the same expression he wore whenever they had time to spar in the training rooms. Like he was calculating whether he could defeat him that span and if so, how.
Kirov returned his stare but Vaxa’an turned to Cruxan and asked, “And you?”
Cruxan’s grin was slow and languid. No doubt the same grin he used on the few available Luxirian females left when convincing them to warm his furs for the night.
“My answer is the same as Kirov’s,” the other Ambassador replied, his arms still crossed tightly over his chest. “I will respect your wishes in remaining apart from them. But I think we all know…sometimes the Fates have other paths for us. I will leave my fate in their hands.”
Vaxa’an blew out a sharp breath, taking a brief moment to collect his thoughts.
“I will go speak with the females now. Kirov, have a dwelling outfitted properly. Vikan’s old dwelling will suffice. It is the furthest from the others and he will not need it in the immediate future,” Vaxa’an said, though his lips tightened as he said it.
Betrayal never sat well with Vaxa’an. The fact that Vikan stole a human female right out of the command center—fated female or not—must sting, especially considering that all of them were as close as blood brothers.
“Cruxan,” Vaxa’an addressed.
