“The lunar celebration is tomorrow night,” he murmured, after a brief moment of silence. “There is much to be done.”
“Lunar celebration?” Lainey asked, frowning, remembering him mention it once, briefly.
“Whenever the moon is full, every lunar cycle, all of Luxiria holds a celebration. In the Golden City and throughout the outposts,” he explained, his voice all gruff and grumbly and sexy from sleep. “It is why I had to return to Troxva. As Ambassador, I am expected to preside over the celebration.”
“Oh,” Lainey said, reaching forward. A chunk of his hair was tangled in one of his horns and she gently unwrapped it, dropping it back to his chest. Amused affection made her smile.
“As myluxiva,” he continued, looking at her, his arm tightening around her waist, “you will be at my side.”
Lainey stilled. “Um.”
“There will be dancing and feasting,” he said, smiling. “And musicians.”
That piqued her interest. “Really?”
“Tev.”
Lainey’s excitement dulled a little as she said slowly, “But, from what I understand, there aren’t very many humans on Luxiria.”
Confusion spread over his face. “Not many. Eight females. Why does this matter?”
She’d never given it much thought, her integration into Troxva. She supposed that Kate had done it, as the Prime Leader’s mate, in the Golden City. And she supposed that Beks, Cecelia, and Taylor had done it too, wherever they were, in their mates’ respective outposts. Of course, they didn’t just stay indoors all day, hidden away. And Lainey didn’t have to fear an unknown male’s Instinct triggering for her if she walked among them, considering she was Kirov’s.
But the prospect of entering into a society, as the only one of her kind, not speaking the language, or understanding many of their customs…it was intimidating.
“Do you…” she trailed off, not quite knowing how to ask. “Do you think that I’ll be welcome? That I’ll be accepted?”
“Tev,” he said immediately, that confusion only growing. “Of course. You worry about this?”
“I confess I haven’t thought about it much,” she said, biting her lip. “Not until now, which seems silly.”
Kirov turned more fully on his side so he was facing her, propping himself up on his forearm.
“It is true that many Luxirians in Troxva have not seen a human,” he said, which didn’t make her feel any better. “However, all know that Vaxa’an took a human female as hislavrix’an, his queen. Because she is heavy with his offspring, many rejoice in their union, knowing that the future of the Luxirian race is possible, where we had little hope before.”
“Oh,” she whispered, eyes wide.
“Not only that but Luxiria has possessed inter-space travel technology for a very long time,” he said. “Before the Jetutians attacked, our borders were quite open to other species and it was not uncommon to encounter them, especially in the Golden City. And while Troxva is far east, remember that many that reside here work under my technology division, and the majority have traveled far and wide throughout the universe in their studies, encountering different species, exchanging knowledge and information. You have nothing to fear,luxiva.”
Okay,thatmade her feel better.
Kirov saw her relax and that crooked, mischievous grin crossed his face. He rasped, “My people will rejoice in our union when you are introduced and they will pray to the Fates that I get you heavy with my seed very, very soon.”
Lainey flushed, pushing at his arm until he collapsed back onto the cushions, and he chortled.
“You’re relentless,” she said, though the thought of her pregnant with his child made her heartbeat flutter.
Kirov gathered her close again. “Have you decided about theravraxiayet?” He nipped at her ear. “I am eager to mate you the way I wish.”
Her breath rushed out of her lungs and she squinted over at him. “It’s been about a day since we last had this conversation. You think I decided in a day?”
“Judging by your moans and cries last night,” he purred, “as I licked out your hot, perfect cunt—”
“Kirov!”
“I figured I may have swayed you,” he finished.
Her eyes narrowed.
