To make matters worse, Vaxa’an’s own blood brother, Jaxor’an, had joined theMevirax, shortly after the Jetutians unleashed their plague, killing Vaxa’an’s and Jaxor’an’s mother and, by extension, their sire, leaving Luxiria to Vaxa’an’s rule.
“You believe that this warrior gave the crystal to his blood sister?” Kirov asked, trying to see the logic behind that. “Why? What need would theMeviraxhave of our most powerful crystal?”
“I do not know. But there are rumors,” Vaxa’an said quietly. “Whisperings.”
“Of what?” Kirov growled.
“That their females can bear offspring.”
Kirov stilled, but then shook his head, “Impossible. Privanax has worked tirelessly in his labs concerning our females’ fertility. TheMevirax…they have stones and earth. They do not have our technology.”
“Perhaps technology is not what the females needed,” Vaxa’an countered. “Perhaps the Fates healed their females.”
“You believe these rumors?”
“I do not know what I believe,” Vaxa’an said, shaking his head. “But I do know that there are more and more reports of females gone to seek them out, of Breeding pairs leaving the Golden City, hopeful for offspring of their own. It does not seem as if the rumors have reached the outposts yet, but I fear that in time, they will.”
“You just mention this to me now?” Kirov asked, frustration mounting. His temper had been quick of late, especially since last night.
“I will give information to my Ambassadors as I see fit,” Vaxa’an growled.
Kirov blew out a sharp breath, knowing it would take time. “If you wish to personally punish me for taking my fated mate, then fine. But these matters concern the Luxirians residing in the outposts and I do not appreciate being kept in the dark.”
Kept in the dark.
Words his female had shot at him last night, words that had buried into his soul and festered.
She’d been right. It didn’t feel good. It felt like betrayal.
Vaxa’an went silent, tension radiating through the feed, before the Prime Leader finally said, “I will need you back in the Golden City in six spans. I am calling all Ambassadors here so we can decide on proper action with the council.”
Kirov gritted his teeth, but forced himself to nod, trying to keep control of his temper. “Yes, Prime Leader.”
Vaxa’an inclined his head and then cut off the feed. Kirov stared at the blank screen and cursed, running a hand over his horn in frustration.
It was late in the evening. Usually, hisluxivawould be with him at the labs at this time. They would be working on their project, but Kirov had not gone to her, still guilty and aggravated about what had transpired between them the night before.
The call with Vaxa’an didn’t help matters and once again, Kirov was running out of time.
All morning, Lani had been distant. They had hardly touched, hardly spoken. And it physically hurt him…knowing that he was the cause, knowing that he was giving her reason to detach.
Kirov gave a frustrated bellow, hearing it echo around the quiet space.
She didn’t ask much of him either.
She only wanted to meet his sire.
She only wanted him to behonest.
Why was that so hard?
For many reasons,he knew. Reasons that he could and could not verbalize to her.
But he hadn’t even tried. He hadn’t even tried to tell her why he’d kept her away from his sire. He hadn’t tried to explain the situation. It had nothing to do with her. Yet, she believed it did. She believed that Kirov was ashamed ofher, had alluded to it last night.
And he’d said nothing.
Kirov squeezed the edge of the table so hard he felt the metal bend beneath his palms.
