"Scared her?" Khaazai asked as he straightened, appearing almost stiff. He seemed to thrum with some hidden energy like he was ready to hunt down whatever had scared Holly. For Zahra? Because of how close the two of them had grown over the last few months? She may have pushed Khaazai away, but she’d welcomed Holly’s friendship.
"I don't know the details yet." Zahra said quickly to reassure him. “Sounds like it isn’t anything to worry about at this moment. She just wants some new scenery and some space from whoever it is here. If I get more from her, I will let you know.”
"If you need me, you only need ask." Khaazai inclined his head.
"Thank you." Zahra walked past him, but heard him following directly after her. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't surprised. He didn't need to help Holly. She meant nothing to the alliance. Humanity was so desperate, they’d definitely over look one human woman being uncomfortable, but Zahra appreciated it. It also showed the kind of man he was that he’d be willing to protect any female around him.
"I think you will enjoy the flight to my family lands. You'll get a fantastic view of the land and, of course, get to enjoy the constant drizzle." Khaazai tagged on, showing he remembered her comment about enjoying the rain, even though that’d been nine months ago.
Zahra had already been enjoying the rain at the emperor’s home. The massive windows in her room had allowed her to work with what she thought was the best view ever. Her windows overlooked the gardens, and the drizzle calmed her. She’d even opened her balcony doors on occasion to listen to the relaxing drips, especially at night.
"I look forward to it." Zahra said as she entered the shuttle. Sleek and black on the outside and sleek and black on the inside.
"You'll sit beside me." Khaazai patted a seat next to him after he sat down.
Holly sat across from them and hefted her bag into the empty seat beside her. "Thanks for letting me tag along, Khaazai. I know having another person while you two head to meet your family isn’t what you probably wanted."
Zahra heard a light rumble from Khaazai before he asked, "Tag along?"
"Oh.” Holly smiled in apology as she placed her hands in her lap and picked at her fingertips. “May not have translated. I meant to say, thanks for letting me join."
"A friend of Zahra's is always welcome to our family home." Khaazai inclined his head ever so slightly, showing Holly respect that was normally reserved for a family member or superior.
"Either way, I wanted to let you know I appreciate it. Now," Holly said as the shuttle door closed and the pilot set course, "I did a little digging but couldn't find mention of this tradition." She pulled out her tablet as if to emphasize her point. “Nowhere in here does it say anything about bringing a wife to family lands.”
With raised eyebrows, Zahra turned to Khaazai. What did her husband have to say about that?
A rumbling chuckle left his throat when he met Zahra’s eyes. The noise caused bumps to race along her skin and a flood of desire to pool between her thighs.
"I'm sure there are many traditions missing from your tablet." He pointed a clawed finger at the device Holly clutched in her hands. "Even the practice of marrying for one year is an old tradition that is rarely followed these days."
"Then why choose it?" Zahra asked suddenly.
"Would you have married me and bound yourself to me for life?" Khaazai asked as he turned his full attention to her. "Even for an alliance, I don't think you would have married me. A year of marriage already has you scared.”
True. Zahra couldn't say his words weren’t the truth. If General Bohler had presented a lifetime of marriage, Zahra would have laughed as she walked away. Even a year had givenher pause. Despite knowing there’d be an end, she’d needed to think it over.
"So, I presented a less threatening option. A marriage for one year. After that, you and I can decide where it does or does not go." Khaazai continued to explain.
Zahra’s heart hammered in her chest. What if she fell in love and he didn't? She blinked. What if Khaazai suffered from the same fear? Even though he was an alien warrior, it didn't mean he lacked the ability to feel. He might leave her just like she’d left poor David after he’d proposed to her. Anyone could get cold feet.
"I haven't given marriage too much thought." Zahra said truthfully. "I always intended to get married someday and maybe have children, but... my career has always been put first." To the frustration of all her previous relationships.
"Perhaps I'll be able to tempt you sooner," Khaazai's electric blue eyes held hers as they stared at each other silently.
Zahra felt herself slowly lean forward. She wanted to press a kiss to that dangerous mouth of his, filled with sharp black teeth.
Holly coughed lightly after a few moments passed.
Thankful for the interruption, Zahra pulled back and glanced off to the side. She was even more thankful when Holly began asking questions about the information on her pad, turning Khaazai’s intense gaze away from her. Holly seemed to be in hog heaven with the information he was providing her. She was one of the first humans to experience this world and culture.
After a few hours, the shuttle began its slow descent. Zahra turned to the window beside her and watched as they landed at a shuttle pad outside an enormous home. The black triangular home surged up from the ground like a dark, ominous mountain.
"This is your family home?" Holly gushed the question as she stared out her own window.
Zahra was glad she hadn’t needed to ask the question. She didn’t want to get into her own childhood. Even though her parents had been lovely people, they hadn’t made much money. Despite that, Zahra had thoroughly enjoyed her childhood. In some ways, she was thankful she hadn’t been given more. It’d taught her a lot about happiness.
"It was." Khaazai said as he too gazed out the window.
