Tor
If I could stretchone moment into eternity and live in it for all time, I’d choose this, holding her in my arms forever. I had never experienced such stillness, the universe falling away into nothing. All that remained was her head against my chest and the beating of our connected hearts.
Sated and content, I wished never to let her go.You fill the parts of me that have been empty for so long.I spoke in her head, the mating mind-speak possible now that our bond was complete.
I’m home in your embrace.Her voice flowed in my mind, warm and strong like my mate.You make me feel safe.
“You are safe with me, Jane.” I tilted her chin to look in my eyes and said the words aloud so she might hear the power in them. “You always will be.”
She hummed her reply, her eyes growing glassy. “I wish we could stay like this.”
“As do I.” Her sentiment echoed mine, but we had one more trial to endure before we could finish our mission. Although if they all ended like this, then I’d be eager for the next.
The golden door slid open. I rose to my feet, reaching a hand to help Jane to hers. She readjusted her clothes while I did the same. Calia stood smiling in the doorway. “Another test passed!” she cried. “I am so happy for you both.”
“Yes, um.” Jane’s flushed cheeks and tousled hair hinted at our mating.
I wanted to shout it proudly to the heavens that this glorious Terran female was mine, but I knew she was shyer of such matters. “Thank you, Calia,” I filled in smoothly. “We are most grateful for your support.”
Jane blinked up at me, her eyelids fluttering.Thank you for that.
Her use of our mind-speak set my soul on fire. The easy, carefree manner in which our thoughts flowed to each other was a testament to our bond. I couldn’t wait to speak to her in the intimate fashion when my cock was buried inside her. The picturing of it had my lust rising, despite our recent mating.
Tor,Jane’s warning tone in my head had me laughing inside. Some of my imaging must have slipped to my mate. Mind-speak didn’t mean we could read each other’s thoughts. We had to intentionally speak to one another; the same manner in which we would do so aloud. But sometimes if a mate’s thoughts were a bit…robust, they’d pass to the other.Don’t you dare laugh. We need to stop thinking with our lower parts and prep for this third test.
Well, if the last is anything like the first two…I let the thought trail off into the memory of us locked together.
Jane sucked in a breath beside me. “You are impossible.”
The plants parted as Calia strode toward us. “The test of truth is a great challenge. Many do not get past it.” She beamed with happiness, the emotion evident in her every word and action. The Kinsian’s support of our endeavor was a true kindness, rare in this universe. “I am so proud.”
“That’s so nice of you to say.” Jane patted at her hair, trying to tame the wild curls.
Leave them be. I love your hair.I stared pointedly at the hand swatting at her hair.
She rolled her eyes and continued talking to the Kinsian. “Did you say it was a test of truth?”
“Oh yes!” Calia gave that one-handed clap, the common gesture of her species. “The palace determined that your first test would be one of pleasure, and the second one of truth.”
“Of pleasure and truth?” Jane’s forehead wrinkled.
“Indeed, the first was to see your physical compatibility, and the second was to test your mental connection.”
It had a certain logic to it, but the trials appeared to be more about testing the bond between us, then the material we sought. I asked as much aloud, “Why would it choose to test us on such things when we’re here to seek the ergamite for our people?”
Calia bade us follow her through the doorway. The sight of the infinite hall was growing old, and I yearned more than ever to complete this assignment. I’d broken my vow not to claim my mate before ensuring the mission’s success. Yet, I could not be angry for it, not with our souls bound as one, and emotions flowing through me as easily as water in a stream.
“Sometimes,” Calia spun to face us, taking our hands in each one of hers and then bringing them together, “we don’t know what we seek, even when it is in front of us.”
Jane smiled up at me, squeezing my hand, and then turned to Calia. “Those are wise words.”
“I agree.” I held her hand to my chest, then let it go. “But what of the ergamite? We cannot leave without it.”
“Fear not.” The Kinsian whirled around and continued down the hall, passing multiple doors as she led us onward. “Your third test is the final step. Prove your bond, and all that you seek shall be revealed.”
“Can you tell us what the third test is?” Jane asked as we followed.
“I’m afraid I cannot reveal that, until you’ve completed it. I’m sorry.” Calia stopped at a plain brown door. It had grooves in the wood grain and a charcoal handle. Glancing at us, she hesitated before opening the door.
