21. Tovan

21

TOVAN

W hen Donna feels well enough to travel, I suggest returning to the farm. Her eyes light up at the mention of her homestead, and I’m reminded of how much the place means to her. We make the journey slowly. Instead of my grav-bike, I purchase a transport with a cab so she can ride in comfort.

The journey is short but there is no rush. It’s just me, my kahl , and forever ahead of us.

Passing through the town, I see the looks the other Kari send our way.

Envy flickers in some eyes, a resigned acceptance in others. But there’s also hope, a renewed sense of possibility that wasn’t there before. They see us, Donna and me, two beings from different worlds, bound by a love that defies logic, and they see a reflection of their own deepest desires. I understand their longing, the ache of loneliness that has haunted our kind for so long.

I understand, because I, too, was once lost.

As we approach the farm, I feel a mix of emotions. This place holds so many memories now—our first meeting, the days spent working side by side, the growing attraction between us. And now, we return as mates.

But…how do I fit into this world she’s created? Does she truly see me living here, in her lodge?

The transport slows to a stop in front of the cottage, its vibrant walls a beacon against the backdrop of the orange fields, and Donna turns to me.

“Welcome home, Tovan.” Her smile is filled with a warmth that melts away my apprehension.

“Come on,” she says, her hand clasped in mine as I open her door. “I’ll show you where you can put your things.”

We’re walking down into the yard when movement catches my eye. A large male coming from the side of the cottage. The bale of grass feed he’s balanced on his shoulder is slowly placed on the ground as he faces us.

“Good sol, kahlesta.” Arnak’s uncertainty is reflected in his grin. “Tovan.” He dips his head.

“Arnak.” Donna walks over to him and I watch her, awe in my eyes that this little female has turned my life completely around. I am no longer a lone male. I live on a farm now. I have a female. A mate. I have a life now. “Thank you so much for stepping in on the farm when we couldn’t. You really didn’t have to go through the trouble. I’m so sorry we had to burden you so.”

Arnak’s gaze shifts to me for a split click before he grins more naturally, displaying both his fangs. “It was no trouble, kahlesta. I will always be at your service.”

Donna chuckles before turning toward the lodge. “Yeah, until you find your mate, I’m sure.”

Arnak blinks so many times I think something is caught in his eyes. “My mate…”

Donna pauses and smiles, her gaze shifting to him once more. “You seem like a man with a good heart. I have a good feeling about this.”

As she walks into the lodge Arnak turns his confused gaze to me. I shrug. “Believe her,” I say. “My mate is wise.”

He still has that stunned look on his face as I head in after my mate.

We’re there for maybe half a sol when the others arrive.

Donna’s friends—Catherine, Xarion, Varek, Eleanor, and Zynar all crowd into the small lodge. Their relief at seeing Donna safe and happy is palpable even though I remain tense. When Zynar and Varek Korruk pull me into a brotherly embrace, it feels like the world shifts once more on its axis.

In all my orbits, I cannot remember ever having a family such as this.

Arnak comes in and Donna serves everyone bluebread and “froot tee”. Soon, the air fills with laughter and light-hearted conversation.

“Right, Tovan,” the Saffion, Xarion, says, his ear tips twitching in humor, “I hope you’re prepared for a lifetime of Donna’s stubbornness and terrible jokes.”

Donna feigns offense with an audible gasp, but her eyes sparkle with mirth. “My jokes are delightful, thank you very much.”

I chuckle, my arm tightening around Donna’s waist. “I find everything about Donna delightful.”

The humans make sounds in their throats, with Catherine and Eleanor’s pigments becoming increasingly red. I stare at them in alarm, but their mates don’t seem anxious.

Arnak is the one who speaks. “I have never, once in my existence, heard Tovan speak like that.” That makes the others laugh, but I don’t care.

“I will say it again and again,” I nuzzle Donna’s ear. “My mate is delightful. I would savor her now if—”

Arnak, Xarion, and I’m sure some of the others groan before the whole room explodes with laughter.

But as the visit winds down, I notice a slight furrow in Donna’s brow. When her friends are preparing to leave, after Eleanor mentions something about her harvest coming in, Donna mentions, almost offhandedly, “I’m still trying to figure it all out, too, you know. Getting the farm to work, making ends meet.”

There’s a moment of concerned silence before Catherine speaks up. “You know we’re here if you need anything, right?”

Donna nods. “Of course. Thank you.”

After her companions and Arnak leave, I take a deep breath. It’s time for a conversation I’ve been both anticipating and dreading. “Donna, there’s something I need to tell you.”

She stiffens almost immediately and I can’t help but pull her into my arms. Walking backward with her against me, I settle onto a seat.

I take her claws in mine, marveling at how small and delicate they seem compared to mine. “I…I have enough credits. More than enough. I can take care of everything—the farm, our future, whatever you need or want.”

Even with her back pressed into me, I can see that her expression becomes unreadable, and I feel a twinge of anxiety. Have I offended her? Overstepped?

“That’s…that’s very generous,” she says slowly, but her voice is uncharacteristically neutral. “But I don’t need much to—”

“It doesn’t matter how much you need. I have more than enough. More than I need.”

She frowns now, tilting her head so she can meet my gaze. “Just how much are we talking here.”

I grimace. But she is my mate. No use hiding this, even if it makes me embarrassed. “Enough to purchase as far as your eyes can see on these plains.”

Her eyes bug out. “What? How?”

I look away. This has always made me uncomfortable. It’s why I live in the nestkans. To feel more normal. It’s why Arnak and I live in the town. Not many beings…not many beings have the assets we do.

“Prospecting is good when you know what you’re looking for.” I give her a tight grin and Donna spins in my arms. Her soft claws come up to frame my face.

“You’re meaning to tell me that I thought you were a hobo when you’re really a prince?”

“Hm? Hoh-no?” It must be my reaction that makes her snort and before I know it, she’s laughing. Must have gotten it wrong. That reminds me. I have to contact that male about upgrading my translator.

“Hobo,” Donna says, a smile still on her lips. “What on earth were you doing working on my farm when you don’t have to work at all?”

I look deep into her eyes, because she already knows the answer to that, but if she needs, I will tell her again. “I couldn’t be away from you.”

She softens, leaning into me. But then she sobers a bit, too. “That’s great and all.” She becomes thoughtful. “But I’ve spent so long being independent. It feels strange to rely solely on you. I still need my own thing, too, you know.”

I shake my head. “You don’t have to rely solely on me, lira’an. And you don't need to worry about the farm, either. There’s something else I discovered while working here—there is ore on your land.”

Her eyes widen. “You’re joking.”

“I speak truth. You have valuable ore. But even without that, you have another incredible thing, my sweet.” My voice dips as does my gaze to her lips. “Your voice.”

Donna blushes, I can feel the warmth go through her a moment before she tries to pull away. My arms tighten around her. “It’s the truth,” I say.

“Oh, Tovan, you’re just biased because you love me.”

“No,” I insist. “Your singing is truly extraordinary. It would draw crowds, I’m certain of it. If you want, I know just the person to contact. Someone I’ve been meaning to reach out to anyway—a bounty hunter who can fix my translator chip and get your voice broadcasted through the servers.”

Donna stops trying to get out of my grasp. “A bounty hunter? Tovan—”

“He’s a good being. Honorable.”

“Mmmmhm,” she intones, but she’s studying me. For a moment, she says nothing. And then. “You really think people would want to hear me sing?”

I cup her face gently in my claws. “I know they would. When you sing, it’s like the stars themself pause to listen.”

She leans into my touch, her eyes glistening. “Nobody’s ever…you’re the first person…”

“Then those others were fools.”

We sit there for a moment, just breathing each other in. Then Donna pulls back slightly, a determined look in her eyes. “I think…I think I’d like to try. The singing, I mean. To share my music with others. But I want to do it alongside working on the farm, at least for now. This place…it’s more than just land to me. It’s where I found myself. Where I found you.”

I feel a surge of pride. “Whatever you decide, I support.”

“And the ore…leave it.” Then she chuckles. “It’s not like I have kids or anything to pass it down to, but—”

I growl, my claws shifting to grip her behind as I pull her into me. “You want young?” I dip my lips to her ear. “I’d be very happy to oblige.”

Donna slaps me, a playful tap that doesn’t even sting. “Now you stop that. I’m too old for such talking.”

“You are not,” I dip my face into her hair, inhaling her. Rearing younglings would simply be a bonus, not a necessity.

“My time has passed.” The way her voice drops, the way her whole body seems to sag with those words makes me draw back so I can see her properly.

“You know…” I hedge. “We can fix that.”

Donna’s brow furrows. “Fix what?”

“If you want young, there are many options we can take.”

She stares at me for a long moment. “I never…I stopped considering that for myself a long time ago.”

I tug her toward me. “This isn’t your homeworld, lira’an. If you want young, we will make it so.” Then I blow a breath through my nostrils. “You will have a long time to think about it. We Kari age very slowly.”

“Xarion mentioned something about that,” she whispers into my shoulder, and I can tell she’s thinking about everything I’ve said.

I nod, dipping my face into her hair. “I am ready to give you young whenever you want.”

That makes a laugh rumble through her. “You’re always ready.”

“Mm,” I growl. “I’m ready now, too.”

My shaft jerks, making her aware of its presence, and Donna jumps. With a chuckle, she distances herself, eyes wild with mirth. “No.”

But she shouldn’t have run. Because now I’m going to catch her.

She must see the change in my eyes because she squeals and heads toward the one place where she will definitely be claimed. The bedroom.

Whether she knows it or not, her body and her core-beat have already decided that I will take her this cycle. And as I rise and head after my mate, I know I will take her over and over and over again, until she cries my name, until the stars align, until she knows without a doubt that she will always be mine.