19. For Eons

CHAPTER 19

Moss

My eyes opened and I let out a long groan. Immediately, my vision was swamped by bright orange and the strange face I'd come to love more than anything else.

"Max," I breathed out.

His lips met mine and I felt his tears against my face. I kissed him hard, desperation rolling through me as everything came back to me.

Dio, Madam Moonie, us running and then me falling into the oasis.

I'd been so certain that would be it.

Max sniffled as he drew back. "I've never been so scared. I'm so sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" I croaked. "My love, this isn't your fault."

"The last thing I said to you was to go away. And I thought you were going to die. I am such an idiot. I've never been so scared to lose someone before. I love you. I love you?—"

I reached up and cupped his face, silencing him. He was braced on the side of the hospital bed, his eyes red from crying.

"I love you," I whispered. "I love you so much. You have come to mean everything to me, even if we still have so much to know of each other. Even if you tell me to go away, I love you too much to leave. You're mine, little tarax."

More tears wet his cheeks and I thumbed them away gently.

"How are you feeling?" he whispered.

My entire body ached, but it wasn't anything more than that. I looked down at myself, realizing that the only thing covering me was a hospital gown. "I'm okay," I said. "I feel a little achy but otherwise, I am fine. How long have I been out?"

"Two days."

Two days.

Fuck.

I examined Max again, seeing how exhausted he was. He looked like he'd hardly slept or eaten.

"Baby," I murmured. I moved to the side of the bed, making room for him. "Come here. I am fine, you can hug me and be with me."

He sniffled as he climbed in. His arms slid around me and I tugged him close, pressing my nose to his hair and breathing in his scent.

"Have you been here the whole time?" I asked.

"Yes."

"And Dio?"

"I don't think we have to ever worry about him again. One of the officials did interview me at one point, but since then, I haven't heard anything. Everyone has been coming by to check on you."

"And you," I chuckled. "Please tell me someone has kept you fed."

"Stella has," he snorted. "Why are you worrying about me? You're the one who was stabbed twice and nearly died."

"Yes, well, I've clearly been in a healing pod and been given nutrients whereas you've been sitting here for days watching me."

Max looked up at me. "I'd watch you for years. For eons. Forever."

"And I'll love you for years, eons, forever."

He took a sharp breath and then melted against me.

"Go to sleep," I whispered. "I'm here now."

He tried to hold out for some time, but it wasn't long before his soft snores made me smile. I continued to hold him, thankful that fate had brought us together.

The hospital refused to check me out for another couple days. By the time Max and I made it back home, I was so ready to be in my own bed.

My body was fine, healed from all of the things that had happened.

From what we had heard, Dio was locked up and would not be a problem for any of us ever again. Destruction of property, kidnapping, and attempted murder were not things Arborians took lightly. We might have been a peaceful planet, but that only went so far.

The shows for the Galactic Gems had gone well, even though Max had missed another one. It didn't matter how many times I told him to go, he'd opted to stay with me.

Madam Moonie had stopped by more than once to check on us. I never got the chance to ask her how she had become so strong, or so fast, but I decided to let her keep her secrets and not pry.

It was really none of my business anyways, was it?

Max locked the door behind us, putting his hands on his hips. I raised a brow at him and smirked.

We'd discussed a lot in our time at the hospital, starting with what we wanted to do with our future. I had decided that my life was with him, and that I would leave here, and find work out in the other galaxies while I traveled with him and the rest of the troupe.

It felt right. It felt exciting. After everything that had happened, I wasn't against the idea of leaving here for a while. Especially if it meant, I got to see my mate shake his ass in front of many different crowds.

Mate.

"Are you ready?" I whispered.

Max swallowed hard, but then nodded. Both of us were more than ready for this.

I took a step closer to him, and then another, and then finally one more. I reached out, gently cupping his face.

The moment I touched him, the tension snapped.

I yanked him close as he lunged for me, our mouths meeting and a fervent kiss. I needed to be inside of him. I needed to feel his body around mine as I bit him and tied our souls together forever.

I broke for a moment, drawing the herbs out of my pocket. I'd crushed them down into a powder and added water, putting them into a vial we could share.

"That's the drug?" he asked.

"It is. Are you certain you want this? That you want me?"

"I love you," Max said. "I want to be your pollinay. I'm certain this is what I want. Are you?"

"More than certain."

I uncapped the vial and Max parted his lips for me. I poured half into his mouth and the rest into mine, swallowing.

The taste was sweet and earthy, but not bad. I blinked as Max let out a soft laugh, his eyes widening.

"That fast?" I rasped.

It hit me hard. Lust, need, a burning thirst to devour Max in every way possible.

"Oh," I rasped.

Max let out a low growl and practically threw himself at me. I laughed as he pulled at my robes. I leaned down, kissing him as I pulled his clothing off too. Within moments, our clothes were piled on the floor and we were both naked.

I scooped him up and carried him to our bedroom, plopping him down in the center of the bed.

"I need you now," he rasped, reaching down to stroke his hard cock. "Now and forever."

My heart swelled with pride. After everything the two of us had gone through, we'd risen above it. Both of us had things that we wanted to work on, and together, we would.

I love him. I love him so much.

My head spun as I climbed onto the bed. He pulled his legs back, ready for me to take him. I leaned down, kissing up his body. I ran my fingers over his skin, shuddering at how soft it felt. I wanted to worship him. I wanted this moment to be one that neither one of us forgot.

I could feel the connection already for me. Like we had felt during the heat, our minds were open to each other. His feelings flowed through me, the raw need that coursed in his veins.

"Mine," I moaned as my tentacles pressed against his hole. "Mine forever, little tarax."

My tentacles were lubed and ready to fill him. The tips rimmed his hole, readying him for me. He moaned and writhed, his cheeks flushed as I thrust forward, gently filling him.

I could feel the drug's full effect now. I felt like I was looking down at an angel, his body glowing. I could see the connection between us as he took my cocks, our gasps mirroring each other.

I felt it the moment we fully accepted each other.

It was as if there was a silent click, a wink from the universe, a kiss from the stars and fate.

"Wow," he rasped.

All I could do was nod in agreement. I couldn't think of a better word. Wow certainly seemed to capture the awe I felt the moment Max became my mate.

Mate. Pollinay.

Pleasure burst through me, but I took things slow. I wanted to savor every moment with him.

I planted my hands to either side of his head, looking down at him in reverie. He smiled, his hands sliding up my chest to cup my jaw. We moaned together as I pushed deeper inside of him, my tentacles writhing within.

Mine.

I'm yours, he answered.

My eyes widened in surprise and he chuckled, wrapping his arms around me and legs around my waist.

I felt the fervent need now. I grunted as I drove into him hard, pumping in and out. He groaned, his cock hard against me as we moved together.

I was claiming him.

I growled, driving harder.

Claiming my mate.

Our instincts took over, blending together as I leaned down and sank my teeth into his shoulder. He whimpered and then groaned, doing the same to my opposite side shoulder. His teeth tore into me, the primal action only solidifying our bond.

Everything was how it was meant to be. The taste of his blood wet my mouth and I licked my lips, moaning as pleasure bloomed between us. He grunted, his eyes fluttering closed as he got closer and closer to the edge.

Our mating ritual was almost complete.

"Fill me," he rasped. "Come inside of me. I'm there."

I was too. With one final pump, I came hard, filling him. I felt his hot cum splash against me too, our orgasms winding together.

I closed my eyes, basking in the pleasure and glow of us. Max kissed my neck, letting out a soft hum.

We were officially mates.