Chapter 26

KAMEER

With great care, I uncurl my fist and pull my hand from Mandy’s center. Though the last remnants of her orgasm have faded, she’s still gripping the covers and panting in the aftermath of the wild pleasure I just inflicted on her.

My dual shafts harden further as I eye her slick folds, but my fever has cooled just enough that reason is starting to return. I know I must give her time to recuperate before I pound her mating orifice with my appendages.

I gather her in my arms and hold her close, continually sending her waves of warm affection. I want her to know how much she means to me. I want her to understand how much I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with her as my mate.

I brush my hand over her left arm, admiring the sight of my ancestral markings decorating her flesh. She will wear them forever. I also trace the glowing orange markings on her right arm, noting that the bond is almost complete, as she’s only missing two.

She follows my gaze and gasps, then I detect her relief through the bond, as well as her happiness and utter contentment.

As I hold her on the bed, the Haxxal gives a slight shudder. I glance out the viewscreen just as the fleet jumps to hyperdrive in a shared bubble. The stars streak by in a blur of light, and we’re once again bound for 58-Zallnanis. The planet that will be our home.

I send a vision to my sweet mate, showing her the details of our future house, the schematics of which I’ve already drawn up. I’ve also arranged for a crew to begin construction immediately upon our arrival.

Her shock hits me. Ten bedrooms? Are you mad? I am not having that many children.

I chuckle, smooth a hand through her hair, and place a lingering kiss to her forehead. Darrvason couples rarely have more than five children. But the extra space will be useful for guest bedrooms, and perhaps a room for the children’s toys and games.

I send her a vision of the library, the dining rooms, both casual and formal, the kitchen, various storage rooms, a rooftop garden, and more. I also allow her to see the safety measures I plan to take, the security system as well as the mounted weaponry that will blend in with the design of the structure, making it impossible to detect.

Her alarm reaches me through the bond, and I’m quick to send her a wave of reassurance. Even if the trap works and my would-be assassin is caught, pretty human, I still intend to outfit our home with a defense system that will rival the defenses Emperor Radakk plans to install on his palace.

You’re making me nervous, Kameer. She shifts on my lap. Is there a danger on 58-Z that you’re not telling me about?

To my knowledge, there’s no additional danger waiting on 58-Z, I tell her. However, when it comes to my mate and my offspring, I will take no chances. Our house will also be equipped with safe rooms on every level, as well as escape pods that will work on the planet’s surface.

She frowns and I sense her disquiet, a sadness that makes me want to growl. Before I have a chance to probe the reason for the fall in her mood, her voice fills my mind.

I don’t want to be a prisoner. The locks… the security system… please don’t keep me locked in our home.

I glance at the ancestral markings on her arms as I consider her plea. Then I decide to show her the small building that will be connected to our house through a breezeway. I hold my breath as I await her reaction, praying it’ll make her feel less like a prisoner. Praying it’ll make her happy.

She gasps and peers at me with wide eyes. A beauty salon? Kameer, is this what I think it is? My own salon, attached to our house?

Yes, pretty human. It’s yours. Your own business.

Tears gleam in her eyes, and she wraps me in a tight embrace that warms my soul. As I hug her back, I sense many emotions from her, though surprise and gratitude surge to the top.

Thank you, Kameer. Suddenly, she withdraws from my arms and gives me an accusing look. You know about Ned telling me I had to quit my job. You know how devastated I was. And you also know that I’ve been thinking about how fulfilled it makes me to help others look and feel their best and how I couldn’t imagine never working again.

Two nights ago, you dreamed about your last encounter with Ned. I comb her mussed hair with my fingers, slow strokes as I gently detangle her golden tresses. You became restless in your sleep and appeared as though you were in pain, and I was able to glimpse pieces of your conversation with the elderly Founder. I become tense as murderous impulses push to the surface. I loathe the human male for looking down on her and wanting to take away something that brings her fulfillment.

You peeked into my dreams? Her eyes go wide, and I sense her nervousness, as well as her annoyance. But I will not apologize for searching her mind while she lay sleeping. I’d sensed her distress, and as her mate, I felt a compulsion to discover the source of her anguish.

Yes, pretty human, I peeked into your dreams, and when I did, I also glimpsed the conversation you had with your sister in the elevator. I realize you won’t be working with your mother in the human settlement, and that still brings you sadness, but it’s my hope that you’ll enjoy running your own salon in the Darrvason settlement. There will be over two thousand human females living there. You will have plenty of clients.

A tear rolls down her cheek, and I’m quick to wipe it away. Then her sudden smile warms my heart, and I’m relieved when I detect her increasing excitement about the salon. She’s thrilled by the prospect of running her own business, a freedom she never believed would be possible in the Darrvason settlement. The idea of regularly interacting with other human females also brings her joy, the knowledge that she’ll be part of a growing community.

I will not keep you locked in our house, pretty human. Not unless there’s a danger of some sort. I wrap my arms around her waist and caress her lower back. I will, however, insist on knowing your whereabouts at all times.

Fair enough. She leans into my chest and rests her head beneath my chin. I will inform you about my daily schedule and when I plan to leave the house.

I clear my throat. “You will also wear a tracking device. I intend to ask an acquaintance of mine, Doctor Zahhn, whom I know you’ve met, to implant a tracking device in your arm. It will be a quick and painless procedure.”

She straightens on my lap and glares up at me. “A tracking device? Are you serious?” She huffs. “Never mind. I know you’re serious. I can sense it. Just when I think you couldn’t possibly get anymore possessive, you announce you want to put a tracking device on me.” She stiffens as her mood becomes rebellious.

If I must drag you before Doctor Zahhn and hold you down while he implants the tracking device beneath your skin, I will do so. When it comes to your safety, pretty human, I will take no chances. I growl, and then I can’t stop the dark emotions that surge upward. I can’t stop the mental replay of the day Darrva was destroyed by the Yelltzins, the day Xersonna perished, and the instant grief that pierced my heart when I sensed my mate was gone.

Mandy gasps, and I sense her deep shock, as well as her sympathy and her understanding. Her rebelliousness fades, and though she’s still not happy about the idea of a tracking device, she’s decided to cooperate.

I’m so sorry, Kameer. She presses a hand to my heart. I’m sorry about Xersonna. I-I think you loved her. You must have, if you missed her so much and grieved her for so long.

My throat burns and I feel guilty for thinking about Xersonna during the throes of my mating fever with Mandy. Fluxx . What is wrong with me?

I cup the little human’s face in my hands and press a kiss to her forehead. You are more understanding than I deserve. I shouldn’t be thinking about Xersonna. Not right now. Forgive me.

I sense Mandy softening, and she moves her hand from my heart and caresses the ancestral markings that cover my chest. I don’t mind you thinking about her, Kameer. She was an important part of your life, and I sense your guilt over her death. But it wasn’t your fault. You had no idea the Yelltzins were capable of destroying a planet, no idea they would attempt to do so when it was mostly occupied by your people’s females and offspring. How utterly tragic.

The heartbond. I feel a tug in my soul, and I glance at Mandy’s right arm to find the final two markings have appeared. She follows my stare and inhales a shaky breath. Then she meets my gaze, her eyes wide with astonishment. Though she knew the heartbond was impending, she’s still filled with awe, as well as a sense of closure. A sense of belonging.

I trail my fingers down her upper arms, admiring the sight of her wearing my full ancestral markings. Thank the Star Gods.

You’re mine, pretty human. I kiss her forehead again, a lingering kiss as I breathe in her enticing scent. You’re mine, and I am yours.