17. A Sniff Too Far

Kitaico isfrantic with the expected arrival of the mysterious elders. He's even got me wrapped tightly in a bedsheet, toga style, which is as modest as I've ever been in space.

Grabbing another strip of woven cloth, he wraps my hand, covering my mating mark.

"Why are you doing that?" I ask, the worry that he's somehow embarrassed of me filling me with dread. Does he not want his people to see he's mated an alien?

He just keeps fussing with the knot until I place my hand on top of his.

Kitaico tilts his face to mine, and although we can't understand each other, I must wear my emotions plain as day on my face.

"Oh, oh no," he whispers, cradling my face in his hands, his eyes brimming with concern. "I could never be ashamed of you. There are just specifics that need to be discussed before we should reveal what has happened between us. I'm afraid they'll find me undeserving of a mate as wonderful as you." Kitaico's voice is soft as he presses a kiss to my forehead. "I will scream my devotion to you from the mountaintops, but only once I know it's safe for us both."

I know he's right, but it still feels so wrong to have the mark covered. I don't understand his world, or his customs, so I need to let him take the lead on this.

"The exile?" I change the subject, pointing toward the cave's opening. "Is he dead?" My finger slides across my throat in a slicing motion.

"We don't need to worry about the exile. I'm sure my venom pumping through his veins has dispatched him by now." He grimaces, running his tongue over his lips. Does he remember the taste of his blood?

"Your venom?" Surely, he didn't pump the exile full of mating chemicals?

"Oh, a different venom all together, much more lethal." He flashes me his fangs and runs the tip of his tongue across their points.

"Glad to hear I won't have any competition in the horny for Kitaico category." I breathe a sigh of relief, then touch the small scab on my lip, remembering his fang. "But wait?—"

"Oh no, no, no." His eyes go wide. "I have to engage my venom, and I would never do that to you!" He places his hands over my arms reassuringly.

"Okay, good," I say, letting out a breath.

"Just let me do the talking, Leeenuh, I promise everything will turn out okay." He sits down on the bed, patting the area beside him for me to follow. He taps his foot and fingers the burned tentacle.

I still can't believe I shot him. The guilt has me leaning hard against him, searching for comfort.

"It'll be fine. I'll explain everything and they'll have no choice but to let us stay together. You're my mate, after all." He's rambling, as if he's trying to convince himself as much as he is me.

I slide my fabric covered palm onto his thigh, and he stops talking. His big square hand grips my own, and he gulps nervously. We sit there in silence, waiting for what will hopefully be a happy fate.

With my eyes fixed on the entrance to the cave, I can't miss the lights and bubbles that eventually come. I'm not sure how long I thought it would take the elders to arrive, but it feels like it's taken too long and yet somehow not long enough when they finally do.

The first to enter is an armed guard, built much like Kitaico, but scarred and stern looking. He sees the blaster discarded on the floor first, before clocking us holding hands. His brows screw up as he looks at me.

Maybe I'm the first human he's ever seen?

The next two Andjin to surface are older and dressed in miraculously dry beaded robes. The fabric repels the water quickly, and it puddles at their feet.

The color of both their skins is much more muted than the younger Andjin in the room. I wonder if losing their color could be like when a human's hair goes gray.

They seem less confused than the guard, and more incredibly displeased.

"Kitaico, we're here because your blaster was discharged—we expected to claim your body to return to your parents," one elder says.

The other finishes, disgusted with the situation at hand. "But it seems there are other circumstances afoot. What is this female doing in your nest? You are not yet found worthy of mating—you know this offense is punishable by death! Where did this strange creature come from?"

The situation being me, I guess.

"This female, Leeenuh, fell from the sky. If not for my rescue, she would have succumbed to the scripiat," he says as he bows his head. I assume it's a sign of respect, so I do the same.

"So you kept her here? Instead of informing the council of elders? What if she's a spy sent by the Fi'len army?" one elder yells.

If I wasn't so worried about the offhanded comment about Kitaico being put to death, I might laugh at the absurdity of the spy comment.

I am the least sneaky person alive.

"She is not. I stake my life on it," he says, head still lowered.

The elder who has yelled less, raises a hand right as the one scolding us opens his mouth.

"Enough Gunkoi, Surely, there is a reasonable explanation for what has occurred in this mating hopeful's nest."

The angry one sets his jaw but stays silent. It's obvious from their interaction that Gunkoi isn't the one in charge.

I file that information away for later, just like the little details I used to remember whenever we arrived at a new station as a bubble babe.

I feel like some kind of circus animal that they're just leering at.

"Female," he continues, pointing at me.

I swallow down the fear in my throat and look him dead in the eyes.

"Has hopeful Kitaico harmed you or forced you into his mating bed?"

"Kitaico?" This time I do laugh. My alien turns to me, his face serious. "Of course not. He's been kinder than anyone I've ever met."

I turn to him and squeeze his hand. His skin ripples in shades of gray. His face is still drawn with worry, and I realize he doesn't understand me.

"No, he would never hurt me," I repeat, smiling at my mate.

"I am glad for it," the elder in charge says coolly. "Regardless, there are questions that must still be answered. Why didn't you bring her to the capital?"

"I did not wish to disqualify myself by leaving the nest. I assessed the situation, and as Leeenuh was unharmed, I decided to bring her when I returned for the final challenge."

Both elders look at each other with some unspoken criticism of his answer. It must be an adequate response, as they don't pry further.

"Might I ask why the blaster was discharged?" Gunkoi asks, his brows knitting.

"That was my fault!" I offer. Kitaico squeezes my hand back with a drawn mouth. I think he's willing me to shut up, but I've already begun explaining. "An exile was trying to kidnap me, and I wasn't sure who would come through the entrance. I didn't realize it was Kitaico until I'd already shot. Luckily, I'm terrible with firearms, so I missed—mostly."

All the Andjin grimace as I point to his burnt tentacle.

"And what became of the exile?"

"Dead," Kitaico says plainly.

"Ah, I see," the elder says, scanning the cave thoughtfully. "As much as I hate being in another male's nest, I commend you for the work you've done, Kitaico. I'd like to continue our conversation back at the capital. You have much to prepare for. We'll allow you to continue your Great Proving journey."

"Thank you, Chancellor Hirouz. May the Great Mother allow me to bring honor to our people," Kitiaico mutters, doing several quick motions with his fingers before thumping his fist on his chest.

Was that some kind of alien secret handshake?

"The female can travel?" Chancellor Hirouz asks.

"She has no gills." Kitaico points out my evolutionary shortcomings.

"Ah, well, I will arrange for an additional pod," the elder says before tapping a techy-looking broach on his jacket. He mutters into the device, "Transport requested at the nesting site."

I turn my attention back to the scarred guard, who eyes me with curiosity. His face is almost as intrigued as it is distrusting, like he's trying to figure me out.

He scooped up the blaster from the floor while we weren't paying attention and holstered it at his hip.

I'm surprised at how high-tech the rest of the weapons strapped to the guard are. This planet seemed so primitive before.

But then again, I've been stuck in a cave, horny for Kitaico for most of it…

The guard takes a step closer and sniffs. Any confusion about me slips from his face.

"Chancellor Hirouz, I think the hopeful has been breeding with the female." His voice is grave.

"Hey, my name is Lena, and I have done nothing I didn't want to!" I don't like this guard"s vibe, so I give him my best scowl.

Kitaico's eyes go wide as he watches the elders step closer and draw in the same awkward sniff as the guard.

"It would appear as though we still have much to discuss, Kitaico. Officer Rionkuj, please restrain the hopeful."

"I can't understand what she's saying"—he taps his temple—"but I promise you there's an explanation for whatever she's said."

"I expect there is. Please activate his translator chip as well. I wouldn't want the female to have to repeat herself." Chancellor Hirouz waves as the guard clamps both Kitaico's hands and foretentacles behind his head.

Even though Kitaico's face is forlorn, the brothers struggle in their restraints. They reach toward me as he's led to the entrance. The guard pushes a small key fob device up against his temple and my alien winces.

"Are you okay, Kitaico?" I ask, panicking as I see the only person I know on this planet cuffed.

Despite our circumstances, he turns to me and smiles.

"Your voice is even more beautiful when I can understand what you're saying."