Chapter 6

My hands shook as I directed Eve to tilt her head to the side. She honored me by following my direction and looking at me trustingly. Normally, my heart warmed just being in her presence, and now it was overflowing.

I drew the knife closer, allowing her to see it with wide eyes before I rested it gently against the exposed skin just behind her ear. She was nervous, but I was proud of my female when she held her ground, trusting me not to hurt her. I wished I could have told her that I would never betray that trust, and that I would defend her with my life.

I flinched when the cold metal cut her delicate skin. It was a necessary wound, but one I still hated to inflict on her. I would have taken her pain if I had been able.

It was not uncommon for males to present females they wished to take as mates with gifts or tributes to prove themselves worthy. Even as I pulled the shiny container holding the translator towards me, I knew it was not enough. It was too small. My large hands dwarfed the box, and the metal device was practically invisible when resting on the tip of my finger. It was so small that I had feared losing it; the slightest breath could have blown it away.

I could only hope that Eve would accept this, accept me. I would spend the rest of my life proving myself to her, showering her with gifts and love. She would want for nothing.

I pressed the metal object into the incision I had made on her head. As soon as it came into contact with her blood, it glowed with a blue light. Blood oozed up and around it, and I knew that it would soon be absorbed into her system. In moments, she would understand me.

Eve whimpered, and I pulled her close to me. My tail wrapped around, stroking up and down her back in a soothing caress. She clung to me, panting. And then her body slackened in my grasp.

"Eve!" I gasped her name as my heart skipped a beat and then began to race. I had to remind myself that this was normal. Some younglings, when they were given the device, had passed out. My Eve would be okay.

She did not know how much I adored her, my beautiful little Eve. In so little time, I had become obsessed with her. When she had kissed me before, I had feared for a moment that I had died and woken up in the afterlife.

It took every ounce of willpower to step away from her. The way she pressed her lips against mine. Her sweet taste on my tongue. When I smelled her arousal… I would have willingly traded everything just to know if she tasted as sweet elsewhere. She didn't know just how close I came to claiming her. If I hadn't put some distance between us, I still might. But I didn't know the ways of her people. She needed to know that if I took her, if I made her mine, I would never give her up. Not even the prospect of meeting my fated mate phased me anymore. Eve was mine. I just needed her to understand this. And that meant that I needed to speak to her. I quickly rolled out my bedroll and placed her in it, making sure she was lying comfortably.

Eve's strange clothing was soaked through. Her body wasn't as large as mine, and it was clear she didn't generate as much heat. I saw her shiver. I needed to warm her the way my people did with younglings. Because if I helped warm her with body heat, as I desperately desired, it might be days before we stopped to talk to each other. And Eve deserved more than my crude advances. She deserved the choice. With a pained heart, I pulled furs around her sleeping form.

It was only then that I noticed the smudges of ash on the backs of my hands. Foolish, not having clean hands when I performed such a delicate operation. And yet, I could have sworn my hands were clean before picking up the translator. My eyes widened as the marks tingled. They expanded, twisting around my wrists. Tendrils reached out, snaking up my arms, leaving behind a fiery sting.

I sobbed. Actually sobbed. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked down at this small being in front of me, sleeping so peacefully. This could only mean one thing. There was no denying it. These were my mate marks, and Eve was my mate. The one being in this world meant for me. She was my mishara.

With nothing left to do, I pulled her into my arms and held her close. I had never praised my sire's or dam's gods, but I did now. For many cycles, I had longed for a mate, and I never thought I would even get one. To find my perfect match was unbelievable. I stroked her hair, humming to her reassuringly as she stirred. She blinked up at me sleepily, a soft smile parting her lips.

"Balroth," she murmured.

"I'm here, my mate." I pressed my forehead to hers, squeezing her as close as I possibly dared without hurting her. My heart soared when she didn't push me away, didn't reject me.

"I can understand you!" She excitedly whispered. Eve leaned back just enough that she could look into my eyes. She huffed a relieved laugh. "It was a translator. I knew it."

"I'm sorry that I had to cause you pain. You didn't understand my words, and I longed to speak to you, and I never meant for it to hurt you. Truly. But we needed to speak, and this was the only way I knew how and…"

Eve held a finger to my lips, silencing me. It was probably for the best since I had been rambling on. My guilt about causing her discomfort was great.

"Thank you, Balroth. I wanted to talk to you as well. I'm grateful you shared such a gift with me."

"You don't hate me?" I asked, hope soaring. Females were so rare on this planet that some would leave you at your slightest mistake, seeking another protector. They had plenty of males to choose from, many that would challenge each other to a fight to the death for just the opportunity. For some, even finding their mishara meant little if he was unable to protect and provide for her.

Eve cupped my cheek, her thumb stroking the skin with a featherlight touch. "Of course not. It was entirely necessary. I trust you. And I'm so very grateful to speak to you now."

I stared down at this small, strange being in my arms. She was so perfect. I would never stop proving to her just how much she meant to me.

"You are as sweet as your kisses," I rumbled, my voice turning husky and guttural.

Eve's pupils expanded as her eyes searched mine. She licked her lips and a small, sly smile appeared. "Are you sure about that?"

I chuckled down at her. "Perhaps I'll have to check, just to be sure." And with that, I pressed my lips firmly to hers.

I would make her mine. Of that, she would have no doubt.