Chapter 7

Gravon headed up to the royal quarters, where he expected to find Azha in the library like she had been every day for the past week now. It meant a lot to him that she was so invested in learning about his culture. He took it as the first sign of acceptance of her new home.

While she was settling in, he had decided to give her space. Much more than he would've liked, but he felt like she needed time alone. He had seen how anxious she was on her first night on Nirum, and he didn't want to make anything worse by bombarding her.

But all of that would end today. He was ready to take this to the next level, to let her know the truth. To tell her why she was really here.

Gravon winded his way through the halls, on his way to do just that, except when he arrived at the library, she was not on her usual couch. He scented the room, knowing instantly she was not inside. In fact, her scent was so faint that it seemed as if she hadn't been in there at all that day.

He made his way through the dining room and down the hall that led to her room. On his way there, he ran into Vespira.

"Your Majesty," she said with a bow.

"Where is she?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

"She has been in her room since breakfast. We tried to get her to come out, but she said she was tired."

Panic. That was the first emotion he felt. Was she sick?

Gravon rushed the rest of the way to her room but stopped himself before barging in. He knocked on the door, waiting until he heard a soft voice tell him to come in before he entered.

Azha was sitting by the window, wearing a long, pale green dress that contrasted beautifully with her dark skin. She looked at him, her expression seeming more sad than sick.

"Are you feeling well? You were not in the library, and they told me you have been in here all day."

Azha shrugged and went back to looking out the window. "I'm okay."

It was obvious she was not physically ill, so he decided to go through with his earlier plan. He slithered toward her and took her dainty hand in his.

"Azha, would you like to take a meander through the gardens with me?"

He could tell his words sparked an interest, but for some reason she quickly masked that interest and shrugged again. "Sure."

He led her out of the room and through the castle, taking her outside. He had shown her most of the grounds, but he had been saving the gardens for last, knowing she would find them the most fascinating.

Nowhere on Nirum was there a garden more beautiful, and certainly nothing on Noxxa could compare. He had a feeling this would become her favorite place on the planet.

But Azha was so silent on the way there that he forced himself to stop about halfway there. If she was not in the mood for it, he did not want her first time seeing it to be ruined.

"What is wrong?" he finally questioned her.

She turned to look at him. He saw anger in her eyes, and he was pretty sure it was directed at him. Yet he had done nothing but offer her kindness since they had arrived, so what could she possibly be angry about?

Azha's mouth opened and closed. He thought she was going to refuse to talk, but then her voice rang out clear as day.

"I know what you're planning on doing with me."

She said it with such defiance, her voice laced with the same anger he saw in her eyes, but he had no idea what she was talking about.

"Azha, what do you mean?"

"Oh, don't play dumb. I'm not some stupid, na?ve human girl. I can put two and two together after spending all that time in the library."

Now he was really confused. "I really do not know what you are talking about. Please, enlighten me."

He was starting to get angry that he was being accused of something he was sure he wasn't doing, whatever it was.

"I read about the fertility issues with the Niri. How the birth rates have been plummeting for years, and no one knows why. How the population is decreasing, especially the females. I know that most pregnancies end in miscarriage if they are even able to get pregnant at all."

"Yes, all of that is true. But what does that have to do with you?"

"You're going to use me for breeding! And I'm not going to let you!"

He blinked at her. Breeding? This was the last thing he thought he'd hear. "Azha… Niri do not procreate with humans. We have never even tried."

"So you brought me here to experiment, not even knowing what it could do to me?"

"What? No, absolutely not. I did not bring you here for procreation. It was not even on my mind."

She stared at him for a moment, processing his words. In the end, she seemed to believe him, her defiant face crumpling.

"I… I'm sorry. I read that stuff, and I was just so sure…"

"Why did you think this at all?"

She was silent for a moment. "Because I didn't understand why you brought me here, and this was the first explanation my mind came up with. It made sense at the time."

"So, this is why you stayed in your room all day?"

She nodded, avoiding his gaze. He reached out and lifted her chin up so those light brown eyes were forced to meet his.

"Would you like to know why I brought you here?"

She nodded again.

"Well, I was going to wait until we got to the garden to tell you, but I suppose this will do. Azha, you are my mate. Do you know what that means?"

Her eyebrows scrunched up. "I think so?"

She said it as a question, so he explained further. "It means our souls were destined to be together. It means everything lined up perfectly so the two of us would meet on my ship at that exact moment. It was fate. I knew it the second I scented you. You are mine, Azha."

"I don't understand. I'm a human."

"It does not matter."

"So, you really weren't going to use me for breeding?"

He chuckled. "No, I was not. I'm pretty sure humans and Niri can't even procreate. If they could, my kind would have taken advantage of that fact a long time ago."

A look of horror took over Azha's face. "Gravon… this means that if we stay together, you'll never have children. Your line will cease to exist. Who will take over the throne?"

Gravon nodded grimly. "Yes, you are correct that my offspring will not sit on the throne. But I do not care about any of that. Nothing matters but you. Besides, I have clutchmates that may yet reproduce. The Vinezar line will retain power." A tear trickled down Azha's face, and Gravon quickly swiped it away with a finger. "Now, I would like to show you something if you will let me."

Azha looked confused, but she nodded. He took her hand and began leading her toward the gardens.

"See, my plan was to take you to the gardens and confess to you about being mates. You forced me to confess early, but I would still like to show you, as this is one of my favorite places on Nirum."

A few minutes later, they reached a tall emerald gate, with a matching emerald fence that kept whatever was inside from view.

The scent of Azha's excitement filled the air, which in turn filled Gravon with great satisfaction knowing he was giving her this.

He winded up to the gate and placed his palm flat on it. The gate began to open slowly. They entered, and it closed behind them.

He watched Azha's face as she took everything in. Bioluminescent plants were everywhere with flowers, trees, and vines all glowing in different colors. Trees made entirely of crystals that, when hit by the wind, gave off a satisfying chiming sound. The flowers turned and greeted her as she walked by them.

"This is…"

"I know," he said.

"Is it all natural?"

"Some are Niri-made inventions, like the crystal trees. We like to get creative in our labs."

"I don't think I ever want to leave this place," she said. The look on her face was that of absolute happiness. Like she didn't have a care in the world.

"I have not even shown you the best part."

Her head whipped toward him. "There's more?"

"Oh, yes. Follow me." He led her to what looked like a booth. It was tall and white with a curtain for privacy. "Go inside."

She didn't hesitate, which made him even happier than he was already. She trusted him.

"What do I do?" she asked from inside.

"Just follow the instructions on the screen."

It was silent for a couple of minutes before Azha stepped out of the booth. As soon as she did, her face lit up with wonder.

"How?" she asked.

"It's a system we created. When you go inside the booth, it reads all kinds of things about you. Any allergies you might have, what scents you're more likely to enjoy. The perfect temperature for you. Anything that could assist in your enjoyment of the garden."

"It smells amazing now. Even the colors are softer."

"That's because everything has been adjusted for your human senses. Before, the colors may have been too bright, as they were created for Niri eyes."

"And do you see and smell what I do?"

"No, it's personalized to me at the same time. And once you go in the booth, you never have to go in again."

"Is this place real?" she asked.

"As real as you and me standing here."

Gravon and Azha continued to explore the garden. Hours went by, and she still was not ready to leave, but Gravon had just one thing he had to do. "Would you like to stay here while I go attend a meeting?"

"A meeting this late?"

"Yes, it is important. Otherwise, I would not leave you."

"Okay!" she agreed, still marveling over her surroundings.

"I will come and get you as soon as it's over, and we will enjoy a nice dinner. We could even have it brought out here if you'd like. I know there is a table around here somewhere."

"I'd like that," she said, her eyes finding his. They sparkled, and he couldn't help but place a hand on her cheek and lean in.

He scented her just before pressing his lips to hers. It was the first time they had kissed since their moment on the ship.

The passion still remained, and he had to force himself to ease away once the kiss started to deepen. He had a very important issue to attend to. This would have to wait, at least for now.

But he would not wait much longer.

"Quiet, please," Gravon's voice rang out.

A table filled with his advisors sat before him, and as soon as he spoke, they all gave him their attention.

"I know you are all aware of the human girl I have brought back from Noxxa. I would like to update you all on what this means. The girl's name is Azha, and she is my mate."

Just about every face in the room looked surprised, but none of them spoke. They knew better.

"This means Azha will soon become the queen of Nirum."

Gravon knew this news would not settle well, but there was nothing they could do about it, not really.

He continued. "If anyone would like to say anything, now is the time."

A hand shot straight up. One of the elder Niri.

"Yes, Nesfirus?"

"Your Majesty, I have a concern with a human girl ruling alongside you. She is not even from our planet. How is she to rule us? How is she to set an example for the young Niri females? She doesn't know our customs, traditions, or rules."

"I will stop you right there. Everything you just said could be learned simply by picking up a book, which Azha has been doing all week. As for setting an example, she does not need to be a Niri to do so."

Another Naga spoke. "Your Majesty, what does this mean for the royal line?"

"It will end with me unless one of my clutchmates chooses a mate and procreates."

Gasps resounded through the room, but Gravon rose and held up at hand.

"Enough. With the birth rates staggeringly low, it was always going to be like this. The chances of me successfully procreating with a female Niri are practically nonexistent. So, this is a nonissue. When I die, which will not be for a very long time, someone outside of the family may have to take the throne. It has happened before."

Most of the Niri before him nodded, clear agreement on their faces. A few still seemed unsure, but this did not concern him.

Nothing would stop him from mating with Azha and making her queen of Nirum. Nothing would keep them apart.