Chapter 29

TWENTY-NINE

Dragek hadn't really planned any of this.

He'd simply followed his instincts, which had been roaring at him ever since he escaped from Jade's chambers.

The realization had dawned on him slowly. His reaction to her wasn't ordinary arousal. Of course, he knew what arousal was, even if he'd never experienced it before. He had senses and ears. He'd traveled far and wide across the Universe. He'd lain in small, dark spaces—perfectly silent, listening to mindless chatter in a dozen different languages.

He knew that his kind wasn't supposed to have mates. They were unworthy, mere slaves, destined never to have their own free will.

When he'd learned that one of their own— Ashrael— had been freed from the mindbond and had even taken a mate of his own, Dragek was shocked to the core.

At that moment, everything had changed.

And now, he was walking through his very own sanctuary in the void with a human female who possessed extraordinary abilities.

He'd reacted to her. It was subtle at first, and he'd been able to push it to the back of his consciousness, in denial that it might actually be happening.

But then he'd watched her in the transport when she was sleeping.

He'd realized it then, but he hadn't accepted it. Thanks to his training, he was able to suppress the physical symptoms to a certain extent—at least, so he'd thought.

Until he'd wandered into her chambers like a clueless fool and caught a faceful of her scent.

That pure, clean aroma, spiked with Earthly fragrance, swirled into the air with the steam from her sanitation chamber.

In hindsight, he didn't know what had hit him, and when he'd caught sight of her…

Goddess, take him already.

Deep down, he knew what this was.

He knew.

He never could have imagined it would happen to someone like him.

That was why he'd lulled her to sleep and pulled her into his meditation: into this cold, silent world that he'd woven from the fabric of his consciousness and his memories.

That was the real reason why.

And now she was here, and she'd looked him straight in the eye and told him she didn't care what he'd done.

He tightened his grip on her warm little hand, entwining his fingers with hers as he drew her into the grove of trees.

The forest was a recent thing. He didn't know how or why it had appeared, but it had grown after he'd been captured by Tarak and placed in restraints—to prevent him from killing himself, of course. Then, they'd sedated him for a long time, a most welcome mercy because it allowed him to escape to the one place where he couldn't be tormented by anyone.

At least the Darkstar Kordolians were more merciful than his Mistress.

She'd never allowed him the mercy of sleep when he was in pain.

They walked through dappled light and slender trunks, and the canopy above swayed, brushing against the stars. The ground underfoot turned from sand to soft soil, covered in a dense carpet of tiny-leafed foliage that was cool under his bare feet.

She was quiet as he brought her to a clear pool in the middle of the forest. Normally, the pool was icy-cold, a temperature just above freezing, but considering she was human—and humans tended to prefer warmer climates—he'd set the temperature to warm.

Even though it wasn't his first preference.

He preferred the near-icy cold, where he could submerge himself in silent depths.

It was the place he felt safest of all.

Especially from himself.

"Can I ask you something?" At last, she spoke, and the sound of her voice was like the softest fabric slipping around him, pulling tight until he was wrapped up in her presence.

"Go ahead." An indulgent smile curved his lips. She was here, in his world, completely at his mercy, and yet she wasn't afraid at all, and rightly so, for he had no intention of giving her anything but the very best.

It was the first time he'd ever felt hospitable toward any living being.

How quickly things had changed. He'd surprised even himself.

"Did you create all of this… by yourself? Where did it all come from?" She looked around in fascination, starlight dancing across her lovely features.

She was… curious.

Perhaps his world, his inner sanctum, actually… pleased her.

An unfamiliar emotion filled him.

Was this… pride?

"It grew over time," he said gruffly, a hitch in his voice. "I don't really know how. It's made of fragments of places I've been. Things I've experienced."

"After all the noise and the chaos… it's the perfect antidote."

They stood at the edge of the pool. Jade dipped one of her bare feet in the water. He stared at the elegant curvature of her foot. Humans had short toes, and their nails were transparent instead of black.

Her foot was rather… adorable.

Her entire being was adorable. Everything about her was soft and gentle. She radiated tranquility.

Warmth rose into his cheeks—another first.

What was this feeling?

She made him experience so many cursed emotions he didn't understand.

And he knew without a doubt that he wanted to have her. She had to be his.

It was beyond his control now.

All he could do was follow his innate instincts.

But…

Was she willing?

Would it strike her, too, or was he just an unlucky bastard?

"It's warm," she exclaimed in surprise, swishing the tips of her toes through the water. Ripples spread outward from her foot, making the reflected stars dance.

"Why does that surprise you?"

"Well, I just thought you—Kordolians, I mean—preferred everything to be cold."

" Most things. You learned this from observation?"

"From the Networks on Earth. We humans tend to speculate about everything, and your kind have been an endless source of fascination—and trepidation—for us."

"You were fearful?"

"I was—until I got whisked away by a certain mind-walking warrior. He's fierce and intimidating, and one might think he despises all humans. But when you get to know him, he isn't so bad. A little rough around the edges, but also deep and surprisingly artistic."

Was she… talking about him?

He blinked. "What does that mean?"

"I think you're creative, Dragek. You see things others don't. Despite everything, you made this place, and part of me wishes I could be asleep for longer so I could stay here longer. It's just remarkable."

"Hm." He concealed his delight with a frown. Bit by bit, his control was eroding.

This wasn't a meditation anymore.

It was a dream.

And in dreams, you could do whatever you wanted.

In his true physical body, he would have shied away, afraid of what he might do to her. She was so delicate and fragile, easily damaged.

But here…

He leaned in until his body was almost touching hers, and his lips hovered close to her ear. "You seem to know a few things about my kind," he murmured, enjoying the way she stiffened in anticipation. "You might be aware that it isn't unheard of for Kordolians to become severely attracted to humans. You're no fool, Jade. Don't you understand why I left your quarters so suddenly?"

He didn't dare touch her again.

A single touch would lead to other things. He'd already held her hand. It had been almost impossible to let go.

Would she accept him again or recoil?

He savored her sudden tension, the uncertainty of it all.

His own fear. He was suddenly struck with the terrible knowledge that the past version of him might have handled this differently. He could have been cruel and manipulative, taking what he wanted by force.

He might have despised humans back then; in fact, he'd despised most other alien species, believing them to be weak and primitive.

But that was just what he'd always been told.

That was then .

This was now, and he was free to choose.

How he should be.

He waited.

And at last, slowly, infinitesimally, she lifted her foot from the water and placed it on the smooth, burnished stone, leaving a trail of delicate droplets. "I can hazard a guess. I… didn't expect this, you know."

"Neither did I."

"Is there anything wrong with it? Am I going to cause trouble for you?"

He couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "You've already caused me enough trouble. A little more won't be a problem. But you shouldn't even be worrying about any of that." He reached out and allowed his fingers to brush against hers.

Abruptly, she took his hand into hers and turned to face him. "This is what I think it is. It really is. If it's in dreams…"

"We can."

"Then… what are you waiting for?"

He hesitated. He didn't know, really.

She squeezed his hand and pulled him toward her. He had no choice but to turn. And then, all of a sudden, he couldn't help but put his arm around her waist; around the supple, elegant curvature of her back.

He pulled her toward him.

She was warm, as expected, and lush. Her scent—still present in their dream—was intoxicating.

How unbelievable this was. To have this delicate, clever, human female in his arms, and she was willing.

He had no right to be here.

And yet, he was.

"Dragek…" She leaned in again, her upturned face oh-so-lovely, her lips parting slightly, revealing glistening temptation. "Since this is a dream, I think we're allowed to do whatever we want."

"Oh?" He pulled her even closer so their bodies were pressed together, and he could feel her rapidly beating heart. "I didn't think you'd be so reckless, but then again, what do I know about humans?"

"Nothing, really," she smiled, her body relaxing, melting into his.

At last.

Then she surprised him even more. Impossibly, she moved before he could anticipate. Since when had that ever happened?

"There's a lot you need to learn," she whispered. "For starters, this is a kiss."

And then her lips met his.