Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

W raith strode rapidly through the Farlain palace, automatically checking his surroundings even though most of his attention was on the upcoming meeting.

He found King Conran in his office, frowning at some paperwork. He was simply dressed in his warrior leathers, but even so there was something regal in his posture and bearing, an indefinable air of command.

Conran looked up as he entered, his golden eyes gleaming, then frowned.

"Where is the human female?" Conran demanded.

"Safe," he said calmly. "But I wished to speak with you before bringing her here."

The king's frown deepened, his fingers drumming on his desk. "Explain."

He hesitated, an unusual uncertainty gripping him as he realized how much this mattered to him.

"She wishes to stay," he said finally, his voice low but firm.

"Of course, that was the plan." Conran gave him a confused look. "We have arrangements in place for her comfort and safety, and my mate is excited to meet her."

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what came next.

"I will be staying as well."

The king's eyebrows shot up, genuine surprise crossing his features, and he leaned forward, studying Wraith intently.

"You? Staying? This is… unexpected. You've never shown interest in settling anywhere before."

Wraith nodded, his face still a mask of calm despite the turmoil within.

"Things have changed."

The golden glow in the king's eyes intensified.

"I see. And what exactly has changed, Wraith?"

"I am retiring."

"Without finishing the job? That's not like you."

Conran was right - it was the first time he'd ever failed to fulfill a contract. Yet, he felt no regret.

"I will give you all of the information I have collected so far, and reimburse you for the unused portion of your first payment. I also have some possible leads that I am willing to pass on, but I will not be the one pursuing them," he said firmly.

The king leaned back in his chair, studying him intently. Seconds ticked by in tense silence. Then, unexpectedly, Conran's face broke into a grin, and he started to laugh.

"The human female is your mate, isn't she?"

"Yes," he replied simply, still marveling at the happiness that single word brought him.

"And both of you wish to remain?"

Wraith nodded. "Yes, along with a Ssst elder and child."

Conran looked surprised again. He stood, walked to a nearby table, and poured two glasses of wine. Offering one to Wraith, he gestured for him to sit at one of the chairs arranged in front of an open window.

"I think you'd better fill me in on the details," Conran said, settling into his own chair.

Two nights later, Wraith stood in the shadows, watching Willow as she chatted animatedly with Unity, the king's human mate. The two females had hit it off immediately and he enjoyed seeing her so happy. He watched as her face lit up with laughter, her chestnut hair catching the last rays of the setting sun.

The private garden behind the royal quarters where they were gathered was a lush oasis, filled with exotic flowers and the gentle sound of a nearby fountain. Sooni darted across the grass, chasing a colorful ball with unbridled joy. Her green scales glimmered as she moved, her yellow eyes bright with excitement, and he smiled as he watched her play.

His gaze shifted to Malacar, who was engrossed in conversation with Barthar, the king's imposing second-in-command. The contrast between the small, elderly Ssst and the towering Farlain warrior was striking, yet they were clearly enjoying their discussion.

He sensed a presence beside him and turned to see Conran coming towards him. The king's lips quirked in a knowing smile.

"You don't have to hide in the shadows anymore," Conran said lightly

He shrugged.

"I'm not hiding."

As if on cue, Willow looked up, her eyes going directly to him despite the shadows. She smiled warmly at him, the smile that never failed to fill him with happiness, and turned back to Unity.

"My mate knows exactly where I am," he said calmly.

Conran chuckled softly.

"I suppose that's all that really matters," he conceded.

They stood in oddly companionable silence for a moment, watching the scene before them. Wraith felt a sense of contentment he'd never known before, surrounded by this makeshift family he'd somehow acquired.

"Come see me tomorrow," Conran said suddenly. "I have a proposition for you."

A few days later, Wraith led Willow through the massive gates in the middle of a long stone wall, watching her face as she studied the overgrown gardens, the large stone house, and the assortment of outbuildings beyond.

"What do you think?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

"I think it must have been beautiful once. Why?"

"I was thinking that perhaps it would make a good home for us," he said, unexpectedly anxious about her response.

They'd been staying on the ship for the past week. Conran had offered to let them stay at the palace, but he wasn't ready to be surrounded by so many people. She didn't seem to mind, but he'd promised her a house and he was determined to find her one.

Barthar had suggested this property. It had been empty for many years, but as soon as he'd stepped through the gates on his previous visit, it had felt… right. But it needed to be right for her as well.

She gave him a shocked look.

"But it's enormous."

"Which means there's plenty of room for all of us. The fact that it's enclosed will make it easy to set up a security system." He might have retired but he had no intention of being lax with her safety. "Malacar can set up his workshop in one of the outbuildings and Sooni can have her pick of a dozen rooms."

She laughed.

"That would definitely be an advantage. What's it like inside?"

"Come and see."

He led her across the weed-choked courtyard and into the spacious entry hall. Shutters still covered most of the windows but enough light came through to reveal the high ceilings and generous proportions. He could already envision it with the shutters open, filled with light and life.

"It's not as bad as I expected," she said thoughtfully as they explored. "All of the rooms will need to be cleaned and scrubbed, most of the walls will need to be painted, and the floors need to be polished, but those are only cosmetic changes."

"It was built well. I thought this would be a good room for us."

They'd reached the upper level and he led her to a large room at the end of the hall. He wrestled open the shutters that covered the tall glass doors and they walked out onto the spacious terrace. The house was located on a small hill to the north of the palace, elevated enough to give a wide view out over the city below.

"Oh, this is beautiful," she murmured, joining him at the balustrade, then gave him a curious look. "You really want this house, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Then I guess we've found our new home."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I know it's going to take a lot of work, but it was beautiful once and it will be again." She hesitated, and this time she was the one studying his face. "But are you sure you won't regret giving up your job and staying planet side? That you won't get bored?

"I could never be bored with you," he said sincerely. "I would be quite content to simply remain at your side, but Conran has suggested that I work with a small group of his warriors, teaching them about some of the tools and methods I used. They haven't been exposed to that type of technology before, but he thinks they need to about them, especially since he may send some of them off-planet to continue the search."

"I think that's a wonderful idea," she said enthusiastically.

"Do you think Sooni and Malacar will approve of the house?"

"I'm sure they will, but we should bring them here later so they can see it."

She rose on her tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his and he pulled her close. Heat rushed through his body, the kiss growing hotter and wilder with every heartbeat. She wiggled impatiently against him, her softness tormenting his aching cock.

"Willow," he groaned. "We should return to the ship."

"Later. I think we should celebrate our new home first."

His body immediately responded to the promise in her words. He pulled her close, breathing in her scent, marveling at how quickly she had become essential to his existence.

"There isn't any furniture," he warned her.

"I'm sure you'll think of something."

He laughed and lifted her into his arms, carrying her back into the house, determined to justify her confidence in him.

He did.

A long time later he held her close as they curled together on the built-in window seat that had turned out to be the perfect height, filled with a sense of peace and belonging he'd never known before. He was home at last.