She is silent a moment, allowing the magnitude of her words to hang in the space between us before she continues. "That is the reason for the mating battle. To ensure that the mate we choose is at least our equal or our better. They must be strong, because if they are not and they are killed, the other usually follows shortly after."
"You survived the death of your mate," I counter.
She levels a dark gaze at me. "But at great cost. I do not want that for my son." With a slight clench of her jaw, her eyes travel up and down my form. "You are a weakness now in the Imperial line. Not only because of your size but also because of what you represent."
Angered by her words, it takes everything I have to keep my voice even when I ask, "And what exactly do I represent?"
Her nostrils flare. "In his bonding with you, I can easily imagine the death of my son—his soul tethered to a species weaker than our own." She leans forward. "You are also an affront to the traditions of our people—a straying from the old ways. If I ignore the laws, I set a precedent for my reign—discarding the rules that have served our people for thousands of cycles. We have only just recovered from the last Civil War, and this could lead us into another."
I tilt my chin to meet her gaze defiantly. "I was taken from my people and forced into slavery. I've experienced things that you could scarcely imagine even in your darkest nightmares. There were times it would have been so much easier to die than to fight for life."
I continue. "When I chose your son, I gave him the warrior's vow. I will carry him. To victory or to death, but I will never leave him behind. I survived because my will is stronger than the ones who tried to break me." I meet her eyes evenly. "And I vow that I will fight fiercely at his side against any enemies that would see him fall, because I protect and defend what is mine."
With Soran's hand in my own, I wait for her to speak, but she says nothing. Her mouth drifts open, but she quickly snaps it shut.
Breaking the silence, I step forward. "Since when does a Mosauran back down from a challenge? You are an Empress—the leader of your people. On Terra, we've had two kinds of leaders throughout our history: the ones who cling to the old ways, afraid to embrace change because it could threaten their rule. Or those that are visionaries who usher in progress, adapting to create a better future for their subjects." I keep my gaze locked on hers as I stand tall. "Which one are you?"
Anger is no longer visible on her face. She stares at me with an expression that borders on disbelief, probably stunned that someone would dare speak to her this way.
I don't wait for her to answer, nor do I expect her to. Instead, I squeeze Soran's hand before I address her again. "My only desire in coming here was for my mate to spend time with his family before he's Outcast. Having been taken against my will from my home world and my family, I know the pain of being parted from those you love. It is not something I would wish even on my worst enemy. Whatever offenses you have laid against me, I do not hold you responsible. Your ignorance is to blame, and I will not waste any more time holding you accountable for it. I will leave you to spend time with your son."
Ignoring the shocked stares of the Empress, Caryn, and Rowan, I turn to Soran and stretch up on my toes to press a gentle kiss to his lips.
His eyes flash with love and admiration as a smile tugs at his mouth.
Releasing his hand, I look back at his mother. "I assume you wish us to spend the night here in the palace since you invited Tr'lani and Al'aneo to stay?"
She blinks several times before she answers. “Yes.”
I give her a curt nod and then turn to one of the guards. "If you would be so kind as to show me to the Archives."
The guard's cheeks flush dark purple, nearly blending in with the charcoal scales that cover the rest of his body as his eyes dart to the Empress.
She gives me a questioning look.
Soran steps forward. "My mate was captured by the Zovians while aboard her ship in suspended sleep. She is searching for her home world. Perhaps the ancient star charts may provide some answers." He turns his gaze to me. "I will help you."
I place a hand on his chest to stop him, softly shaking my head. "No, my love. I want you to spend whatever time you can with your family before we leave. I will be fine on my own."
His silver eyes search mine a moment before he finally nods.
I flash him a warm smile before turning to leave with the guard. When we reach the first energy field, the guard stops and nervously looks back at me. He clears his throat, and his cheeks flush dark purple again as he offers his arm. “My name is Tharin. You must hold onto me, Princess, to help you pass through the barrier. It has not been coded to recognize you yet."
"Oh." I rest my hand over his offered forearm and have to suppress a laugh at how nervous he appears. He's sweet the way he said "to recognize me yet." As if it will ever be coded to recognize me. Soran and I will never be able to come here again. He's Outcast. Because of me. Pushing down the lump forming in my throat, I address the guard. "You may call me Liana."
His jaw drops. "That—that would not be proper. You are a princess."
"Not according to your people,” I counter. “My mate and I are Outcast because I am not Mosauran."
Regaining his composure, he softly shakes his head. "It is an outdated law."
His answer surprises me. "You don't agree with it?"
"No," he states firmly. "But, unfortunately, there are many that still do."
It's comforting to know that not all Mosaurans feel the way Soran's mother does.
Turning down another long hallway, we soon reach the archives.
This place is incredible. Long columns of books and scrolls line the walls from floor to ceiling, extending in every direction across the cavernous space, at least six stories high.
A Mosauran dressed in long silver robes greets me at the entrance. His dark hair is peppered gray near his temples, suggesting he may be older than he otherwise appears. “You must be Liana Garza, the mate of Prince Soran. I am Rolan, Keeper of the Archives."
"You know who I am?" I ask, shocked that word has already spread this quickly. We arrived less than an hour ago.
He dips his chin in a subtle nod. "Soran is well-liked among our people. It is...distressing that he will now be Outcast."
I don't know which way Rolan falls on the issue of interspecies bonding, but I don't have time to argue if it's on the opposite side of my own opinion. It's already midday, and I have a lot of information to comb through. "I'd like to study your ancient star charts."
He bows slightly. "Would you like to view them in the Immerser?"
"That's possible?"
"Of course."
Tapping the clear crystal globe on the stand beside us, he then types something into the control panel beneath it. The entire space darkens, and we're suddenly surrounded by a galaxy of stars and planets. It's so beautiful it takes my breath away.
"If you raise your arms," he instructs, "you may manipulate the charts as you see fit."
He demonstrates by waving his hands and scrolling through the chart so that the star system just barely visible on the outer edge of the display shifts closer to view, dragging along other stars and planets in range with it.
"This is amazing," I whisper more to myself than to Rolan.
He frowns. "Your species does not have this technology?"
I purse my lips. "No. But we have other technologies," I add for good measure, so he doesn't suspect we're as primitive as Soran and Rowan seem to believe. “I think I can handle this.”
He steps to the side and bows again. "I will leave you then, but I will be nearby if you have questions."
The amazing thing about these charts is that each star system and planet are labeled. I recognize enough of their alphabet to know where Vylax Station is. It’s the starting point of my search because that’s where Soran found me.
My first master took me to several seedy stations, trying to find a buyer for his slaves. From what limited views I
had while collared or caged, I've been unable to figure out the names or locations of those places to help in my search.
As I scroll through the charts, I recognize the ice planet we crashed on. Its name is Talv—the Mosauran word for winter. A small hieroglyph beside it designates it as habitable, but I think whoever labeled it as that, has probably never been there.
After a few hours, I struggle to keep my eyes open. Working on the idea that V'loryns must look similar to my people for a reason, I've been checking every system in their known Empire from a thousand cycles ago. It's exhausting, but I can't give up. I won't have access to these charts once we leave. According to Rolan, the files are too large to be loaded into a ship's immerser, so any hope I had that we could take this information with us is gone.
Chapter 39
Soran
My gaze tracks Liana as she leaves the room. When I turn back to my mother, I notice a look of deep contemplation on her face as she stares at the mural of the fallen draken warrior. "Losing your father and then believing you were dead as well...it nearly killed me." Her voice is thick with emotion. "When you returned, I swore I would do everything in my power to keep my family together...to keep you all safe."
She turns to face me with a thunderous look. "And now you have jeopardized everything. You took a mate outside of our race. A weak one that looks almost exactly like a V'loryn. You should be Outcast according to our laws. Our people will believe I am granting you leniency because you are my son. And they would be right."
My nostrils flare. "Liana may be similar in appearance to a V'loryn, but I can assure you, she is anything but weak. When our pod crashed on that frozen rock of a planet, she dragged my unconscious body several clicks across ice and snow, defending me from dangerous predators and keeping me safe when it would have been easier for her to leave me behind. You have no idea how strong she is, and you insult her each time you suggest otherwise."
Rowan steps forward. "He speaks truth. We would be dead right now if not for her bravery. Even after the A'kai violated her mind, she still risked her life to save us, knowing that she would face his wrath and her own death if she failed."
Mother’s expression changes; sadness reflects in her eyes. "My sister was the strongest female I have ever known. During a border skirmish, the A'kai captured her transport. They violated her mind."
Caryn’s eyes widen in shock. Mother never talks of the sister she lost when they were young.
Tears brighten her eyes as she stares at the opposite wall, a far-away look on her face as if reliving the terrible memory. "And my sister—the strongest female I ever knew...it broke her. She went mad and took her own life." Her gaze drifts to mine. "That your Ashaya survived it, tells me that she is undoubtedly strong. But it does not change what she is; what she represents."
Caryn steps forward. "Only a strong female would stand before the Empress of the Mosauran Empire and speak her mind where others would have cowered in fear. You, Mother, were the one who taught me that in the days of the Old Empire, women were considered unfit to rule until the law was changed." She darts a quick glance at me. "Perhaps it is time for the laws to change again."
Mother gives her a stern look. "There is already threat of another Civil War between the Great Houses. This could be the catalyst that stokes new flames of discord among our people. There will be many who will not wish to accept an Outsider among our people, especially in the Royal family."
She turns, pacing along the edge of the reflective pool in the way she always does when she's worried; mulling over a decision. "We could lose much of our support on the Council. That would leave us vulnerable to attack from another Great House like before, when your father was killed, and I thought I had lost you too.” She stops speaking, clenching her jaw as if the words are too painful to even speak. "I'll admit, you have chosen a worthy mate. If she were Mosauran, I would have no objections to your bonding. No one would. But do you not see how this could place us in danger? Compromise my rule? And your sister's reign after mine?"
Caryn's eyes flash with anger. "We did nothing to provoke the attack that led to Father's death and the Civil War. And yet, it still happened.” She holds mother’s gaze evenly, allowing the heavy weight of her words to settle in the space between them before she continues. “Sending your son and his mate into exile would only weaken our family, lessen the circle of people we can truly trust. We will always have to be vigilant against those who would seek to take the throne for themselves. Don’t you understand? We are much stronger if our family is united."
"Besides." Rowan speaks. "The laws will have to change eventually. After the last plague that swept through the Empire, we lost so many females we are almost in as dire straits as the V'loryns. Interspecies bonding is the answer to replenish our numbers." He gives her a pointed look. "And with it could come new allies for the Empire. Allies that are loyal to our House."
"He's right," Caryn adds. "Clan Al'ani accepted Liana into their family. They are one of the seven ruling clans of Aerilon, and they have pledged their friendship to our House because of Soran's bond to her."
Mother moves toward me, placing her hands on my shoulders. Her eyes are bright with tears as they meet mine. "I cannot lose you again. It would break me. I will inform the Council of my decision and deal with the fallout as it comes. Please bring your Ashaya before me. I must formally welcome her into our family as I should have done when she first arrived."
Chapter 40
Liana
Warm hands come to rest on my shoulders, and I immediately recognize Soran's touch. Leaning back against his broad, muscular chest, I let out a breath of exhaustion as he nuzzles my hair before placing a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "You are tired," he whispers in my ear. "Come to bed, my love."
Sleepily, I barely manage to nod.
Without warning, he scoops me up into his strong arms. A surprised gasp escapes my lips before I laugh. "What are you doing? Put me down," I half-heartedly protest, pushing against his chest. "I can walk."
He grins and tightens his grip. "My Ashaya is tired, and I wish to carry her."
Melting against him, I arch a brow. "Well, in that case, your Ashaya is starving too. Is there anything to eat?"
"I have already asked for food to be sent to our rooms." His expression turns serious. "Though, you may not like sharing a bed with me tonight."
"Why?
He gives me a teasing grin as he presses a quick kiss to my nose. "Because I doubt I will be able to keep my hands off you long enough to allow you to sleep."
His silver eyes stare into mine with a smoldering gaze, and as his arms tighten around my form, heat pools deep in my core, and all traces and thoughts of fatigue have fled my system.
Running my fingers through the hairs at the nape of his neck, I kiss his soft, perfect lips. When he pulls back, his nostrils flare slightly before a slow and devastating smile curves his mouth as he picks up his pace.
As soon as the door shuts to our room, I blink several times when I realize the sheer size of our accommodations.
A large, four poster bed floats in the center, surrounded on all sides by beautiful green sheer fabric panels. A deep green comforter on top of the bed appears so plush and inviting. Massive by any standards, I imagine a Mosauran in draken form could probably use this space just as easily as they can in humanoid form. Something, a low rumbling sound in the background echoes throughout the room. I motion for Soran to put me down.
Gently, he sets me on my feet, and I take his hand as I move toward the strange noise. I gasp in surprise when I step through an invisible barrier and suddenly find myself standing on a balcony outside.
It’s a large terrace that overlooks the gardens and the city. Water cascades from the level above, collecting in a small pool near the edge before it flows over the side and down to the next level. This is beautiful. As I turn back, I notice that I cannot see the entrance to the room. It appears as though a solid part of the structure.
I gestu
re back in the direction we came. “Where did—”
Soran explains. “After the attack on our family, Mother added extra security to the palace, including cloaking and concealment of the family rooms.”
My mouth drifts open slightly. He and Rowan are right. My people are primitive compared to theirs, but I’m certainly not going to admit it to them.
Soran continues. "These were my rooms, but now they are ours."
I stare up at him in confusion. "Ours?"
He nods, a dazzling smile lighting his face. "I've spoken to my mother. We will not be Outcast."
Shocked by his statement, it takes me a moment to gather my thoughts. After our conversation, I believed she hated me. "What made her change her mind?”
Instead of answering my question, he crushes his lips to mine as he rushes us back into the room and the large floating bed.
Gently, he lowers me onto the soft, green comforter. As he lays down beside me, the shimmering bolts of light-green sheer fabric lowers into a canopy encircling the bed.
Soran's warm hand moves up my thigh, beneath my robe, and I gasp as he dips his fingers into my already slick folds.
"My beautiful Ashaya.” He softly skims the tip of his nose from my jaw down to the curve of my neck and shoulder. Extending his claws, he carefully slices a line down my robe. That fabric falls away, leaving me bare beneath him. He stares down at me with a heated look. “Your scent calls to me, and I can feel the effects of my mating heat. I will try my best to not keep you awake all night. I don't want you to be tired for your welcoming ceremony tomorrow, but I cannot promise anything."
I start to ask what a welcoming ceremony is, but he captures my mouth in a kiss, swallowing my gasp as he pushes a finger just inside my core as his thumb makes slow circles around the small bundle of nerves at the top of my folds.
"You are perfect," his breath whispers across my skin as he trails kisses along my neck and down the valley of my breasts. He closes his mouth over one soft globe, and I moan as his tongue moves across the already sensitive peak.
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