He’d amended his recommendation regarding Earth, advising the Elders that cohabitation was not only possible, but also desirable. The Council had held their meeting a Krina month ago. Their decision had been made. The invasion would continue with a slow rollout phase of secluded Krinar settlements. Krinar and humans would live side by side. In time, he was certain humans would benefit from Krinar technology. From what he’d seen since he’d been living on Earth with Ilse, he had new faith in them. As for his history on Earth, the Elders had decided to keep it quiet for the sake of universal peace. As far as history went, his was the untold story.
Pete and Frik had been detained, their memories wiped. They now worked as caretakers in a Hospice facility for HIV patients. The medicine black market had been brought down and corruption in the hospitals uprooted. The footage of his rescue of Ilse had been destroyed, leaving Carte Blanche only with enough evidence to clamp down on the black market dealer and his associates. Corruption in government still existed, but like his little human had taught him, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
These days, they lived in a dwelling in Costa Rica with a few other Krinar and charls, but they visited Johannesburg on a weekly basis for Ilse to continue with her charity work. His chest swelled with pride whenever he introduced her as his charl. His human mate. For life. When he’d first taken her, he hadn’t given her a choice. Not really. These days, in the privacy of their home, she came to him naked, no negotiation required.
Mosa exited the clinic. She wore a white uniform like the other volunteers. “At last.” She propped her hands on her hips and smiled. “I thought your honeymoon was delaying you indefinitely. How was Costa Rica?”
“Wonderful.” Ilse beamed. “You should come.”
“With all this work?” She wiped a hand over her brow. “I won’t fit in a visit before Christmas.”
For all she scoffed and complained, Drako could see how fulfilling the work was for her. There was a new purpose in her step and a shine in her eyes. He studied her closer. Her coloration looked healthier, too. The Krinar medicine he’d provided had cured Mosa’s tuberculosis. It was a special exception granted by the Elders, knowing how much she meant to Ilse.
“Actually,” Ilse said, glancing at him, “we were more thinking along definite terms.”
“You mean move in with you?” Mosa squinted at them.
“Wouldn’t you like that?” Ilse asked, her voice uncertain.
“The two of you aren’t too bad,” Mosa waved between them, “but I’ve got my work cut out for me, here. Besides, I haven’t had time to enjoy my new house, yet.”
Ilse had signed over the deed of her house to Mosa now that she lived in his dwelling.
“Don’t fret,” Mosa said. “Caitlin told me she was planning a holiday in Costa Rica in December. Maybe we could all meet up for Christmas and spend the month together.”
Ilse squealed. “That will be wonderful.” She looked at him quickly. “Wouldn’t it?”
“Of course.” There was nothing he’d deny her. He thanked the stars every day that his mission had sent him to Earth.
“Come,” Ilse said, tugging on his hand, “let me give you the tour. We made new improvements to the rehabilitation center.”
As Mosa walked ahead of them, he held Ilse back. She paused to look at him with those mesmerizing eyes. Her smell wrapped around him like a caress, instantly waking his appetite. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her close for a quick kiss, until her smell changed from appetizing to downright edible as her arousal spiked. The kiss lasted much longer than he’d intended, so much so that they were both breathless when he finally let her go.
She gave him a shy smile. “We better go. Mosa’s waiting for us.”
“Fine, but only if we leave straight after.” He tested the next words on his tongue, still feeling the novelty of them as he said, “I want to make love to you.”
Her face lit up like a thousand stars. “All you have to do is ask.”
Aye. He’d be asking. For the rest of forever.
Afterword
Dear Reader,
Thank you very much for joining me on this Krinar adventure. If you enjoyed the story, please consider leaving a short review on your favorite review or vendor site to help other readers discover the book. Every review makes a huge difference!
Want to embark on other Krinar adventures? Click here for more amazing stories set in Anna Zaires’ fabulous Krinar universe.
For updates on my future books, special deals, and exclusive offers, please join my newsletter.
I look forward to staying in touch.
Warmest regards,
Charmaine
Acknowledgments
A big, heart-felt thank you to Anna Zaires for opening her Krinar World to fans like me, and for allowing new characters on her Krinar stage. All credit for the technology and physical attributes of the Krinar race used in this story goes to Anna Zaires and Dima Zales, with special reference to advanced nanotechnology for healing, transport via pods, Krinar dwellings and their unique characteristics, as well as mention of the coming Krinar Earth Invasion. The Krinar books remain at the top of my favorite futuristic romances, and it was an honor and pleasure to play in this world.
Thank you, Anna!
About the Author
Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchefstroom and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions.
After relocating to Chile with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published seventeen novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles. Two of her short stories were selected for publication in an African anthology from across the continent by the International Society of Literary Fellows in conjunction with the International Research Council on African Literature and Culture.
When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in Montpellier with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French, and Spanish.
Join Charmaine’s mailing list
http://charmainepauls.com/subscribe/
Read more about Charmaine’s novels and short stories on
http://charmainepauls.com
Connect with Charmaine
Facebook
http://bit.ly/Charmaine-Pauls-Facebook
Amazon
http://bit.ly/Charmaine-Pauls-Amazon
Goodreads
http://bit.ly/Charmaine-Pauls-Goodreads
Twitter
https://twitter.com/CharmainePauls
Instagram
https://instagram.com/charmainepaulsbooks
BookBub
http://bit.ly/CPaulsBB
Also by Charmaine Pauls
For more books by Charmaine Pauls, please visit her Amazon author page:
http://bit.ly/Charmaine-Pauls-Amazon
The Krinar Experiment Page 17
