by Susan Hayes
“And me? I’m mated. Do you think I can?”
He was quiet for a long moment. “I don’t know. The only one who has manifested that ability so far is Gwen.”
“And she’s the only one of the three I met who has gold eyes.” She felt an odd pang of disappointment. “I guess you’ll be in charge of lighting candles and the barbeque, then.”
“You wish me to light the candles? They have a very pleasing scent.”
“Not yet.” She lifted her head to look at the myriad of gifts laid out for her. “Where did you find it all? It all looks like it’s from my planet, not yours.”
Her big, buff, alien bedmate blushed. “I asked Maggie to help me pick the right courtship gifts. She introduced me to online shopping. I read your file and tried to find things that would make you happy.”
It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. He’d done all this, and she had barely even read his profile. She had been so convinced he’d never want her or Melody she hadn’t wanted to know anything about him. She still didn’t know how this was going to work, but she was starting to realize that she would never forgive herself if she didn’t give Tarjen a chance. He was everything she wanted, both for herself and her daughter.
She turned back, smiling, and found him staring at her with an expression that made her throat tighten and her heart race. It was desire, mixed with devotion and tenderness. “It’s perfect, thank you.”
For the first time since they’d met, Aria looked truly happy. Despite everything that had happened to them, they were here, together, and mated. It wasn’t exactly how he’d planned things, but they had gotten there in the end.
He held her in his arms, learning the curves of her body as he explained to her some of the things there had been no time for, before. “You’re telling me that the first time your race came here, the women had no idea you were aliens? Maggie, Lisa? None of them knew? You just came along and took them?”
“You have to understand, we were desperate. According to the laws of the Inter-Planetary Council, we weren’t even supposed to be in this part of the galaxy, and first contact is only supposed to be made with species that have reached certain milestones. Milestones that your species are still generations away from achieving. Even then, we never intended to abduct the females outright.”
“Then why did Lisa say she was kidnapped?”
He opted for the more diplomatic reply. “Because in some cases, things did not proceed as planned.”
“Apparently.” She said, her tone as dry as dust. “So, there were unplanned abductions?”
He chuckled at her question. “There were. Joran slipped away from his escort and went to meet Maggie ahead of schedule. Until they met, we had no idea if the Spark would manifest between our races. When it did, he had to adapt, quickly. Vadir had much the same issue. They both chose to teleport their mates away without permission, but in the end, their mates forgave them.”
“I bet that didn’t happen right away.”
He recalled the first time he met Maggie and chuckled again. “It did not. I was one of the guardsmen Joran ditched to meet Maggie, and I was there as the two of them worked things out. I’m glad they did. She has made Joran a very happy male and ensured that one day, he will take the throne.”
“They made the decision to stay after the Scorching had stopped messing with their minds, right?”
He bristled. “Of course we waited until their minds were clear. We are an honourable race. Far more advanced and civilized than humans. When you come with me to Pyros, you will see for yourself.”
“Did you just call my entire species uncivilized? We’re far from perfect, but from what you just told me, you Pyrosians aren’t, either.”
“No, we aren’t. But we are advanced enough not to go around blowing up innocent people and attacking allies,” he pointed out. “Your sister and friend are missing because of humans, not Pyrosians.”
Regret hit milliseconds after he spoke, but by then it was too late. Aria sat up, her arms folding over her chest, her body stiff. “You’re right. Humans tend to fear what we don’t understand. However, it’s become apparent that the Pyrosians haven’t exactly been upfront about things, so maybe we’re right to be fearful of you.” She thumped her chest. “I should be back on Earth, looking for the people I care about, but because of this stupid Scorching thing, I’ve barely thought about Piper. You should have told us! The governments would never have agreed to this if they’d known what this whole Star-Crossed Dating idea actually entailed!”
“They knew, seska. They knew, and they all agreed it would be best if certain facts weren’t made known to the general public right away.”
She narrowed her eyes and fixed him with a stare that made him feel like a youngling again. “And how’s that plan working out for you so far? Your prince nearly got blown up today. Do you think that’s a coincidence?”
Her words reminded him of his failures. She wasn’t the only one whose mind had been addled by the mating fever. It was his sworn duty to protect the prince and princess, and he had allowed himself to be distracted by the prospect of meeting his mate. His distraction had put everyone he was supposed to protect at risk.
“Tarjen?” Her soft voice spoke his name, but it was her touch that drew him out of his dark thoughts. “What’s wrong? One minute we were arguing and then you went totally silent. Like you weren’t even in the room.”
“You aren’t the only one whose mind has been affected by the Scorching,” he said, evading her question. He didn’t want to remind her of his failings. Not now, when his plans were finally coming together. From now on, things would proceed as he had intended.
She made a non-committal noise in the back of her throat, but her hand glided down his forearm to cover his hand. “I think maybe we should try that chocolate now.”
“And light the candles?” he asked, rising from the bed.
“Yes, please. Then could you turn down the lights? I’m not used to lounging around naked without the lights being dimmed, or off.”
“Off? If the lights were out, how would I see you?”
She blushed and drew part of the bed covers across her lower body. “You wouldn’t.”
“Then the lights stay on.”
“You want to see me?”
Anger boiled inside him. Someone had convinced his mate she wasn’t beautiful. He hadn’t been there to protect her from those lies, but he would spend the rest of his life proving to her that it wasn’t true.
Still angry, he reached for the chocolates she had requested, then froze and stared at his hand. It was engulfed in flames. I summoned fire!
Grinning, he held up his hand and turned to show Aria. “My ability has manifested.”
Her eyes widened, and she watched in silence, transfixed by the flames. “I guess lighting those candles won’t be a problem now, huh?”
He pointed his finger at the nearest candle, willing it to catch fire. For several long seconds, nothing happened, but then a portion of the flame arced from his hand to the candle wick, setting it ablaze. After that, it was a matter of moments to light the other candles and then banish the flames that still burned around his hand. Elated and proud, he selected one of the larger boxes of candy he’d procured for Aria and returned to their bed.
He handed her the box, stacked the pillows against the headboard, then coaxed her to join him, arms outstretched in invitation. “Come, seska. We won’t have long until the mating fever returns, and I know you have more questions. Plus, I would like to try these chocolates you enjoy.”
She moved up beside him, and he was pleased to note she allowed the sheets to fall away, baring her lower body again. “You’ve never had chocolate?”
“I do not believe so. Vadir has imported small amounts of human food, but most of it went to the human females already on Pyros, and the rest was served to the royal family and their court as a curiosity. I do like waffles, though. And coffee. Before we leave, I hope to be able to sample bo
th again.”
“I think I can arrange that. My sister makes the best waffles I’ve ever tasted.” She went quiet. “I hope she’s okay.”
“I’m certain she is.”
“Then why haven’t they found her, or Haley? What if she’s been trying to contact me on my phone? Oh god, I never thought about that! You took the battery to boost the signal for your communicator, but you never put it back.”
“The alterations I made to your phone made it inoperable. I’m sorry. But when they are found, or reach out to the Pyrosian office on Earth, we’ll be told. You are listed as being on board the Firebrand, alive and well, and so is Melody.”
“Which means they haven’t been found yet, nor have they tried to find me.” She popped an entire candy into her mouth, making her next words come out muffled. “I hate this. I feel completely helpless. Worse, I feel guilty because I keep forgetting about everything and everyone but you. This Scorching thing is making me crazy.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her in against his chest. “I know, but there is nothing either of us can do. The mating fever always makes it difficult to think, and we resisted it too long. That always makes the first cycle more intense. For now, we will have to pray to the Gods to watch over them.”
“Do your gods ever answer prayers?”
He smiled down at her. “Of course. How else do you think I found you?”
“Your king sent his son here to steal a queen and you went along for the ride.”
“But that’s not the whole story. He sent scouts out into deep space, and one of them discovered a species who already carried our races’ DNA. I don’t believe that happened by accident. Humans have reached a dangerous point in their evolution. One that not all species survive. With our guidance, your race will continue to evolve and prosper.”
“And in return, you’ll have access to the women you need to avoid extinction.”
He nodded. “Is that such a bad thing?”
Aria cocked her head to one side, the motion allowing some of her hair to spill across his chest. “I suppose not. Though I still think you need to be more open about everything.”
“You can take that up with the princess. Remember, I do not make the laws. I simply protect the son of the man who does.”
“Which means he trusts you. I think you might have more influence than you realize, you’re just too honourable to think of using that to your advantage.” She offered him one of the chocolates. “This one has caramel and sea salt. I think you’ll like it.”
He bowed his head, taking the candy from her hand with a slow swipe of his tongue. “Delicious.”
“You haven’t even bitten into it yet.”
“I know,” he said, trying to enunciate with his teeth stuck into the square. “I wasn’t talking about the chocolate.” The taste of his mate blended with the confection that was slowly melting on his tongue, creating a flavour that would forever remind him of this moment. He took a handful of the chocolates and gleefully rubbed them over her breasts, watching with pleasure as they melted on her skin.
“What are you doing, besides making a mess?” she asked, swatting playfully at his hands.
“Making dessert.” He stroked a sticky finger over her lips, leaving a smear of chocolate behind. “I’m going to start right here, then work my way down until you are clean again.”
Desire burned in her dazzling eyes as she reached for another chocolate, biting off one corner to expose a creamy pink substance inside. “In that case, I think you’d taste very nice mixed with cherry truffle.” She marked his chest with the candy, and within seconds they were tangled together and laughing, both of them covered in chocolate as they rapidly emptied the box. It was the messiest, most glorious moment of his life.
Chapter Seven
Aria was lounging in the luxuriously big tub she’d discovered in the bathroom of their quarters. She and Tarjen had made use of it several times in the last few days, but this time she bathed alone. After almost two days of togetherness, she was enjoying a few moments to herself. The Scorching had faded enough she could think clearly again, so she was contemplating her future and praying for news about Piper. The entire arena had been thoroughly searched, and there was no sign of her anywhere. At least Haley was safe. She’d gotten word yesterday that her friend had been brought on board one of the ships for medical treatment and was doing fine. She’d asked Tarjen to relay messages to her, but so far there had been no reply.
Tarjen believed her sister was also among the wounded being cared for on the other Pyrosian ships, but as time passed, Aria’s doubts grew. She didn’t share Tarjen’s faith that his Gods would make things right. The only good news she’d had the last while was about Eva, the sweet woman that Keth had found injured and trapped in the rubble. She was going to be okay. Tarjen had said that was the will of the Gods, too.
His steadfast beliefs were one of the things she liked about him, along with his kindness and devotion. And she did like him, a lot. He was everything she’d hoped to find, and it scared the hell out of her. Was he really all he seemed to be, or would he change once she and Melody were on Pyros? God, was she really thinking about moving to another planet to be with someone she barely knew? Dating on Earth was hard, but surely there was a nice, human guy out there for her somewhere.
She slumped against the back wall of the tub and looked around her. Everything was familiar but different. The towels were made of a fabric she didn’t recognize. The faucets and plumbing were shaped differently, and it had taken her a moment to figure out how things worked. Everything around her acted as a reminder that this was not her world, even though the man who claimed to be her life mate believed it would be. Was love a strong enough reason to leave everything--her friends, her practice--and follow Tarjen across the galaxy? Did Pyrosians even believe in love? Now that the mating madness was fading, would they be bound together forever with nothing in common but the memory of a few amazing days of sex? “I’m not leaving without Piper,” she said quietly, making it a statement in a sea of questions.
Feeling more confused and conflicted than ever, she rose from the water and stepped out of the tub. Once the ship sensed her departure, it drained the water and dispatched several cleaning droids to clean the tub. “Now, that part of living on another planet would certainly be tempting. I’d never have to scrub another toilet.”
She was still towelling off when she heard a familiar giggle coming from the main room. She moved closer to the door, listening to her daughter coo and babble at the man who wanted to be her father. The fact he’d gone to the nursery on his own and brought Melody back banished some of her doubts.
Alien or not, he was a good man.
“When your mother gets out of the bath, I think you’re going in next, little star. You are wearing more of your meal than you consumed,” Tarjen’s voice was rife with amusement.
She was about to open the door and announce she was already out of the bath when he started speaking again. “You will have to learn better table manners if you are to dine with the royal family in future. They have high expectations, you know. Maggie and Gwen have already suggested that you be tutored with their children, at the palace. That is a great honour. We will have to see to it you are registered as a citizen as soon as we arrive home. They’ll take a tiny bit of your blood, and one day, when you’re old enough, they will tell you who you are matched to, and then you will be happy and mated like your mother and me. We will raise you to be a female any male would be proud to have as a mate. You are going to have a good life. I will see to it.”
She flailed wildly at the door panel, trying to get it to open. When the door finally opened, she flew through it, wet, mostly naked, and angry. Tarjen was sitting on the bed, dressed in his uniform, with Melody lying beside him in a red and gold outfit that Aria had never seen before. “What do you mean, my daughter will be raised to be a female a man would be proud to mate with? She’s not a broodmare, she’s a human being! And what�
�s this about her being registered? I never agreed to that. When she’s old enough, she can decide for herself who she’s going to love, and what her life will be like. We both have free will, Tarjen. Just because you and your Gods think I’m supposed to be with you, doesn’t mean it’s going to happen just like that!” she snapped her fingers for emphasis.
He gaped at her in confusion. “All Pyrosians are registered citizens. It is the law.”
“I am not Pyrosian, and neither is Melody.” She grabbed for clothes as she talked, pulling on a pair of loose fitting pants and a flowing red top from the assortment Tarjen had provided her.
“But you will be. We are mated, after all. This is all part of my plan.”
“A blue spark and great sex aren’t the same as agreeing to abandon my life here and follow you across the galaxy. I still get a choice, and I will fight to my last breath to make sure my daughter does, too.” She felt a strange surge of emotions that ran counter to what she was feeling. Confusion. Hurt. Dismay. It didn’t make sense, because all she was sure she was feeling right now was anger.
“The Gods choose our mates, not us.”
“No!” She gathered Melody into her arms, cradling her close. “Your gods may choose for you, but I need a little more to go on than that. If I came with you, where would we live? Could I ever come back to Earth? Would Melody be allowed to leave Pyros? I have so many questions.”
“Then ask them, and I will do my best to answer. You must understand, though, that we are bound together forever. There is no going back from this.” He reached for her, but she pulled back, out of his reach.
“But I didn’t get a choice! I didn’t even want to meet you, remember? It was an accident. How can one mistake lead to this? And don’t you dare say that it’s the will of the gods.”
He scowled his expression so easily read she could actually feel his frustration. “But it is!”
