by Sadie Carter
Was he actually blushing? Surely not.
“Thor got hold of some Earther novels. They have many commonalities. All female Earthers need to talk through their feelings. They also appreciate romantic dinners, flowers, and chocolate.”
Ahh, that explained it. She would have to ask Thor for a copy of these stories so she could read them.
She couldn’t believe she actually had to say this. “Dex, you can’t believe everything you read. Not all women want those things.”
He scowled at their dinner. “So you’re not enjoying this?”
“I am. A lot,” she said hastily. “But I don’t need flowers or even chocolates—although I definitely wouldn’t turn them down. And I don’t need to talk.”
Liar. Liar.
“Are you being truthful with me, Zoey? Because even though you pretend nothing has occurred, you are losing weight and becoming increasingly distant.”
“I’m not distant. If anyone is distant, it’s you.”
“Me?” He appeared shocked.
“Do I repulse you now, Dex? Do you think less of me because he touched me?”
“What?” His eyes widened as he gaped at her.
“Do you wish you had never mated me? Do you want to break things off?”
“Break things off?” He frowned with confusion.
“Yes, unmate me.”
He stood, glaring down at her. “Unmate?” he roared. “Unmate?”
Reaching down, he clasped her around the waist and pulled her up into the air, so they were face-to-face. “Unmate?” he whispered.
“Ahh, yes,” she whispered.
He pulled her in and kissed her. It was hot. It scorched her nerves and sent shivers through her body. Her nipples hardened.
Dex pulled away. “I apologize.” He set her on her feet. “I shouldn’t have done that. Did I frighten you?”
“Do it again.” She stepped closer to him.
“What?”
Reaching up, she clasped hold of his shoulders and tugged. “Kiss me again.”
This time, his kiss was gentler. Sweeter. But no less hot.
“I love you, Dex.”
“I love you too, my own.”
“You’re sure? You don’t regret being with me? Our bond is weak and I know you have doubts. Just please, don’t give up on me.”
“Give up on you? Where would you get such an idea? Zoey, listen to me. I am your mate. There is no one else. I have explained before that our bond cannot be broken.”
“Yes, but just because it can’t be broken, doesn’t mean you don’t wish it could be. I’ve been worried that without the bond you wouldn’t want me.”
“What?”
“I’m not a very good Zerconian mate. I can’t remember all the names of all the royals since time began. I can’t be obedient and submissive all the time. I show too much emotion, I’m too excitable, and I make rash decisions that nearly get me raped and murdered.”
Dex let out a loud sigh before sitting. Zoey did the same. How had he not known what she was thinking?
“Why would you think I have doubts? That I might give up on you?”
“I overheard you talking to Koran after we left Musin. You told him that you feared you were asking too much of me.”
He groaned. She had overheard that?
“Zoey, I was wrong.”
The look of shock on her face almost made him smile.
“It has come to my attention that it is your differences that I love. You care about those around you. You are fierce in your loyalty. Yes, I would appreciate that you be less rash and more caring of your personal safety, but I would not change you.
“I will always be protective and possessive. I will always expect you to follow orders that are given to keep you safe. There are still Zerconian customs and rules that we must follow. But I have no doubt that you can do whatever you desire to. Zoey, you come before everything and everyone else. I love you.”
Tears filled her eyes. “That was so sweet.”
He grimaced. “That is not a trait a warrior should have.”
“My lips are sealed.” She mimed locking her mouth and throwing away the key. He gave her a confused look. “It means I won’t tell anyone.”
He sighed in clear relief. “I would appreciate that. To command the respect of my people and warriors, I need to maintain a certain image. Sweet is not part of that image.”
“You got it.”
“I have missed your touch, my own.”
“Me too. I thought maybe I repulsed you now.”
“Never,” he told her fiercely, cupping her face between his hands. “Never say that, do you understand? Even had he raped you, I would never hold you responsible.”
“But I put myself in that position.”
“That does not make it your fault. What he did was reprehensible. You must believe that I could never blame you.”
“Then why haven’t you touched me?” she whispered.
Stars. Had he handled any of this in the right way?
“I was worried about making you fear me. I thought to let you come to me.”
She smiled, but there were tears in her eyes. He could not allow those tears to fall, because when Zoey cried, he fell apart inside.
He rubbed his thumbs beneath her beautiful eyes. “Zoey, you are all that I ever wanted, even if I did not realize it at the time. With deep sincerity, I apologize if you ever felt that I did not desire you or that I wished we were not mated. The bond will form. As the elder told us, it may just take more time. But even if it could be broken, I would never choose to do so. Because with you is where I should be.”
Tears dripped down her cheeks, and she sniffled. “I’ve felt so alone. So scared. I love you so much. I didn’t want to lose you.”
“You would never lose me. I regret that I did not realize how you felt. I stayed away because I was ashamed.”
“Ashamed? Why?”
“Because I failed you. I stood outside the palace, waiting while you were being attacked. I should have come to you.”
“That’s silly. I told you to wait outside. You couldn’t have known what was happening.”
“I should have been the one to rescue you. Not Boris.”
“You’re not jealous of him, are you?”
“I will admit to some feelings of jealousy. But once I learned of what happened, I understood. You trust him.”
“Yes. But I love you. Only you. We haven’t been doing a very good job of communicating, have we?”
“No. Discussing emotions and feelings is not something that comes naturally to a warrior, but I am determined to try.”
Zoey smiled at Dex.
“Eat, my own. You have lost too much weight, and I am worried about you.”
She bit her lip.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Well, I don’t really like any of this food. I find much of your food too spicy.”
He looked so remorseful that she wished she hadn’t said anything.
“I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No. You shouldn’t have had to say anything. I should have known what food you like and dislike. I have neglected you.”
“Dex, we’ve got to stop the blame game. We’ve both made mistakes. We just need to learn to talk to each other more.”
He scowled. “Koran informed me of what Madam Arana has been teaching you. She will no longer be your tutor. You will make an amazing Crown Princess and one day, an Empress.”
“It’s kind of scary.”
“I shall support you.”
Zoey moved around the table to slip into his lap. He gently cuddled her close. While things weren’t automatically fixed, the knot in her stomach had unraveled, making it easier for her to breath.
God, she still didn’t really know what she was doing, and the future was uncertain and a bit scary, but as long as she had Dex at her side everything would be all right. Tears dripped down her face
Dex drew back, staring down at he
r in alarm. “Please don’t cry.”
“These are happy tears.” She swiped at her cheeks.
“I have read about these. They are good.” A smug look crossed his face, and she laughed.
“I have got to read these romance novels.”
He frowned. “I’m not sure I like the idea of that. Some of them are rather explicit. About sex.
“Ooh, sounds like my kind of book.”
Leaning down he kissed her gently. As their lips touched something jolted through her, stealing her breath. Her heart beat so rapidly it felt as though it might burst from her chest. Her head spun, her vision growing dark.
Then air swooped back into her lungs and she gasped, her vision returning with a rush of color.
“Oh, God, what was that?” She gaped at Dex in shock.
Looking equally surprised, he gaped at her. Then a huge grin crossed his face.
“The bond. It’s fully formed.”
“What? No, I don’t feel anything.”
“Close your eyes.”
She closed them.
“Take a deep breath, let it out slowly. Now tell me how I feel.”
There he was. A part of her. But not intrusive like she’d imagined. His presence made her feel warm, safe.
“You’re happy. Really happy. Content.” And horny. Although she kept that part to herself. She didn’t feel quite ready for that. Not yet.
She opened her eyes. “It’s really there.”
He kissed her again. “Yes, it is. Everything will be well, Zoey.”
As long as she had Dex, yeah, it would be.
Alien Lover, Zerconian Warriors #3 is due out December 5th. This is the last part of Dex and Zoey’s story but certainly not the last we’ll hear from the Zerconian Warriors.
Sadie xox
Books by Sadie Carter
Alien Warrior
Zerconian Warriors Series, book 1
Out now!
Alien Lover
Zerconian Warrior Series, book 2
Out now!
Alien Mate
Zerconian Warriors Series, book 3
Out December, 2015
