by Celia Kyle
“What would you call it then? We had a to-do list and the top items involved cancelling the Celestial Mates contract and shipping me back to Earth.”
“I did not want you trapped in a situation with an undeserving male. The contract was not—is not—real. It cannot be since I did not add myself to the Celestial Mates database.”
She snorted and rolled her eyes. “You’re still saying it’s not real?” She waved her hand at the rumpled bedding. “Then what was that?”
He hissed and cursed beneath his breath, hating the wounded look in her eyes. He had hurt her. Again. Setting the tray aside, he drew her into his arms. She struggled against him, but he would not be denied at this moment. He could not allow her thoughts to remain unchecked. They could only result in his mate’s pain.
Erudan ran his hand down her hair, petting Rhea the way he had seen Jassa pet the vermin she had adopted as household companions. Rhea did not purr for him, but some of her stiffness softened. She turned and rested her cheek over his heart.
“I’m confused,” she whispered her confession again.
Erudan squeezed her in a gentle hug, enjoying her soft warmth more than he ever thought he could. “As am I, but only about the details of your travels to Vialea and our contract. I am not confused about the way you make me feel. However you came to be here, you are mine. I see that now. I have revised my to-do list.”
“Yeah?” She snuggled closer. “So, what comes next? My dad…”
Erudan’s jaw tensed and fury threatened to ruin the relaxation and joy he’d achieved. He shook his head slowly and placed one finger beneath her chin. He encouraged her to tip her head back until he caught her gaze with his own. “Your father has no claim on you. You are my mate.”
“But— “
He narrowed his eyes and she snapped her mouth closed. Unable to resist tasting her pout, he lowered his head and kissed those plump lips. He teased her lips apart so he could slip his tongue into her and explore her delicious flavors once again. Their tongues tangled and teased each other, mimicking the glorious thrust and retreat their bodies craved. By the time he lifted his head, she wore a dazed expression that made his chest swell with pride.
And his cock swell with lust.
“Do not worry about this. While you were sleeping, I made arrangements for transportation to my—our—hewo tree. No one shall get past the security measures in place.”
“I can’t help but worry. What happens after we go back to your place?”
“Ours,” Erudan corrected her. “We are mated.”
She continued to speak. “Your security will stop him from getting his hands on me, but he has a lot of political power on Earth and a lot of money.”
He stiffened. “Your father’s money may buy him favors in Ikkim, but those connections are low and insignificant.”
Yet his words weren’t enough to banish Rhea’s continued uneasiness. It remained heavy on her shoulders, a mix between skepticism and worry. He rubbed his hand down his face and stroked his jaw, trying to decide how much to reveal. To delay his need to explain, he lifted another bite of food to her lips. He presented a bite of bread, hoping the familiar comfort food would put her at ease.
Yet the tension remained.
Damn Vi.
Erudan decided to start at the beginning. “I did not want the Celestial Mates contract in part because it did not seem legitimate.”
“In part? That implies there are—were—other reasons.”
He nodded. “I told you I am dishonored. I do not deserve a mate.”
“I told you that your ‘dishonor’ is a joke. And if I didn’t tell you, I should have. How could you think of yourself as anything but a fine, upstanding male? Look at the way you helped me even when you thought this was all a mistake. And Zav. You spoil her children silly while arguing about her prices because you thought they were too low. And don’t think for a minute I didn’t see what was going on today with Ahlan.”
Erudan sighed. “I have not always been the male you see now.”
“Oh, yeah?” She poked his chest. “Who were you then?” Her eyes widened and her lips formed a small O. “Teon?”
He jolted at the sound of his title coming from her mouth.
Shame burned within him, but meeting Rhea’s stare, he knew it would only grow deeper if he did not share his past.
“Yes,” he admitted. “I was—am—Teon.”
“Explain,” Rhea whispered.
He would truly rather not, but he did not believe she would accept that response.
“It is a title I have not deserved for some time.” His lips twitched at the corners and he realized he had not ever deserved the title. “I left my family and position in disgrace. I vowed I would not return until…”
“Until?” she pressed.
Erudan gazed at her, wonder sinking into his bones. “Until Vi and Alea felt I deserved a mate and found her.”
Rhea smiled and brushed her fingers along his lower lip. “Well, you found me and I definitely think you deserve me. So, you should return, right?”
He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. How he wished to do as she desired. “I remain unconvinced that I am deserving.”
“Why don’t you tell me what you did that you think is so horrible, and I’ll give you my honest opinion?”
Erudan swallowed hard, bravery abandoning him. She deserved to know what he had done. He simply no longer wished to share the details.
But he would. She deserved that and more.
“I have a brother—a birth brother. I believe humans would call us twins. He obtained a mate from Celestial Mates from Earth, like you.” He took a deep breath and spit out the rest. “When Jassa arrived, my firez stirred.”
Rhea let out a small sound, one he couldn’t identify. He searched her gaze, wary of discovering censure and distaste in them. He admitted he was far too pleased when he identified jealousy instead.
“Firez is biological. The intensity is what changes when a mate is near. I believed my response to Jassa was specific to her, but it was not. It was a mere matter of timing.”
Rhea grunted and he fought his smile. “I made a significant error. Believing Jassa to be my mate and not my brother’s, I attempted to steal her. It is the highest act of dishonor. Not only to my brother and his mate, but to all the people of Vialea.” He shook his head, still hating himself. “More than dishonorable, it was wrong.”
He cupped her cheek, rubbing her cheekbone with his thumb. “My response to her is nothing like my soul’s need for you. You are my mate. You are my true one, the truest there will ever be. I did not know that then because I could not even begin to imagine the rightness I feel in my bond with you.”
“Oh…” Her sigh made his cock stir. She stretched and placed a soft kiss to his lips. “I didn’t know I could ever experience the rightness of this, either.”
He rested his forehead against hers, aching for nothing more than to shove the food off the bed and claim her again. Yet there was more to his admission. More that he had to reveal before they could enjoy pleasure again. He resisted his urges and straightened so he could meet her gaze once more.
“Teon is a title. Many use it as a name, forgetting I ever existed as Erudan.” He recalled his dam calling him Erudan even as his father fought to teach him his role as Teon. “It is a title that would affect you should we return to that life.”
Rhea’s brow furrowed. “How would it affect me?”
“My birth brother is Vroe, High Warlord of Vialea. Just as he became Vroe when he began his rule of Vialea, I assumed Teon—second in line to rule Vialea.”
Rhea’s eyes grew wider and wider as he spoke, just as her mouth dropped open more and more. “Uh… when you say High Warlord, you mean, like, a king? Your brother is the king of the world?”
He attempted to answer her, but it quickly became apparent that speaking was pointless.
His mate had fainted.
Twelve
Erudan snarled
Rhea emerged from the cleansing room, flushed pink and skin dewy from her warm shower. Her gaze danced over him and focused on the mess near the wall. The frown and worry on her beautiful, trusting face transformed his utter fury into unbreakable determination.
There was nothing he would not do to keep his mate safe.
“Come here.” The words came out a garbled mess of growling and snarling.
She turned her attention from the discarded digicomm to him and tightened the drying cloth wrapped around her body. She padded across the room and he tugged her close, his mate melting into his waiting arms.
She melted. For him. And without the slightest hint of hesitation, despite the anger flooding his body. He indulged himself for a moment, marveling at the power his mate had over him and sending a silent prayer of thanks to Vi and Alea both. That they had gifted him with Rhea… He did not have the words. That they would trust him with such a beautiful, luscious, delicious female who… Erudan reluctantly released her and stepped back. If his thoughts continued in that direction, they would return to the bed. Again.
“We can crawl back into bed and forget about everyone a little longer.” Rhea ran a finger across the top of her breasts, her touch lingering near the tucked corners of the drying cloth.
Both pride and desire filled him as well as awe. How quickly their bond had grown. To the point that she could pick up errant thoughts with such ease.
“You do not know how badly I wish to accept your invitation.” Droplets of water dripped from her hair and clung to her collarbone. He watched a single tear-shaped drop slide down her chest and disappear between the valley of her breasts.
“Why can’t you?” Her lower lip poked out in that pout he’d slowly begun to love. He wanted to nip and tease the small bit of flesh before he forced her to part her lips and…
Now was not the time.
“While I would very much enjoy going back to bed with you,” he cupped her cheek, meeting her stare while he tried to convey his emotions, “your health, well-being, and happiness are my responsibility. You need time to recover after yesterday’s events. Passion can wait. It is time to care for your body and heart.”
Her breath caught. She gave him a tender smile. “You are so special to me. Mind-reading can’t even tell you how much.”
“I believe I have a good idea.” Because she was already equally precious to him.
Exercising what little willpower she left him with, he turned away before she dropped her towel. He could not allow himself to be further distracted by her body and the pleasures to be found within her curves.
Plans. Erudan had plans to put into action. He retrieved the offending digicomm and moved to the central living area, already typing before he’d even left the sleeping chamber. His intent was for his plans to be in motion by the time Rhea joined him.
Erudan would be Teon before the day drew to an end.
But first, he would deliver his mate from danger and confront the mistakes of his past.
“Erudan?” Rhea’s soft voice saved him from delving into his two emotional companions for the past year—dark thoughts and recriminations.
Turning, he drew her into his arms and buried his nose in her damp hair. She cuddled into his embrace so easily, as though she had been created for him—to fill his life with her humor and warmth.
How had he ever believed himself able to return her to Earth? She belonged to him, a fact her father would soon be made aware of.
After giving him a hard squeeze, she leaned back and turned her attention to his face. “You’re all edgy, still. I thought maybe you’d calm a little more while I got dressed. Can I help?”
“No, my mate. This is a matter that— “
Rhea narrowed her eyes. “If you say it’s a matter that doesn’t concern me, I’ll… I’ll…” She glared harder. “I’ll do something.”
Erudan did not believe Rhea would appreciate it if he laughed at the moment. Fierce, indignant Rhea was too adorable for words.
“I have no intention of lying. This is a matter that concerns you. I was going to say that it is a matter that is my privilege to resolve and shield you from.”
Worry flitted across her features. “Shield me? What’s going on?” She stepped back and frowned at his digicomm. “Did something happen? Is it Ahlan?”
“No, the boy is safe.” He rushed to assure her of Ahlan’s health. “Corr advised me that your father and—” he could not even utter her former, near-mate’s name— “his team have convinced the peacekeepers to double their numbers and escalate the search for you.”
Her stricken look gutted him. Erudan cupped the back of her neck and kneaded gently. “Do not worry. Your safety is my life’s mission.”
When her face paled further, he realized those words might not have helped his cause. A thought reaffirmed when her next words were hardly a whisper. “Do you think this is a life or death thing now?”
Silently, he cursed his poor choice of words, even though the sentiment was accurate. Her stricken expression turned to one of horror. Desperate to erase her distress, he rushed to reassure her. “No, there will be no violence.”
Unless someone attempted to take her. In which case, he would dismantle the universe itself if that was what it took to protect her and their future. “I contacted warriors who are loyal to myself and Vroe. They will arrive soon and provide us an escort to private transport.”
“When you say escort, do you mean a police escort? Like, armed and ready to do battle? Erudan…” She slowly shook her head. “Don’t you think that’s a little overkill? I mean, he’s my dad.”
“He is a male with great political strength who believes his continued power is tied to your mating a weak human male. He has resorted to bribery and allying himself with a Rargar.” His words were hard and his tone aggressive until he noticed the glistening tears in Rhea’s eyes. He forced himself to calm and soften his speech. “I am sorry to upset you, my mate, but you look to your father and see the male who raised you. I see a male who wishes to take you from me.”
She drew in a shaky breath and nodded. “I know. I just… an armed escort?”
“Rhea, my one.” He enveloped her in his arms, holding her gently. “This is for the best. We are newly mated and my firez is not yet a distant memory. I cannot predict how I will respond to a threat to our bond. An escort is for the protection of all, not just us. They will stand between my fury and your father should he attempt to intervene. Perhaps thinking of it in that way will ease you.”
He hoped.
“Okay, I guess I can think about it from that angle. I’m just not excited by the idea of having my own personal army, you know?” Offering a smile, she turned her head and pressed a kiss to his arm. “Regardless, I’m ready when you are.”
Erudan glanced at his digicomm. “When the guards are near, they will…” He paused as the alert came through. “Ah, they have arrived.”
“What?” Rhea pulled out of his embrace and padded to one of the ports. She peeked out and gasped. “Seriously? All of these warriors are for me?”
“They are for Teon and Taems.”
She tore her gaze from the scene outside. “Taems?”
“The title of the Teon’s mate.” He hesitated and cursed himself for his cowardice. Even though they had discussed what being Teon of Vialea meant, he had not informed her of his plans to resume his position. And drag Rhea with him.
“You didn’t mention that last night.” Rhea glanced at the window once again, bottom lip stuck between her teeth. “We can’t exactly talk about it right now.” He had her focus again. “But we definitely will later.”
Relieved by the short reprieve he had been granted, he nodded his agreement and went to the door. “Of course. It is nothing bad.”
“Right, I didn’t think it was anything bad. It’s just that when we left off last night, you were still debating on returning.” She gestured toward the window. “I guess all those guys being here means the debate has been decided? I wish I’d been part of that decision, is all.”
Erudan internally winced and paused with his hand on the door latch. He looked down at his mate and hated the wounded expression covering her features. If he could kick his own ass, he would. In that instant, he decided the escort could wait while he repaired the growing rift between them. He took her face in his hands and gazed into her eyes. One of the things he had learned from his brother’s relationship was the importance of acknowledging his female’s feelings and owning his mistakes.
“I will not make excuses, Rhea. I am sorry I did not include you or prepare you for this. I will not make the same mistake again.”
The deepest lines of her sadness eased and she wrapped her hands around his wrists and gave him an affectionate squeeze. Despite her upset, a teasing smile played at the corner of her kips. “You won’t, huh? That’s a big claim.”
Erudan grumbled at himself. Her words were true. “Forget that promise. Simply know that when I do make an error, I will apologize and rectify my mistake.”
The smile that had threatened to emerge now blossomed across her lips. She rose onto her tiptoes and brushed her mouth across his. “Thank you, Erudan. Let’s get out of here. Our space-chariot awaits, and who knows how long before it turns into a pumpkin.”
Erudan made a mental note to discover the meaning of chariots and pumpkins as he led the way to their escort.
Despite his year of self-imposed exile, he fell back into the role of Teon as though he had never ceased being Vroe’s second in command. The warriors—Vroe’s warriors—gave Erudan and Rhea the respect due the Teon and his Taems and formed ranks to escort them to the transport.
Given the cramped nature of Ikkim’s residential areas, the transport was forced to land three blocks away from his dwelling. In the midst of wider byways and with a decreased chance of being blocked in by an enemy force.
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