“Commanders, this is my mate, Suki,” Tark said.
“Welcome to Xpashta, Suki. My name is Sorus. The two males next to me are Warver and Kiril. We make sure things run smoothly here. If you ever need anything and can’t find Tark, seek out any of us. We’ll be happy to assist you.”
“You are aware that you could have mated anyone on Xpashta, correct?” Warver asked. “There are many unmated males here. Some who are…”
Kiril pushed Warver out of the way. “Ignore him, Suki. You chose wisely by accepting Tark as your mate. He’s a fierce warrior, but I have no doubt he’ll treat you very well. Warver tends to forget that not everyone makes their judgments based on looks.”
Suki felt heat swirl in her belly and she stepped away from Tark, her hands clenched into fists. Her lips pressed tightly together as she stepped closer to the Commanders.
“There is nothing, and I meannothingwrong with Tark, physically or otherwise. He’s the handsomest man I’ve ever seen, and the kindest I’ve ever met on any world. I’m lucky that he claimed me, honored to be called his. And I won’t let you stand there and disparage his looks or anything else about him, no matter who you are,” Suki said.
Sorus grinned and looked from Warver and Kiril back to her.
“Very well said, Suki. I believe Tark found the perfect mate when he claimed you,” Sorus said.
“My apologies, Suki,” Warver said. “It was not my intention to upset you, or to make it sound like I found your mate to be less desirable than others. I just know that females have always feared him, and I wanted to assure you that you had other options if you were uncertain in your choice.”
“No, I’m not uncertain,” Suki said. “I want to be with Tark.”
“Very well. Is there anything you need, Suki?” Warver asked.
“She’ll need more clothes,” Tark said. “And I’d like for her to access the storage rooms in case there are things she’d like for her new home.”
“Of course,” said Sorus. “Anything else?”
“She had a medical procedure before coming here,” Tark said. “I want to take her to the med clinic.”
“I believe Wrylack is on duty right now,” Kiril said. “Suki, Wrylack is different from the rest of his. His cybernetics are…”
“His eyes glow,” Tark said. “They’re mechanical. I didn’t think it would bother you since my arm doesn’t.”
“He’s mated to a human,” Kiril said. “He’s learned a lot about your species and will be able to treat you. Did Tark explain to you about the injections we use to halt reproduction?”
Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. “No, he didn’t say anything.”
“Since he was just on a mission, he’ll have taken --”
“I didn’t take the shot,” Tark said. “Once I learned that all females, even the ones at the brothels, were scared of me, it didn’t matter if I took one or not. I’m fully capable of having children, but if Suki would like to wait longer, then I will be glad to ask for the injection.”
“Why don’t we leave it in Fate’s hands?” Suki asked.
“Excuse us, Commanders. The sooner I take her to the clinic, the faster I can get her home. Do we still have human clothing stocked?”
“Of course,” Kiril said. “Lathim picked up another load not too long ago. He still hasn’t figured out the different sizes so I’m not sure what’s available. Hopefully, something will fit your Suki. If not, we have plenty of material so some garments could be made for her.”
Tark led her through what seemed to be a city. They passed so many cyborgs, and not one single female. When he’d said there were only a few humans, she hadn’t realized he meant that no one else was mated, not even to another species. Now she could understand why they wanted females so badly they would accept those who had even worked at brothels. Suki knew if she’d gone home, no one would have wanted her. Not for a wife. They’d have used her the same way the aliens had, and she’d never have had a chance at a family of her own.
When they entered the medical clinic, a cyborg with glowing blue eyes smiled. “Tark, I see you didn’t come back from your travels empty-handed.”
“Wrylack, this is Suki. My mate. She had a procedure done at the space station and I need to know if she’s completely healed.”
Wrylack lost his smile as he came closer. His eyes lit up even brighter as he scanned her head to toe, his gaze coming back to lock on her lower abdomen. He made a humming noise and stepped across the room, coming back with two syringes filled with brightly colored liquid.
“Wh-what’s that for?” Suki asked.
“One is a vitamin injection for you, and the other…” His gaze locked with Tark’s before settling on hers again. “The other will give you a longer lifespan and keep you healthier than a typical human. I’m not sure what Tark has told you, but we’ve discovered that our species lives longer than yours. This will allow the two of you stay together longer.”
Suki nodded and held out her arm. “Then go ahead. I want as much time with him as I can get.”
