When Kal stopped talking, silently painting, I asked, “What?”
“I stole a shuttle while intoxicated,” he said, swallowing several times as he clenched the paintbrush, “and crashed it into a docking ring of a fully populated space station.”
“What?” I shifted to the edge of the couch, about to bolt to his side.
Kal scoffed, shaking his head. “I stole it for a prank on my older brother. It was Serlotminden’s racing shuttle. I lost control and crashed. It was an act of grace no one, including myself, died. Several people were hurt, though. Some severe.” Kal’s hand fell to his thigh, splattering his pants with red paint.
“What happened?”
“My second brother, Dontilvynsan, came. I expected him to yell at me. I deserved it. I was so ready for it, priming myself for a fight. It never came. He hugged me so tight, shaking, and asked me over and over again if I was alright. He was happy I hadn’t killed myself in my idiocy.”
Kal’s jaw clenched as he began painting again. “I have never been so ashamed because he didn’t even care about what I’d done. All he cared about was that I was alive and whole.
“When we arrived home, my father didn’t even say anything, but his and my mother’s looks of disapproval were enough. Ihad to stand before the entire Cohort and answer for my actions while my family watched. In the end, I was sent to my country house, and my family cleaned up my mistake again.
“It was a dark time for me, but it was what I needed.” Kal looked directly at me, his eyes bleak. “For the first time, I examined my life and actions. I could’ve killed someone or myself. After a while, when I refused to speak to anyone, Hallonnixmin came with all four of my brothers and Monqilcolnen. They refused to let me be. They’d been chasing me my whole life, and I finally let them catch me.
“In the end, Hallonnixmin mentioned the Crystal, and it was like a light shone in the darkness. It had been my childhood dream. Before all the craziness, before I wanted to become emperor, before the Crystal had marked me, before my inner fire had manifested, before everything, I wanted my soulmate.
“I cleaned up my actions. I fought to have access to the Crystal because I wanted you. I needed you, but I didn’t deserve you.”
I got to my feet. “Why do you think that?”
He gripped the paintbrush so hard it shook. “I got a couple of my previous partners in trouble. My parents fixed my mess, but they paid the price with incarceration and fines. My brothers have constantly had to shrug off ridicule for my indiscretions while simultaneously cleaning them up. All because I hated who I was. I hated this,” he said, gesturing to the painting. “Such a ridiculous thing.”
Unable to help it, I settled him against my chest. His paint-splattered hands clutched my bare skin.
“You were hurt. You acted out.”
“It’s more than that.”
It probably was. He’d been told he would be one thing, and it turned out he wasn’t. “I am thankful you are you and not the future emperor.”
Kal smiled.
“I’m glad you shared your past with me.”
He swallowed.
“It doesn’t change how I see you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I said before kissing him. His claws scraped over my skin, making me shiver and groan against his lips.
“Thank you,” he whispered. Before I had a chance to respond, Kal captured my mouth.
Chapter 34
Another planet.
I snuggled with Kal on the couch, lying side by side. We were currently watchingStargate SG-1, and I liked it more than I would’ve thought. It helped that there was eye candy on both sides with Sam and Daniel, though I had a massive TV crush on Daniel. A hot scientist. What more could I want?
Kal readjusted, and Lucy, who slept on his hip, squeaked in annoyance.
“Lucy doesn’t want you to move,” I said.
“I guessed that, thank you. I remember the law.”
