“He said you’re friends.”
“I’ve known Kalvoxrencol his whole life. His mother Vyn was my childhood friend. We grew up together.”
Trembling, I asked, “Did he want me when he found out? NAID said he did, but she doesn’t know him like you do.”
Her tail wrapped around my wrist. “He wanted you, Seth. Kalvoxrencol fought so hard for the honor of having you. He didn’t care you’re human. He didn’t care about the distance he had to go. You are his. He never once fought the bond.” Her eyes stared deep into mine, almost as if she could read my soul. “You were wanted.”
Tears pricked the back of my eyes, but I fought them.
The first thing I saw when I returned was Seth on the couch, staring at nothing. Head tilting to the side, I brushed his cheek with my tail, and he flinched. My tail fell to the ground as an irrational sense of hurt swept through me.
“Kal, I didn’t see you come in.” He tugged on the necklace he wore—one I’d bought him.
“What did you do today?”
“I went to the medbay to see Dr. Qinlin—”
“Are you sick?” I interrupted, crowding him. “Why didn’t you summon me?”
Seth stopped my wandering hands. “I went because NAID mentioned some tests you wanted me to do.”
My soul settled within my chest. “I need to know the planet is safe for you, my Mate. You are mine to protect.”
“NAID told me as much, and the planet is fine for me. Doctor Qinlin also wants me to assist in researching NAID’s emergence.”
“Are you going to?”
“Yeah.”
My fingers escaped his hold to touch his face. How had he become this precious to me? My claws scraped across the stubble on his cheeks. Seth must not have shaved this morning. Wehadbeen rather busy. Thoughts of our earlier kisses stirred my desire. I drew my claws against his stubble again, careful not to puncture his soft skin.
Watching him shave was a particular torture for me. The first time I’d seen him with a razor, it had terrified me to my core. I’dthought it was a blade at his throat. I’d shouted, and he’d gaped at me, clearly shocked by my reaction. Seth had let me observe him. I’d paced the entire time. Even though he’d assured me it was perfectly safe, my instincts had screamed he was going to slit his throat.
Ridiculous, but logic and instincts were often at war.
My fingers trailed down to his neck, and I paused. There was a plaster. My claw caught on the edge. “What’s this?”
“Doctor Qinlin took blood from me.”
“Did it hurt?”
“A bit.”
I scowled, picking at the plaster. Bending down, I placed a kiss on his neck, and Seth’s breathing increased. I needed to see the injury, to make sure he was alright. More than that, I needed to clean the wound.
“Doctor Qinlin said you can’t lick it,” he said in a rush, the words tumbling out so fast NAID struggled to translate them.
“Why not?” My lips brushed against the edge of the plaster.
“It’s unsanitary.”
“Nonsense.”
Seth’s breath turned to short gasps as I traced kisses along his neck. My lips brushed the sensitive skin of his neck when I asked, “Please, my Seth.”
He groaned, head tilting to give me more access.
Gently, I bit him, and Seth jumped. My very soul stilled within my chest. I should’ve asked first. He hadn’t given leave for me to bite him or kiss him. Once again, I’d become the aggressor in our physical contact. Staying away from him was so much harder than I’d ever thought it would be.
