Ariez offered a weak smile.“It is when yours is vulnerable to Etterian sperm.It is why Princess Oriana and Prince Enyl glow.”
Wren squeaked, her eyes wide.“In what way?”
“Like bioluminescence,” Ariez said, shifting his focus between her and the tablet.“Something in the protein bonds and enzymes impacts Earthian physiology.Princess Oriana also has a mutated gene tied to her red coloring.And since they are paired, the prince shares this phenomenon.
Zive squared his shoulders.“We assumed Cylo was your Eth, but if he does not suit, we will find another—”
“I’m not about to fuck a stranger,” she snapped.
Zive stiffened, his expression once more stoic.“An injection of pure Etterian DNA might worsen your condition.We were hoping your body’s natural—”
“No.”She pushed herself off the bed.“Don’t you have a say?”She scowled at Cylo.
“I, too, rejected the idea.”No matter how tempted I am.
Pain scrunched her brow, then she grinned, her joy slicing through.“I would never say no to you.”
She must have read his thoughts.His breath caught at her new skillandthat she’d choose him… Let him have her even if it was only once.He swallowed hard.A glance across the common confirmed they had an audience.So he met and held her gaze, not sure how this telepathy thing worked.Finish what we started at the picnic?
“Yes.”Her answer set his senses ablaze.
Having a somewhat telepathic discussion with her was mind-blowing.
“Unless your void can’t.”She stroked the collar of his armor; the heat of her fingers seared him.
It has not expanded, remember?
“Then you have nothing to lose.”She beamed.
Not true.He covered her hand with his, trapping her fingers.I cannot lose you,ensa.
“You’re stuck with me.We made a deal.”She tugged her hand free, caught his, and laced their fingers.“Come, Cylo.”
“Now?”He peeked at Ariez and Zive, who, despite listening to them, flicked through something on the tablet.
“Return here afterward.”Zive didn’t glance up.
“And I will ensure we are en route to Issneen as soon as possible.”Ariez strode to the comm.
Cylo faced Yelur, half expecting a final comment from him, too.The lima kuu peered into Cylo’s eyes before crossing medical to the display vids.
“Ensa.”Cylo hesitated and drew her close.“This is reckless.”He released a shuddering breath.
“I could die tomorrow, an hour from now, next week… I do know I want this…you.”
“You are not dying,” he growled.
She scoffed.“You’d swear I was leading you to the gallows.”
“Gallows?”His O.D.I.hurried to educate him.He grimaced at the imagery.“You did this to your people?”
“We are a brutal species.”
“And no, you are not leading me to such a death.Never think that.”He pressed a kiss to her palm, his fingers trembling.To mate her today couldn’t compare to having her for an eternity.
“I feel the same.”A tear slipped free and glimmered as it forged a path down her cheek.
He ushered her to his quarters, swiveled on a heel, and took her to the viewing deck instead.There, onlyhisthoughts and emotions would bombard her.The smoothness of her hand in his, her ragged breathing, the smile that threatened to form on her plump lips—everything registered and hit him in the chest.
