As the glimmer faded from her eyes, Lorrd felt like a monster.
She shrugged one shoulder and gave a small shake of her head.“Sorry, I’m not laughing about your ship.I just remembered something else the Prophet frequently preaches about.He claims beings from other planets aren’t really aliens.He says they’re demons—demons sent by a fallen angel called Satan to trick humankind into thinking we aren’t our god’s only creation.”
“Demons?”Lorrd sat up straighter and glanced out the bridge’s main viewport, as if he might glimpse Harmony, or the blasted Prophet himself, in the distance.But he couldn’t see much beyond the nearest houses and buildings.
“I’m not really sure I believe in demons,” Wren said slowly, “but the Prophet sure does.According to his teachings, demons are malevolent creatures led by Satan.They like to harm people, tempt them to sin, or encourage them to commit terrible acts.”She gave him a sheepish look.“I guess I just remembered all that and found it a little funny.I mean… clearly you’re not a demon.Not even close.”
He considered her words, and despite the fury still burning in him over the virus infecting his ship, he could now understand the humor in her statement.He even managed what he hoped was a comforting smile as he looked down at her.
If he was to become her mate—and he had every intention of claiming her as his, very soon—he would need to learn to better manage his emotions.
“What do demons look like?”he asked, hoping to diffuse the tension he’d caused when he’d snapped at Wren moments ago.
She gave a delicate snort.“There are paintings of them in the basement of Harmony’s main worship hall.They vary, but most have red or black skin.Some have hooves for feet, claws for hands, serpent tongues, and even horns.”
“I’m not that ugly, am I?”Lorrd asked in an overly serious tone, trying his best to feign a look of worry.
To his delight, a laugh burst from Wren’s throat.It was the loveliest sound he had ever heard.The beautiful glimmer also returned to her eyes.
“No, Lorrd, you are not that ugly.”She grinned at him.“Surely you must realize how exceptionally handsome you are.”
Her eyes suddenly widened, and he began to suspect she regretted her words, though not because she hadn’t meant them.He’d glimpsed the truth in her eyes as she’d given him the compliment.Why then, did she appear so remorseful?
“Sorry,” she said quickly.“I hope that wasn’t too bold of me to say.I’ve never… I’ve never told a man he was handsome before.In Harmony, that kind of talk isn’t considered appropriate.Not outside the bonds of marriage.”
“To be fair, you didn’t just call me handsome.”He waggled his eyebrows at her.“You called meexceptionallyhandsome.”
She laughed again, and the sound made his heart dance.
“But no, Wren, that is not too bold.I am glad you find me pleasing to look at.”He wasn’t normally so playful, but he couldn’t bear to see the sadness or regret in her eyes.He would resort to making silly faces if he thought it might help calm her worries.
He shifted closer, reaching out to touch her hair.His fingers slipped into her long, silken strands.So soft.She was so soft.He could spend hours just petting her.
“When I first saw you,” he murmured, “I was struck by your beauty, and I couldn’t look away from your soulful dark eyes.And your adorable, tiny nose… I had the overwhelming urge to draw you close and nuzzle mine against it.”
Before she could reply, he rose to his feet and swept her into his arms.
Then, leaning down, he finally did it.
He nuzzled his nose to hers.
Chapter9
“I’m awfullysorry about your ship,” Myles said as he passed a bowl of mashed potatoes to Lorrd.
“Thank you.Fortunately, I’ve managed to stop the spread of the virus, and I’ve already gotten the environmental controls up and running again, as well as a few other systems.It’s my hope that I’ll have the ship fully repaired and ready for departure in a few days.”
The handsome alien scooped a generous portion of potatoes onto Wren’s plate, taking her by surprise.
“Thank you,” she murmured, touched by his thoughtfulness.
“You’re very welcome, little star.”His eyes glimmered with affection as he looked at her.Then, as they continued passing the serving bowls and platters around the table, he kept filling her plate before he placed food on his own.
No man had ever served food to her before like this.In Harmony, the women always served men food before they finally sat down to eat their own meals.She nearly cringed when she recalled all the times her mother had pressured her to bring the Prophet a plate of food during community gatherings.
Thank goodness she was no longer living in the compound.Her escape hadn’t gone exactly the way she’d planned, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t work out for the best in the end.
Her heart quickened as she exchanged another affectionate look with Lorrd.She couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss they’d shared earlier today, or the sweet way he’d nuzzled her nose while holding her in his huge muscular arms.
