Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Bayzon
Naomi Sato looks shocked to see me.
“What is wrong female?”
The human female I want close so very badly, lifts her perfect chin. “Nothing is wrong. I was simply surprised to see you standing so close.”
Heh.
She is exquisite and self-possessed. It is wonderful finally having the female I’ve been watching so near.
I love the sound of her lovely accent when she speaks my language.
I can’t keep my eyes off her. I couldn’t stay away any longer on the side of the dance floor and watch the human I want, being held by other males as they swirl and step to the beat.
I will be the male who shows her how to move to Xylan dance.
Distance from her causes actual physical pain.
Random growls rumble in my chest. The more time Naomi is in my vicinity, the more I am certain she’s my future mate.
I haven’t scented her or performed a clasping but, why else would she affect me this way?
I am ninety-nine percent certain she will one day become my Bride.
If she’ll have me.
The scent of her potent arousal for me fills the air between us, providing confirmation that our feelings are mutual. I want to step even closer so I can inhale deeply and confirm if she indeed my mate, but I force myself to wait. Knowing this human is aroused in my presence is enough for now.
“I’ve been watching you all evening,” I admit.
My brother, Scar, came by and told me that this particular human originally entered the ball alongside our brother, Hook.
Therefore, I messaged Hook while I watched her dance and he told me everything about her identity.
“While you danced, I gathered intel about your identity. I did not approach earlier because you seemed irritated with me, although I wasn’t sure why.
Is it proper for me to speak to you now or does this make you uncomfortable? If so, I will depart.”
She shrugs. “It’s true that we need to talk.”
“Did I do something wrong to cause such a reaction? If so, I would like to understand what I did to make it right.”
She turns to face me fully and puts her hands on her hips.
“Bayzon, I’ve been watching you all evening too.
In fact, I witnessed the female you made cry.
And then I overheard a group of disgruntled females at the buffet complain you treated them unfairly.
I’ve watched you stand alone and arrogant and angry, not playing the masking game.
And you’ve never graciously danced with anyone all evening.
All of this made me question getting to know you.
I wonder if you’re not a very nice being and in fact someone to stay away from. ”
My jaw clenches. “I can explain. There are reasons for my behavior that might make sense to you.”
“You hate dancing?”
“No, that is not the problem. I’m not much into dressing in costume, but I do enjoy Xylan dancing and music and I always participate. But this evening I didn’t want to touch anyone but you. I waited to dance until you became available.”
Naomi holds up her green, gloved hand, the fabric identical to mine. “But you’re not really touching anyone through two layers of fabric.”
“My body only wants you that close. The touch of another female right now, even through a barrier sounds abhorrent.”
Her eyes widen. “Me? You only want me?”
“You. Only your gloved hand in mine is acceptable.”
She looks down at my hands then meets my gaze again. “Do you realize that two different males, both of whom are part of the Fever Brothers crew, have danced with me this evening and welcomed me into your family line?”
I can’t help but smile.
“And someone else admitted he loved dancing with me simply to make you angry. Why would it make you angry to see me dance with him?”
My fangs immediately elongate. “I don’t like anyone else touching you but me,” I growl. “The other crews need to stay away.”
She takes a step back.
The scent of fear permeates the air, which is wrong. My future mate must never be frightened of me. I decide to tell her the truth of the situation. “Female, I suspect you might be my future Bride. This is causing me to behave in ways that aren’t normal for me.”
“Oh wow.” She’s quiet for a moment, then looks up at me again.
“Your sister-in-law, Leah, said you and I might be right for each other.” She looks away, takes a deep breath and looks back at me.
“But I don’t want to make a mistake and become close to someone who won’t treat me with kindness and respect.
Especially since,”—she waves a hand up and down at me—“you’re so big and powerful compared to me. This becomes more important.”
I clench my jaw and give a curt nod of understanding. “You are a human who needs to be choosy for her own physical safety. But understand that I am the leader of my crew, which means I am responsible for our work performance and our business ethics. You are safe with me as your protector.”
An eyebrow crooks over her mask. “I don’t necessarily need a protector.
I may look small compared to your species, but this does not mean that I’m weak in any way.
All I need is a boyfriend who will speak to me and treat me, and others, with respect.
This is what I will need from you, and what I’ve been worried you can’t give, which is why I’ve been avoiding you. ”
The more time I spend with this female, the more I like her. I respect the fact that she’s telling me what she expects up front. There will be no misunderstandings between us because she will always state what she wants and of course I will do my best to comply.
The delicate scent of her arousal continues to waft in the air.
Other species pleasure mate, which the Xylan consider odd and slightly disgusting behavior, but it is common.
All Xylan learn to accept that indications of desire might happen from other beings in the four sectors they speak to, work with, or befriend.
We always ignore these odd signals and carry on as usual.
But this time I remain thrilled and honored that this gorgeous human wants to pleasure mate with me.
Her lips are plump and tempting.
For the first time in my life, I wish I could comply.
“Give me another chance,” I request. “For too long tonight I stood by the side, just watching, stunned and in fact a little scared to approach a female that affected me so greatly. Let me convince you with my words and actions that we can make sense together. We can spend time together and you will understand that I am not anything like your first impression.”
My female visibly softens and nods in agreement.
She takes a step closer. “It’s true that the actions I saw earlier, and the conversation I overhead from those females could be easily misunderstood or untrue.
And to be truthful, I can touch other Xylan to dance, but I really have wished to dance with you all night.
I’d like to get to know you better to see if there’s something more there. ”
“Let’s start over,” I announce.
“Yes,” she grins, looking more beautiful than before. “I would like to start fresh too.”
“Good.” I gesture toward the edge of the dance floor where a few empty tables remain. “Would you like to sit? Or would you prefer to stand here and let every unmated male on Timbur continue to gawk at you?”
She laughs. “Are they gawking?”
“They haven’t stopped all evening.” A growl slips out before I can stop it. “It’s been... difficult.”
“Difficult for you?” She tilts her head. “You poor thing. Having to watch me enjoy myself.”
I find myself smiling. This female has spirit. “You’re mocking me.”
“A little.” She shrugs. “You deserve it. You’ve been standing in corners looking broody and intense for hours. Very dramatic.”
“I was not being dramatic. I was strategizing.”
“Strategizing?” She draws out the word. “Is that what the fever brothers call sulking?”
My fangs flash in a grin. “We don’t sulk. We assess.”
“Mmhmm.” She doesn’t look convinced, but at least she’s smiling now. “Fine. Let’s sit. My feet are killing me anyway. I’ve danced with half the planet tonight.”
I lead her to a small table near one of the glowing crystal formations embedded in the cavern wall. The ambient light catches the angles of her face, illuminating the curve of her cheek, the fullness of her lips. She’s exquisite.
A server passes and I snag two drinks, a water for me and another flute of the bubbly alcohol she seems to enjoy for her.
“You noticed what I was drinking?” She accepts the glass with raised eyebrows.
“I told you. I’ve been watching.”
“That’s either romantic or creepy. I haven’t decided which.”
“I’m hoping for romantic.”
She takes a sip and studies me over the rim. “So. Bayzon of Thirty-Six. Crew leader of the Fever Brothers. Tell me something about yourself that I wouldn’t learn from eavesdropping on bitter females at the buffet.”
I consider the question. What would I want her to know? “I have eight brothers. All of them are annoying. Four are already mated to humans, which means I now have four human sisters who are also annoying but in more pleasant ways.”
She laughs, bright and warm. “Leah mentioned that. She said you’re all called ‘human-lovers.’”
“A term meant as an insult by some.” I meet her gaze steadily. “But I don’t find it insulting. Humans are interesting and resilient. You feel things deeply and aren’t ashamed of it. Xylan could learn much from your species.”
Her expression softens. “That’s not what I expected you to say.”
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. Something about humans being small and fragile and needing protection.”
“You are small.” I can’t help but let my gaze travel down her form. “But I don’t think you’re fragile. I know that humans are fierce.”
Her smile widens.
“My turn,” I announce. “Tell me something about yourself.”
“Like what?”
“Why are you on Timbur? Hook’s message said you’re here for a job interview, but he didn’t elaborate.”
“It’s complicated. Mainly, I needed a fresh start. My best friend Leah lives here with her family. A position opened up that matches my skills. It seemed like fate.”
“Are you going to tell me why it’s complicated?”
She takes another sip of her drink. “That requires more alcohol and fewer witnesses.”
I find myself wanting to know everything. “Fair enough,” I say. “But I hope one day you’ll trust me with the long version.”
Her eyes meet mine and she gives a curt nod. “Maybe. If you keep being this charming instead of making females cry.”
I wince. “I should explain that.”
“Yes, you should.”
“The female who cried has been asking me to perform a mating compatibility test with her for years. Every time I see her, she asks. Every ball, every gathering, every mining event. She knows my answer will always be no, but she continues.”
Naomi frowns. “Why does she keep asking if you keep saying no?”
“Because she doesn’t believe me. Or she thinks I’ll change my mind.” I shake my head. “I have the ability to scent compatibility, which means I know before clasping hands whether a bond exists. There is no bond between us. There never will be. But she refuses to accept this.”
“So you weren’t being cruel. You were just... firm.”
“I was frustrated,” I admit. “Tonight of all nights, when I’d finally spotted a female who made my crystal warm in my pocket, who made my chest tight just looking at her across a crowded room. And then my path to her was blocked by the same request I’ve declined a hundred times before.”
She’s quiet for a moment, then she tilts her head. “Your crystal warmed? What does that mean?”
I pull the small Illibrium stone from my pocket and show her.
Even now, sitting this close to her, it glows brighter than usual.
“Every fever brother carries a personal crystal. We’re bonded to the Illibrium, it’s why we can’t leave Timbur.
The crystal responds to strong emotion. It’s been warm since the moment I saw you. ”
She reaches out, then hesitates. “Can I...?”
“Touch it? Yes.”
Her gloved finger brushes the surface and the crystal flares brighter, pulsing once before settling into a steady glow.
“Oh,” she breathes.
“Indeed.”
We stare at each other. The noise of the ball fades around us… the music, the chatter, the clink of glasses. In this moment, it’s just us.
And then I change the subject to show I can act normal. “I take it you are enjoying this costume party?”
“Yes,” she laughs. “I am. More than I thought I would. I did not want to arrive in costume. I mean, one thing you and I have in common is that neither of us are good at dressing up.”
My lips twitch. “I did notice that about you early on. I think we are the only two at the ball who aren’t in costume this evening.”
“Are you going to ask your one question to try and take my mask?” She looks around.
“There were three of us still masked but now my competition has narrowed and it’s only you and I left wearing masks this evening.
” She points at the official countdown clock.
“There’s only ten minutes now until midnight and one of us will be the last mask of the evening.
I heard last year no one won the grand prize because the final Xylan still wearing a mask, was unmasked just moments before midnight and then no one won.
They are very serious about needing to keep this mask on exactly when the clock strikes midnight. ”
A growl rumbles in my chest. “I don’t care about the game.”
She crosses her arms. “Well, I do care about this game and I plan on winning. One of us is going to win the grand prize and I want it to be me.”
I grin, enjoying her competitive nature.
My own aggressive focus on the fever brothers being the highest producing crew in Mine Corp history is legendary.
Competitiveness is a good quality. “I meant the grand prize is not important to me. I only wear this mask to gain anonymity. But if the prize is important to you, then it is important to me that you win. You deserve to win because you really are the last mask.”
“I don’t understand. You said you weren’t playing the game, but now you are? You’re the last Xylan questioning me tonight. Everyone who was interested has already questioned me. Bayzon, you’re the only one left.”
“Perfect. That means you’ve already won because you know my name, so we’re done.” I take off my mask and shove it in my pocket. “Yes, I am indeed Bayzon of Thirty-Six, the crew leader of the fever brothers.”
A lovely smile widens across her features. “It’s nice to meet you, Bayzon. My name is Naomi Sato. And you’re the most handsome male I’ve ever encountered.”
“We’ll get your vision checked later,” I chuckle.