Chapter 14
Fatigue weighed Cora down as she exited the bathroom after taking a long, much-needed shower, but she’d had an excellent day, so she wasn’t about to complain about how tired she was.
And when she thought about it, she’d seemed to have more energy and strength than usual as she’d gone about her day, so much extra vitality that she suspected the healing nanobots had something to do with it.
Not only had she managed to take care of Meela all day, keeping the baby safe, entertained, and happy, but she’d also unpacked most of her bags and moved a few things into the future music room.
She’d gone on a scenic walk around Starzzia while pushing Meela in a stroller she’d found in a closet, and she’d met many of her neighbors.
And to top it all off, she’d rustled up a spectacular dinner, if she did say so herself.
Both Draevan and Meela had devoured it with blissful expressions, and to her delight, they’d even liked the mashed potatoes.
Joy spread through her, a giddiness that helped chase some of her fatigue away.
This was her new life. While she had a lot of responsibilities, she also had a lot of freedoms she hadn’t been able to enjoy on Earth.
Just being able to walk outside and not get shot by a rebel, or kidnapped by a stalker named M, was a miracle in itself.
And at last, she was part of a family.
She quickly donned a pair of pajamas, then cracked the door that adjoined Meela’s room to check on her.
The baby’s soft, steady breathing reached her.
Still fast asleep. Thank goodness. Cora hoped she slept through the night again.
Draevan had mentioned that she sometimes awoke screaming, as though she were having a nightmare, and Cora sincerely prayed that wouldn’t happen very often anymore.
She carefully shut the door and turned toward her bed just as a knock sounded on the other door. Her heart skipped a beat.
Draevan.
It couldn’t be anyone else.
Did he want to spend the night with her?
Heat instantly pooled between her thighs, and she suddenly felt breathless.
A bit shaky and nervous too, though not in a bad way.
She’d simply been thrown off last night when he hadn’t come to her, and now that he was knocking, well…
she thrilled at the idea of them spending the night together, touching, kissing, and more…
She smoothed her hands through her damp hair, then hurried to the door. She opened it to find her mate standing in the hallway wearing nothing but a pair of pants that were slung scandalously low on his hips. Her mouth went dry, and more heat flared in her core.
“My sweet mate,” he said in a deep, raspy tone.
He almost looked like he was in pain, but she quickly realized it was desire that was making him appear so tense. Her pulse skittered when she noticed the bulge growing larger in his low-slung pants.
“Draevan,” she whispered. Relief swept through her again. He’d come to her during the nighttime hours. Why he’d refrained from visiting her last night, she couldn’t be sure, but he was here now, and that was all that mattered.
She stepped back and motioned for him to enter her bedroom, a wordless gesture as she tried to reconcile her feelings for him.
Just yesterday, she’d wondered if she might be falling in love with him already.
Then last night, when he hadn’t come to her, she’d convinced herself that she’d imagined most of the tenderness he’d shown her and read too much into the compliments he’d given her.
Was it only his physical desire to mate with her that had prompted him to knock on her door? Or something more… something real?
More than once, she’d thought she could sense his thoughts and feelings, but her empathetic abilities seemed strongest when they were alone together, wrapped in one another’s arms.
She watched with bated breath as he shut the door quietly behind him. His body was still tense, as though he was vibrating with restraint. Another thrill rushed through her when she detected a flash of his need, as though it came directly from his mind to hers.
“Sometimes I feel you,” she blurted. Then she pointed at her head.
“In here. And here too.” She placed a hand over her heart.
“I can’t hear your exact thoughts, but sometimes I sense your emotions enough that I can glean what you’re thinking, more or less.
It was strongest while we were aboard your Vaxxlian cruiser… consummating our mating union.”
His glowing green eyes widened, and she sensed his surprise. But then she sensed his understanding. He knew what she was talking about, and somehow, he possessed the answer she was seeking, the reason behind her ability to sense his emotions.
He swept her into his arms, carried her toward a large chair near the window, and sat down, arranging her in his lap. He brushed errant strands of hair from her face, drew in a deep breath, and gave a deep nod.
“I must confess, sweet Cora, that I experienced something similar a few times while we were mating two nights ago.” He paused, seeming to gather his thoughts.
“It’s been said that thousands of years ago, there were some Vaxxlian couples who shared deep mating bonds, bonds so intimate that they could speak to one another telepathically even from great distances.
I thought they were just stories, but I am starting to believe it’s true.
Maybe there is something about you, and something about me, and the two of us joining together has created a different kind of bond than what most of my people can share.
That is the only explanation that I can come up with.
I hope this doesn’t frighten you.” He pressed a soft kiss on her forehead before pulling back to stare down at her with a profoundly affectionate look.
She took a moment to process all he’d just said. “It doesn’t frighten me,” she eventually said. “What frightens me is…” Her voice trailed off, her bravery abruptly fleeing.
“Tell me. Tell me what frightens you.”
She swallowed hard. “How quickly I’m falling for you, and whether you’re falling for me just as hard.
You didn’t come to me last night. I-I stayed up late, waiting, listening for your footsteps in the hallway, but you didn’t come.
And so, my mind started racing. I started to worry the affection I already feel for you was purely one-sided.
I started to worry that maybe I’m just young and stupid and I’ve never been in a real relationship before, so what do I know about love, if this is the beginning of love and…
” Her voice trailed off again, though not because she lost her nerve, but because her throat was burning too fiercely with emotion.
“You are not young and stupid. You are wise and perceptive. You are also brave for telling me about your fears, Cora. So very brave, and beautiful and strong. I feel lucky to call you my mate, and Meela is lucky to have you as a mother. You’ve only been taking care of her for two days now, but already, I can see a difference in her.
She smiles more and she cries less. She even said a new word recently.
All because of you. You are an astounding human female, and I am proud to have you as my mate.
And since we are being so honest with one another, I feel I must also tell you that I’ve had thoughts about falling in love with you too.
I keep wondering if that is what’s happening between us.
I also feared that you wouldn’t return my feelings…
and I suppose that is the biggest reason I didn’t come to you last night.
But I was a fool. I wanted to visit you and claim you, very badly, but I didn’t.
I hope you will forgive me for making you feel unwanted, if only for one night.
That was not my intent, and I wish I could go back in time and fix that mistake.
You are mine, Cora. My mate, and I will cherish you forever. ”
Cora didn’t realize a few tears had escaped her eyes until Draevan carefully wiped them away. “Happy tears,” she whispered, not wanting him to think she was sad. Quite the opposite.
His confession answered her questions, assuaged her fears, and made her realize that perhaps it didn’t matter whether they called the intimacy they shared love or something else.
“Are you sure you’re all right, my sweet mate?”
“Yes, I’m fine, I’m just struggling to speak right now,” she forced out, her throat still tight with emotion.
After she took a few deep breaths, she finally felt settled enough to try talking again.
“I appreciate all you’ve just told me, Draevan.
Truly, your confession warms my heart, and it makes me thankful that you are my mate.
Yes, you are forgiven for not coming to my room last night.
Please do not worry that I will hold a grudge.
I think the best thing we can do is promise to be more open with one another.
If we can do that, there will be fewer misunderstandings between us. ”
He nuzzled his nose against hers, ran his fingers through her hair, and shifted on the chair as his cock grew larger and harder beneath her bottom. She flushed as her anticipation for the night to come deepened.
He finally straightened and met her eyes. “I want to stay with you tonight, Cora. All night. I want to claim you, over and over until we finally collapse in exhaustion and fall asleep in one another’s arms.”
“Yes. I want that too.”
He rose from the chair, still holding her close, and carried her to the bed.
A low growl resounded from him and echoed in the room, blending with the sounds of nighttime insects that drifted in through an open window.
The silver light from the twin moons of New Vaxx flooded through the sheer curtains that billowed faintly in the breeze.
And as Draevan placed her on the bed, she felt as though this was another new beginning for them…
one born of heartfelt confessions and a desire to discover just how deep their bond could become.
Draevan joined her on the bed, pulled her close, and kissed her soundly.
As they became lost in one another, their clothes went flying, and she soon found herself naked beneath the covers with the huge alien warrior who was her mate.
Her heart kept fluttering, and a soul-deep contentment spread through her as they made love.
That was the only way she could describe it.
They made love, slowly and gently at first, with a frantic crescendo as they reached a climax together.
And then they did it again.
And again.
Each encounter left them more breathless and a little more exhausted than the last.
Eventually, Draevan’s seemingly endless stamina began to wane, and they finally collapsed in one another’s arms, utterly spent.
Cora nestled against his broad, muscular chest, her head resting beneath his chin, while his arms remained wrapped securely around her. She could barely keep her eyes open, and for the first time in a long time, she felt utterly content. Safe. Loved.
And as the chorus of nighttime insects drifted in with the breeze and the twin moons rose higher in the star-encrusted sky, she surrendered to sleep in the arms of her caring mate.