Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
MURGUL
I do not attempt to hide my humor from Vrog.
Yes, he is unhinged, but he is not truly evil, nor is he as good at banishing me to the dark places in my mind as he thinks.
I regained consciousness when he was removing the bio-suit and face mask before catching our mate in the cargo bay.
I stayed quiet because I was interested to see what he would do without interference around our mate.
Honestly, I was rather surprised. Vrog spoke to her in a respectful manner (for him that is), and finally answered all of my questions about what he is.
What truly took me aback was the fact that he has been protecting me from the mating sickness, allowing Gwendolyn and me the opportunity to know one another before sealing the mate bond.
Not that he would ever admit to any level of altruism.
I knew you were there the entire time.
Sure, you did.
I did!
Unwilling to argue semantics with him, I watch as he steps into the cleansing shower and perfunctorily scrubs off the gore we accumulated from our time on the Korgon vessel.
We groan in unison when he grabs our pivvy’s to clean them, stroking the members twice before moving on to the rest of our body.
For the first time since Vrog spoke to me so many orbital rotations ago, I find myself at peace.
Vrog covets Gwendolyn, just as I do, but does not truly wish her any harm.
Scoffing to myself, I realize I should have known that most of what he taunted me with was to frack with my head.
Yes, you really should have realized that.
Chuffing at him in amusement, I relax into our connection and allow our consciousnesses to merge completely for the first time. Vrog’s shock is apparent.
You… you accept me. After all this time?
We are two halves of the same whole. I was listening to what you told Gwendolyn. There is no need to fight with you as we have the same goal. Making her happy.
Took you long enough.
Together, we reach for the button that turns on the dryer and initiate it, but not before he tucks our pivvies back inside our slit.
Tics later, we are dry and step out of the cleansing room to face our mate, uncovered for the first time before her.
Our gaze lands on hers, and we smirk when she offers a tentative smile.
I need to apologize for keeping things from her.
Yes, you really do. Even I am not that stupid.
No need to rub it in, Vrog.
Striding over to the sleeping platform, I feel my body shrink, and I groan at the pleasure-pain of Vrog’s departure.
By the time I am climbing into bed, my body is my own again, with the sole difference being that Vrog is no longer relegated to the darkest parts of my mind. He is front and center, along with me.
Rolling over, I prop myself up on one elbow and gaze adoringly at my mate. Taking a deep breath, I tell her what I should have said before Bikar and I went on our so-called mission.
“I am sorry, bright one. Listening to Bikar was a mistake, and I should have made time to tell you about what we were doing last rotation, or before I left our quarters this rising. I extend to you my most sincere apologies. Omitting information is still a version of lying, and that is not something I should ever do.”
Her beautiful face softens, and she reaches out to cup my jaw, a tiny thumb feathering across the scales there. “Thank you. It means a lot to me that you didn’t blow me off or think you didn’t owe me an apology.”
“You are my Starshine. I will do whatever I need to ensure you are happy and fulfilled with me.”
My fervent words do not fall on deaf ears, because she leans in and presses her soft mouth against my lips, and tangles her slick tongue against mine. Both of us are out of breath when she pulls back, and the perfume of her arousal is permeating the air around us.
“Murgul, I have something to tell you.”
The scent of nervousness infiltrates the sweet scent of her arousal.
Why is she nervous?
I do not know. Perhaps if you cease speaking and focus, we will find out.
“I love you, Murgul.”
Shock holds me immobile before joy, the likes of which I have never known, suffuses my entire body.
Ignoring her squeak, I roll her under my body and settle my pelvis into the soft cradle of her hips.
I press my forehead to her delicate one and nuzzle my nose against hers.
Ice blue and verdant green meet as I peer deep into her eyes.
“Say it again, bright one. Please.”
A smile so beauteous it steals my breath lights up her face as she repeats her vow. “Murgul. I. Love. You.”
Vrog and I speak in unison, our voices blending together as we open our hearts to our Starshine.
“I love you too, little mate.”