32. The Mate of a Xailith
32
The Mate of a Xailith
I sat in the dimness of my quarters, watching Nova sleep. After Daz had checked her over and declared her healthy but exhausted, I couldn't bear to let her out of my sight. So I'd brought her here, to my private space, and settled her into my sleeping pod.
The sight of her small form curled in my bed stirred something primal in me. Her dark filaments—hair, she called it—spread across my pillow like a fan of darkness around her pale face. Even in sleep, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
My tentacles twitched with the need to touch her, to wrap around her and keep her safe. The bond between us hummed, stronger now that we were so close. I could feel her peaceful dreams, sense her contentment.
Nova stirred, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, she seemed confused, then her gaze found mine and her lips curved into a soft smile. "Zharrox," she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.
"My little zixxit," I whispered, unable to resist reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "How are you feeling?"
She leaned into my touch, sending sparks of pleasure through my entire body. "Better. Safe." Her small hand came up to cover mine where it rested against her cheek. "You found me."
"I will always find you," I promised, my voice rough with emotion. "You are mine to protect now."
Nova's eyes widened at my words, a lovely flush spreading across her cheeks. She sat up slowly, her face now level with mine. "Yours?" she breathed.
I let my tentacles wrap gently around her waist, drawing her closer. "Mine," I confirmed. "If... if you want to be."
Her hands came up to frame my face, her touch sending waves of warmth through our bond. "I think I've been yours since the moment we met," she admitted. "I just didn't understand why I felt so drawn to you."
Unable to resist any longer, I leaned forward and pressed my mouth to hers. The kiss was gentle at first, exploratory, but quickly deepened as Nova responded with enthusiasm. Her soft lips moved against mine, her hands sliding up to wrap around my neck as she pressed closer.
When we finally parted, both breathing heavily, I rested my forehead against hers. "There's something I need to tell you," I said. "Something important."
She nodded, her fingers idly stroking my neck ridges in a way that made it hard to concentrate. "Tell me."
"Among my people, there is something called a mating bond," I began. "It's rare—sacred. When two souls are perfectly matched, they form an unbreakable connection. They can sense each other's emotions, share thoughts, even feel each other's pain or pleasure."
Nova's eyes widened in understanding. "Is that what's happening between us? This... pull I feel toward you?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "But there's more. There's an ancient prophecy among my people, passed down through generations. It speaks of a bond that would transcend species—a union between different worlds that would change everything."
I took a deep breath, my ridges pulsing with emotion. "The prophecy speaks of a being from beyond the stars, with eyes like the depths of space and hair like the darkness between worlds. It speaks of a love that would bridge dimensions and bring about great change."
Nova's breath caught. "Me? You think the prophecy is about me?"
"I know it is," I said firmly. "From the moment I first saw you, something inside me recognized you. And when I went to the Temple of the Ancestors, they confirmed it. You are my destined mate, Nova. The one I've been waiting for all these centuries."
Nova sat back slightly, her eyes searching mine. "Centuries? How old are you?"
I chuckled, stroking her cheek with a tentacle. "My species lives much longer than humans. I am over five hundred of your Earth years old, as close as I can figure."
Her eyes widened comically. "Five hundred? I'm only twenty-eight!" She bit her lip, a gesture I'd come to recognize as a sign of worry. "Does... does the age difference matter?"
"No, little zixxit," I assured her, pulling her closer. "The bond wouldn't have formed if we weren't perfectly matched in every way that matters. And my people live very long lives. We will have many centuries together."
Her face lit up at that, but then fell slightly. "But I'm human. We don't live that long..."
"The bond changes that," I explained, my hearts swelling with joy at her obvious desire for a long future together. "Once fully formed, it will extend your life to match mine. We truly will have forever together, if that's what you want."
Nova's hands tightened on my shoulders, but uncertainty flickered in her blue eyes. "I... this is all so overwhelming. A few months ago, I didn't even know aliens existed, and now..." She took a shaky breath. "The way I feel about you terrifies me sometimes. It doesn't make logical sense. We're completely different species, from different worlds, different cultures. I shouldn't feel this connection, this pull towards you, but I do."
She touched my face gently, tracing one of my ridges. "I think I've been falling in love with you since you rescued me from the Phoenix, even though my rational mind kept telling me it was impossible. But love isn't rational, is it?"
My ridges flashed with joy and understanding, and I drew her closer, my tentacles wrapping around her gently. "My Nova," I growled softly against her hair, "love transcends species, cultures, even worlds. I love you too, more than all the stars in the galaxy."
She tilted her face up to mine, and I captured her lips in another kiss, this one deeper, more passionate than before. I could feel her desire through our bond, matching my own growing need. Her small hands explored my chest ridges, sending sparks of pleasure through my body.
"The prophecy," she gasped when we finally broke apart, "what does it mean? What change are we supposed to bring about?"
I stroked her back soothingly, enjoying the way she melted against me. "The details are somewhat vague, as prophecies often are. But it speaks of bringing together different worlds, different species. Of bringing great riches to my people. Of breaking down barriers and ending old prejudices."
Nova's eyes sparkled with understanding. "Like ending the practice of trading in sentient beings?"
I nodded, impressed by her quick grasp of the situation. "Yes. Our union is meant to show that different species can not only coexist but love each other. That we're all worthy of respect and freedom."
"Is that why you came looking for me? Because of the prophecy?"
"No, my love," I said firmly. "I came because I couldn't bear to be without you. The prophecy only confirmed what I already knew in my hearts - that you are meant to be mine, as I am meant to be yours."
She snuggled closer, radiating contentment through our bond. "And what happens now?"
"Now," I said, "we complete the bond. If you're ready." I pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. "It's not a step to be taken lightly. Once done, it can never be broken. We will be bound together for eternity."
"How do we complete it?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
I traced her jaw with a tentacle. "Through a ritual of physical and spiritual union. We join our bodies and our minds completely, sharing everything we are with each other then there is a ceremony that our priestess performs to solidify and consecrate our bond. It can be... intense."
Nova's cheeks flushed pink, but her eyes were dark with desire. "I'm ready," she said firmly. "I want to be yours in every way possible."
My ridges pulsed with joy and desire. "Then let me show you, my love, exactly what it means to be the mate of a Xialith."