16. Asher
Chapter Sixteen
ASHER
This feeling with Jane warm in my arms, a soft bundle, is everything. Before I met her, I’d been told about the infinity pulse. It’s not that I doubted it, but until I met her, I didn’t realize how intense it would feel.
When we’re joined like this, after we’ve both found our release with each other, it’s all I ever want—this deep intimacy with her.
Long moments pass by, and she eventually lifts her head from where it’s nuzzled into the curve of my shoulder. I open my eyes to find her smiling. She lets out a happy little sigh.
“Wow,” she says. “It’s always perfect.”
“It is,” I agree.
“Is this why you brought me here, to have your way with me again?” she teases.
I chuckle as I shake my head. “I just wanted to show you this place. But this makes it better.”
A few minutes later, we put our clothes back into place and walk back.
“I have to go back to meet with the leadership and discuss various issues,” I explain when we’ve returned to Jane’s designated office in the main building. “You’ll be busy.”
“I know.” She nods. “It feels very official.”
“You are our princess now.”
Her shoulders rise with a breath. “I’m nervous to go back to Earth.”
“I’ll do the first several trips with you. I promise. Once it’s up and running, you’ll be completely in charge. I’m just there to keep you company, really.”
“Okay, I’m nervous, but I can handle it.”
I lean down, giving her a quick and fierce kiss. “I have complete faith in you.”
“What are you meeting about?” she asks.
“We’re working on dealing with the unrest with the other city. Don’t worry, it’s fine. We’re married, and you’re pregnant. They can no longer challenge the order of succession.”
She gives me a cheeky grin. “You’re a little optimistic about me being pregnant.”
I wink. “I am, but I also believe it.”
I leave her there just as Helena approaches the hallway to meet her again. Moments later, I am in my office with my father and Kayden, my closest friend and leader of the royal guard.
“What’s the problem now?” I ask.
“Honnell and his minions are grumbling, a lot, about our plan. Yet they don’t dispute that Jane is your princess. We’re going to have to keep negotiating to keep things quiet. On the one hand, they are yammering on about purity and not relying on finding mates from Earth. On the other, they want dibs on all available women in our area. We aren’t going to subject women to their ridiculous ideas.”
“They might as well go to Earth,” I deadpan. “That’s how women are treated there.”
“I suggested the same,” my father says dryly.
I glance around, my gaze arcing over the landscape outside the windows. It’s beautiful here. I love my planet, and I want to protect my people. If only those who call themselves pure understood the realities that we face. We are stronger when we connect with others.
The people from Earth are part of our history. We are descended from the same planet before our kind spread across the galaxy.
I look back toward Kayden and then my father. “We will fight, if we must. Until then, let’s hope the peace holds.”
Kayden departs a moment later, and I check with my father. He has always been all-powerful to me yet benevolent. He has chosen a truce with the other side of the planet, which I respect. It makes sense. Although, at times, I have wondered if we need to act with more force.
He turns from the windows to face me. He studies me for a moment as his lips curl slowly into a smile. “I am happy for you and Jane. You finally found your mate.”
It feels as if my heart smiles when I think of Jane. “I did. We leave tomorrow for Earth. She will begin the matchmaking service. She and Helena will manage it.”
“You’re going with her?” he prompts.
“Yes. At first.”
“She will be safe without you, of course.”
I take a breath. “I know, but…” I shrug.
“You do not want to be without her. That is when you know it’s a true match,” my father says.
“Are you concerned about Honnell?” I ask.
My father nods as his gaze sobers. “This is an endless and pointless conflict. We have always been stronger as a species by mating with humans from Earth. It is, after all, our sister planet. Yet they don’t see that and refuse to learn from history. When I step down, you will continue to face this problem and just have to keep doing what you must do. The need is even more important now. Ever since the storm.”
“I know. Hopefully, once we start this process, it will help,” I say.
I depart the office a few minutes later to find Kayden waiting outside. He grins as he waggles his brows. He was present at my wedding, but today is the first day I’ve seen him since because he was traveling while I was enjoying my week with Jane. We haven’t had a chance to speak about anything but business yet.
“I see you survived your honeymoon,” he offers with a wink.
I chuckle. “I certainly did.”
“You must be exhausted,” he teases, cuffing me lightly on the shoulder.
I roll my eyes. “I am stronger than ever.”
He cocks his head to the side. “Jane is stunning. Just tell me when the matchmaking service starts. I’m going to offer myself up as the next test case.”
“You can come with us tomorrow. We’re going to Earth.”
“I’ll be there.”
“We will recruit women to bring them here. Here’s hoping it goes well.”
“Well, if you and Jane are any indication, it shall,” he says. “See you tomorrow.”
“Sunrise!” I call as I turn and continue walking out.
This afternoon, I will introduce Jane to her mount. We ride horse-like creatures here with sharp tails.
While I love the thrill of a ride, what I want now is Jane. My pulse quickens at the mere thought of her. I’m still adjusting to the intensity of my emotions for her. The feelings extend far beyond want and need.
She commands me on every level, and I will do anything to protect her and protect and cherish what we have.