Page 52 of Across the Crimson Sands

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. What did I want? The question left me floundering.

“I... I don’t know,” I admitted softly. “I’ve spent so much of my life as a slave. I never really made plans for what I’d do if I was free.”

The truth of it hit me anew. I’d been so focused on survival, on making it through each day, that I’d never dared to dream of a future beyond captivity.

Rokan’s expression softened. “I’ll make sure you can do whatever you want.”

My heart swelled at his words, but doubt crept in. “What if... what if I want to leave?”

He turned his head away, but not before I caught a flash of pain in his eyes. “Then I’ll make sure you’re safe and provided for. And I’ll let you go.”

The finality in his voice struck me to my core. Suddenly, the vast possibilities of freedom felt overwhelming, even terrifying. But the thought of facing them without Rokan by my side...

“I don’t want that,” I said quickly, reaching for his hand. “I want to stay with you.”

He looked back at me, hope dawning in his eyes.

“Can’t I... can’t I just be your mate?” I asked hesitantly. “Even without the claiming bite? I don’t want to give you up, Rokan. I love you.”

His fingers tightened around mine. I took a deep breath, gathering my courage to voice the rest.

“But I need time. Time to just be... me. With nothing on my skin, no one’s mark. Give me one standard year?”

Rokan’s free hand came up to cup my cheek. “I’ll give you all the time in the universe,” he murmured.

Tears pricked my eyes as I leaned into his touch. All the fears and doubts melted away as his lips met mine in a kiss that was tender and fierce all at once. It tasted of promise, of a future I’d never dared to imagine.

I flicked through the holos on the screen, each image a vibrant snapshot of the last six months. My lips curved into a smile as memories washed over me.

There we were on Lephyria, our hair whipping wildly in the planet’s famous rainbow winds. Rokan’s gray skin looked almost iridescent against the churning colors of the sky. I remembered how the air tasted sweet, like cotton candy.

Another holo showed us diving in the crystal caves of Thumin. The bioluminescent waters cast an ethereal glow on Rokan’s face, his golden eyes glinting with childlike wonder. I could almost hear the soft chiming of the living crystals.

The next image transported me to the floating markets of Bunela City. Rokan towered over the merchant stalls, a look of intense concentration on his face as he haggled over some exotic fruit. I giggled, recalling how it had turned out to be far too sour for his Vinduthi taste buds.

I paused on an image of us at the Grand Arena of Xylos. Rokan’s chest was puffed out with pride after his victory in the ceremonial combat tournament. His scarlet markings seemed to pulse with energy, matching the excitement in my eyes as I clung to his arm.

The last holo sent a flutter through my chest. It captured a quiet moment on the shores of Lake Zerity on Kalon. Rokan’s usually stern features were soft as he looked at me, unaware of the camera. I remembered the peace I’d felt in that moment, the certainty that I was exactly where I belonged.

The door hissed open, and Rokan’s familiar scent - a mix of leather and something distinctly him - filled the room. I turned, drinking in the sight of him. Even after six months, my breath still caught at his powerful presence.

“What’s got you smiling like that?” he asked, his lips quirking up at the corners.

I gestured to the holo. “Just reliving some memories. Remember this one?”

Rokan fixated on the image, and a rare, full grin spread across his face. “Ah, Lake Zerity. Where I discovered my mate can’t swim.”

“Hey!” I protested, but couldn’t help laughing. “I told you, I slipped on some algae.”

“Of course,” Rokan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “It had nothing to do with you being distracted by my, what did you call them? ‘Gloriously defined abs’?”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “You weren’t supposed to hear that,” I mumbled.

Rokan chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that never failed to send a quiver down my spine. He moved closer, his large hand cupping my cheek. “I hear everything, little one. Vinduthi hearing, remember?”

I nuzzled his hand, savoring the warmth of his skin against mine. But a knot of nervous energy tightened in my stomach. It was time.

“Rokan,” I said, pulling away slightly. “We need to talk.”

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