Page 15 of Baby for the Serp General

“You’re welcome.” She was still reeling from the revelation. “I can’t believe you’re serious.”

“I am.”

“I have to go alone with no tracking tech.” She slanted a glance at him. “You have to trust me to return. I could disappear and never come back.”

“I trust you, Natalia.” His eyes glowed with that green inner light. “I know you’ll return to me.”

Natalia’s heart skipped a beat. “How can you be so certain?”

“Because you’re mine, and I’m yours.” He kissed her, his tongue tangling with hers. “You belong with me,vrash, and I’ll wait for you.”

Natalia’s eyes stung with unshed tears. “I don’t deserve your faith in me.”

“You deserve the universe, Natalia.” His eyes glowed with an inner light. “I will fight for you, even if you leave me. I love you.”

The words made her tremble. “I love you too.” She buried her face in his chest, her heart aching. “I never wanted to love you, but I do. I just need to convince my mother of that,” she said with a weak smile as she lifted her head to look down at him.

“I understand.” He stroked her hair, his touch soothing. “I’ll wait for you,vrash. Always.”

Natalia closed her eyes, savoring the moment. Despite the circumstances, she was happy. She had found a home with Zath, and she was content. Could it be possible to find peace that would extend the contentment, or would she have to give up something to be with him? The thought pained her, but she already knew what she’d choose if it came to that point. The man beside her offered everything she didn’t know she’d wanted and now couldn’t live without.

***

ACOUPLE OF HOURS LATER, she left the Embassy and blended in with the foot traffic as she made her way to the tunnels under the city. She knew the route by heart, having used it countless times to move around the city unseen.

As she walked, she wondered if her mother would agree to a meeting with Zath. It was a risky proposition, but it could lead to peace. The thought of reconciliation between the humans and the Faction was appealing, but her mother would be skeptical.

Natalia reached the entrance to the tunnel and slipped inside, the darkness enveloping her. She moved quickly, knowing the guards patrolled the area regularly. She kept to the shadows, avoiding detection.

After a few minutes, she emerged from the tunnel and made her way to the central meeting point. It was an abandoned warehouse in the industrial district, and it was crawling with rebels. When she entered, she immediately caught sight of her mother at the back of the large room, conferring with a small group. “Mom.” She lifted a hand and waved in her direction.

“Natalia?” Rosalie rushed forward, embracing her. “I thought you were dead, darling.”

Natalia hugged her mother. “I’m fine.”

“The Faction arrested you. I’ve been waiting for them to announce your sentence so we could save you.” Rosalie’s eyes narrowed. “What happened?”

“I was claimed as a proxy by a Serp general. Zath.” Natalia swallowed.

Her mother’s eyes widened. “You’re mated to a Serp?”

“Not exactly. Right now, I’m officially just his proxy to produce offspring. After a year, I can choose to stay with him permanently.”

Rosalie frowned. “I see. And you’re considering it?”

“Yes.” Natalia met her gaze. “I love him, Mom.”

“Love?” Rosalie shook her head. “You can’t love a monster.”

“Zath isn’t a monster. He’s kind and gentle, and he treats me like a queen. He’s nothing like the stories we’ve been told.” She took a deep breath. “He wants to meet with you. He wants peace.”

“Peace?” Rosalie snorted. “They want to conquer us, Natalia. Don’t be fooled.”

“I’m not. I know they want to breed with us, but they’re not the monsters you think they are. If they wanted to conquer us, they wouldn’t have negotiated a treaty or saved Earth from the Vorathans. They could have let us die, but they didn’t. They intervened, and now they’re offering us a chance at a better life. We can’t keep fighting forever, Mom. We have to find a way to coexist, and this is the first step.”

Rosalie’s expression was unreadable. “You really believe that, don’t you?”

“I do.” Natalia met her gaze. “I know you’re skeptical, but I’m asking you to consider it. Please, Mom. Give him a chance, for me.”

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