Page 51 of Alien Prince's Fated Mate

We passed through a narrow canyon, the walls striped with bands of colored stone. Niam’s sharp eye noted each shade, each pattern.

“The Temple’s archives mentioned mineral deposits in these mountains,” she said. “But they never described how beautiful they are.”

“Mahra’s people mine similar formations further north.” I pointed out a particularly vibrant streak of blue. “That’s where they get the dye for their ceremonial robes.”

“The color of your shirt,” she realized. “The warrior’s blue.”

“Yes.” Pride colored my voice. “Though few know its true source anymore.”

She absorbed this new knowledge with her usual quiet intensity. “Will you teach me more? About your people’s ways?”

“Everything.” I pressed my lips to her hair. “Whatever you want to know.”

NIAM

My fingers brushed the villart’s scaled neck as I lifted my leg over its back. The mount let out a soft huff but stayed steady while I dismounted. After hours of riding, my thighs burned from gripping the saddle.

“Here.” Tharon’s hands caught my waist, easing my descent. His touch lingered longer than needed, spreading warmth through my body despite the chill mountain air.

“I can manage.” But I didn’t pull away.

He held me tight, then released me. “I know you can. Doesn’t mean you have to.”

The valley spread before us, wreathed in long shadows as the sun sank behind jagged peaks. Purple needled trees marched up the mountainsides, their branches heavy. A stream cut through the center, its banks thick with moss and delicate star-flowers.

“Perfect spot.” Tharon led the villarts to a flat area sheltered by a rock outcropping. “The stream will mask our sounds and scent from predators.”

I moved to help unpack, but a wave of dizziness hit. My legs wobbled, unused to so much activity after years in the Temple’s sterile chambers.

Tharon steadied me with one hand. “Rest. I’ll handle this.”

“No.” I squared my shoulders. “Show me what to do.”

His lips quirked. “Stubborn mate.”

“You knew that when you claimed me.”

“True.” He guided me to the packs. “Start with unloading while I set up the tent. The ground gets cold at night.”

While I worked, my thoughts drifted to the other Temple girls who’d found mates among the Shakai. What were their lives like now?

“Tell me about them,” I said as I unpacked cooking supplies. “Your brother and cousin. The other Valti who found the human women.”

Tharon paused in hammering tent stakes. A muscle jumped in his jaw. “It’s...complicated.”

“Most things worth knowing are.” I settled cross-legged on a fallen log, watching him work. “Please? I want to understand.”

He sighed, driving another stake into the ground with perhaps more force than needed. “Drax is...impulsive. Hot-headed. Everything a crown prince shouldn’t be.”

“But?”

“But he’s also honorable. Loyal. The people love him in a way they never loved me.” Tharon’s hands stilled on the tent poles. “I used to resent that.”

“Used to?”

“Having a mate changes things. Makes you see what truly matters.” He shot me a heated look that warmed my blood. “Power means nothing if you’re alone.”

I busied myself arranging cookware, hoping he didn’t notice my blush. “And Ashur?”

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