Page 54 of A Delicate Conquest

Predictably, they didn’t open.

He didn’t expect to crack the entry code easily, either. Perhaps he could have done it if he had a few rotations spare, but he would have to go down to Earth to meet his waiting mate soon, and there was nothing in the Universe that could stop him from arriving at her doorstep exactlywhenshe wanted him.

So, he simply leaned against the wall and waited.

Time passed.

He closed his eyes and savored the solitude.

Then, he did something he rarely ever did.

He dared to think about his future.

Hehoped.

That Beatrice would always see beyond his harsh and cruel past.

That he wouldn’t have to do those terrible things ever again.

That he could give her the life she truly deserved.

Mavrel thought about where he’d come from.

His family of origin—the ones who had birthed him, fed him, given him clothes and a roof over his head until he was old enough to join the Imperial Military. His mother was distant, having little to do with him. His father was barely there. His brothers were disdainful of him.

They were all gone now.

He was the sole survivor of that line.

Did he feel even a single shred of sadness, remorse, or regret? Or did he feel victorious, a certain sense of revenge for their ill-treatment of him, their indifference?

No.

None of that.

He felt…nothing.

What didheknow about nurturing anybody? How could he possibly give Beatrice the warmth and the care and comfort she craved—especially considering she was human, and humans did those things so very well?

But when he’d met her, he’d had no trouble showing desire and affection toward her. The feelings had come naturally, and on many occasions, he’d found himself acting before a thought even entered his mind.

Shemade him like that.

And perhaps… he’d learned a little… from Tarak, from his comrades, from the Kordolians of the Tribes, from observing the different species throughout the Nine Galaxies thattheyhad oppressed.

And then, there were humans.

Humans, most of all, had pulled them down from the stars and taught them how to bereal.

Not machines.

Not gods.

Just… imperfect.

“There you are.” A familiar voice made Mavrel look up. He peeled himself off the wall and stood stiffly as Zharek approached. “If anyone was going to discover this place, I knew it would be you.”

“Coincidence,” Mavrel said gruffly.

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