Page 16 of Alien Prince

“You don’t get to play games with me, Ky, I was reminding you who’s really in charge, here,” I answer smugly, despite the fact I feel like it is a damn reach.

But he doesn’t need to know that.

“I’m not opposed to a good time, but that drunken blowhard isn’t even coherent enough to consent to a drink, let alone a fuck.” Ky says, clearly judging my target. Who knew the prince was so picky when it came to humans. It’s almost ironic, and I’d laugh, if I didn’t know what he was capable of—me being a prime example.

“Since when did you start caring about consent?” I shoot back. “You possess poor souls like me who end up stuck in yourfucking closet. Use us to parade around like dolls so you can get your rocks off. And I don’t remember youasking nicelybefore you jumped into me.”

My words bite, but Ky isn’t angry. In fact, I can sense his emotion, his desire thick like a fog, like a hurricane brewing in the pit of my stomach.

And then it hits me like a thousand bricks.

Ky isjealous.

Jealous of Raif. Jealous of the nameless drunk man.

Because this isn’t a simple mission for him either.

The realization is unnerving, but I don’t have time to dwell on the desires of my parasitic inhabitant.

Suddenly the room heats like a sauna, warmth enveloping me like a wildfire. The intensity of Ky's jealousy is like standing in the middle of a blazing inferno, the heat so intense that it is suffocating. Every breath feels like I am inhaling fire, sweat beads on my forehead, collecting at the nape of my neck, running down my back. Ky's emotions are so strong, it is pure white hot rage.

“I do care aboutconsent, especially when it comes to my skins. Your body is a treasure. Not just to me, but—”

I can sense speaking the words is a fight for him, both because he wants to defend himself, but also because apparently I hit a fucking nerve.

My hand moves of its own accord, snaking up my shirt. I try to fight it, but it’s no use. I'm angry, confused, and upset...

There are too many emotions overwhelming me to grasp onto control and sanity as I'm burning up, my skin moist with sweat. My fingers graze over the taut skin of my neck, just below my jaw. Ky rests my hand just below my chin, my thumb and forefinger lacing a handheld necklace with just enough pressure that I know if he wanted to, he could strangle me, and there wouldn’t be anything I could do to stop him.

I can’t get a grip on my emotions, on my pain, and all the awful memories of training telling me I need to be stronger.

But Ky doesn’t make a move to tighten his grip or hurt me in any way. Instead, the touch feels possessive but somehow gentle. Loving, almost.

So parasites do have feelings. Who knew?

A flux of sensation pours through our shared bond, in the mutual space of our consciousness.

“You were made to do great things with this body, and you should not take it for granted,” Ky whispers to the air as I crane my neck away from myself, and it’s almost as if I can imagine him, his starry form brushinghisstellar lips against my skin as I turn away.

Which is impossible, because we are one, at the moment. I am Kyron of Astronomica as much as I am myself. I hate the way my voice sounds when he speaks through me, but at the same time, I can’t deny the levity of his tone, or the way my body responds,knowingthe impact of his words.

“I don’t take it for granted. And you’re right, I was made to do great things. But my body is not yours to control.” I snap back. I can’t stand the heat any longer, and for an instant, I have my control back. Ky is wounded by my words, I can feel it.

“Are you sure?” Ky growls. I can almost imagine his chilled kiss brushing against my neck, trying to tame my fire from the inside out. “Because your body is telling me something different right now.”

Heat emanates from my skin as Ky moves my hand to explore my body, leaving me trembling with something I refuse to accept—desire.

I can’t stand it any longer, and for a moment I regain enough control to remove my shirt as another wave of heat hits me, stepping out of my pants if only to get some fucking air.

“Why is it so fucking hot in here?” I ask, not meaning to show my discomfort.

“You fight too much,Mia. You quarrel with yourself as much as you do with me, and it's short-circuiting your inner mechanics.”

“I wasn’t asking you,” I snap back.

Ky ignores my tone, as he touts, “You are no longer entirely human. No one who makes it into my closet is. Your enhancements are new to you, so therefore you don’t know that you can overheat.”

“I’m not some fucking toaster, Ky. I’m—” My body betrays me, trembling as Ky's touch trails my hand up my stomach, a result of his control and my lack of. It ignites a fire within me that I can't ignore.

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