Page 19 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

“Are those what these colors are called?” We do not have a name for them on Tavikh.

She points to the color that matches the wood base of the fiku tree. “This is black. And this is purple.”

The other color of the fur is the same as the leaves of the tree.

“Black and purple.” I place my finger on each as I speak it.

“Yep.”

I reach for Sage’s fire-colored hair and draw my fingers through its long length. It is as soft and smooth as her flesh. “What is this color called?”

“Auburn.” Her voice is breathless. She caresses the strands of my own hair that hang down my chest. Her fingers brush against my bare skin. “And this is yellow or gold or blond.”

The single touch makes my mating marks tingle. It is a pleasing sensation and further proof that perhaps Deeka did not make a mistake. I let her hair spill out of my fingers and caress her darkened cheeks. I am enjoying this color game.

“And what is this?” Her flesh is hot beneath me.

Her gaze darts away before returning to meet mine. “It’s a blush.”

I cock my head. “Blush?”

The color, similar to that of the bloom on the trendafili bush, darkens even farther. I am curious about its meaning.

“It’s caused by a lot of things.” Sage appears out of breath.

“What causes yours?” I want to know everything, but that is what I want to know most of all.

Several beats pass before she answers. “Attraction.”

An answering heat emanates from within me. My gaze drops to my mate’s mouth. I have seen the mouth touching the other Tavikhi have done with their females and it has made me curious. Sage’s tongue flicks out and leaves her lips damp. The sight of the glistening wetness sends arousal shooting straight to my cock. I rub my thumb along her bottom lip and lift my gaze to hers.

“May I mouth touch with you?”

She nods slowly.

With great care, I lower my head until our breaths mingle, and I brush my mouth over Sage’s. The light weight of her hands settles over my chest and warmth seeps through. The tingling I’m now coming to associate with my mating marks travels over me. There’s still no flickering light within, but finally feeling her soft lips against mine takes all the attention away from that and puts it on this incredible sensation I’m getting by this mouth touching. My already hard cock hardens even more.

I raise my head and Sage’s eyes flutter open. They have deepened in shade. I have never known anything to have so many different colors than humans. A sharp breeze blows, sending small flecks of cold dust swirling around. She shivers.

“Please accept my apologies for making you stand out here in the cold.” I am not being a good mate.

She smiles. “It’s okay, but maybe we should move around a little. That will help some, I think.”

“You are certain? I do not want to cause you any discomfort.” The humans do not tolerate the cold season as the Tavikhi do.

Sage loops her arm through mine and rests her head against me. “Really, I’m fine. Between the fur and you, I’ll be warm enough. That is if you don’t mind me holding on.”

“I do not mind at all.” What kind of male would complain about his beautiful female holding him close?

Together we walk through the village. It feels good to be out in the fresh air after having been stuck inside the healer’s tent for so many turns of the sun.

“Will you tell me more about your life back on Earth?”

Sage stiffens briefly. So briefly, I may not have noticed if she had not been touching me. “There’s not much to tell, really.”

“You said you appreciate the differences between here and your former planet. What are some of them that make Tavikh a far superior planet?” I chuckle, wanting to put her at ease.

Thankfully Sage laughs as well. “Half of Tavikh is made up of my favorite colors, so I love to sit on the edge of the river and look at the forest and the sky.”

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