Page 52 of Whispers of the Void

“I’ll go so you can get cleaned up. Let me or Uzold know if you need anything.” He tosses the covers back and stands. I watch as he stretches his arms over his head, his muscles rippling with the movement.

Stars, he’s beautiful.

Instead of going out into the hall and to his room that way, he walks out onto the balcony. I watch as he pushes his pants down his hips, exposing his sculpted gray ass, steps onto the banister, and dives down into the water. If he hadn’t mentioned doing that in passing before, I’d be worried. He’s probably going to take a swim with Kodia. I doubt I’d make it if I were to jump from this height, but it’s good to know he can.

I push the covers off and check to see how messy the sheets are. There’s not too much, but I’ll definitely have to strip the bedding. After tossing back the tincture, I open the note from Vynia. She crafted some clothes into makeshift pads until we figure out how to get me on medication to suppress my cycle. Or until I go back to Oculus Nine.

The thought brings the familiar heaviness with it. I don’t have much of a purpose here, clearly less than I have back home, but it feels better here. Although, they don’t seem to be receptive to humans on this planet outside of Raiz and those in his house or under his command. I wonder if I could start over on another planet. Or maybe even find a space station to find work in. They always need translators there.

I send a longing look at the bathtub when I start the shower. Hopefully the heat and steam from the shower will soothe the aches as well as a bath or heating pad would. I drop my clothes to the floor and step under the water. It does help, and the herbal-scented hair and body soaps also help ease the tension.

So much has happened I haven’t even really had time to think about the kiss we shared yesterday. I understand why he did it, but I didn’t expect tofeelit through every inch of my body. Everything about that kiss made me want more.

It’s never been like that for me. I could have spent hours exploring his mouth, running my tongue over the tips of his sharp fangs. Would he lose himself to the moment and bite my lip, licking the blood away?

My nipples bead just thinking about it. Is he aware of the feral little sounds he made? Did I make them, too? Maybe I should let myself explore these desires.

No.

I know myself. It’ll end up with me getting attached and being sad when it’s time to leave. Although, I wasn’t sad when things with Torre didn’t work out. Why do I think I’ll be sad if I explore a physical relationship with Raiz?

If he even wants one. He could have kissed me out of necessity only. Though he was stroking my skin this morning. And then there’s the thrumming. It put me right to sleep last night. I remember nothing after his arms wove around me and he pulled me to him, I just fell into the most peaceful night’s sleep I’ve ever had.

Steam fills the bathroom by the time I step out of the shower. I walk over to the sink and run a comb through my hair. The hair he killed a male for touching. There was more to it than that but still. I can barely look at myself in the mirror thinking about how a tiny part of me wasn’t entirely appalled by it.

I’m not sure what it says about me that part of me was thrilled by the intensity of his protectiveness over me. It could be as simple as never having felt that cared for before. The group of females who took it upon themselves to raise me within the Order are wonderful. They made sure I was fed, clothed, and educated. All my basic needs were met. They cared for me, but did they love me? No. I certainly don’t think any of them would have put their life on the line for mine.

But I feel that Raiz would. He has no problem crossing moral boundaries to keep me safe. I know he needs me; I’m a means to an end for him. That should make me question his motivations. It doesn’t. It only makes me question myself because I like that he is so protective. Even when he’s irrational, a small part of me preens under his attention.

Is this what it feels like to be cherished?

CHAPTER17

RAIZ

* * *

It’s been nearly three days, and there has been no answer from Las. At this point, desperation is gnawing at me. The longer we wait, the more likely we are to be discovered. I’ve sent Altis and Vynia out to find Las. Or someone else to guide us.

Hyva’s been subtly keeping an eye on Neev the past few days while also trying to replicate the medication she normally takes to suppress her natural cycles. I had no idea how often human females could become pregnant. Then on top of how frequently they become fertile, they’re also compatible with sixty percent of known species within the galaxy. It’s no wonder they’re sold at such a high rate in the dark markets.

Yet another reason to protect her at all costs. Aside from being my mate, the danger she could face out in the galaxy on her own is frightening. Despite being adult in age, she was so guarded by the Order that she’s naive to so much. It's frighteningly easy for her to fall into the wrong hands.

I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on about human psionic abilities, but there’s not much aside from their own planetary folklore. They generally don’t believe in these abilities, though there are humans who proclaim to be gifted in various ways. Mostly speaking with the dead or precognition.

It wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility that the man Neev saw in her mind was a manifestation of precognition. The problem with that is she said he wanted to find her. To help her. My instincts say it was an outside force, not something she came up with.

I haven’t seen her yet today, and as is becoming a habit, I reach out with my mind to brush against hers. I never invade her space, I just like to check in and make sure she’s okay.

I find her on the library terrace. She feels a bit melancholy, the slight sadness I sense has me walking down the hall before I can think better of it. I don’t know what excuse I’ll use to be near her, but I can figure something out on the fly.

Her tiny, human feet are bare while she leans against the railing and looks out into the water. She doesn’t jolt when she hears me walk out beside her, and I’d like to think that’s because she can sense me as easily as I can her. Even though she’s human and the mate bond will feel less intense to her, she should be able to feel the tether between us, regardless of whether she knows of its existence or not.

“What’s it like out there?” she asks quietly. “Under the waves?”

“It’s peaceful. Even with them churning above you, the deeper you go, the greater the peace you’ll feel.”

“Even on Kodia’s back?” She turns and meets my gaze.

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