Page 89 of Cosmic Captain

“I believe it is the Crystal,” Monqilcolnen said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Monqilcolnen had the strongest spiritual soul ever tested. He understood the Crystal like no one else who’d ever been born. “Our inner fire was gifted to us by the Crystal, but we cannot speak to it. Humans can. There’s something that allows them to interact with the Crystal in a way that we cannot. I believe we are drawn to them because of it.”

A fascinating theory to be sure, but Vince was my perfect mate. I did not need the Crystal to tell me otherwise. “Perhaps,” I toldMonqilcolnen, “you will take a liking to one of the humans I’m bringing home.”

His expression remained unchanged, but he said, “I do not believe so.”

I lifted my eyebrows in question, wondering what he was thinking, but he didn’t explain. Monqilcolnen’s inner fire was perfect intuition. He didn’t have visions of what would happen, like his father did, but sometimes he simply knew something for no reason that any of us understood.

“So. Vince,” Hallonnixmin said, bringing the conversation to the matter at hand. “Does he know you are mated to him and that it’s permanent?”

“He’s aware that drakcol mate for life, but no, he doesn’t know he’s my mate. When we discussed permissions before fucking, I told him that it couldn’t be more unless he wished to stay.”

“Zoltilvoxfyn said he claimed you,” Monqilcolnen remarked.

“He was drunk.” As much as it hurt to say, I told them the truth. “Vince doesn’t want to stay with me forever. He cares about me. He is possessive of me. But he doesn’t want forever and he thinks I’m the same.”

“Have you told him differently?” Hallonnixmin asked, frowning.

“No. I don’t want to influence his decision to stay.”

Monqilcolnen shook his head, sending his long hair over his broad shoulders. After me, he was the next largest. “I can understand that, but you will not survive this, Captain. I know you. You’ve never allowed yourself to care about anyone besides your family. Now that you’ve fallen in love, you will be fierce in it. Drakcol struggle to live without their mates, and you will not survive the separation.”

“I am aware.”

Hallonnixmin growled, his tail thrashing while his wings spread protectively. “I will not lose you because you don’t wantto inconvenience anyone.” I started to protest, but he cut me off with a sharp slash of his arm. “No. You have always acted as if your every need was a bother, but it’s not. Tell Vince what you need, then let him decide.”

“You also need to tell Serlotminden, Zoltilvoxfyn, and Kalvoxrencol,” Monqilcolnen added. “No secrets.”

That was hypocritical of him. Monqilcolnen kept secrets from all of us. He hadn’t even shared his inner fire with my three younger brothers until recently.

He must have read my expression because he tilted his head in concession. “I know, but they need to know.”

“I’m afraid they will try and force Vince to stay.”

“They won’t,” Hallonnixmin said. “Have faith in them.”

“Alright.”

“And talk to Vince. Don’t give him the illusion of a choice. If he truly cares about you, as you say, then he would want to know what his leaving would do to you.”

My eyes closed. I didn’t know if I could do as Monqilcolnen wanted, but I would think on it.

A scream sounded over the screen, and Hallonnixmin glanced over his shoulder. “My children are attempting to kill each other.” He shook his head and quickly said, “Tell him, Captain.” He ended his connection before Monqilcolnen or I could say anything.

I crossed my arms and waited for Monqilcolnen to say something further, but he surprised me.

“Vince is Seth’s age, yes?” he asked.

I blinked. “He’s nine cycles younger than me.”

“That is quite a bit of time.”

I lifted my palms. Time was time. Yes, I was older than him and our age difference was larger than the typical couple, but we suited each other. “Vince and I are both adults, and we knowwhat we want. I don’t feel guilty or… odd for being attracted to him.”

Monqilcolnen pursed his lips, but other than that, his expression remained calm.

---