Page 81 of Needed in the Night
“We will betravelers,” I countered. “Lovers seeing the wonders of the galaxy on our way to our new home.”
“I like that.” She snuggled into my chest. “Once we’ve seen Aloris, we can choose where to go next. Maybe a desert world like Solan? Or Tivor’s oceans? Or maybe our diplomatic credentials could get us permission to visit Hyderia?—”
“My love.” I kissed her knuckles. “Happiness and freedom to choose your destination has made you even more beautiful than before, and I did not think that could be possible.”
She scoffed. “You’re just saying that so I’ll let you do more naughty things to me on this basking stone before we disembark.”
“I would not mind doing so,” I said, cupping the side of her face. She was so warm on the basking stone, and that made me deeply content. “But I mean every word. I have longed to see you so happy.”
“I wanted you to be happy too.” She leaned into my hand and closed her eyes. “If I’d paid more attention to the fact your unhappiness mademeso unhappy, I might have figured out what you really meant to me earlier.”
Her sorrow and regret had a distinct scent—one that made my spines bristle. Despite my assurances, she still carried guilt she did not deserve to carry.
“We have discussed this,” I said softly. “Think of all the nights you sat at the bar and we talked while you ate your jampas. You were happy?”
She took a shaky breath. “Yes, I was.”
“So was I.” I stroked her cheek with my thumb. “We have alot to be grateful for and no need for regrets.” A distressing thought made me pause. “Isla, you do not feel guilty for being happy, do you?”
“No.” Her voice was soft. “Well, maybe.”
I feared as much. I wrapped my arms around her. “You deserve happiness. You deserve joy and pleasure and to be treasured. These are not privileges you have to earn. This may be difficult for you to believe, and I am sure you cannot simply accept what I say. But it is the truth.”
She went quiet for a while. Finally, she said, “Why is it I feel that way about you, but it’s so difficult to believe it for myself?”
“Because we have led difficult lives, and too often we extend grace and kindness to others that we do not believe we deserve for ourselves. It is a strange state of being.” I nuzzled her hair and forced myself to add, “At first, I questioned what I had done to deserve for you to come to Zaa’ga.”
She raised her head. Her violet eyes had never looked so beautiful as they did now, reflecting the starlight that passed by outside the window as the ship traveled at hyperspeed—other than when I looked into her eyes as we made love.
“Oh, that’s very close to how I feel.” Isla bit her lip. “How did you convince yourself otherwise?”
“I am still working on that,” I admitted. “But I have the benefit of feeling the comfort and joy of finding my true mate. I now accept that I am meant to care for you and love you. I hope in time you will share that feeling. I have heard that is often the case with humans who have Fortusian mates.”
“That’s a lovely thought.” She smiled, which lightened my hearts immediately. “I think I’ll get there. I’ve been contented in your presence almost since the moment we met. That bodes well, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does.” I glanced at my wristcomm. “We have a few hours before we must get ready to disembark. How would you like to spend that time?”
“Right here,” she said immediately, then seemed to reconsider. “Oh, you can’t just sit on the stone for two more hours. We’ve already been here a while.”
“I do not mind.” I caressed her arm. “But we have done little exploring of the ship since we boarded?—”
She huffed. “Wasn’t that the plan?”
“I did not say it was not,” I said with a smile. “But I do not want you to feel you have missed out on seeing the wonders of a luxury cruiser because I kept you prisoner in this cabin.”
“I’ve been a very willing prisoner, and my guard has been extremely generous.” She studied me. “You’d like to look around before we arrive at the port, though?”
“I would like to walk with you on the promenade,” I said. “And visit the observation deck.”
“Brae did say the observation deck was beautiful.” She made a face. “Ugh,clothes.”
I laughed at her expression. “Such an inconvenience.”
“It’s not the inconvenience so much as I’ve enjoyed spending the last few days looking at you,” she shot back. “I suppose you intend to put on a shirt as well as pants?”
“I do.” I caught her hand. “Unless you demand I do not. I told you I obey my mate in all things.”
Her expression turned thoughtful. “In all things, you say?”
