Page 26 of Her Alien Prince
"As it is Gaven's duty to escort me around Estreldez, and you are in need of this Elder Ezra, then I shall accompany you. If that is acceptable?" He didn't even glance at Gaven, his golden eyes fixed on me, making my stomach flutter.
I nodded, unable to untie my tongue. Why did I accept him coming along? He just had Luan's legs wrapped around him as she ground against his cock, and here I was a puddle at his feet. As if he could tell my hesitancy he addressed the large hergslat in the room, "And regarding your previous question, I couldn't continue my seduction of Luan while my mind was filled with another."
My cheeks heated at his words. I dared to ask, "And who might that be?"
Gaven scoffed, an odd sound when wearing his mask. "Do you honestly think Mabel is some brainless glorbin that would think you are not going to mate with Luan simply because she isn't wrapped around your cock this moment? If I'd known you were such a claw of male, digging into whatever hole you are presented with, then I'd have protested any match with you directly to the Almder herself."
I didn't need Gaven to stick up for me, and I certainly didn't appreciate being compared to a glorbin. According to him I'd have to be brainless to desire Trent, and that would mean I was exactly like a glorbin flighter attracted to the shiny jewel that was Trent. Just a flitting fancy before finding a new bauble to admire and consume at whim. Was that so bad? To want him?
Before either of them could say another word I snapped, "If he were a claw, then this conversation wouldn't even be happening!"
Pausing, Gaven stared at him, hurt in his eyes. "What are you saying?" He spoke softly, trying to make our conversation private once more. It was too late, we had already opened this can of rocks, and krelin's hearing was known to be impressive. I doubted our whispers would go unheard.
"She's saying I wouldn't have stopped at a taste when we were on the shuttle," Trent completed the thought that made the back of my neck color from my pounding heart. I had to tense up my shoulders to keep my wings from fluttering. This was not the time to go from one uncomfortable topic to another equally uncomfortable topic. Why did he have to bring that up? I guess I was the one that actually brought it up, but the way Trent was watching me made my insides squirm with anticipation like he was offering a do over.
"Why did you?" I ignored Gaven, and blurted out my thoughts.
"You know why." I heard a gruffness to his voice as he took a step forward, challenging me. "Are you accepting my conditions?" His wings snapped out in what should have been threatening, but something in me melted at the display. All it did was bring attention to the way the black wings glittered in the moon's light making them look like the universe sucking me into a trance. They were beautiful. They were deadly. And I wanted to touch them.
Clearing my head, I tried to make my brain work through what conditions he was talking about? The one where he basically wanted me to be his second mate, I recalled with irritation.
"I am nobody's second!" I screamed out loud... and hushed as soon as I realized what I had just said in front of Gaven.
The green pallor of Gaven's skin paled, the veins in his neck bulged like he was clenching his jaw, which I couldn't see fully with his mask on. I didn't need to see his mouth to know I had offended him.
It was insensitive to say such a thing when he had just revealed to me that he'd lost his first mate. I felt sick to my stomach, and with myself. Any mate would be blessed to be chosen by Gaven, and it was wrong of him to think he was to blame for his mate's death. Knowing him for as long as I had, he was a bit reserved, and sometimes stiff with his approach, but he was kind, and attentive.
"I didn't mean..." I tried to unbury myself, but instead groaned in frustration with both of them.
Gaven grabbed my bicep, and bit out, "You don't have to accept me to prioritize yourself... your life."
Trent's wings created this threatening buzzing noise that made my skin tingle, and my stomach flip. Why was his warning making my own wings twitch to respond back in kind? Gritting my teeth, I had to chew the inside of my cheek to distract myself so I didn't flash my wings, destroying the camouflage that made the light bend around them when folded back.
Yanking my arm from Gaven's hand, his grip fell away gently as I nodded my agreement. "Fine," I clipped. "But I don't need a chaperone. I was already heading there."
"What is threatening your life?" Trent demanded, the intensity in his golden eyes told me that he wouldn't take no for an answer.
It wouldn't be a secret forever, and if I truly wanted him... he'd have to know the full truth eventually, didn't he?
"None of your business," Gaven came to my defense, despite my rash outburst from moments before.
"It's fine," I dismissed. Looking Trent in the eyes, not blinking I said, "I'm having my eggs removed."
I expected him to object, or say there must be another way, because I knew that he needed a mate that could give him offspring, and without my eggs that wouldn't be possible with me. He did none of that. His eyes softened, and his arms lifted for a moment as if he wanted to hold me, wrap me up into his arms to protect me, but he stilled to stop himself.
He merely nodded his understanding and then said, "One should never be alone when they lie their spawn to rest with the Goddess Lenkal. I shall join you, if you will have me." He bowed his head.
I blinked in astonishment. This was not the response I had imagined, and I definitely didn't prepare my heart for how much his words and his offer of support made my insides break. I shouldn't want him there, but just having him next to me fed me a strength I never knew I was capable of. Half of me believed I'd get to Elder Ezra and try to convince her to find a way to save my eggs, or escape off planet and try my luck with the outlaws on the chance I could find technology to help me. But, with him standing there, stooped in mourning for the offspring I was losing, for the future I would never have because it was what was best for my survival made the threat of tears sting my eyes.
What was he doing to me?
My lips quivered, and I sucked in a sob.
He lifted his eyes to see me nod with my chin then I squeezed my eyes shut. Next thing I knew, a hand grabbed my fisted one and gently stroked with his thumb. He was there for me. I didn't have to look to know it was Trent. His smell was unmistakable, and I collapsed forward into his chest.
He whispered into my hair, "Even a queen must have her hive to carry on in difficult times. I am here, Mabel..." His arms were wrapped around me, and suddenly he faltered, his voice catching. Oh fuck… my wings…
CHAPTER TWELVE
