Page 38 of Her Alien Prince
"I don't understand?" That didn't sound like a rejection, but he wasn't releasing my hand either. He even kissed my forehead, and positioned himself back into his chair. What was happening?
"Our bond is incomplete. I believe time in the mating caves will change this. It is tradition to take the path of trials up to the mountains instead of flying, and that by the time we reach the caves our bond will be strong enough to be blessed by Goddess Lenkal within her temple." He could see the look of shock on my face. It would be days before we reached Krelis from Estreldez.
Smiling, he hadn't let go of my hand and squeezed gently. "My warship is the fastest of the fleet, and equipped with refined Ordin fuel, we will warp there within the day. Krelis isn't far from Estreldez, mate, I will prove to you that our bond is strong, and perhaps then you will let me inside both your mind and hearts."
"I only have one heart," I corrected.
"No, Kansa, you have three." He brought my hand to his chest, and I stilled, realizing what he was saying. That his hearts were mine, and I was more determined than ever to get to this Kai Mountain of his and show him just how much that meant to me.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Trent
"WELCOME HOME, COMMANDER," my queen's silky voice punctured through the walls I built around my mind. So focused on being open to receiving the bond from my mate, I had unwittingly ignored the danger of leaving myself exposed. The connection was made, and a sickening warmth filled my mind, fogging over the unsettling nausea of the invasion to give into the bliss of a queen's affections.
"Hello, my queen," I droned, absently in my mind. A faint tickle at the back of my head, the only indication that something was wrong. Ignoring it, I enjoyed the way my mind filled with a sense of peace and happiness.
"I've heard you've been busy finding our hive a new queen. What a blessing this is," she cooed. "Bring her to me."
"Of course, my queen." I thought happily of how my mother would give her blessing to my mate. What was I so worried about before? I had been so eager to take Mabel to Kai Mountain before taking her to the hive, but this made sense to bring her to see my mother first. Perhaps this once, my queen will finally give her blessing now that I was mating another queen. No one else measured up to her standards. Mabel would surpass them.
Commander Li-aq stepped out of the clearing, as we descended from the ship's transport pod to Krelis's surface. I had sent estreld warriors to make sure the moon was secured, just in case he didn’t leave, and it was nice to see he had listened. He bowed before Mabel, taking up her hand in his before placing his lips on her skin. I bristled at the contact, but another wave of pleasure coursed through my mind, and a soothing buzz lulled my anxiety. My queen was still connected, and joy filled me. When was the last time my mother actually cared this much? It wasn't normal for her to give so much attention, but her presence was like a gentle stroke, and all my worries disappeared.
"My son, I'm disappointed in you, but I am nothing but forgiving, as your intentions were for the hive. I wish you'd have sought my guidance and let me in sooner. Commander Li-aq will be escorting you both."
Guilt tore through my gut, and I grunted, before my queen's soft approval returned, flooding my mind with peace.
"What's going on?" Mabel asked while removing her hand from Commander Li-aq's hold. It felt right to have her withdraw from his touch, but my tongue was too soft to answer her. Even if I could, what would I say? My mind blanked on where I was supposed to be taking her, to Queen Kai?
"My Queen Mab," Li-aq addressed reverently, "Queen Kai, is welcoming you to the hive, and is so very excited that you've agreed to come to Krelis to help repopulate our kantos combs. We have a celebration prepared for your arrival so you may meet with all your mates."
She choked, and replied with a stutter, "All, my mates?"
Commander Li-aq nodded enthusiastically, and threaded her arm through his to guide her forward while I watched on in a daze. It all felt very dream-like, she was so beautiful. Her black hair twinkled in the Krelis atmosphere, like the pollen in the air knew who she was and clung to her aura just to be near. Even her skin glowed with dew, making her appear as ethereal as the goddess herself. As she moved the pollen reacted, flickering a pleasant red that complimented the green in her eyes.
Mabel glanced back with worry, but she needn't be concerned since I would follow her always. I smiled back at her, and her brows furrowed, creating an adorable wrinkle that extended down her petite nose. Every part of her was perfect.
I was speechless in her wake. Commander Li-aq spoke instead, "A queen is given everything the hive has to offer. Any mate you want is yours, and many are happy simply to please you."
"I'm not sure I'm following this correctly... Trent? What is he saying? I thought—"
"He knows as well as any krelin,” Li-aq quickly interjected, “that he can't have you all to himself. A queen is a blessing to the whole hive, and he knows the consequences of selfishness."
"Consequences?" she repeated, her voice like sweet nectar for my ears, even the vibration of it in the air, made my kan warm with pleasure. I sighed, feeling my cock throb. I needed my mate. I needed her blessing.
"A queen has many mates and should one mate try to keep her to themselves... Well, it's immediate death so that the hive may thrive."
"Trent?" Her face appeared horrified, and I wanted to comfort her within my arms, but they felt so heavy at my sides. I did my best to smile at her to ease her burden. It was true that queens never mate bonded with one. They were connected to the whole hive, and a mate bond would block them from soothing all warriors without direct contact. Unmated, they claimed many to replenish the hive's spawn, and can help coordinate the fleets with ease when our planet is threatened.
The word repeated in my mind, threatened. We needed a queen more than ever. There was a war coming to the sector. I frowned, not liking the clouds in my mind, making it difficult for me to think straight. I reached out to my queen, Mabel, cupped her cheek in my hand. My skin on hers was like touching the stars, melting away my existence, leaving only her in my mind.
"Are you saying the hive would kill him if I didn't have other mates?" She pushed away from Commander Li-aq, backing away, her wings spreading out, prepared to fly or fight. Stunning, I thought, now that she was on Krelis she truly shined. How did I ever miss all the signs of what she was?
"Of course not, he is welcome to be your first mate, My Queen, but I'm sure once you meet the rest of your mates you will accept them into your hearts as well."
"She only has one," I said absently, correcting Commander Li-aq. There was a shift on Mabel's face that made both my hearts clench with pain. Had I said something she disapproved of? Perhaps, I should not have imposed and allowed her to correct him in her own words. It was impudent of me to answer for a queen. I bowed my head, hoping for mercy, when I glanced up, she glared and snapped her head around to show me her back.
"He's right, I only have one now. Let's go meet these mates," she snarled that last word, and I watched her walk off, leaving Commander Li-aq and myself behind. She was well out of earshot, not even able to hear the way her feet padded against the dirt, towards the mountains. Did she even know where she was going?
