Page 44 of Her Alien Savior
My mate questioned the scientist, “Haven’t the necia warriors been enforcers of the Galactic Council for centuries?”
I smiled, pride building in my chest, making me stand a little taller. It was pleasing to know that she learned a bit about my species, even if it was part of basic exchange knowledge given to humans.
“Yes, it isn’t a priority to research how topreventsuccessful matings when the whole galaxy is having a crisis.”
Riley frowned and folded her arms over her chest, making her swells press up and I couldn’t help but think how it would feel to have them pressed against me once more. “What’s in it for you to tell me about avoiding spawn with my mate? And what about the contraceptive you gave me earlier?”
The estreld patted her jewel on her shoulder absently. “I’m not hiding that I think you’re both lying about being mates. Your compatibility ratios aren’t anything of particular noteworthiness. You haven’t claimed each other, and when I take away your excuses, we’ll see who’s being truthful. The sooner you let go of this attachment we can find a new mate for you, or perhaps you’ll prove me wrong and give evidence of the tech’s validity at the same time. I don’t care either way, but you’ll both give me results by the end of the second rising of the blue Dan Star.”
My mate narrowed her eyes and objected to the conditions, which I found to be a very generous amount of time considering I was planning on taking her to the palace immediately, “That’s not how things work with humans, you can’t just put a time limit on things and choose who I should or shouldn’t be with. I didn’t sign up for this. I agreed to learn and assist as a co-worker for my exchange term, not be a test subject.”
Her aggravation increased as she continued, and logically I knew her objection was to being forced to do something instead of having a choice, I couldn’t help the sinking feeling that even if she had a choice, it wouldn’t be to choose me as her mate. If we had met under different circumstances, watching her busy about the facility as a human exchange, would I have responded to her?
Would I have been so certain she was my Pulsunne?
I can’t think of a universe where I wouldn’t choose her over and over again, but I couldn’t deny that though my body choose her the moment I opened my eyes in that holding chamber, it was when she yelled at me in my own tongue to care for myself, and every moment after that she continued to surprise me by caring about my choice, my health, and the fiery way she defended herself even when the world was stacked against her that stirred my instincts to claim her as mine. She awakened my hearts, and she could crush them all the same.
Two risings of the Dan Star would be the longest mating I’d ever heard of for my tribe when a warrior claimed the blessing of a Pulsunne. Both warriors felt the call fiercely, and the fact that my Riley hadn’t felt this worried me.
She was human, and a small hope had formed when the medic said the nanotech altered her blood and it was possible she would have similar needs to my own. After tasting the nectar between her legs, I thought she would seek me out again to allow me to prove that I was more than simply capable of balancing her needs but filling her essence with my own.
I blinked away my dazed thoughts as my mate grabbed my hand in hers and yanked me to her side. The gloom that was consuming me vanished as I smiled at her touch on my skin, warming my epul, and making my hearts pump faster.
“So, you’re telling me that I can prove the tech worked without getting pregnant, then why wait whatever risings?”
Had I missed something while drowning in my thoughts? I could not guarantee that my mate would not swell with our young during a claiming, it was a real possibility. One I would be happy for, but I would not force her to take my seed after our claiming ceremony. I could wait. For her, I would.
The estreld female chuckled at the display and now, I was the one pulling Riley close, allowing her shoulders to rest upon my chest, and I thrummed for her, my hearts beating so hard that I could feel the warmth build up, my cock swelling as her rounded ass brushed my thighs. If she noticed, she didn’t bring attention to it. My fingers squeezed around her delicate human shoulder as the urge to display my epul and bring my mate pleasure before this scientist’s eyes grew to prove beyond doubt that I was Riley’s mate was maddening. She wasn’t necia, I had to remind myself, and my instinct to claim her would only serve to push her away and I couldn’t risk it when she was within my grasp and the feel of her skin on mine was intoxicating.
My nostrils flared and I rubbed the fine golden-brown strands between my fingers that cascaded like the light funneling through the forest canopy over her delicate frame.
“This isn’t a prison, both of you can leave anytime you want, but things are out of my control on the risings of the Dan Star. There has been a planet-wide lockdown for the ancient rights of Galactic Law as the General Nen-Le of Necias Prime demanded a duel with Queen Roknir or an heir of her line to settle misconduct of rulership over necia warriors. No one is leaving Trillume until the duel is resolved, and according to the rights of the obscure law, all warriors with rights to become ruler of Necias Prime will be required to be present just in case General Nen-Le loses her duel.”
I couldn’t let the estreld continue, because what she was going to say next was not an option, “They wouldn’t have locked down the planet if all requirements were not met.”
“Ah, Commander Direl. You were listed on the contract for this demand, and if you do not show yourself on that second rising of the Dan Star, you’ll have signed the death of your entire tribe, including your mate, because for some reason, Riley Spearit of Earth is already listed as already being claimed as a mate of an heir. Surprising enough, Commander Direl, it wasn’t you listed as her mate at all.”
Riley whirled around, my hold on her snapped from my fingers. There was shock on her face that quickly settled into frustration that had my insides revolting that it would be directed at me.
“What the hell is she saying?” my mate seethed.
I cleared my throat, realizing I couldn’t hold this truth from her. I didn’t wish to hold anything from her, but I also didn’t think it was possible to have this particular past come to haunt me aside from my second, Chuel.
“General Nen-Le has sided with Chuel and King Sylve, and found a way to ensure I either reclaim my honor or die trying. And I cannot turn down showing up for this duel, or I will be accepting Nen-Le’s claim that you are her mate.”
“Leaving out the most important bit, aren’t you?” the estreld pressed with amusement at my discomfort.
I grunted my displeasure. Being king was never an ambition of mine. I served as King Sylve’s second because it was my honor to protect my tribe and serve for its future. And at one point, I even considered King Sylve a brother as I did Cheul. Never once did I blame King Sylve for keeping his life instead of dying from Queen Roknir’s poison. It was the dishonor of abandoning his tribe after the fact because he refused to submit to being less than king for the sake of our future. He left us all. he left me, and for that I don’t think I could ever forgive him.
I would not abandon General Nen-Le, even if she was signing my death. If not for my honor and protecting my tribe, but for having Riley at my side, it was a call I could not refuse. Not showing up would endanger my Pulsunne’s life as well as the countless warriors under my command, regardless of my second’s betrayal. If Nen-Le failed, Riley would die because she was listed as her mate.
And there was everything to gain.
Winning the duel would mean Necias Prime would be more than simply the recruitment center of the galaxy’s defense, or fodder to throw at conflict between planets and the council. We would not simply be citizens of Trillume through our loyalty to the trill, but citizens of our own merit under the rule of Necias Prime once more, a member of the council, not spoken for by the trill. King or not, my tribe would have agency among the stars.
And even if I lost the duel, I could correct the claim that Riley was Nen-Le’s mate, and free her from being killed regardless of the outcome. There were always high stakes to enacting an ancient law to deter warriors from calling on them arbitrarily.
I could not turn this down.
