Page 28 of Scars & Starlight
Tara looks around and bites her bottom lip. I’m envious of her somewhat flat teeth. “It really is small,” she breathes, gingerly sitting on the edge of the bed. I give her some space by facing the synth module and ordering a complete nutrient drink.
“Would you like something to eat or drink?” I ask her, despite knowing she had plenty of each available during our conversations with Besson. I think I might be avoiding disclosing the truth of what she is to me for just a moment longer, fearful of her reaction.
“No, thank you,” she says as I finish off my meal. I have no choice but to face her.
I take a deep, bracing inhale and sit by her side, allowing for some space between us so she doesn’t feel trapped. “There is something I should have told you, perhaps even a couple of rotations ago… But I wanted you to get to know me without this hanging over us and maybe changing the way you look at me.”
Tara quirks an eyebrow. “What is it?” she asks with a strained giggle. “Do you have a tail?”
I open and close my mouth before blowing out a gust of air. “No, I do not have a tail, you mischievous little creature. I do, however, have a match.”
She blinks at me. “Oh…” she utters, the pain in her voice giving me hope while also making me want to stab myself in one of my hearts for hurting her.
“It’s you,” I tell her quickly, both getting it off my chest and stopping whatever speculation whirlwind she began.
“M–me?” she stutters, tapping her chest as if I’m confused about who she might mean.
“You,” I answer firmly. “The Creators intended you for me, Tara Novak, and whether you accept my eternal devotion or reject me… You are the princess of Avaris.”
15
TARA
“I’m your match?” I ask the gorgeous alien, begging for clarification. The universe thoughtIwas good enough for this… god?
“You are,” he confirms again, unequivocally. He places his hand in the space between us, palm up, wordlessly asking me not to reject him. As if I would.
I reach for him, joining us as one. “What does this mean for us?” I ask quietly, my mind still racing. Does it mean he’s been so kind to me because he needs me? Or does he truly like me?
“It means whatever you want it to mean,” he answers gently, squeezing my fingers. Looking me in the eye, he brings our hands to his face and kisses my knuckles. An answering shiver races up my spine. “I’ll be honored for every moment you choose to spend with me,” he adds.
His words bring tears to my eyes. He’s only known me for a few days, yet he’s given me more care than the great majority of people in my life. I scootch closer to him, enjoying the rush of power as his mouth opens in surprise at my nearness.
“Do… Avaren kiss?” I whisper against his mouth, nervously wetting my lips. What if he finds the idea repulsive? If he looks at me like I fell off one of Avaris’ moons, I’m going to go dig myself a very deep hole.
“You want to kiss me?” he asks, his voice coming out strained, like his throat is too tight to speak.
I swallow through my own throat’s tightness and nod, words abandoning me. I lift shaky fingers to his smooth cheek and run my fingertips over the glowing lines decorating his skin. They’re pulsating slightly now, reminding me of a nervous heartbeat.
“Do you want me to?” I finally whisper hoarsely.
The look he gives me tilts my world on its axis. There's a universe of emotion in the glowing purple orbs. “I can’t think of many things I’d want more at this moment, my beautiful princess.”
“Kairen,” I gasp, awed by the warmth unfurling inside me. I close the last of the space separating us and press my lips against his, just like I’ve been dreaming of doing since I met him. His mouth parts underneath mine, and the choppy inhale he takes sounds too loud in the silence of the room. When our tongues meet with a tentative touch and his taste explodes across my senses, I can’t help the needy moan I release. He tastes like blueberries and mint, and something undefinable and otherworldly.
Kairen’s hands reach for me, his palms wrapping around my waist and squeezing lightly and rhythmically, the ebb and flow making me think of something else, driving me wild. When I arch toward him, a groan leaves his mouth, fanning the flames. I’m holding on to his shoulders and pulling him close as our sides meet the mattress without our lips parting. I’m not sure who initiated the movement, but we’re definitely on the same page, our legs intertwining on the bed, our fingers sliding into each other’s hair.
The prince’s mouth explores mine like it’s an uncharted planet. Just as I’m learning the topography of his mouth, he invades mine with consummate skill. I’m whimpering softly, yearning to have the weight of his body above me, but feeling too shy to demand it so soon.
“Tara,” he murmurs when we part to gulp down air. His lips move to my chin, my cheeks, my nose, and each eyelid, until finally he kisses the top of my head and pulls me into a tight embrace. “You’re making me so happy,” he says into my hair, sounding as content as he claims he is.
My heart is racing, beating so hard it feels like it’s going to pop out of my chest. I can’t believe I was just making out like a teenager with an alien, and that I feel like I’m never going to have enough of it. Feeling restless, I lean in to tentatively kiss his neck, near the shiny port-like opening, where the glowing lines converge. I wish I could explore how far down his body they lead. When I extend my tongue to taste his skin, he stiffens and moans, jerking against me.
“We should talk,” he says, sounding about as unwilling to stop necking with me as I am. “Surely you have questions.”
With a sigh, I reluctantly lean back until I see his shining eyes, now looking at me with both a new softness and heat. I try to focus my thoughts on something other than how much I want every part of him.
“So, earlier, when you invited me to Avaris, was it because I’m your match?”
