“You used that word before. What does it mean?”
“You are my sholani. My heartmate. The one the gods have chosen for me.”
“That’s very sweet,” I say, truly flattered, but he’s talking soulmates, something I don’t believe in.
He pets my hair. “I should have realized it, before my mating cock rose, but I never considered the possibility of forming a heartmate bond with a human. The ZDC may allow me to transfer to Earth. Or you can come with me to Zyan.”
“Slow down there, Kobrik. We just met. It’s too early to be talking long-term commitment.”Isn’t it?
“We’re heartmates. Do you not understand the significance?”
“No, I don’t,” I say even though I think I feel what he’s saying, deep down. The thought of him leaving Earth without meterrifiesme.
“You are my future, Kenzie. I will not leave you behind.” He bends his head until our foreheads touch, and then there’s silence.
There’s no telepathy.
No touching besides our foreheads.
And yet there’s this undeniable pull toward him. One I don’t want to ignore.
“My life is here. My friends are here. I know nothing about your world or what I’d do there. We need time together, as a couple. To be sure about one another.”
“I am sure. My mating cock rose for you. We will learn each other in time, yes?”
As much as it kills me to deny him anything, I shake my head. “I can’t say yes to you. We’ve only known each other for a day. A very chaotic and yet wonderful day, but still, only a day.”
He kisses my head and holds me against his chest. I’m not sure what to make of his silence, but damn it, he’s swaying me in a way that’s hard to resist.
“Talk to me, Kobrik. I don’t always do well with silence. My mind starts making up things that aren’t true. Like right now, I think you’ll walk away from me because I’m not ready to say yes to permanently committing to you or to leaving Earth.”
“I understand that humans don’t believe in heartmates, but that doesn’t mean I could leave you, sholani.” His hands grip my face ensuring I look at him. “A thousand grud couldn’t pull me away from you.”
The thought of grud attacking him makes me hold him tighter. “I don’t want you to go anywhere.”
“I never expected I’d find my sholani on Earth and I’m full of joy at learningyouare my sholani, my little human. I would never pressure or rush you. We are heartmates, and nothing can change that.”
He doesn’t say it, but I hear a ‘but’ there. I’m almost afraid to ask, but I have to. “What’s troubling you?”
Strong arms wrap around me, cocooning me in his warmth, but he doesn’t answer.
The hairs on the back of my neck rise. “Just tell me,” I whisper.
“I’ve been ordered to leave Earth in five days.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
KENZIE
I’m sitting at the kitchen table, eating breakfast, when Kobrik kisses my neck from behind. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I have an early shift at the hospital.”
When he slides into the chair opposite me, I notice his frown. “I’m sorry, Kobrik. I don’t get paid unless I work.”
“Does that mean you’ve decided not to leave with me?”
“I haven’t decided anything,” I answer honestly.
Over the past three days, we’ve spent most of our time talking and getting to know each other while doing errands. Everything from walking to the farmer’s market to searching for materials to fix my door no longer bores me. It’s because of Kobrik. The way he smiles at me, holds my hand, and is always there for me makes everything exciting.