Page 44 of Wayfinder
Her voice trailed off, one lone shining tear trailing down her cheek.
“Until the Kerzak killed them.”
A Kerzak battle cruiser destroyed the shuttle bearing my parents and several other Vaktaire dignitaries. Ambassador Yaard of the Kerzak claimed the shuttle had encroached on protected Kerzak airspace. With the vessel completely destroyedand no way to prove the Ambassador’s claim incorrect, the murder of our parents went unpunished.
Jala nodded and wiped the tear away. “The rumor is that our parent’s transport was destroyed because the priestesses’ betrayed their location to the Kerzak, but there was no proof. Why do you think we left our home planet so quickly after their deaths? I wanted to protect you. And I wanted to make sure you received enough education to think for yourself and escape influence from the religious rhetoric of a few zealots.”
“You and Praxxan?” I ventured.
Watching my sister with her mate, I would admit the two had always seemed to have a complete adoration for each other and Priemba. All this time, I had believed, despite what my senses told me, that they could never have completed the valakana.
Being successful in the valakana meant one’s heart forever beat in unison with that of his mate. A bond unlike any other. But to obtain that moment of accordance, one’s heart must stop and start several times. The priestesses claimed no species other than Vaktaire possessed hearts strong enough to survive the ritual—and I had believed it.
“Praxxan and I are true mates. Our hearts beat in unison.” My sister sighed, removed her hand from my knee, placed it over her heart, then chuckled. “His heartbeat is fast and heavy which means Praxxan’s pissed off about something at the moment.”
I watched the emotion wash over her face and felt a stab of jealousy. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
Jala shrugged. “When you joined the Earth protection detail, I believed it no longer mattered. Your vow to the Bardaga required you to relinquish the desire for a mate. Despite knowing of the priestesses’ deception, I worried that humans were the one species that might have trouble withstanding thevalakana. The females seem so small and fragile. But when Praxxan learned that your Chieftain mated to one of the human women. I began to hope.”
I leaned back against the cushions, feeling slightly dizzy. My Chieftain, Daicon, Tarook, Hakkar... their mating to the human women wasn’t simply for convenience or pleasure. They were true matings. Khaion had tried to tell me, but I hadn’t been able to see past my own prejudices.
Which meant....
Pearl.
What I felt for her... the deep, all-consuming need, an adoration that bubbled up from the depths of my soul, and the absolute necessity she remained in my life. This was no passing fancy or fleeting infatuation. This was true mating—our souls had intertwined, and we were destined to be together. Pearl belonged to me, and I belonged to her.
“If you care for Pearl... if you want her, the only thing standing in your way is yourself,” Jala said softly, seeming to read my mind.
“That and her knife,” I chuckled, thinking back to the first instant I saw her standing in the kitchen frowning at me. I’d known. At that moment with the blade whizzing by my ear, somehow, deep down, I’d known she was mine.
My mate.
I’d spend the rest of my life happily dodging knife throws to remain by her side.
Chapter 13 – Pearl
As rooms went, it was a nice one. The walls featured elegant tapestries, and a large window provided a breathtaking view of the expanse of space, adorned with sparkling stars. One side of the room held an enormous bed, piled with blankets and pillows, the other side held a small sitting area along with a doorway leading to the alien version of a bathroom.
Despite the luxurious surroundings, I didn’t feel at ease here. My heart longed for the familiar comforts of the kitchen, but I couldn’t bear to be there now. I needed solitude and privacy, a place to nurse what I would never claim was a broken heart despite the pain.
I’d left Deema and Aqsa to finish up the Baron’s dinner. They’d noticed my red, puffy eyes, but I’d brushed it off as exhaustion from the competition. Normally, cooking cured any ailment, the repetitive movement and creative outlet proved perfect numbing agents. Not anymore. I’d lowered my guard and let Jutuk become a part of that world, and try as I might, there was no way to compartmentalize him from the place I loved most.
Once again, I had fallen for the wrong man. The trouble was, Jutuk didn’t feel like the wrong guy. He felt right... so right that it made the pang of thinking he didn’t want me almost too much to bear. Jutuk was everything I’d ever wanted. Tall and strong, with a mischievous glint in his eyes and a lopsided smilethat made my heart flutter. Not to mention loyal, protective, and so damn sweet I could barely stand it.
The memory of his touch lingered on my skin, sending an unwanted shiver down my spine. The hunger and longing in his eyes had mirrored my own desire, making me believe that what we had together was something more... something precious. But then he turned away from me when I brought up our future, a silent rejection that cut deep. How had I misread the signals so completely? How could someone who seemed to want me so badly suddenly turn cold? The uncertainty and confusion clawed at my heart, leaving me questioning everything I thought I knew about him... and myself.
A sudden sharp knock caused my heart to jump in surprise. I quickly wiped away the tear tracks remaining on my cheeks, trying to muster a neutral facade, and expecting to find Deema or Aqsa when I swung open the door.
Shit!
Jutuk stood on the other side, his devastatingly handsome smile fading as his golden eyes scanned my face. On the heels of an ugly cry, I must be a sight. Even without a mirror, I knew my eyes and nose were red and swollen.
Concern masked his features, and without asking, he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “My Pearl, what is wrong? I went to the kitchen, but Deema and Aqsa told me you are not preparing the Baron’s dinner tonight.”
“Nothing.” I turned my back to him, trying with every modicum of control I possessed to keep my emotions from raging.
“Don’t lie to me, my Pearl. What troubles you?”
