Page 4 of Radakk's Mate
I almost huff. “What-what does that have to do with anything?” Even if I were married or mated or whatever he wants to call it, he wouldn’t detect theseedof a male on me. Due to moral and overpopulation concerns, reproduction on theJansonnais carefully planned and achieved in a fertility lab. Natural procreation is considered barbaric. Taboo. Sure, couples often get married, but only for the sake of friendship or tradition, or in some cases, an alliance between families. But those marriages are never consummated. At least they aren’t supposed to be. People who are suspected of fornication are given extra hormone suppression shots.
“Your lack of a mate explains your waywardness. If you had a mate, he would prevent you from engaging in espionage, which is a dangerous activity—particularly for a young female. If you weremymateand I caught you behaving in such a manner, I would punish you severely.” He places his lips at my ear. “I would take a strap to your bottom.”
I try to jerk away, but he has me cornered in the alcove. “Well, it’s a good thing you aren’t my mate, then, huh?” My tone is flippant, but I don’t care. Who the hell does he think he is to talk to me that way?
Oh, right. He’s the emperor of the Darrvason Empire…
A dark chuckle escapes him, and to my shock, he takes my hands in his, lacing his fingers through mine—his six very long, very inhuman fingers. His flesh is warm but hard and textured. Definitely armor-like. In hand-to-hand combat, even a trained human soldier wouldn’t stand a chance against a Darrvason. I can’t help but wonder if human weaponry, like blasters, could even penetrate the aliens’ skin.
“How old are you, little spy?” He flashes his sharp, pointed teeth.
“None of your business.” Where this outward bravery is coming from, I haven’t a clue. Inside, I’m a quaking mass of nerves. All I want is to run out of the docking bay and hide in my family’s quarters for the next ten years. But it would seem the Darrvason emperor is content to take his time interrogating me.
He casts a brief glance over his shoulder. “It would be in your best interest to cooperate with me, Thalia. Answer my questions and I’ll make sure your people are lenient with you.”
“How could you possibly do that?” I ask, and shit, but my voice breaks over the last few words. I’m terrified of the fate that awaits me once the Darrvasons depart the docking bay. “I was caught in a restricted area listening in on a top-secret meeting. I fully expect Captain Warren to charge me with espionage.”Espionage. Yes, that’s the crime of which I’ll be accused. I’ll be lucky if I escape a death sentence.
Oh God. What have I done?
I’m starving. So hungry I’ll do anything for a meal. So conditioned that I must do whatever it takes to please my father even if I end up risking my own life.Useless pig. That’s what he calls me when I go too many days without bringing him valuable information. My eyes burn and before I realize what’s happening, Emperor Radakk is wiping away my tears with his fingers.
Crying. I’m actually crying.
I never cry. Pretty sure it’s been years since I shed a single tear.
Why do I feel so vulnerable in front of the emperor?
Why can’t I steel myself against the worry in my heart?
His gaze turns gentle. Concerned. And that glimmer of care in his purple eyes devastates me. Because I can’t remember the last time anyone looked at me with concern. The last time anyone worried about my well-being. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been a pawn in a dangerous game, a game that seemingly has no end. I want it to stop, but not like this. I didn’t want to be caught and exposed in front of Captain Warren and his entire command team.
The emperor wipes away one last tear, then says, “If I learn the captain has charged you with espionage, or visited any harm upon you, I will personally remove his head from his body. Now, tell me your age.”
I blink. “I’m twenty years old.” I blink again. “Why would you help me like that? And why do you want to know my age?”
He stares at me wordlessly for so long, I start to think he might not answer. But finally, he says, “Because I am intensely drawn to you, Thalia, and I intend to reserve you. I feel as though the Star Gods have led me directly to you.”
“Reserve me?” I flush, praying he doesn’t mean what I think he means.
He cups my face and runs his thumbs over my cheeks. “Yes, reserve you. You’re beautiful and your scent is nearly driving me to madness. I must have you as mine. You will become my mate. My perfect, obedient little empress.”
Chapter3
RADAKK
Heated desire grips me.My vision blurs as my dual shafts strain against my pants. I know I must return to the meeting soon, but I’m finding it difficult to tear myself away from Thalia. Difficult to let her go. Her sweet presence soothes my blackened soul. She’s the first female I’ve touched as a grown male, and I can’t seem to stop stroking her skin or her hair.
Thalia is everything that has been missing from my life.
I must have her.
Her fragrant scent calls to me, a sweet pungent aroma that’s causing my blood to grow hot. My mouth waters as I imagine exploring her with my tongue. I take another deep inhale of her hair and growl with pleasure. She’s quiet and trembling, and I’m not certain what she thinks about becoming my mate. She hasn’t said a word about it yet. Her scent indicates she might be excited by the prospect, but her constant shaking suggests another story.
I regret that I cannot carry her back to my quarters at this very moment. I long to strip off her clothing and discover what she looks like naked. The human females in the captain’s transmissions had been fully clothed, which means I am uncertain what Thalia looks like between her thighs.
I pray she has two slick holes to welcome my appendages.
The blood samples proved Darrvasons can reproduce with humans, in theory, but if we can’t physically copulate, we’ll have to resort to artificial insemination. I growl at the thought as I tangle my fingers in her soft golden hair.
