Page 55 of Radakk's Mate
“It depends upon the couple.” The doctor sinks back in his chair and taps at his chin. His eyebrows bunch together. “Typically, the bonding fever doesn’t last longer than seven days, but there have been cases where it’s lasted for a full moon cycle. It’s difficult to say, especially since the females in question are not Darrvason.”
“Does anyone else know about this?” While I’m thrilled to learn heartbonds are possible with humans, I worry that when this becomes common knowledge among my people, every male in the Darrvason Empire will fight to acquire a female of his own. If we’re to share a planet with the humans, this could cause conflict, particularly if Darrvason males decide to ignore the terms of the alliance and start stealing females from the human settlements.
“Only a few doctors. I’ve also informed Officer Brute, since he’s in daily contact with the admiral concerning the happenings on theJansonna.” He gestures to the corridor outside. “Even if I swear the doctors and Officer Brute to secrecy, the truth will emerge soon enough, and then it will spread like roaring lava. Admiral Tornn never neglects his duties to the fleet, and for him to go missing for days on end…” His voice trails off, and I understand his point.
“The engineers working on theJansonnawill likely redouble their efforts when news of the heartbond breaks.” Possessiveness burns through me as I consider Thalia. My mate. I must keep her locked in my quarters, and I must also cease inviting advisors and dignitaries to my living space for the time being. Even though she remains in her room during such visits, I suddenly realize how dangerous those visits were.
Doctor Groaa grasps the edge of the desk, and his visage turns serious. “I have recently put in a request for a female of my own, Emperor. I hope you will remember my years of service to the Darrvason Empire.”
Though I don’t know the doctor well, Zahhn has spoken highly of him on multiple occasions, so I nod and say, “When the next wave of human females is surrendered to us, you may select one for yourself.”
Relief fills the doctor’s eyes, and he offers such enthusiastic, profuse thanks, that I start to feel uncomfortable.
I rise to my feet. “Thank you for attending to Admiral Tornn and his mate. Please inform me when the admiral’s bonding fever abates. Also, please contact me at once if a heartbond begins to form between another Darrvason-human mating pair.”
I depart the medical bay in a rush, desperate to return to Thalia. Eager to hold her in my arms. On my way to my quarters, I bark orders into my wrist comm, canceling all my meetings, as well as the trip to theEarrna.
I plan to spend the remainder of the day spilling my seed inside a certain golden-haired empress.
Chapter36
THALIA
Something has changedin Emperor Radakk, but I’m not certain what precipitated the change. He’s always been ravenous for me, always eager to claim me. But for the last week, his behavior has bordered on madness, and I’ve never been so sore between my thighs. Some days, it’s a struggle to get out of bed.
During the last week, he’s only left his quarters a handful of times, and never for longer than an hour, and whenever he returns, he pretty much mauls me.
I settle in front of the video comm, wincing at the soreness in my ass and pussy. After taking a deep breath, I enter Captain Warren’s personal comm number. It’s perhaps the fifth time I’ve attempted to contact him. So far, he hasn’t answered my calls.
I wonder if he’s ignoring me on purpose. Perhaps he’s waiting until Emperor Radakk gives him a glowing report on my behavior before he answers. Maybe he believes there’s no point in talking to me until I’ve earned the information about my mother.
I glance over my shoulder, peering toward the entryway, heart racing as I worry the emperor will return at any moment. He’s meeting with one of his advisors, but he’d promised to make it quick.
I’m relieved when the worldship captain doesn’t answer my call, and I quickly turn the video comm off and venture to a plush sofa that faces the largest viewscreen in Emperor Radakk’s quarters.
Relieved. Yes, it’s true.
I feel guilty over lying to my mate about my reasons for wanting a video comm. If I were to manage a conversation with Captain Warren, a conversation that would have to remain secret, I know the guilt would only increase.
Fortunately, my calls with Mandy and my two coworkers went better than I expected, and I have more calls scheduled with them next week. All three women seemed delighted to speak with me, and each conversation lasted for about an hour and flowed naturally.
Maybe I am capable of making friends, capable of forming a close bond with another person. Before I left theJansonna, I never had the chance. Between work and spying, there wasn’t enough time.
There’s a noise in the entryway, followed by rapid footsteps. Though I’m sore from yesterday’s numerous mating sessions, pleasure coils in my center, and my clit commences a steady throb. I also become breathless, and Emperor Radakk hasn’t even entered the room yet.
I crave him. With each passing day, my yearning for his touch increases, as though I’m becoming a little mad myself.
“Thalia.” His voice is deep and raspy, likely because he’d growled so loud last night as he’d spurted down my throat.
“Emperor.”
The room crackles with tension as he approaches me, his steps slow but deliberate. Predatory. A thrill skitters down my spine, and warmth continues pulsating in my nether region. The ache is so sudden and unbearable, that I almost whimper.
Radakk. How I long to say his name, and though I intentionally called himEmperorat first because I’d wanted to hold him at a distance, I now regret making a habit of the formality. After three weeks of being mated and calling himEmperor, the prospect of suddenly calling himRadakkfeels awkward.
I’m also still worried he might object, and if he does, it'll break my heart a little. Another rejection that sends a pang through my chest.
Fortunately, he’s treated me with more warmth lately. Oh, don’t get me wrong, he’s still a possessive brute at times, and he still refuses to allow me any freedom, but he hasn’t dismissed me from his bedroom at night. He expects me to sleep next to him, and he usually holds me in his arms all night long. I’m fairly certain if I attempted to return to my own bedroom, he would hunt me down and carry me back to his bed.
