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He lowers my legs gently to either side of him, but he stays full seated within me. He plants his hand low on my stomach, right over the softest, roundest part of my body. I’m usually uncomfortable being touched there, but he strokes the pooch gently, reverently. Like he’s transfixed by my body.

I feel bereft as he pulls out of me with a groan. His eyes move to the spot between my legs. “Mine,” he gathers the cum spilling from me and pushes it back inside.

He pulls down the covers and lays beside me, putting them back over us. I turn my head and press a soft kiss to his lips. Cocooned in his arms I manage to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

CHAPTER31

RAIZ

* * *

I’m awoken by Hyva gently tapping on our mental connection. Neev is still wrapped around me in the same position we fell asleep in last night. Neither of us moved once we fell asleep, which is a first for me. I kiss her forehead softly and extricate myself from her arms.

I wasn’t thinking last night and didn’t bring any clothes into her room. After making sure my cock is tucked away, I stride out into the hall where Hyva is waiting for me with one foot propped on the wall.

He smirks at my lack of clothes and follows me into my bedroom. “The Bak’hura is at nightfall on the Sovereign’s ship.”

I pause halfway through pulling my pants on. “His ship?” Honestly, I’d rather be on his ship than at the palace where my Bak’hura took place. Memories from that terrible day are harder to ignore when I’m standing watching history repeat itself.

“Yeah. Apparently, he’s ill. His medical staff don’t want him on the surface.”

“He announced that publicly?” My brows rise.

“No. I heard the reason from one of my contacts on his team.”

“What are the chances he’ll just die and this fucking rite can go with him?” I mutter as I pull a shirt on.

“Considering who will replace him, not good.”

I grunt in agreement. Honestly, the Sovereign dying wouldn’t help the cause at all. Part of the strength of my plan relies on his weakened state. The next male in line is as cruel as he is cunning. He’d be much harder to defeat.

“I’ll make breakfast. Go wake up Vynia.”

“She’s already left to start getting ready.”

“Right.” That makes sense. Even though she’s a highly decorated pilot in the fleet, at this rite, she can’t wear her official uniform like the rest of us. She has to dress like a lady of nobility, which she obviously hates. They won’t even allow her the dignity of wearing her prosthetic leg.

“Does Neev have a dress for the occasion?”

“Yes. She was given a wardrobe full of clothing for all possible occasions.”

“Have you changed your mind about the mate bond? It could keep her safe.”

“No. I haven’t changed my mind. It still needs to be her choice; I will not make her feel pressured in any way.”

“Even at the cost of her safety and your happiness?”

“I don’t think it will come to a question of her safety. I have a plan to explain her presence.” We start walking toward the kitchen.

“And that plan is?”

“I’m going to tell them that I bought her freedom and have offered her a role on the ship as an interpreter for those who don’t have universal translator chips.”

“What if they know she’s from Oculus Nine?”

“Then I’ll find another explanation. I don’t plan on spending more than a few minutes up there tonight.”

“What are you two plotting?” Neev asks from the doorway of the kitchen.