Page 33 of Across the Stars (Cosmic Threads of Fate #1)

“If you close yourself off and resist his advances, you will only harm Watai,” Iskzo explained, his mental voice strained with worry.

“His people aren’t used to waiting once they’ve found their threadmate, but he’s been forcing himself to be patient with you.

I’m concerned that the longer it takes for the both of you to reach an understanding, the more he will doubt that you want him. ”

“Iskzo, please accept what I say as my heartfelt truth.” Mae licked her lips as she looked over at Watai, who was still tying the saddle to Iskzo’s back.

“I need time. This has nothing to do with you or him. I assure you that I want to work things out with him, but only on my terms. I can’t enter a relationship blindly like he wants, but I am willing to let it develop gradually.

So please, don’t pressure me...and make sure he understands that my hesitation isn’t due to anything he’s done.

I simply need more time to adjust to everything that has been thrown at me.

He’ll be the first to know when I am ready to move forward and explore the connection. ”

“I’ll inform my rider of your thoughts.” Iskzo’s chest rumbled as he closed his eyes and nodded, accepting her response. “Let me know if you need me to translate anything more. Hopefully, with time, you’ll be fluent in Z’myu’s language to tell him yourself.”

“Thank you.” Mae grinned, scratching the ridge between Iskzo’s eyes, unable to believe she was talking to a dragon about her relationship with its rider.

“You make this a little bit easier for me. I wished I could communicate in this manner with everyone. Many misunderstandings would be cleared up.”

“You owe me one fish for every time you need me,” Iskzo countered, his head bobbing as a thrill escaped his mouth. “More if it’s a big favor.”

“I’ll keep that in mind…” She laughed and shook her head at the beast, wondering whose ridiculousness had rubbed off on whom—the mount or the rider.

“Don’t tell Watai.”

Mae noticed Watai watching her interaction with Iskzo, his teal eyes seeming lighter than before.

Dropping her hand from his threadmount, she looked at them both and wondered if Iskzo had been translating for Watai throughout their entire conversation, putting him in a better mood so suddenly.

“ Sywa qun’ yusum? ” Watai jumped and swung his leg over Iskzo’s back, settling in the saddle. “Mae?”

“I’m coming,” she muttered under her breath, grabbing Iskzo’s shoulder and lifting herself onto his back.

She cringed at her clumsiness in comparison to Watai’s grace. But she shouldn’t be comparing herself to someone who had practiced mounting and dismounting for who knew how many years. So she simply worked her straps before Watai could assist her.

She took a deep breath as Watai wrapped his arms around her waist, working behind her, checking to make sure the straps were secure before they took off. His proximity after their steamy beach kiss the night before made her hyperaware of his body and where his hands were moving.

Mae could feel her body temperature rise—and not from the daytime heat—as he innocently ran his fingers underneath the straps, rubbing against her bare skin.

She closed her eyes and leaned against his hard chest, letting her head rest against him, trying not to think about his nimble fingers working on her body.

This was dangerous.

How could he be so seductive without realizing it? Was she so touch-starved that a single lapse of judgment could make her crave more?

Snaking his arm around her waist, he leaned forward, pressing her against Iskzo and sandwiching her between both of their bodies. She wrapped her arms around Iskzo and pressed her cheek against his neck, holding on for dear life as he leapt from the ledge and dove out of the large tree’s canopy.

Iskzo blew a loud bugle, and Watai mimicked him by making bird-like noises into the air. As a response, they were met with a barrage of dragon trills and bugles.

Iskzo flared his wings, flinging his body back with the deafening sound of air hitting sails.

Mae opened her eyes and looked around. They were flying over the lake, a short distance above the water’s surface, where their reflection sparkled back at them.

As she sat on Iskzo’s back in front of Watai, Mae experienced a range of emotions.

She couldn’t deny the sense of security she felt in his arms, and she knew she had to keep her cool.

She didn’t know why she was drawn to him, and she couldn’t stop herself from feeling that way, but she refused to believe it was because of some cosmic thread that linked her to Watai.

Mae tried to put her emotions to the back of her mind as they swooped through the air and plummeted back toward the tree and instead concentrated on the breathtaking views of the lake and jungle below.

As the wind blew through her hair and the exhilarating flight washed over her, she felt liberated. Nothing could compare to this.

Watai leaned in close and shouted something in her ear. She shook her head and pointed to her ears, indicating that she couldn’t hear him over the wind. He nodded and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer to him.

Mae felt a flutter in her stomach as she leaned back into him, enjoying the feel of his strong arms around her as they landed on a branch near the dining hall.

She quickly unhooked her straps and swung her leg over Iskzo’s neck, dismounting and stepping back to give Watai enough room to land safely beside her.

He patted his mount’s neck, and Iskzo turned around and leapt off the branch, allowing another dragon to land in his vacated space.

The hall was bustling with activity as people gathered around the cooking fires and prepared food for the day.

Watai led her to a table laden with various alien dishes, and she began to feel a little overwhelmed.

He noticed her hesitation and gently took her hand, guiding her to the various dishes and explaining what they were.

She couldn’t understand his words, but the way he gestured and smiled made her feel at ease.

Mae sat down to eat with Watai and his family, listening to them talk and noticing words or phrases that stood out to her. She couldn’t help but feel like something was changing, as if the kiss the night before had unlocked something within her.

Mae had no idea what the trials were or how she would find a mount, but she could tell how important it was by the way they talked about it. She could feel the pressure mounting, unsure if she was prepared for whatever was expected of her.

Watai, who was deep in conversation with his family and friends, drew her attention again and again.

Was it just physical attraction, or something more? She didn’t know, but she couldn’t shake the desire to be near him.