Page 39 of Across the Stars (Cosmic Threads of Fate #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY

MAE

Mae sat with Watai’s wing in the Gathering Hall, her eyes scanning the room as she picked up more words and phrases. She noticed the multiple mated pairs within the group, their love and connection palpable in the way they interacted with one another.

She felt a twinge of envy as she watched the group have a good time and joke around, wishing she could understand what they were saying rather than relying on body language and gestures.

It made her think of Watai and the strange connection she felt toward him. She couldn’t deny the pull, but she didn’t know if it was just her attraction to him or something more.

She felt Watai’s gaze on her and turned, offering him a small smile that only partly hid the emotions tugging at her.

Her attention shifted as the twin brothers, Orox and Yutesi, approached the cooking pit carrying trays of food.

With their identical features, matching tribal attire, and long braided hair, they were a sight to behold.

When they began serving their son, Xaynu, Orox introduced a female companion—Zylynx.

Mae was struck by the resemblance; Zylynx was clearly the boy’s mother and the twins’ mate.

Mae watched as Zylynx slipped gracefully into the group, moving with the easy familiarity of long practice. Cooking, serving, eating—it was all part of a comfortable rhythm. Sitting among them, Mae felt a surprising sense of belonging, surrounded by both familiar faces and new friends.

The atmosphere glowed warm and welcoming, and gratitude stirred in her chest. As laughter and conversation rose around the fire, Mae realized she was exactly where she needed to be.

Mae felt a flutter of unease as she caught Watai’s mother watching her from across the table. The older woman’s pale eyes twinkled with amusement and something like understanding, leaving Mae with the unsettling sense of being read like an open book.

She forced a small smile, willing herself to appear confident and unruffled, though inside she wondered—did the woman already suspect the feelings growing in her for Watai?

Mae quickly looked away, fixing her gaze on the meal and the conversations around her, but the sensation of being watched clung stubbornly.

Relief only came when Watai redirected the talk, giving her a chance to breathe.

Still, the doubt lingered: would his family—and his tribe—ever truly accept her?

She took her time with the food, savoring each bite. The heat of the spices and the sweetness of the fruit struck a perfect balance, grounding her in the moment. Surrounded by Watai, his wing, and the friends she had made, Mae felt herself slowly begin to relax.

As she ate, she felt Watai’s tail wrap around her possessively, reminding her of their connection and the growing feelings she had for him. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye and saw the way he looked at her, filled with tenderness and protectiveness.

Laughter and conversation filled the air as the group shared their meal.

Mae felt unexpectedly at ease in their presence, as though she’d known them for years.

She could see herself growing used to these nights—eating beside Watai, surrounded by his wing and the friends she had made.

Despite their differences, they were united by simple pleasures: food and one another’s company.

As Mae savored her last bite, she noticed Watai’s wingmates drifting away in small groups once the food was gone and the talk began to fade. Couples held hands or twined their tails together, some shepherding children close by.

Watai rose, unwinding his tail from her waist, and extended his hand.

She accepted, letting him pull her gently to her feet.

Glancing around, she saw the bonfires abandoned, flames guttering down to ash amid scattered dishes and waterskins.

A few tribesmen lingered, chatting softly as they nodded to Watai in passing.

Her heart pounded as he led her toward the ledge. Excitement surged in her chest at the thought of taking flight again, of soaring beneath the starry sky. She couldn’t wait to feel that thrill once more.

He pointed toward Iskzo, perched on a nearby branch and waiting for them. As they drew closer, the dragon extended his vast wings in greeting.

Iskzo’s scales shimmered in the glow of the bioluminescent flora, and Mae felt a rush of awe at the sight. When the space dragon lowered his head to nuzzle her hand, she smiled at his affectionate nature, savoring the chance to connect with such a magnificent creature.

“Are you capable of carrying us?” she teased, scratching her fingers between Iskzo’s eye ridge. “Or did you overeat on fish earlier?”

“Your weight is insignificant to me.” Iskzo snorted and shook his head, his blue and green eyes swirling. “ Once I deliver you to the hut, I’m going to sleep off all the delicious fish to prepare for the hard work I have to do tomorrow.”

“After a long day of fishing, I am ready for a good night’s rest myself.”

Watai climbed onto Iskzo’s back and held out his hand to help Mae up. She took his hand, feeling a jolt of electricity as their fingers touched, and climbed onto Iskzo’s back behind Watai.

With a graceful leap, Iskzo took flight, and Mae felt the wind rush past her face as she held on tight to Watai’s waist, marveling at the breathtaking view of the jungle below.

She pressed her face against his back as they soared higher and higher into the starry sky, feeling the strength of his body against her touch.

As they flew, Mae reflected on how much her life had changed since arriving on this strange and beautiful world. For the first time in years, she felt a sense of belonging—a steady, quiet happiness that had eluded her for so long.

Life here was simple, but rich with love, community, and purpose.

The tribe lived in harmony, every member contributing to the greater good, raising their young and protecting their land together.

Each role mattered. Each voice carried weight.

In contrast, human society seemed painfully self-centered, every individual scrambling for advancement, often at the expense of others.

The difference was stark—almost shameful.

A twinge of guilt cut through her as she realized how much she had once taken for granted.

She had rarely considered how her choices rippled outward, how they touched others.

But here, everything was different. Unity bound the tribe, every action part of a greater whole—and it was beautiful to witness.

Then her thoughts turned to him. The emotions he stirred in her were overwhelming, forcing her to wonder if she could truly become part of his world—living among his people, standing at his side for the rest of their lives.

The thought daunted her. And yet, the way he made her feel whispered that it might just be possible.

Watai’s tail wrapped around her waist, reminding her that she wasn’t alone. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she leaned in closer to him, feeling his warmth and support.

For now, she decided to simply enjoy the moment and let the future take care of itself.

If they were destined to be together, linked by some mystical cosmic thread, as Watai’s people believed, it made sense why her heart and thoughts kept leading her back to him.

Mae stepped off Iskzo’s back onto the hut’s porch, her legs a little unsteady after the flight. She reached up to pat the space dragon’s side, grateful for the safe journey.

“Sweet dreams,” she pathed to the magnificent creature. “Thank you for the flight.”

“You’re always welcome.” He peered over his shoulder, his glowing blue and green marbled eyes locked on hers. “With or without my threadrider.”

She was stunned by the thought of riding alone on Iskzo, and how much she was tempted by it. She cast a glance at Watai, who was unbuckling Iskzo’s saddle, and wondered what he would think of her taking his space dragon for a solo ride.

“Maybe,” she pathed, biting her bottom lip in admiration of the way his muscles flexed.

“But for the time being, I’ll leave it to the professionals.

If the two of you ever get a chance, it would be nice to take a long flight to explore the land.

I haven’t seen much beyond what’s directly around this tree. ”

“I’ll make sure my rider knows,” Iskzo replied; his mental tone sounded amused. “Almost all the fallen trees have been removed. It shouldn’t be long before the tribe settles into a comfortable routine during the growing season.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Mae?” Watai took a step beside her, his brow furrowed as his gaze was drawn to her hand. “ Hewvi?”

“My rider wants to know if you are ready to go to bed,” Iskzo explained. “Sleep, to be more precise.”

“Thank you,” she pathed to Iskzo, before turning her attention to his rider. “ Kess hewvi. Yes, sleep.”

As she walked into the hut, she noticed Watai had gone out of his way to bring their weapons here while she was returning with the fish, and she placed her weapons beside Watai’s on the wall. She felt a surge of joy at the sudden realization that he was making her feel like she belonged here.

She walked over to her weapons and picked up her hip quiver, tilting it over and pouring the teal stone onto her palm.

Mae smiled at Watai and held out the stone she had found on the riverbank earlier to him. “Look what I discovered today. Isn’t it lovely?” She admired the smooth surface and how the light from the glowing stones caught the various shades of blue. “It reminded me of you.”

Watai cocked his head, his lips pursed, trying to process what she had said. He gently took the stone from her and examined it carefully in his hand. “ Kes’ xyvin, ” he whispered, as he moved the stone to his arm and looked up at her, his eyes glowing with warmth and affection. “ Kes’ nyi yoxe .”

“ Kess Watai ,” Mae agreed, as she felt a flush of heat rise to her cheeks. “It matches your skin tone.”

“ Ira’Ayn .”

Mae’s heart fluttered at his words, captivated by the way he looked at her—as if she were the only person in the world who mattered. A rush of emotion swept through her when his gaze locked onto hers; she had never felt so close to anyone before.

In that instant, she knew—she was falling in love with Watai, and there was no turning back.

Her knees went weak as his lips claimed hers, sudden and sure, his tail coiling around her legs to draw her closer.

She gasped at the sensation before melting into it, arms twining around his neck, pulling him nearer.

The kiss deepened, his passion unmistakable, and Mae’s heart raced as warmth surged through her body.

The moment consumed her.

Every caress, every touch pulled her deeper, until all she wanted was him—and everything his world could offer. A soft moan escaped as she surrendered, sinking fully into his embrace.

Time blurred; the world fell away, leaving only the two of them until at last they parted, breathless.

Mae searched his eyes and found love and adoration waiting there. She smiled, gratitude swelling in her chest. He accepted her—wholly, without hesitation, despite their differences.

And in his arms, Mae knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.

She never wanted to leave.