Page 26

26

Onatel

*Ren*

“ O natel is close. I’ll run ahead, open the gates.” Jalen turned, gracing me with a blinding grin. He’d led the way all morning, in proper guide fashion, while Demi and I chatted.

My cheeks warmed as his eyes locked with mine, reminding me of earlier this morning. Those gorgeous greens had been the first thing I’d seen when I woke with him beside me. If I hadn’t remembered that Demi was sleeping within earshot, I might’ve tried for a repeat hump session.

“Go ahead,” Demi said. “We’ll catch up.”

As Jalen jogged away, Demi lifted a brow. “Well, well. Never thought I’d live to see the day. You’re smitten with our guide… aren’t you?”

My cheeks burned. “Not sure if I’d go that far.”

Was I smitten? With his vibrating cocks… definitely. As for the rest of him… maybe. Ugh. How did this happen?

I’d never been the girl who swooned over guys. I’d always been content alone. I had my friends and my work. Some might even say I was a little obsessed with the latter, but it never bothered me. Getting my hands dirty fixing things made me happy. My lack of a relationship never factored into my overall contentment. Not to mention that the few interactions I’d had with men were either so traumatic I did my best never to think of them, or entirely forgettable.

But something told me that when I left Dionus, I wouldn’t forget Jalen so easily.

“What’s the matter?” Demi tilted his head. “It’s okay for you to like him, you know. I’m pretty positive he likes you back.”

I worried my lower lip with my teeth. “Yeah… if you say so.”

“Don’t think I missed you two sleeping in the same lionettle last night.”

“It’s not a big deal. Not like anything is gonna come of it after this trip is through.”

He scoffed. “You didn’t see the way he was looking at you when he saved you from falling into the fire last night.”

The guy was a recluse. It was no surprise he’d be attracted to the first chick who’d come along. “I don’t know about all that…”

Demi leaned in. “I have a feeling he’d follow you to the end of the universe if you asked him to.”

I spat caustically, “Well, I’m not asking.”

“What are we asking?” Jalen’s voice boomed from ahead. We turned a corner, and the trees blocking the way thinned, revealing Jalen standing at the end of the path beside an open gate similar to the one at Asani’s village.

I shot Demi a dirty look before flashing Jalen a sheepish grin. “Nothing. Demi’s just messing with me.”

Jalen’s eyes narrowed. “Is he? Say the word and I’ll teach him to watch his mouth.”

“Me? Who’s the one calling people bitches around here?” Demi crossed his arms, staring Jalen down.

God, I don’t need to deal with this pissing match right now. “If anyone needs to watch their mouth around here, it’s me, you fucks.” I brushed past them both, ducking inside the village gate. “Now come on. Let’s go.”

My eyes widened as I emerged onto a busy street and strode into a town far larger than the last one we’d stopped in. Wood cabins lined the winding roads, built in the same fashion as the homes in the capital. Dozens of Dionions wandered about, and all those close enough to spot us eyed us curiously.

“Hey, Jalen!” a squeaky voice called. It belonged to a boy a head shorter than me, who wore clothes a touch too small, like he’d just finished shooting up a few inches.

Jalen answered cheerfully, “Tun. Good to see you.” More children gathered around, the older ones clearly excited, though some of the younger ones stared at him curiously with no sign of recognition.

As they broke into a conversation full of names of people I didn’t recognize, I hung back with Demi. “Is someone here expecting you?”

Demi nodded and pulled a folded paper out of his pack. “The official from the last village sent me with a letter of introduction. Seems that’s the way of things in these parts.”

“How… quaint.” It certainly wasn’t how we were used to doing things. I could contact Arda with a single touch as long as she stayed on the planet.

“Hey, if it works.” He shrugged. “Now I just need to find the village official.”

“Official?” I asked.

“They’re the ones in charge. Always at least one in a settlement this big,” he explained.

As if the words had summoned him, an older Dionion wearing a vest so long it was more of a robe appeared in the doorway of the large cabin that sat closest to the gate. “Greetings, visitors,” he began, speaking formally as he tossed his long blue hair over one shoulder.

Jalen spun around. As soon as the official spotted him, he lost the pomp and grinned widely.

“Jalen! What a pleasure to see you. Karln will be thrilled.” He stopped at Jalen’s side, forgoing the formal greeting and pulling him into a tight hug.

“It’s good to be back, Official Minra.” Jalen hugged him back—and was that a tear gathering in the corner of his eye?

“Who are your companions?” Official Minra asked.

Demi cleared his throat. “I’m actually here on a separate matter, Official.” He thrust out the letter, following it up with the formal fist press. “You may have heard about me already. I’m Demetri, the linguist working on the translator upgrades that were commissioned out of Harlxston.”

Minra glanced over the letter with pursed lips. “I see. You’re right. We’ve heard about your travels.” He snapped his fingers three times, and the teen who’d first spoken to Jalen appeared at his elbow. “Please, run ahead and inform the hostel Demetri will need a room. I hope you enjoy your stay with us.” He turned to me. “Are you his… assistant?”

“I’m with him.” I jabbed my thumb at Jalen.

“We’re passing through on our way to the old ruins,” Jalen said smoothly. “We ran into Demetri in the jungle and thought it wise to travel together, after we encountered some trouble.”

Minra lifted a hand, palm out. “Say no more.” His gaze darted around the children gathered within earshot. “We should discuss this in private, I think.” Then his brow furrowed. “After you’ve settled in, of course. I’ll have someone take you to get cleaned up. We’ll put out fresh clothes and a bite to eat for each of you.”

I could sense from the way his gaze lingered on the worst of the stains I’d acquired, the mention of clothing was meant for me. “Thank you, Official Minra. I lost my pack early on—”

“It’s no trouble at all.” He grinned widely, and the expression completely changed his face, making his resemblance to Jalen stand out starkly. “Some say we have the most skilled weavers in all of Dionus living within Onatel.” Minra shot a sharp glance behind me into the crowd of teens, and two broke free from the pack as if summoned. “Take them to the bathhouses, please.” With that, he spun on his heel and headed back to the house he’d emerged from.

A young woman with wide violet eyes, her long blue locks styled in a dozen braids woven into an intricate series of loops, approached me. I smiled tentatively, but before I said hello, a young man beckoned Demi and Jalen to follow him, and my heart dropped. “Are we splitting up?”

She nodded. “Females and males have separate bathhouses in Onatel. Is it not the same where you live?”

Jalen must’ve sensed my distress. He sidestepped the boy and stopped beside me. “Hey, Ren. Are you okay with this? I can come with you and wait outside if you’d feel more comfortable.”

“No, it’s fine.” I could handle a bathhouse full of women. “We’ll meet after?”

He nodded and turned to the girl. “Kiki, can you walk her to Karln’s cabin when she’s finished?”

“Certainly,” she replied.

With a final smile, Jalen returned to his guide.

“Kiki, is that your name?”

The girl smoothed a hand down her thigh-length skirt before holding out her fist in Dioinon style. “It is. And you are?”

“Ren.” I pressed the side of my fist to hers. After we dropped our arms, she strolled in the opposite direction from Jalen and Demi.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ren. We don’t get a lot of off-worlders here.” Even though she wasn’t shy about examining me, her innocent curiosity didn’t make me squirm the way other people’s gazes normally did. But when her gaze trailed to my hair, her face fell, and she said, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

What is she talking about? “What loss?”

She waved a hand at my short blonde curls. “When did you lose him? It must’ve been pretty recent. I’m so sorry you had to endure losing your mate at such a young age.”

A startled chuckle escaped me. “I’m not sure why you think that, but I’ve never had a mate—much less lost one.”

“You didn’t cut your hair short when your mate died?” she asked in such a shocked tone, I knew she wasn’t messing with me.

“No. I promise you, that’s not a thing where I come from.”

Kiki tilted her head. “Huh. So you just cut your hair because you like it short?”

A pang of discomfort lodged in my chest. Not exactly… but we’re not gonna get into that. “Pretty much.”

“Off-worlders are so bizarre.” She giggled. Then her eyes widened, and she quickly added, “No offense.”

“None taken.”

I had about a dozen follow-up questions. Did they really cut their hair as a sign of grief? Was it only for mates—what about children or parents? But at that moment, Kiki strode up the porch steps of a log cabin, one of the few buildings without open windows and big airy rooms visible from the street.

I slotted my questions away for later and followed Kiki into the dim interior. Lamps set to low provided a peaceful ambiance, and light fruity perfume smacked me in the nose.

An old Dionion woman, far plumper than most I’d met so far, rose from behind a desk. “Kiki. Who have you brought me today?” She frowned as her gaze raked over my clothes. “Oh dear. You’ve come not a moment too soon, I see.”

A wave of heat stung my cheeks. “Lost my pack a few days back. Been down to one skinsuit since then.”

“Don’t worry.” She rushed forward, hands outstretched. I backed away before she made contact with my shoulder, but the woman’s smile didn’t slip in the slightest. She let her hands fall to her sides and cocked her head at a wooden door behind the desk. “We’ll get you cleaned up. Come along.”

I followed warily, but as I wandered into a fresh-scented room with soft music playing, my shoulders relaxed. A curtain covered the back half of the room, and two young Dionions stood in the front, their posture stiff and attention focused on the plump proprietor.

“This is Tirra.” She waved forward a pretty girl slightly older than Kiki, her long blue hair styled in loose waves, and a second girl, whose long lashes fluttered as she looked me up and down. “And Novri. They’ll be your attendants today.”

“Attendants?” I shook my head. “I don’t need help bathing.”

“I see. Well, they’ll be just outside, should you need anything.” With that, the boss pulled back a curtain, revealing a tub similar to the ones I’d used in the caves with one major difference. More than a dozen jars, bottles, and brushes littered the tub’s edge.

Talk about overkill. No wonder they need assistants. “Thanks. I’ll manage.”

Kiki hurried forward as I ducked inside. “Ren, would you mind handing me your clothing once you step out of it? We’ll have it cleaned for you while you’re bathing.”

“Oh… Um, sure.”

The boss winked at me before slipping out. I slid the curtain closed and pulled down my zipper. The outer door had barely swung closed before voices rose from the other side of the curtain.

“Are the rumors true, Kiki?” one attendant asked.

The second, her voice slightly higher pitched, chimed in. “I heard Jalen’s returned.”

Kiki said, “It’s true. He said he was just passing through.”

“How did he look? I bet the years have been kind to him,” the first said.

The second didn’t give Kiki a chance to reply before she asked breathlessly, “I wonder if he’ll stay for the festival tonight? I’d love a dance with him.”

I rolled my eyes, wondering if the girl was out there swooning. “Here’s my stuff, Kiki.” I thrust my clothes outside the curtain, interrupting their conversation.

“Thank you.” Maybe it was just me, but Kiki sounded relieved. “I better take these to the cleaners.”

The barely there hum of whispers rose from beyond the curtain after the door shut, but I tried to put the attendants out of my mind.

So there was a village full of cute, young things itching for a chance to get their hands on my guide. I shouldn’t be surprised. Jalen was gorgeous. And that smile of his… Any girl would be lucky to have him as her mate.

I sank into the warm water and willed the jealous thoughts away. I had to face the facts. Jalen wasn’t meant to be mine. I mean, how often did Dionions end up with someone outside of their race, anyway?

Of course, it was possible. If it wasn’t, then Cass wouldn’t be with Rhelt.

Cassidy… Her name filled my thoughts at the same moment I slathered sweet-smelling gunk on my hair. Clarity hit me full blast, making my eyes widen. That’s why Jalen was so upset when we first met. He must’ve assumed I was Cassidy, and that the short hair meant Rhelt was dead.

Odd… He didn’t talk about Rhelt much. The few times his name came up in conversation, Jalen’s brows pinched in and his shoulders slumped, leading me to believe their relationship was strained. But then why would he be so distraught over Rhelt’s loss?

Noise in the outer chamber drew my attention. “Kiki, you’re back quick,” one of the girls said.

“I have new clothes for Ren.” Footsteps slapped the tile, and then Kiki called from behind the curtain. “Can I come in and place some clean clothes on a chair for you?”

I could duck under the water. Or better yet… “Just a second.” I snagged a towel off a hook on the wall and wrapped it around me, thankful I’d already finished washing. “Come in.”

Kiki smiled politely as she slipped inside. “It will take several hours to launder your clothes. You’re welcome to wear these while you wait.”

“Thank you.” I crossed the room, my stomach sinking. The thigh-high skirt and tight-fitted tank top would show off a lot more skin than I was used to. “I’m guessing you don’t have any pants instead, do you?”

Kiki shook her head. “I can ask around, if you’d like.”

“No. I’ll be fine. It’s just for a few hours.” I fingered the shirt, sighing as the buttery fabric slipped across my skin. At least I’d be clean. Then I’d change back into my stuff when it was time to leave.

Kiki ducked behind the curtain, and I dressed quickly. But when I searched for my boots, my brow furrowed. “Have you seen my boots?”

The girl with the higher voice replied, “We have them out here. We’re almost done shining them for you.”

The curtain whooshed as I pushed it aside. Both the attendants looked up, their hands busy scrubbing the mud and gunk off my hiking boots.

“You didn’t need to clean those. They’re just gonna get filthy again.”

Novri replied, allowing me to put a name to the high-pitched voice. “It’s no trouble at all.”

I shifted from foot to foot in my borrowed socks. “Okay. Thanks, then, I guess.” I glanced around, wondering what to talk about while I waited for them to surrender my footwear. Maybe I could ask Kiki some of those questions from earlier. But as I spotted her standing beside the doorway, my stomach clenched.

Kiki’s bronze skin was flush, and her lashes fluttered at the same time she wobbled on her feet.

I gasped, rushing to her side as she fainted. “Get the healer!” I shouted. “Kiki needs help.” I lowered her gently to the floor, resting her head in my lap.

“Don’t worry.” Tirra calmly rose and handed her boot to Novri. “I’ll find who she needs.”

As the door swung shut, Kiki slowly came to. “So… hot,” she muttered, tugging at the neck of her shirt.

My heart raced. Was this the same sickness that’d struck me? From what I could tell, the symptoms certainly lined up.

“Here she is,” Tirra announced lightly as she led a lanky teen inside.

What the hell? “I thought you were getting the healer?”

“It’s all right. He’ll help Kiki,” Novri said. “Watch.”

The teen bent and lifted Kiki gently from my arms. Then, before I could do more than gasp, he planted a kiss on her lips.

“Hey!” I stood, intending to smack the filthy pervert off her. “She’s not in any condition to—” My words died in my throat as Kiki’s loose limbs locked around the guy’s neck, dragging him closer. I averted my eyes as they pulled apart.

“Ebam. You didn’t have to come,” Kiki said breathlessly.

Ebam caressed her face, which had returned to her normal bronze hue. “Of course I did. Let me guess. You forgot your tablets again this morning.” He reached into his vest pocket, and I had a sinking feeling I knew exactly what he was about to pull out. He turned before I could confirm my suspicions, leading Kiki to the door. “Come on. Let’s get you some water.”

As the door swung behind them, I spun to the girls. “What was that ?”

Novri sighed. “She’s so lucky, isn’t she? I wish I’d found my harmonic when I was Kiki’s age.”

“Harmonic…” Where had I heard that before? “What’s that?”

“Her mate,” Tirra replied matter-of-factly.

I blinked repeatedly. “Her… mate? What does that have to do with her collapsing?”

Novri scrubbed the sole of my boot. “It’s the heat. Since they’re waiting to complete the bond, they take blockers to stop it.”

Blood zinged through my veins like it’d been turbocharged.

“I’m planning to wait when I first meet my mate, too.” Tirra sat beside Novri and picked up the other boot and cloth. “Back when my gran was young, there was no choice. That was before the healers discovered how to block the heat symptoms.”

I wasn’t entirely sure how I made my voice work, but somehow I asked, “How do they… complete the bond?”

Novri and Tirra shared a knowing look. Then Novri leaned in, her brows raised. “You truly don’t know?”

I shook my head, not caring that I probably looked like an idiot.

Tirra stated baldly, “They complete the bond by mating .” Her lips thinned. “You do know what that is, don’t you?”

I nodded blankly as a thousand scattered pieces clicked together. Then the answer to my earlier question struck me in a flash. Asani had called Jalen my harmonic before she’d tried to sear off my taste buds. It couldn’t be true… could it?

Is Jalen my mate?