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Chapter Ten

B ritta stared at the door. Her fingers tingled from touching him, her thoughts whirled, while her emotions danced around like jumping beans. What the hell had just happened?

Dar Eths, soulmates, voids, and sex? Sure, trust her mind to lock onto the last item. She shivered. Who was she kidding? Sex with Nerx would be mind-blowing. She had no doubts about that.

Still, to be his forever? She didn’t have a choice, and neither did he, by the looks of things.

This Ethera-thing had chosen by changing his eye-color?

She called bullshit. Part of her wanted to flip her finger at fate’s interference.

She didn’t appreciate anyone but herself deciding her future.

Another part whispered that he’d never have looked at her twice if it wasn’t for this stupid soulmate shit.

And despite his protestations otherwise, he hated her guts, so this switch was…

unnatural. But it was different for Mom.

She and Aldur hadn’t fought from first sight.

Quite the opposite. A firehose would’ve come in handy.

Britt swallowed a hysterical giggle. Should she warn Mom or let Aldur tell her in his time?

She was torn. Not once had she interfered with Mom and Dad’s relationship. Doing so now with Aldur when Nerx had said they’re already married would be awkward. But if Mom found out Britt had known all along and hadn’t said anything? Groaning, she rose then swayed, her knees weak.

Nerx, a sexy-as-sin Etterian, the very man she’d pepper sprayed and tazed, was her husband? She gulped, her stomach rising to choke her. No white wedding for her. No declarations of love. Just an instant husband and family.

Bright joy exploded like fireworks in her chest. Lily was her daughter now.

Laughing, she tried not to think about her kidnapping accusations.

How had Nerx not lost his temper? That man might just be strong enough to handle her sass.

She smirked. Tonight, she’d test his acceptance of her.

There was no way she’d hide that part of her from him.

She was who she was, and if he didn’t like her that way, he could eff right off.

Why wasn’t she super pissed about all this?

Had she changed from the Kev incident? She prodded her soul.

Was it because Nerx was as trapped as she was?

Wait a minute, no way would she trust his word without question.

She’d done some dumb things once or twice…

Okay, maybe many times. But he couldn’t spin some story and expect her to suck it up like a gullible idiot.

After yanking on leggings and slippers, she marched through the common to her old quarters but hesitated at the door. Rolling her shoulders back, she walked in then released a grateful sigh at finding Mom not in Aldur’s arms.

“Aldur, could I speak to you…please.” Britt hitched a thumb at the door. They could ‘chat’ in the passage.

“Britt?” Mom frowned.

“I need him to show me something in his quarters,” she lied.

“Oh, of course, Lady Britta.” Aldur placed a tablet on the table and ushered her out, shutting the door behind him.

“Just Britt will do, Aldur, considering that Mom’s your Dar Eth.”

He froze and released a long breath. “Nerx told you? And you are not furious?”

“I should be with this Etterian nonsense.”

“I understand why you might think it so. If you bear with me, I shall explain. We were unruly warriors centuries ago, killing each other without care. Our king at that time approached a superior race known as the Durn. They engineered our genetics to calm our more volatile natures. The Ethera came into being. At first, all was well. Then fewer females were birthed, which impacted the number of matings. Until Princess Oriana, Dar Eths were considered a myth.” He glanced at the door. “Not anymore.”

His ice blue eyes did match Nerx’s, when just a few days ago, his had been a dark blue like Ziot and Sena’s. She folded her arms across her chest, trying to squelch the truth cinching her heart. “Why haven’t you told my mom?”

“I do not know how. And I cannot lose her. For a warrior as old as I, to find my Dar Eth is a gift beyond measure.” He glanced at the closed door. “She is incredible, Lady Britta.”

“Britt,” she said. “What will happen if you never tell her?”

He jerked back. “Etterians do not lie or deceive; it is dishonorable. To do either might cost me a foot of my hair.”

A race that doesn’t lie? She fought a snort and won. “Your hair?” What an odd thing to value.

“Yes, it is an outward indication of our obedience, discipline, teamwork, and authority. Only damu …” He met her gaze.

“Your word would be children. They are still earning their honor.” He flicked his braid and caught its tail to run his thumb over it.

“I must tell her. The Ethera demands we mate.” He offered a smile.

“I never expected it to be this potent—the emotions she summons in me. Nor did I know the Ethera would be so merciless.”

So far, he’d confirmed everything Nerx had said. “And when she touches you?”

His expression became dreamy. “It eases the pain the Ethera inflicts, but to kiss her is beyond my ability to endure.” He cleared his throat. “You do not mind that we are—”

“Married?” Britt teased. “You better tell her soon, Aldur. Omission is deception.”

He stared at her. “You speak truth. Shall we head to my quarters now?”

She laughed. “No, I lied to get you out here. Once you tell her, then we’ll have nothing to hide from her. One more thing. What will happen if she rejects you?”

His eyes darkened with sadness. “I die. The void will grow until it consumes what makes me Etterian. I will become reckless, desperate to feel a drop of joy. Death would be a kindness.”

He abandoned her, returning to Mom. Britt had no doubt he’d be spilling everything soon enough.

So, all true and an insight into how Nerx suffered.

Right. So she could throw a tantrum, act as if the universe conspired against her, or she could embrace this.

Rejecting Nerx meant he’d die and orphan Lily.

Britt’s heart twanged, and tears pressed at the backs of her eyes.

This was a horrible predicament. It wasn’t fair.

After decades of studying planet after planet, she’d hoped to, at least, meet a biologist. She’d wanted the meet-cute, dates, wild sex, and love confessions or the minimum mutual affection.

Instead, she had this. Although, dinner tonight could be considered a date if she treated it as such.

And she couldn’t get a cuter meet-cute than tazing her future-husband.

She swallowed a giggle. Sure, the stuff of romantic comedies everywhere.

Should she wear something fancy? She nibbled on her lip while entering Aldur’s old quarters.

Starting on the right foot might be wise, but she didn’t want to look like she tried too hard.

For her husband, she should be giving their relationship her all.

She’d do that for a boyfriend, why not for Nerx?

She ran her hands from her waist to her hips.

Something slinky would have her ‘beneath’ him sooner.

She shivered. Oh, yes, please. Or another kiss or four.

She could settle for that. Browsing the clothes available had her choosing a cocktail dress.

A sleeveless blue silk body-contour, with a plunging neckline, ended just above her knees.

Simple, stylish, and not too sexy. A sheer demi bra in sky blue lace with matching G-string were next.

Navy blue three-inch peep-toe mules would complete the outfit.

Since she’d be crossing the common and not walking along their metal-grated passages, these shoes should do fine.

After a quick shower, she diligently stood under the wind tunnel to dry.

She studied her reflection in the mirror above the basin.

Her hair fell in curls to her shoulders, with amazing volume when she had yet to brush it.

Her skin glowed as if she moisturized regularly—she didn’t.

Underwear was easy to put on, sliding into the dress a little trickier, but zipping it up the back…

Shit. After huffing and wiggling, she got it halfway up, then slumped into the chair. Slipping the mules on gave her a sense of accomplishment even though she wasn’t ready.

The door chimed. It had never done that.

“Enter,” she called, praying the visitor wouldn’t mind helping her.

When the door stayed closed, she crossed to it, careful not to take too-wide steps lest she tore the dress.

Nerx stood before her in his military uniform and big boots. Lily chatted to Ziot by the rehydrator.

“I need your help.” Britt grabbed Nerx by the arm and yanked him inside.

He said nothing but ran his gaze up and down her body, lingering on her cleavage and bare toes.

“Nerx.” She stomped her foot.

He whipped his gaze to hers. “You look magnificent.”

Heat warmed her cheeks at his compliment, and his stunned reaction boosted her confidence. “Thanks.” She spun and offered her back. “Please zip me closed. I can’t reach.”

His breath hitched. Warm fingers snuck between the fabric and her skin to clasp her waist. He tugged her against his chest while sliding his hands around to her belly. Nudging her hair aside with his chin, he feathered his nose from her earlobe down her neck to her collarbone.

“Do you wear this for me?” he asked, his voice like butter along her senses.

“Yes,” she said, unable to think of something clever to say.

“ Ensa ,” he growled. “It is not wise to tempt me so.” He pulled away to stroke the back clasp of the bra. “And this?”

“Lingerie,” she said when she should have said ‘bra.’ Yes, she was playing with fire and loving every moment of it.

“Maker,” he rasped. Spinning her to face him, he settled his fingers at the top of the dress, threatening to pull it down to expose her. He skimmed the silk to her cleavage then up, his touch feathering along her skin. “I ache to rip this off you.”