Page 16 of Touch the Stars (Ghara Empire #1)

Kaitlyn.

S he stared into the star-studded blackness beyond the floor-to-ceiling viewport in the ship’s common area.

All the images of space taken by satellites or through the lens of a telescope couldn’t compare to the real thing.

If only everyone could see this vast, stark, all-consuming nothingness at least once in their lives.

It might change a lot of people’s perspectives, and maybe unify enemies who thought their differences were irreconcilable.

It had certainly humbled her. What would Kris think of that? What would she think about her younger, more contentious twin actually volunteering to risk her life for people she’d never met?

The ache in her gut deepened. By now, Kris was long past her last insulin injection.

Please, let whoever has her have the technology to keep her alive.

A movement in the wall behind her, reflected in the viewport, caught her attention. She turned to watch her big alien lover step through the wall-door. Was she crazy, or could she really feel his body heat from across the room?

Baatar’s bootheels clicked with purpose as he crossed the polished floor toward her, then he was there, slipping his hands around her waist. She leaned into his hug and some of her tension melted away.

God, she’d miss him…if Rocky the Homicidal Hulk didn’t kill her first. In that case, she wouldn’t be missing anybody.

“How are you feeling, my Kaitlyn?”

“Like I haven’t spent enough time in this room. The view is stunning.” And she was deflecting.

He tightened his arms a little more around her. “We will pass through the decontamination ring in two hours. The imperial docking bay is an hour beyond.”

The low timbre of his voice slid between her thighs. She squeezed her eyes shut.

No more of that now.

Maybe not ever again.

But at least she was as prepared as she could be, thanks to Baatar. His lessons about the Gharan Empire’s history had been eye-opening—especially the one from a few days ago about Ragat.

“None of the planets within the empire war with each other,” he’d told her. “The Ragatians will war among themselves or seek planets outside the empire to raid for food, which often leads to diplomatic problems.”

“Can’t they just grow their own food?”

“They do, but they also have more specific needs.”

“Like what?”

“They drink the blood of their enemies.”

“Ew.” She’d crinkled her nose with disgust. “Sound like vampires to me.”

He’d touched his finger to his earlobe. “That failed to translate.”

“Earth folklore, mythology, whatever. Vampires are human-like creatures who have to drink blood to survive. They are very difficult to kill. A stake through the heart or sunlight are the best ways to end them.”

“Ragatians look nothing like humans, as you already know, and they love to sit in the sun. But heart stabbing a Ragatian is very difficult.” He’d pointed at his right armpit.

“You mean their hearts are in their armpits ?”

“Specifically, under their dominant arm, for maximum protection. Even though it is practically an external organ, a Ragatian heart is more difficult to reach than yours or mine.” He’d placed his palm on his chest.

Now, days later, that revelation still astounded her. There sure was some weird-ass shit out there in the universe.

She slid her hands over his well-muscled, leather-clad chest. Technically, they had time for another round of mind-bending sex, but that’d just make it harder to say good-bye.

She turned around in his arms to stare out at the stars again.

Space was dark, but even that endless blackness couldn’t snuff out the shining, diamond-bright points of light. Like beacons of hope.

“They look close enough to touch. The stars, I mean. It’s almost like I can reach out and gather them like jewels.”

Baatar grazed his lips over her temple. “They are, like you, beautiful, yet unattainable.”

“No. You will always have me.” She tipped her head back to rest against his chest. “There are a lot of possible outcomes from this, you know.”

Hell, one or both of them could die.

“I do not like being so helpless.” He turned her back to face him, then traced one finger over her cheek.

“Before today, nothing soothed me more than staring into the deep blackness of space. Then I met you. My people are born with the ingrained need to protect. Some call Undetans the law-keepers of the empire. Now, the two things I love most in the universe are threatened, and I am unable to protect them both.”

A lump rose into her throat. “You…love me?”

“With every part of my being, Kaitlyn.”

No man had ever said that to her before and meant it. Only Kris and her parents had loved her that much, and theirs was a different kind of love. Her heart swelled in her chest, expanding to contain all the feelings she had for this man…alien…whatever.

She blinked back the wetness pooling in her eyes. “I love you too, Baatar.”

She pushed up onto her toes and he met her partway. His lips molded to hers in a promise that was nothing like the hot and heavy kisses they’d shared in the bedroom. It was sweet and tender. Searching, not demanding. And it sealed her heart to his.

He moved to kiss the trails of her tears down her cheeks, then pulled away. “Will you allow me to hold you until it is time to go?”

She gave him a small smile. “I’d really like that.”

There was something so right, so perfect, about the way his fingers wrapped around her hand.

The way the light of love glowed in his eyes.

She let him lead her to the bench facing the window, and watched as he fiddled with some buttons on one end until a backrest rose up.

Then he sat and pulled her onto his lap.

She snuggled into his warmth and stared out at the star-filled blackness.

Baatar.

He allowed his gaze to wander around the command center. It was done. The cruiser was docked in the imperial bay and powering down. There was nothing more to do, no excuses that would delay them any longer.

And Kaitlyn, she stood at his side to the right of the command chair, wearing a clean garment of white. The pants molded to her curves, and the tunic shirt fell loosely over her breasts. She wore the royal color like the empress she was destined to become. It was the timing that bothered him.

“Are you certain you should wear that to meet the emperor?”

“I want Rocky to think that I’ve bought into the whole I’m-the-heir thing.”

That strategy might work, or it might not.

There was no telling yet. For the last several days, they had discussed and dissected every possible scenario.

Even the ones that might end in one or both their deaths.

His little warrior empress had not shied away from any path, though she had shed tears over the ones that might cost him his life.

He rose from the seat. “Then we should go.”

She touched her hand to her hair. “Do you think I should leave it down or put it in a warrior’s knot, like yours?”

“Leave it down.” He reached up to take a golden strand between his thumb and forefinger. “At this time, it would be inappropriate for you to show even a hint at favoritism for any race, except perhaps your own.”

The imperial training she would undergo would help her to embrace all the worlds of the empire as she did Earth. But if the grand emperor even suspected the truth of their relationship, it would not go well.

A phantom fist squeezed his heart. What would happen once she was acknowledged as the heir?

I will revere her and serve her as my empress.

He lived to serve. There was no other choice. That outcome was far preferable to death. It was vital he remained alive in case she needed his protection at some point. An unlikely scenario, as the Ancient Ones had chosen her; therefore, her life should be assured.

The memory of Kaitlyn’s screams as the grand emperor attacked her surfaced. There was still no satisfactory explanation for that incident.

Kaitlyn stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his middle, tucking her cheek against his chest. “No matter what happens, I love you, Baatar.”

“I love you, too, my Kaitlyn.” When she looked up at him, apprehension and sadness shimmered in those lovely eyes. He bent and pressed a lingering kiss to her soft lips. “It is time to go.”

A moment later, he stepped through the wavering hatchway and strode down the short ramp, Kaitlyn at his side. A flurry of motion drew his gaze to a small, furry imperial attendant scampering across the white metal floor of the bay.

“Attendant Nak.” Baatar lowered himself to one knee to be closer to the Kavian as they spoke.

“Warrior Baatar.” Nak skidded to a halt and rose to stand on his back legs. He darted a quick glance at Kaitlyn. “Your mission was successful?”

“It was. Have you heard from your missing friend yet?”

Nak smoothed his whiskers with his hands. “Nothing have I heard. Fear the worst, I do. So many strange things happening.” More smoothing. “The grand emperor, he worries too. Much stress. I know not why.”

This was not the news he had hoped for.

“Warrior.” Nak spoke now in a murmur. “An outsider you have brought to the imperial complex. Why?”

The mission had been secret, but Nak would find out very soon anyway, so what harm could come from telling him now?

He leaned close and placed his finger to Nak’s cheek. “Do not share this until the great one announces it, but she is the one he sent me to retrieve. The Ancient Ones have chosen her as the heir.”

Nak made a soft squeak of excitement, trembling from his whiskers to his tail. “The heir? We have an heir ? Glorious is this day. Yes, yes!”

The Kavian cast a quick glance around the bay, then turned to Kaitlyn and fell backward to expose his vulnerable belly to her. “I am Attendant Nak. I live to serve.”

Nak’s eyes were full of utter adoration for Kaitlyn, while her mouth hung open.

Who knew that a Kavian falling prostate at her feet was what it took to stun her into silence?

A hearty laugh rose to his chest, and he pressed his lips together to keep it from escaping and ruining her chance to make the best first impression on someone who would serve her.

Speaking of which, she seemed unsure of what to do next, and he was the only one present to instruct her in imperial protocol.

He stood and leaned closer to her. “Give him leave to rise.”

“Um, oh, right.” She cleared her throat. “You can rise, er, Attendant Nak.”

Nak flipped over to stand on his back feet. “Please, if you will follow me, Empress. Turn in his weapons, Warrior Baatar must, before entering the imperial complex. Then, to the grand emperor I take you. Come, come.”