Page 23

Trex

GRACE TOOK A DEEP brEATH before admitting that her home world was not a desirable place to live.

“Thriving is a struggle because there’s not enough of anything. It used to be very overpopulated, but not anymore. Within the span of one-hundred years, millions of people departed and settled in our solar system.

Our colonies on the Moon, Mars, and one of Saturn’s moons were already in place when we made initial contact with the Orisians. Based on what I’ve heard, they aided us in our journey deeper into the galaxy.”

She shrugged. “It still amazes me that humans have settled so far away in their own colonies. I never imagined it could be true.”

I had knowledge of the Orisians. Their planet had been destroyed, and now they were scattered like stardust across the galaxy. However, I had yet to encounter any of them.

“Why did you not leave?” It was evident she did not enjoy living on her home world.

Her cheerful expression faded, replaced by a solemn look. “It’s not as straightforward as it seems. The high cost of off-planet transportation makes it a privilege limited to the wealthy. The rest of us are left behind, grappling with the challenges of making a living in order to stay alive.”

It was no wonder she didn’t want to go back to a place that sounded so desolate and bleak.

“Do you have anyone back on Earth?” I asked, as my heart raced with an inexplicable hope. Please say no, I silently pleaded, hoping she was not secretly pining to return but afraid to tell me.

“No,” she replied, the word heavy with a tinge of sadness. “My family is all deceased. There is nothing to return to there.”

I felt a pang of sympathy and guilt, while also being flooded with relief.

Trex, you grik, I admonished myself.

I reached out to soothe her. My fingers brushed against the soft waves of her hair, and I felt her body sway toward me before she caught herself and pulled back.

She glanced up at me. “What about you? Do you have siblings or family back on Alara?”

I glanced down, pressing my lips tight. When I met Grace’s eyes again, they were filled with kindness.

“My mother died when I was six tenris. Much to my Father’s disappointment I am his only child.” I frowned. “I was sent away to receive my education. Once I became old enough, I trained to become a warrior.”

I didn’t speak about being the future King and the challenge of living up to my father’s expectations while always being in his shadow.

Shrugging, I found myself admitting. “My father is a bitter and selfish man. I hope to never become like him.”

Grace gave me a look filled with compassion rather than pity.

“I am sure you won’t. The fact that you are aware of his flaws will help you avoid them.” She paused before changing the topic. “Can I ask you more about Alara?”

I stepped away and motioned for her to sit on a cushioned seating area, then I joined her.

“What specifically do you want to know?” It pleased me she was asking about Alara.

She smoothed her hands down her hair. “Will you tell me about life there? What are the people like?”

“Alara is a trade planet and also the home of the Protectorate, as I mentioned before. Our planet has many minerals and metals that do not exist on other planets in this system. We trade them with others within Alaran space,” I continued.

“The only planet that comes close to the resources we have is Tulia.”

I could see she was listening to every word, and I loved being able to take her in as I spoke.

Grinning, I asked, “What else would you like to know?”

She shrugged. “It sounds interesting. But you haven’t told me anything about the people. Are they accepting of outsiders? What are they like?”

I let out a quiet chuckle. “While Alara is far from perfect, we strive for fairness to everyone. We welcome other races more so than the planets Zeynon and Graacux.

“There have been big changes in recent tenris . At one time, citizens were born into class systems. There used to be a work class, a warrior class, and then there’s the elite.” I surprised myself with how much I was telling her.

Grace’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “Really? Interesting. What happened for them to end the class system?” She tucked hair behind her ears.

“Changes occurred because of an illness that spread across our planet. Many died. To ensure our species’ continuation, it was crucial to eliminate the class system.

We later discovered that our females had become infertile due to exposure to a virus.

No youngling has been born in the thirty tenris since the outbreak.

Grace frowned. “That’s awful.”

“The cause of the virus and its origin on our planet remain unknown. According to our scientists, it may have been brought to the planet from an unknown source.”

I felt my shoulders slump. “The illness it caused had a devastating impact on my planet, which is still felt today.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Grace’s fingers grazed my skin as she reached out to touch my arm while her face softened.

She withdrew her fingers in surprise as sparks ignited along our skin. Seeing my disappointment, she extended her hand and stroked my forearm again.

It had been a long time since I felt the touch of a woman, and I yearned for it more than I realized.

Grace’s caress gave me sensations that I had never felt with anyone else. Ever.

My eyes closed, shuddering, as I yearned for more of her touch.

Emotions overpowered my higher brain function, causing me to lose focus.

I found myself torn between my usual self and my primal instincts, which were urging me to claim my mate.

This was an unfamiliar experience for me.

Forgetting our conversation, I wondered what her reaction would be if I pulled her into my arms and kissed her.

Inhaling, I tried to calm my racing heart and steady my trembling hands. Thoughts of Grace’s body pressed against mine consumed my mind. A wave of intense arousal swept over me. The thought of her moaning in pleasure fueled my desire to have her, making me yearn for more of her affection.

“Trex?” Grace’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts and back to the present. She withdrew her hand from my arm. “Are you alright?”

I hastened to hide my arousal and clear my mind before speaking.

Grace’s wide-eyed expression made it evident that she had already noticed the bulge in my trousers. Her own arousal filled the air with a delectable scent.

“Yes?” I let out a rough grunt, my voice filled with desire.

Although it was barely a whisper, I managed to find my voice once more. “I’m fine.”

After clearing my throat, I leaned back into the soft cushion. “What was it you wanted to know?” I croaked, thinking there must be something I missed.

“I wanted to know if the virus was still active on Alara.” She appeared flushed and kept her eyes on mine.

“It appears to be gone. Our people have stopped getting sick. While the royal medics guarantee it is gone, infertility continues to be an issue.”

Nodding in acknowledgement, she lapsed into silence as she stared down at her hands.

Her sweet floral scent continued to envelop me. I couldn’t take my eyes off her lips. They kept drawing me back.

I really want to kiss you.

Grace’s head jerked back as she looked at me in disbelief. “What did you say?”

Just as I was about to speak, she interrupted me. “Did I just hear your voice in my head?”

The corners of my mouth drooped.

Even though I prided myself on controlling my thoughts and emotions, I struggled to do so around her.

“Yes,” I declared, never breaking eye contact with her. “Forgive me for sending you my thoughts. Being near you makes it difficult for me to control them. You must have picked it up.”

I wasn’t going to tell her how hard it also was for me to maintain self- control around her.

“Does that mean you are a telepath? Because I’m not...so that doesn’t explain why I heard your thoughts.” She sat back and her eyes widened. “Can you really read minds? Are you able to hear all the things I’m thinking?” A subtle nervousness had crept into her voice.

“Telepathy is the primary mode of communication for my people. We can also sense emotions. Reading someone’s deepest thoughts without permission is strictly forbidden.”

I hadn’t realized Grace would be able to hear my thoughts, however. I assumed the telepathic connection with a K’sha only occurred after our first mating.

Alaran legends told of a profound telepathic connection that can only be established with one’s true K’sha. It exceeded the usual Alaran mental communication we all had.

This was unfamiliar territory for me, and I wasn’t entirely sure how to navigate it.

A single brow of hers arched. “Are you sure you can’t hear what I’m thinking?” Her cheeks reddened.

I could hazard a guess because I was feeling it too, but I shook my head. “I would never read your mind without your consent. However, I am able to sense some of your emotions.” I sought to reassure her.

I couldn’t deny I cared about her opinion of me. Hers was the only one that mattered.

My erection throbbed against my leg as her pink tongue darted out to lick her lips. Tenage and Veshar give me strength.

She had no idea what she was doing to me.

“Do you still want to?” She asked with a hint of shyness.

“Are you asking if I still want to kiss you?” My heart was pounding, and I fought to regulate my breath. I felt like a novice before my first kiss.

Leaning closer, her warm breath gently caressed my cheek as she whispered, “Yes.”

Before running my fingers through her silky locks, I savored the softness of her skin against my fingertips.

“Gods, you are intoxicating,” I murmured, while stroking her cheek. Grace looked back at me with a longing gaze and I felt her desire mirroring mine.

My chest was seized by a pleasurable yet intense ache. I pulled her closer, tangling my fingers in her hair as I slid my hand to the back of her neck.