Page 42 of Dragon Me Through Space

He dipped his head back and she quickly wrapped it up and put it in a small bag.

“You stay close to the Dragonkin and let them protect you, you hear? May the stars bless you.” She bowed to me.

“May the stars bless you,” I whispered back and returned her bow.

As we walked away, I looked up at Gage and said, “You didn’t have to buy me the cat, but I appreciate it.”

“It’s a small price to pay for that smile,” he said and tapped the corner of my mouth, where I was indeed smiling.

“I can’t believe some of my people are still alive,” I whispered.

“See, you’re still a princess. Even if your planet is gone, your people and your traditions live on.”

My smile stayed in place as we continued around the market and headed deeper into the town to a small restaurant with a heavenly spicy scent permeating from it.

“This place has the best noodles in the galaxy,” Gage informed me.

The menu was pretty small, but everything sounded good. “Can you order for me? I can’t decide which to get.”

He smiled and nodded, seeming to like that I asked for his suggestion. “Of course.” He raised his hand and a waitress, a beautifully tall and thin female with milky skin, cerulean eyes, and pointed ears came over.

“What may I get you?” she asked, eyes focused solely on him.

Not that I blamed her. Gage was a handsome specimen.

He ordered for us and she immediately brought us back a fruity drink that was absolutely delicious.

“How long have you guys been exploring to find all of these places?” I asked.

“Too long,” he whispered, but then smiled at me. “A while, but it’s nice to visit a place I have been before with a set of fresh eyes.”

“I can repay you for the cat figurine,” I said quickly, my cheeks warming.

“Consider it a gift for allowing us the dates.”

“But the dates were⁠—”

“I won’t allow you to repay me,” he said quickly. “If I had my way, I would buy you everything on this planet.”

Staring and blinking at him in disbelief was my only response because I was too shocked by his statement.

“Why do I feel like I’ve met you before?” I asked softly.

He smiled and shrugged. “Universe trying to let you know that we’re safe?”

I scoffed. “The universe is an asshole, so I doubt that.”

His smile turned down into a frown. “I’m sorry that you had to experience such hardships at such a young age. It makes my beast so angry, but there’s nothing for us to kill since it’s in your past and Zeke killed that Underlord.”

My eyes widened. Why were they so protective?

“I appreciate the sentiment, but you may soon find your mate and then you’ll have to drop me off somewhere and⁠—”

“Would you like to come to our planet?” he asked suddenly.

My mouth snapped shut and I stared at him for a few breaths before I asked, “What?”

“Even if you aren’t our mate, I can provide for you. I have … a bit of wealth. I could provide for you to live there and live comfortably. Would you like that?”