Page 11 of Draevan

But why? She’d just met Draevan and Meela, and she didn’t understand why she was so determined to win their affection. It went beyond her desire to flee Earth, beyond her wish to survive the war and escape her stalker.

A wave of apprehension struck her when she considered how little experience she had with romantic relationships. Her record label, and her manager to a lesser extent, had carefully controlled her public image. She’d never been permitted to date anyone she actually wanted to date. Any supposed romantic interest she spent time with had to be personally selected by her handlers. None of her prior relationships had ever been real—only dates arranged in strategic locations where the cameras would be flashing, or when she needed a date to attend an awards show. Aside from making polite small talk with the men forced upon her, holding hands when the paparazzi were watching, and sharing a few brief kisses simply because she was curious, she had almost no romantic experience at all.

And now, without ever having experienced a real relationship, she would suddenly need to build a life with Draevan, a Vaxxlian warrior who needed a mate and a mother for his little niece.

Could she do it? Could she really become the mate Draevan needed and the mother Meela deserved? She had no idea.

But as Meela snuggled closer against her, Cora found herself wanting to try. For the first time in her life, she had the opportunity to choose what she wanted, to a certain extent, and she desperately wanted this.

“I am sorry I don’t know any Vaxxlian, but I am fluent in Galactic Common,” Cora eventually said. “Perhaps I can teach Meela how to speak it. But I will try to learn Vaxxlian as quickly as possible too.” She pressed her lips together, perhaps a bit too tightly, as she forced a smile.

Draevan nodded, and to her relief, she sensed his approval. “I did not expect you to know any Vaxxlian, Cora. That is not a concern, though I do appreciate your willingness to learn my native tongue. But all our children are taught Vaxxlian and Galactic Common from an early age, so perhaps I can work on teaching her Vaxxlian, and you can work on teaching her Galactic Common. And… as I’m teaching her Vaxxlian, you can listen in and learn my native tongue as well.” Draevan blinked a few times, and a slight pinkness tinged his cheeks.

Blushing. The big Vaxxlian warrior was blushing…

She could scarcely believe it.

She smiled. “That is a brilliant plan, Draevan.” Heated tingles rushed through her as she said his name.

Would there ever be anything real between them… an honest intimacy? She couldn’t help but wonder. By all appearances, it seemed he was most interested in acquiring a mother for his orphaned niece.

And yet… the way he was looking at Cora now made her feel stripped of her defenses. He was staring into her eyes with an intense focus that left her breathless and made her worry he would soon learn all her secrets, hopes, and dreams. She tried to tear her gaze from his but somehow couldn’t manage the simple action of looking away.

Draevan suddenly gestured at her luggage. “Is this everything you wish to bring?”

“Yes. I-I hope it’s not too much.” Cora flushed and would’ve fidgeted in place if she wasn’t trying so hard to hold Meela properly.

“It’s not too much. My cargo hold is quite large and can accommodate even more if you wish. I realize you are leaving your home planet forever, and I do not want to make you part with anything important.”

“That’s very kind of you,” she said with a smile, “but unless you can fit a baby grand piano in your cargo hold, this is everything.” God. She instantly wished she could take the comment back. She’d meant it as a joke, sort of, but he probably didn’t even know what a baby grand piano was. She hoped he didn’t think she was being ungrateful, and her face suddenly grew hotter.

He arched an eyebrow at her. “Show me the baby grand piano. Show me this item, and I will let you know if we can bring it with us today. However, if it is too large, I would be happy to have it shipped to New Vaxx.”

Her throat abruptly burned. He was being far more accommodating—and kind—than she had expected.

“That’s very nice of you, Draevan,” she said. “And, um, if it’s too large for your cargo hold, I would be happy to pay to have it shipped to New Vaxx. I would imagine that would be very expensive.”

He drew back, appearing affronted. His eyes narrowed and he gave her a strange look that she didn’t quite understand. At least, she didn’t realize the error she’d made until he finally spoke.

“I am a wealthy male, Cora, and I assure you that I can afford to pay for your baby grand piano, and any other items, to be shipped to New Vaxx. Your own money is yours to keep. I will not take it from you. Furthermore, I would not have applied for a mate through the VAMOB program if I wasn’t able to provide for a female. As my mate, you will want for nothing. It will be my honor to buy you clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, artwork, furniture, and anything else you might desire. Once we return to New Vaxx and get settled, I will open accounts for you at all the stores in Starzzia.” He drew himself up taller and clasped his hands behind his back.

Hmm. Perhaps she should’ve researched Vaxxlian culture a little more before his arrival. She hadn’t meant to insult him or wound his pride… or whatever this weird interaction was. She swallowed hard and strove to maintain a pleasant expression, hoping to end this blasted awkwardness.

“I didn’t mean to insinuate that you wouldn’t provide for me, Draevan. Thank you for offering to pay for the shipping costs. I truly appreciate your generosity.” Should she tell him just how wealthy she was? Or would it wound his pride even more if he learned she possessed more money than him? She decided to keep quiet about it for now just in case. Maybe once they got to know one another better, she could finally come clean and tell him about her wildly successful career.

To her relief, Draevan now appeared more relaxed. He glanced around the open area of the penthouse with a curious look. “Where is this baby grand piano?” he asked in a cordial tone that filled her with relief.

Whew. Thank goodness. The last thing she wanted to do was get into an argument with her new mate about money during their very first interaction.

“It’s in my music room,” she replied. “Follow me.” She hoisted Meela higher on her hip and proceeded toward the music room.

She really hoped Draevan’s prideful desire to take care of her completely wasn’t a red flag. She hoped it didn’t mean he would be controlling or overbearing. Doubts started to creep in, but she quickly reminded herself that he’d insisted her money was hers to keep. And if things ever went wrong between them, to the point that their relationship was beyond repair, she would have the resources to fund an escape from New Vaxx.

Well… maybe.

She thought about the protective shield that surrounded New Vaxx, the one that the documentary insisted would keep the planet well-protected from any enemies. Did it also work to keep the residents, particularly the women, from escaping? This idea left a ball of worry in her stomach, especially when she remembered the disclaimer on the VAMOB application: Vaxxlians mate for life.

Trying to push her doubts about the Vaxxlian warrior and his people aside, Cora entered her music room and approached the piano. She stood beside it and turned toward Draevan.