Page 37 of Draevan

“Oh, Draevan.” She sniffled, and a few tears cascaded down her cheeks. “I love you, too. With all my heart.”

His soul danced with joy as he pressed his lips to hers.

His true mate. Now and always.

Chapter 18

Cora sat at her piano, her fingers gliding over the keys as she played the final notes of the song she had just finished writing while singing the closing lyrics. She paused, smiling to herself as the last note faded into the quiet room. She’d done it. Finally. She’d written a new song from start to finish.

And she couldn’t believe she was sitting here, playing her beloved piano on New Vaxx.

She glanced down at the familiar black and white keys, her heart filling with emotion as she recalled how her father had bought her the piano just a few months before he’d passed away. It had been one of the most meaningful gifts he’d ever given her, and she’d cherished it for years.

And now it was here. On New Vaxx.

All because Draevan had gone to the trouble of having it shipped all the way from Earth, along with the rest of her belongings she’d left behind in her penthouse. Her heart fluttered as she thought about the huge alien warrior who was her mate.

Three days had passed since M had appeared in her home and attacked her. The memory sent a shiver through her, but thankfully, Draevan had taken care of everything. After making sure she was okay and comforting her, he’d called in a few of his warriors to discreetly remove the body from the house, and now there was no trace that the terrifying human man had ever been there.

Cora released a slow breath and reminded herself that she was safe.

And she was home.

She turned back to the piano and played the final notes of the song again, mouthing the lyrics as her fingers touched the keys.

Then she heard footsteps in the hallway. She looked up just as Draevan appeared in the doorway, holding Meela in his arms.

Cora smiled instantly.

There they were.

Her mate and their precious little girl.

Her family.

As she gazed at them, her heart filled with an overwhelming happiness that made her fingers tingle with the urge to compose a brand-new song. A joyous song about finally finding love, a family, and a place to truly belong.

Draevan smiled back at her. “I hope we are not disturbing you, but Meela wanted to hear you play.”

“You’re not disturbing me.” She held out a hand. “Come here.”

He walked into the room, carrying Meela toward her, and Cora’s smile grew even wider. She watched as they took a seat on a large chair near the piano, one that was strong enough to hold a huge Vaxxlian warrior, then Cora focused on the keys in front of her, letting inspiration guide her as she began to play another song.

Cora rubbed her forearm, even though she wasn’t sore and there wasn’t a single mark left after Stax, the renowned healer who’d invented the healing nanobots, had just finished removing the tracker M had implanted in her arm.

She glanced down at her skin again, marveling at how quickly the nanobots had gone to work. Stax had assured her that the tiny incision would heal within moments, and he’d been right. Already, her skin appeared smooth and unblemished.

She exhaled with relief. The tracker was gone, even though it didn’t matter much anymore since M was dead. She fought back a shudder as she recalled the morning, just a week ago, when he’d tried to take her away. What a scary experience.

But Draevan had known something was wrong.

He’d figured it out quickly, and he’d come to save her.

She was safe.

As she released a slow breath, she leaned back in her chair at the kitchen table. From the entryway, she could hear Draevan speaking quietly with Stax as he walked the healer to the door. She couldn’t make out their words, as they were speaking in Vaxxlian, but the deep rumble of her mate’s voice was comforting.

She looked across the table. Meela was seated in her highchair, elbow-deep in a fresh batch of strawberry yogurt recently delivered by Vonna. Cora smiled. “Oh, Meela. You’re supposed to eat it, not rub it all over your arms.”