Page 27

Mares had respectfully stayed at a slight distance with the human bringing the buckets on a floating platform. He’d apparently guessed that we wanted a bit of privacy when we spoke in our language instead of Universal. He approached when I smiled warmly at him and assisted us in quickly concluding our task.

I shamelessly prodded him about his human mate and hybrid child. Although he pretended not to know the source of my curiosity, I didn’t doubt the Birdman had told him what his empathic powers had revealed. Sadly, he didn’t have anything more to say that the Great Mothers hadn’t already shared with us over the years. It provided no insights as to what a bonding between Mirella and I would result in, let alone what our offspring would be like.

“You go investigate the soil in the valley with your mate,” Drannor said as we were preparing to head to the final tree in the garden. “Torokso And I will finish here.”

“Are you certain?” I asked.

He nodded. “The land is the priority. If she can help identify the source, we shouldn’t delay.”

“Agreed,” I replied.

After bidding my farewell to Torokso, I returned to the first tree where my mate was still conversing with Kayog. The moment she saw me, the same nervousness mixed with an air of wonder lit up her face. It both amused and flattered me. I struggled to comprehend why she was so fascinated by us. We were just a different people. She had travelled the stars and seen countless species like the Birdman. So what was so special about us?

I called Semius, the Nordjarimm who had accepted me as its main rider. It had taken a bit of practice for it to recognize the ultrasonic pulse meant specifically for him, so that other Nordjarimms wouldn’t bother also coming. It had been flying nearby while we tended to the trees.

As I closed the distance with Mirella, I let my gaze roam over her. Despite not being a Syllen, my female was attractive enough. I especially loved those sun-filled strands on her head. The texture of her voice was also quite pleasant. I wondered if she could sing. I always pictured myself harmonizing with my soulmate under the moonlight while sitting by the river. Nearby creatures would peek their heads out of hiding holes to listen to us. And the Opiris bugs might even perform an aerial dance, their skin glowing from within, illuminating the night sky.

“Are you ready to go,” I asked.

She nodded before giving me a hesitant look. “Hmm. I should go fetch a mount.”

I shook my head. “No. You will ride with me.”

Her eyes slightly widened, and her pale cheeks took an adorable pinkish color. Once more, it amused me that she should have such a strong reaction at the thought of sharing a mount with me. At least, she didn’t seem distraught by the fact that our bodies would be in close contact throughout the ride.

She also hadn’t seemed to mind when I held her earlier.

To my dismay, an odd flame lit up in the pit of my stomach at the memory of how her body felt pressed against mine. It shamed me to admit that I had held her far longer than necessary after the Laurellis plants went into protective mode over Doopelok Moniuk’s outrageous attempt at intimidating my mate. The mere memory of that instant had me itching to go track down the foul male and teach him a lesson.

However, her next question made me reconsider my initial thought that she was delighted at the prospect of riding with me.

“A shuttle would allow us to cover greater distances faster,” she said carefully. “But I’m assuming that will be a no?”

“A definite no,” I said in an imperious tone.

While that would have always been my answer, I couldn’t help feeling stung and slightly rejected, which I tried to hide.

“I figured,” she said sheepishly, oblivious to how her question affected me.

“Is that a problem?” I asked, my face and voice neutral.

“Not at all,” she said, tension bleeding out of my back at the sincerity in her voice. “I love riding flying mounts. But I thought I should offer since there’s a lot of ground to cover, and finding the source of the problem quickly is important for your people and for this world.”

That response felt like a soothing balm on my wounded pride.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but to the extent possible, we will limit the use of off-worlder technology. And above all, whenever possible, we’ll prevent those flying cages from traveling through our land. There’s much trauma still associated with them for my people,” I explained gently.

“I understand. Well, I’m ready when you are,” Mirella replied.

I helped her onto the back of Semius, then climbed behind her. By the Goddess, she felt perfect leaning against me as I wrapped an arm around her waist. The soft strands of her hair caressed my skin in a way that had my stomach fluttering. It took every ounce of my willpower not to imitate the Kalrin and rub my face against her golden locks.

“Take good care of Mirella,” Kayog said, his tone hinting at far more than just keeping her safe during our investigation.

One look at the Birdman’s face immediately annoyed me. It was the knowing glimmer in his silver eyes and the hint of amusement. Those empathic powers of his undoubtedly revealed the emotions swirling through me in response to my female. In that instant, I fleetingly thought that it would be great to have that ability to get a sense of how she felt about me. Was her awe for me specifically or just for my species as a whole?

“You know I will,” I said with a hint of defiance that he would feel the need to even mention it.

That further amused him.