Page 15 of Royal Alien Mate

“I will transmit any important information I learn from the interrogations directly to this room,” Vaath said, switching to his native tongue.

“Why don’t you leave your mate here?” the king asked in an incredulous tone. “This is the safest location for her.”

“The holy bunkers are just as safe. Wyvonus was kind to her and I am certain she would appreciate getting to spend more time with him,” Vaath replied, though this wasn’t quite the truth. He didn’t trust his father to treat Esmay with politeness and he doubted she would feel comfortable in the presence of so many strange Marttiaxoxalians anyway. She had just been introduced to the king and she didn’t know any of the fourteen advisors who were in the room. Wyvonus would be a much better choice.

He guided Esmay outside the royal bunker, keeping his arm wrapped around her waist. Once they reached the corridor, he swept her up into his arms so that they might travel to the holy bunkers as quickly as possible. Some parts of the cavern weren’t adequately illuminated and he also didn’t wish for her to stumble along the way. He breathed in the floral scent of her hair as he held her close and jogged through the underground corridors.

“Are we returning to your chambers?” she asked, peeking up at him from under thick, dark eyelashes. Gods, she was lovely. He couldn’t wait to get her back in his chambers and in his bed, couldn’t wait to finish what they had started before the ill-timed explosion.

“No, not yet,” he said, rushing down the narrow passageway that led to the holy bunkers. “I am going to leave you with Wyvonus while I help conduct the investigation into the attack. When I have finished and it is safe to go above ground, I will come fetch you, my sunshine.”

Chapter 11

Hours had passed and according to Wyvonus, night had long since fallen. Not that Esmay could tell how dark it was outside—she was still in the holy bunkers with the Wise One and several other holy men.

She cast a glance around the large cavernous area, wondering exactly how deep beneath the ground this place was. She felt safe here, but what about everyone in the city above?

“The bunkers spread out beneath the city, child,” Wyvonus said, as if reading her mind. “Anyone from the city who wishes to retreat to the bunkers can always reach them quickly. Most houses contain entrances to the bunkers from their basements. And, of course, some people live beneath the ground in large subterranean houses.”

“That is good to hear,” she said, shooting him a suspicious look. “Can you hear my thoughts?”

He pressed his hands together, as if in prayer, and nodded twice. “Your mind is loud, Esmay of Earth. There is a part of you that is shouting, a part of you that is fierce and angry and proud. Any Wise One standing close to you would probably hear the shouting.” He gave her another one of his sympathetic smiles that always put her at ease.

“What about Prince Vaath?” she asked, suddenly worried. “Do you think he can hear the shouting in my mind?”

Wyvonus shook his head. “No. He has not trained as a Wise One. However, Prince Vaath is very perceptive for a royal. He is also far wiser than his father. This has always been both a blessing and a curse to him. I tell you this so you understand that it will be difficult for you to hide truths from your mate. Your mating union will be a happy one if you are honest with Prince Vaath.”

“A happy union?” she asked, unable to keep the mocking tone from her voice. “The prince killed thousands of my people. How could we ever possibly share in a happy union? I-I am only here because I wished to keep my family together, because my family desperately needed financial assistance. Surely you must know that is the reason most human females sign up to become brides to the Martians.”

“One day, you and Prince Vaath will find happiness together,” Wyvonus said with a mysterious smile, “and it will change the world.”

“Change the world? What does that mean?” Esmay liked the Wise One, but she didn’t care for the cryptic hints he kept dropping or his insistence that she would one day find happiness with her mate. She’d promised herself she would never feel affection for Prince Vaath. She would go through the motions of being his mate, but she would keep her heart closely guarded.

Another holy man called for Wyvonus and the Wise One gave her another strange, all-knowing look, before he joined the male in the corner of the room. They were in the largest room in the holy bunkers, one which contained several beds and sofas, as well as a large kitchen area and five separate bathrooms, each complete with showers and massive bathtubs. Exhausted from her travels—she hadn’t managed any sleep on the spaceship—she had fallen asleep on a couch earlier, but she must not have slept for long because she didn’t feel well-rested. Her eyes were growing heavy again and she covered her mouth as she repressed a yawn.

How long until Vaath returned? Was it even safe aboveground? He’d told her some anti-Earthers had been captured near the site of the explosion, but what if another attack soon followed? Her mind raced with possibilities and she started pacing the length of the living room area, unable to stop herself from worrying about Vaath’s safety.

Her frustration grew. Why was she worried for him? It didn’t make sense. She shouldn’t waste a single second in worry for any Martian, let alone the feared warrior prince who had slaughtered thousands of her people. From across the room, Wyvonus caught her gaze as he stood talking to another Wise One. He gave her a slight nod and her face flamed as she wondered if he could hear the shouting in her head from so far away.

She turned her back on the holy man and wandered to one of the beds in the corner of the room, seeking a quiet, private place to gather her thoughts where no one would be watching. She liked Wyvonus, but that didn’t mean she wanted him reading her mind. She didn’t wantanyonereading her mind, especially when her thoughts were so conflicted.

She sighed as she curled up in the bed and faced the smooth orange stone wall. Even after she reminded herself of the human blood on Vaath’s hands, she still couldn’t keep herself from worrying about him. If she didn’t know better, she might say she missed him and yearned for his return.

A flush overcame her when she recalled the way her mind had whirled as he kissed her, the way her body had grown warm and tingly as he ran his fingers through her hair. And when he’d boldly settled his mouth between her thighs… God, she was getting achy all over again just remembering the ecstasy that had followed.

Her heart raced when she recalled what had happened after she’d shattered to pieces. He’d been on top her, his hugeness resting at the entrance of her sex. He’d been an instant away from surging forward and claiming her and officially consummating their union, but then the explosion had stopped him just in time.

She was still a virgin.

She pulled the covers over herself and wondered how much longer that would be the case.

Would Vaath claim her immediately upon his return? He’d seemed eager to do so as he’d carried her to his chambers after they received the blessing from Wyvonus.

She tried to sleep, but despite her utter fatigue, her racing mind prevented her from drifting off for more than a few minutes at a time. She couldn’t stop thinking about her family, mourning for the human female who had just lost her life, and, much to her dismay, worrying about Vaath. She kept nodding off, only to jerk awake a short while later, with thoughts of her family and Vaath invading her mind.

“Sunshine.”

She turned at the sound of her mate’s deep voice. Vaath’s dark eyes were fixed on her as he stood over the bed. She hadn’t heard him approaching and marveled at how quiet a male as large as him could be on his feet. Sitting up in bed, she found herself reaching for him, needing to touch him to make sure he was okay.

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