Page 22 of Royal Alien Mate

Esmay’s father soon appeared beside her mother, and his reaction was much the same. Her parents started talking at the same time, both expressing joy over seeing her face, only to chastise her for leaving in the next breath. Once they calmed down, their gazes moved to the side, where Vaath was still crouched next to her.

She couldn’t help but smile when he offered her parents a friendly wave. “Hello,” he said in Galactic Common, and Esmay suddenly realized she ought to hold the rest of the conversation in the common tongue, as she didn’t know if he understood English. He’d been thoughtful enough to almost exclusively speak Galactic Common in her presence, and she wanted to show him the same consideration.

Her father’s face grew stern. “Who are you?” he asked, continuing the conversation in Galactic Common.

“My name is Vaath. I am your daughter’s mate.”

Both of her parents paled and exchanged a worried look.

“Everything is fine, Mom and Dad. I promise.” She reached for Vaath’s hand and he clasped it firmly in both of his, peering down at her with affection glimmering in his dark eyes. It was the perfect show of unity in front of her parents, as far as she was concerned, however, it didn’t feel forced. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to hold Vaath’s hand and stare into his eyes like a lovestruck newlywed.

“You didn’t have to do this,” her father said, switching to English. He leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his thinning hair. “My poor girl. Not you. Not you, Esmay. This isn’t the life I wanted for you.”

Her spirits fell. She hadn’t expected either of her parents to jump up and down for joy over her decision to become a Martian’s bride, but their reaction was more negative than she had predicted. Didn’t they realize there was no changing her mind? She was already on Mars. She had already mated with Vaath, and his people mated for life.

“Your father does not seem happy,” Vaath whispered into her ear. “Would you like some privacy after all? Perhaps it would help ease their minds if they can speak with you while I’m out of the room.”

“Good idea.” She patted his hand and shot him a smile of gratitude. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you, sunshine.” He spoke so low she doubted her parents could overhear. He leaned in to kiss her forehead, then turned to face her parents. “I must go now,” he said, “but I look forward to speaking with you again, and I promise you that I will always cherish and take care of your daughter.”

Her father shifted in his seat and appeared uncomfortable. “Thank you,” he said after a long pause.

“It was nice to meet you, Vaath,” her mother said in a stiff tone, though she forced a smile.

Esmay watched as Vaath exited his chambers, leaving her alone with her parents. Her stomach clenched when she returned her focus to them. The look of worry in their eyes deepened.

“Mom, Dad, I did what I had to do,” she said. “Please understand. Please don’t be angry.”

“You want us to be happy for you?” Her father scoffed. “How can we when you’ve mated with one of those savages? He’s a cold-blooded murderer. They all are.”

The level of hatred in his voice broke her heart. No matter how joyous or miserable she ended up being as Vaath’s mate, she didn’t want her parents to despise him. If they hated him and held grave misgivings about her very permanent mating union with Vaath, they would undoubtedly worry about her and perhaps blame themselves for her fate as a Martian’s bride, as one ofthosepoorgirlsher father pitied so much.

“The war broke out twenty years ago, Dad.” She shot him a pleading look, desperate for his approval. “Look, I know you and Mom weren’t doing well. I heard about the tax and rent increase, and I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to help you,” she said, not wanting to admit she’d overheard their private conversation in the kitchen. “I love you both with my whole heart, and Carmen and Lilly, too. Your tax debt has not only been erased, but Vaath has permanently waived all your future taxes.”

“I would’ve done anything to keep you on Earth, Esmay,” her father said. “Anything.”

“I know, and you’re a wonderful father, but I’m all grown up now. The twins are still so young. They need you guys. Both of you.” She paused and glanced out the window, momentarily distracted by the Martian sunrise, a deep orange glow on the mountainous horizon. This was her home now. She couldn’t return to Earth. “What’s done is done. Look, I need to go soon—I’m expected at breakfast with Vaath’s family—but I have something important to tell you. It’s rather amazing, actually.”

“What is it?” her mother asked.

“In addition to the ten thousand galactic credits that should’ve been deposited in your account already, you’re going to receive an additional one hundred thousand from Vaath. Can you believe it? Oh, and it gets better,” she continued before they could interrupt. “Vaath is sending a delegate to speak with you about moving out of the city. You can relocate to any zone you wish, perhaps a more rural zone. You guys could get that little cabin in the woods you’ve always talked about. Whatever you want, the delegate will assist you. Vaath gave his word.”

Suspicion gleamed in her father’s gaze. “How is it your mate can afford one hundred thousand galactic credits, and how does he have the power to waive our future taxes and send a Martian delegate to move us out of the city? Who exactly is this Martian?”

Esmay felt cornered. This wasn’t how this conversation was supposed to go. She’d hoped her parents would be won over by Vaath’s smile and his generosity. He’d even promised her parents he would cherish her and take care of her, yet they could only focus on the fact that he was Martian. They couldn’t see beyond his race and the memory of a war that transpired twenty years ago.

“Is he someone important among his people?” her mother asked. “Vaath. Hm. Now that I think about it, that name does sound familiar.”

Her panic rising, Esmay pretended to glance at an imaginary clock on the wall. “Oh, dear. Look at the time. I’m very late. I’m sorry, Mom and Dad, but I’ve got to go. I’ll call you tomorrow though. Tell Carmen and Lilly I said hello. Love you all.”

“Esmay, just wait a sec—”

“I really have to go,” she said, cutting off her father. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

She disconnected the call before either of her parents could say anything else. What the hell was she going to do? Now that her mother realized Vaath’s name sounded familiar, Esmay doubted it would take her parents long to realize his true identity. How would they respond when they learned she was mated to a Martian royal? And not just any royal—to the warrior prince whose reign of terror upon the battlefields had resulted in Earth’s surrender?

Odd, how their rejection of Vaath was making her feel so defensive of their mating union. She pushed away from the video comm and rose to her feet, then started pacing the room in an effort to expel her nervous energy.

---