Page 26 of Songbird
I could no longer deny the overwhelming feeling that Izzy belonged with me. But how could I confess this to her after pretending my feelings for her were simply a ruse? What if she didn’t believe me? And what if she didn’t feel the same way?
Across the room, Jala paced nervously, an outward manifestation of the anxiety I felt. Strangely, though, I didn’t worry about the Alliance conciliator. What worried me was what came next once we’d convinced him of our mating. I never wanted to let Izzy go, but would I have a choice?
As if feeling my uncertainty, Izzy shifted closer, her warm hand finding its way to my thigh and resting there.
“It’s going to be okay,” she smiled up at me, bright and sure.
“I know.” My own hand covered hers as I leaned over and brushed my lips to her temple, strands of wavy golden hair tickling my lips.
Gods and Goddesses, I adored this female.
The door slid open with a soft swish, and both Jala and Izzy jumped at the sudden noise. Praxxan strode inside. At his side was a small but commanding figure clad in the vibrant red robes of his Alliance designation. With a triangular-shaped head, piercing purple eyes, and a thin mouth set in determination, he exuded an aura of power and authority.
Kayzon strode behind them, his tall figure flanked by six imposing space station guards. The Kerzak side of his genetics was on full display, evident in the proud tilt of his head, confident set of his shoulders, and arrogant, smug expression. Yet, even as he exuded an air of superiority, I couldn’t help but notice a small crack in his facade as his nostrils twitched, catching the scent of Izzy and my mating.
“Ambassador Mukhal.” Jala approached the small gray male and bowed deeply. “Welcome to our home.”
“Lady Jala. It is an honor. I have heard much of your work with the Alliance.” The Ambassador was gracious, although his voice was a series of clicks and hisses that clashed with the words the translator spun in my brain. Mukhal was a member of the Erro species, with a language that was impossible for other species to emulate. Using a translator was their only way to communicate.
“The honor is mine.” Jala swept her hand toward where Izzy and I rose to our feet in front of the sofa. “May I present my brother-in-law, Tarrick of House Asad, and his human mate, Isabella.”
“An honor.” I bowed at the waist.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Izzy echoed, making a cute little motion where she bent her knees and bowed her head at the same time. A curtsey, I believe it was called.
Ambassador Mukhal’s purple eyes narrowed as he studied us intently. Despite the fact that his nostrils were little more than two slits in the center of his face, I saw them twitching slightly. Though his species lacked a heightened sense of smell, the way Izzy and my perfume lingered in the air should have alerted even him to our recent mating.
Jala gracefully gestured for Ambassador Mukhal to take a seat on the plush velvet chair directly across from the sofa. He settled with a plop. His long red robes flowed about his feet like a river of scarlet silk.
From his spot just inside the doorway, I heard Kayzon let out a disgruntled grunt at not being shown the same respect. At least Praxxan allowed him to stand unfettered. If it were up to me, I’d have him chained and cowering on the floor.
Ambassador Mukhal cleared his throat, gesturing with a small three-finger hand for Izzy and me to sit." I have questions."
“Of course.” I settled on the plush sofa, pulling Izzy close. She snuggled up beside me, her small, warm body fitting perfectly against mine. I wrapped my tail around her waist and draped my arm over her shoulder, pulling her close. The action felt as natural as breathing, and from the expression on the Ambassador’s face, he concurred.
“Tell me of your meeting. When did you recognize this human as your mate?” The Ambassador trained his purple gaze on me. It was said that Ambassador Mukhal’s kind, the Erro, possessed a sort of echolocation. They could detect even the slightest change in a subject’s heartbeat or demeanor, whichmade them experts at ferreting out lies. Thankfully, my words held nothing but the truth.
“I did not recognize her as my mate when we were introduced. That realization came earlier, the night before when I saw her on the stage atSpace Pearls.
“Isabella is a singer at the restaurant,” Jala supplied, earning herself a frown from the Ambassador as though he found it offensive to suggest there might be a piece of information he didn’t already know.
I watched Mukhal’s eyes drift to where my tail wrapped around Izzy’s waist before meeting my gaze again. “It is said Stranac feel a burning, tingling sensation at the base of their tails and that the appendage behaves erratically until the mating is consummated. Is there anyone who can confirm this reaction in you?”
Anybody that had been paying attention to me over the past few days, but there was no one to whom I’d confided my reaction.
“I can.” Praxxan’s claim caused my voice to catch in my throat. “My brother’s tail became erratic at his first sight of Izzy.”
Praxxan noticed how my fucking tail lost its mind around Izzy and said nothing? Despite the grateful nod I issued in his direction, I couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t mentioned noticing it. Praxxan was nothing if not a provocateur.
Thankfully, Mukhal seemed content with the answer and turned his attention to Izzy. “And you felt the mating bond as well?”
Her bright blue eyes met mine for a second, hesitant, despite the warm smile that curved her lips. “Humans don’t feel mating bonds exactly. We have love at first sight, though.”
Her gaze held a hint of longing, a flicker of something unspoken but powerful. For a brief moment, I could almostallow myself to believe she had fallen in love with me at first sight, and I let myself become lost in the possibility.
“And you had this love at first sight for Tarrick?” Mukhal ignored Kayzon’s loud snort of skepticism.
Izzy’s cheeks colored deep pink. She kept her gaze on the Ambassador, although her hand slid across my thigh, finding my own and entwining our fingers. “We met at the market the day after Tarrick saw me singing. He was taking his niece Priemba to lunch, and they asked me to join them.” Izzy glanced from the Ambassador to me for a moment, and I noticed the color of her eyes had darkened to sapphire. “I immediately felt an attraction toward Tarrick. It was stronger than anything I’d ever felt in my life. I couldn’t stay away from him. Tarrick is the sweetest, most gentle male I’ve ever met. I feel so safe with him, and I haven’t felt really safe in a long time.” Her eyes cut to Kayzon and she frowned.
