Page 78 of Master
Clara snorted, her warm breath holding the scent of apples. "If you liked that, you should see me when I'm really pissed."
"I already have," I bounced her on my knee. "I seem to recall someone holding me at blaster point—after I'd rescued her, no less."
Her laughter echoed through the room, violet eyes centering on my face.
"That seems so long ago," Clara sighed, laying her head on my shoulder.
I linked my arms around her waist. She snuggled close, a small, contented hum purring from her throat as my fingers stroked through her hair. This was bliss. Utter and complete bliss.
"Tarook?" She said after a long moment.
"Yes, darlin’?"
"What's going to happen to me when the Bardaga arrives?"
A fissure of uncertainty shot through me. Was she worried about her safety with my fellow crewmen? "You'll be safe." I answered what I assumed she meant.
"I know that." Clara stilled, her heartbeat hammering wildly. The beat seemed to echo inside me. If only….
"It's just… you said humans settle on Tau Ceti. I'm already here.”
"Yes." It was the only word that managed to escape my throat. Did she want to stay here? With the mumje attack, there hadn't been time for talk of our future… if Clara even consideredwe had one. As for me… I couldn't imagine life without her by my side. But despite my own desires, I wanted her to be happy.
"I guess you'll be glad to get back to your job on the Bardaga," she continued, the lightness in her tone gone.
Settling my hands on her waist, I sat Clara upright. I wanted to look into her eyes for what came next.
"I have a good life as the weapons master of the Bardaga. There's something magical about exploring new words with a crew I think of as brothers."
She tried to school her features into placidity, but I watched tears gather behind her lashes.
"But if you wish to stay on Tau Ceti, darlin’, I will resign as weapons master and never set foot on another ship if it means I can remain by your side."
Her lashes beat furiously as the tip of her small pink tongue licked along the seam of her mouth. I wanted to capture that tongue with my lips, caress it, and hear her moan in pleasure, but the next time I kissed her, I wanted it to be the start of our future together.
"Wh—what are you saying?" Clara’s voice trembled, but held a tinge of hope.
I cupped her cheek in my hand, swiping away the moisture that dared escape her lashes with my thumb. "There is nothing in this universe I want more than you, Clara. I lied when first claiming you as my mate to keep you safe, but fate has made my words true. Whether the Valana ever blesses our union, I will go to my grave knowing you are my one true mate."
Thick, fat teardrops dripped onto her cheeks, but her smile broadened. I remember from Earth videos that humans shed tears for happiness as well as sadness.
"Tarook." My name escaped along with a sigh of relief.
Her arms slipped about my neck, soft, full lips pressing against mine. I could feel every emotion she held for me in the way her mouth moved against mine… the way her tongue played in my mouth, teasing and promising. I groaned with pleasure, cradling her against my chest, intent on having us on the bed in seconds. Being prone counted as resting, didn’t it? Yet, before I could rise, Clara pulled away, a mix of aggravation and confusion flickering over her beautiful face.
"Why exactly would your goddess not bless our union? Is it because I'm human?"
I chuckled, rubbing my thumb along her bottom lip, loving how it plumped from our kisses.
"No. Your friends mating with my Chieftain and War Chief show the Valana accepts matches between Vaktaire and humans." This next part would be a source of shame on my planet, and I couldn't meet her gaze when admitting, "The goddess may not bless us because I presented our mating as a deception."
"You only did that to protect me,” Clara countered, a deep furrow growing between her brows.
"Yes, but the goddess may never forgive my transgression."
Clara issued a huff, frowning. "What exactly does this blessing entail?"
"We call it the valakana." I let my fingertips trail over the pulse in her neck, unable to let my touch linger on the reminder we would never truly be blessed. "When a Vaktaire male finds a female he desires, he claims her as a mate in front of others. On my home world, the claiming is part of a ritual done before a priest or priestess."
