Page 47 of Adtovar
“Yes,” Adtovar said and relaxed slightly. “We also received word that Bozzo arrived on the prison planet.”
“Good,” I huffed. “I hope he rots there.”
“My fierce little mate,” Adtovar chuckled and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “And before you ask, yes, Duke Ako took the letter for your aunt.”
A comforting warmth surged through me, wrapping around my heart like a gentle embrace. Despite the urgency of saving his mate, Duke Ako had promised to get a letter to my aunt. My message was simple: I had fallen deeply in love and was blissfully happy, having followed my newhusbandto his home.
“Thank you,” I gushed and hugged him tightly. It had been Adtovar’s idea, knowing how I hated thinking my aunt worried. She’d still be pissed about my leaving without a goodbye, but hopefully, not nearly as worried as I knew she had been. Adtovar hugged me back but still felt too tense for my liking.
“You’re not worried about acting as Captain, are you?” Duke Ako had been more than plain that he suffered no qualms whatsoever about Adtovar helming theHistoriain his absence.
“No,” he smirked. “Though my free time may be less until Ako returns.”
“Then we’ll just have to make do withquickies,” I teased.
“Quickies?”
A burst of laughter escaped me at the perplexed expression etched across his features. “I’ll tell you later,” I promised as I pressed closely against him. The warmth of his body seeped into mine, creating a comforting cocoon. “Or better yet, I’ll show you,” I added, my eyes dancing with a hint of mischief.
“I see,” Adtovar chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he realized my inference. His hand cupped my cheek, and he leanedin, capturing my lips in a tender yet passionate kiss. I barely had time to savor the soft, electrifying touch of his tongue dancing against mine when suddenly his wrist comm buzzed with an urgent, insistent vibration that cut through the moment rudely. Yet, Adtovar smiled broadly when he glanced at the message.
“Come, my mate, I have a surprise for you.”
I grinned as I slipped my hand into his warm, firm grip. His surprises usually meant sex. With theHistoriacurrently in orbit awaiting Ako’s return, I anticipated—and hoped—for a lot of surprises in the days to come.
Adtovar guided me to our quarters, the gentle swish of the door closing behind us serving as a familiar herald, signifying that we were home. I’d done a little redecorating, and the cozy space enveloped us, filled with the subtle scent of lavender and warm, and soft lighting. I felt a surge of curiosity and surprise when Adtovar, instead of leading me to the bed as I expected, settled us on the plush, deep-cushioned sofa. With a graceful flick of the wrist, Adtovar activated the holoprojector on a nearby sleek, glass-topped table that bathed the room in a kaleidoscope of colors.
An image slowly materialized, revealing a striking young woman with brown hair cascading over her shoulders and bright blue eyes. She sat beside a male, his distinct features and cobalt-gold eyes unmistakably marking him as a Vaktaire. A few others of his kind were members of theHistoria’screw.
I knew the minute our visage came into focus for them. The woman smiled broadly and waved. “Grandpa!”
Huh? I snorted, trying to hold back a laugh, and cut my eyes at Adtovar. “Did she just call you Grandpa?”
“Yes,” Adtovar gruffed and rolled his eyes, which only served to amuse me more.
“Wait a minute,” the female announced. Even through the hologram, I could tell her blue eyes focused on me. “Who is that?”
Adtovar slipped an arm around my shoulders. I felt the subtle tension in his muscles, a sign of the pride welling up within him. “Willa, this is my mate, Maddie. Maddie, this is my human daughter Willa and her mate Charick.”
I had never witnessed shock etched so vividly on a human face before. It was as if her every feature froze in a moment of pure disbelief. Yet, for me, there was no surprise at all. I was well-acquainted with the tale of Adtovar, Willa, and Charick during their time in the brutal gladiator pit on Ajaxuan and how much my mate loved his chosen family.
The visage of shock across Willa’s face cracked, morphing into pure joy. “Mate? Seriously? Oh my God, I’m so happy for you. How did this happen?”
Between us, Adtovar and I wove the tale of our meeting, falling in love, and escaping from the planet Budak. Willa and Charick hung onto every word with rapt attention. Laughter bubbled up frequently, interspersed with moments of sheer outrage. Occasionally, Willa’s eyes glistened with tears, spurring Charick to comfort her tenderly. I tensed involuntarily when Adtovar admitted he’d broken his vow not to fight, ready to defend my mate without hesitation. Thankfully, Willa took in the news of her alien father’s heroic actions not only with understanding, but with pride.
“And you ended up with a gal that makes bombs,” Willa chuckled, wiping the residual moisture from her cheeks. “How perfect is that?”
“Absolutely perfect,” Adtovar concurred, gently lifting my hand and brushing a soft, lingering kiss against my knuckles. “I’ve tried contacting you for weeks to make introductions, but Ako said theBardagawas on some kind of covert mission.”
Charick and Willa exchanged a sheepish glance, their eyes momentarily meeting with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
“Sort of,” Willa admitted, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.
“Sort of?” Adtovar repeated, one brow cocking ever so slightly. Though he hadn’t been a father for very long, he’d already mastered the demeanor of a skeptical dad.
Willa shared a look with her mate, chewing on her lower lip nervously. “Don’t freak out.”
Charick exhaled a long, deep breath, his chest rising and falling as if each word he was about to utter tested the very limits of his patience. “Willa, my heart. Telling someone not to freak out is the best way to ensure that they do.”
