Page 30 of Tornn's Mate
“Well,” I finally say, “it’s certainly a relief to know any children we have will remain with us.”
Tornn opens his mouth to reply, but the doorbell abruptly rings and reverberates through his quarters. He glances toward the hallway, then rises to his feet. He helps me out of my chair and guides me to the sitting area in front of the viewscreen, and I try very hard not to glance at my tablet.
“I’ll be right back, Ellie. Please wait here while I answer the door.”
I sink down on the sofa and watch as he walks away, my mind in turmoil. If it weren’t for Nathan, I could maybe allow myself to be happy right now. I could allow myself to be hopeful for an amicable relationship with Tornn and a future that involves raising a family together.
But I can’t stop thinking about the good times I shared with Nathan, and I find myself making excuses for his horrible texts, particularly his comment about me carrying Tornn’s baby.
Perhaps my former fiancé is under a great deal of stress. Perhaps he misses me so much that he’s not thinking clearly and he’s gone and gotten himself involved in a dangerous plot against the Darrvasons.
I hold my breath and listen as Tornn speaks with someone at the door. But they’re talking in Darrvason and I can’t understand a single word, and Tornn’s huge body blocks whoever it is. He soon reaches forward and takes something from the visitor, and the door zips shut a second later when he steps back.
Carrying a large box, Tornn hastens in my direction, a pleased look in his dark purple eyes. He places the box on the sofa beside me with a flourish.
“A gift for you, my little female,” he says in a warm voice.
“A gift? For me?” I ask rather stupidly, then blush as I peer down at the box.
“Open it.”
I swallow hard, reach for the lid, and flip it open to reveal a stack of clothing in vibrant colors. I withdraw one of the garments and hold it up, allowing the fabric to billow downward as I gaze at the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. It’s dark purple—nearly the same shade as Tornn’s eyes—and the fabric shimmers in the overhead lights.
“Wow. Tornn, this is gorgeous. Thank you.” I fold the dress, set it aside, and proceed to go through the remaining contents of the box.
There are five more dresses in a similar fashion to the first—long-sleeved flowing gowns that are surprisingly modest. At the bottom of the box, I find six pairs of cushioned slippers to match each dress. I’m stunned by his gift and more than a little embarrassed by the small wardrobe I’d brought with me—plain shirts and pants, many of them threadbare.
“These are all so lovely, Tornn. Thank you.” I peer up at him with a smile.
“You are very welcome, Ellie. I am glad you like them.” Just as he steps closer, his wrist comm beeps and buzzes, and he casts an annoyed look at the tiny screen. A sigh escapes him. “I must return to my duties, but I will be back later this evening.”
Before I can ask if something’s wrong, he turns on his heel and quickly marches out of his quarters, leaving me alone, surrounded by the beautiful dresses he’d just given me.
In the wake of his departure, I blink back tears as I gaze out the viewscreen at theJansonna. If Tornn were the monster Nathan believed him to be, perhaps I wouldn’t feel so conflicted, and perhaps I wouldn’t feel so awful for keeping secrets from my mate.
I reach for my tablet, swipe open the text program, and type a message to Nathan even though I know it’ll be hours before he sees it, as his shifts usually last ten hours.
How long?How long until we’re reunited?
I sendthe message and hope I’ll have an answer before the day is over. Nathan refused to give me any details about the plot against the Darrvasons, but maybe he’ll give me a time frame.
After a glance toward the entryway, I delete the sent message from my tablet. We’re conversing in Galactic Common instead of one of the older Earth tongues, which means if Tornn comes across the messages, he’ll be able to read every word.
While I’m fluent in English and I can fumble my way through several other Earth languages, Nathan’s parents, like many humans aboard theJansonna, only spoke Galactic Common and thought allowing him to learn the old human tongues would’ve been a waste of time.
I set the tablet down and place all the dresses and shoes back into the large box. But before I can lift the box and carry it to the bedroom, the blasted servant android exits the kitchen and takes the box from my hands.
Chapter16
ELLIE
After a full weekspent in Tornn’s quarters, interacting with no one else but him, I find myself pacing in his absence, restless for a change of scenery. Frustration simmers anew inside me whenever I walk near the entrance of his quarters and the door doesn’t open. Of course it doesn’t. I ask him daily when I will be permitted to roam his ship freely, but he always says the same thing.Not yet, sweet human.
I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve copulated. How many times he’s released his seed in my depths. Surely I’m covered in his scent enough that other males on theHaxxalwon’t be interested in me, though the idea of another male trying to claim me is more than a little distressing.
I’m used to keeping busy, and though I’m not the most extroverted person in the universe, I’m also used to interacting with lots of people every day. My students and their parents. Fellow teachers. My mother and sister and Nathan.
I sigh and run a hand through my hair.
