Page 39 of Radakk's Mate
Can he detect my arousal, slight as it is?
I flush with embarrassment and frustration.
Why can’t I control my thoughts? My carnal urges?
If someone offered me a hormone suppression shot at this very moment, I would gladly take it. I don’t like the power Emperor Radakk holds over me with his ability to turn me into a mindless wanton with his presence alone.
He delves a hand in my hair and tangles his fingers in my locks, and shivers travel down my spine to merge with the heat panging in my core. I suppress a whimper. I haven’t seen him since last night—he was gone from his quarters when I awoke this morning—and I’d almost forgotten how fiercely drawn I am to him.
“Have you eaten today?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes, I had some fruit, and while I was in the kitchen, Closta came in and replicated a massive breakfast pastry of some sort. It was delicious. I didn’t even ask the servant android to make me anything, yet he took it upon himself.”
“I’m glad you ate, little spy.” He strokes my hair. “I was uncertain if you knew how to work a food replicator, so I ordered Closta to make sure you were given a big breakfast. The replicator can’t yet make human foods, though we are working on that, but if you ask Closta to replicate something and describe what you want, he’ll do his best to replicate the Darrvason equivalent.”
“Thank you.” I blink rapidly, unsure why tears are suddenly burning in my eyes.
Okay, I’m no idiot. I know why.
It’s because food is an issue for me. Or rather, the constant lack of it growing up, and the evil way my father withheld my rations as punishment.
So yes, I’m touched that Emperor Radakk seems very intent on seeing me well fed.
Warmth fills me as I recall how he’d ordered Captain Warren to provide me with a meal immediately after I left the docking bay, as well as large portions of the freshest foods theJansonnahad to offer during my time in the Founder’s quarters.
“Are you all right, Thalia?” Concern flickers in his gaze.
“I’m great. Just a little bored.” I force another smile. “I can’t find anything to do around here. Closta takes care of everything, and there’s nothing for me to do except pace your quarters and gaze out the viewscreens. I-I was hoping I could explore the ship, but you must’ve accidentally left the door locked.” I slowly flutter my eyelashes at him, trying to appear sweet and innocent, though I have little experience in utilizing feminine wiles.
“I left the door lockedon purpose, little spy.” He narrows his eyes at me. “Did you truly believe I would allow you to freely roam theHaxxal?” His tone is so patronizing, I see red, but I somehow manage to remain outwardly calm.
A gilded cage. My heart races with panic.
What if he never lets me out?
“Are you saying,” I begin carefully, “that you intend to keep me locked in your quarters forever?”
“Not forever, but for several moon cycles, yes.” His jaw goes tight. “It’s for your own safety, little spy, that I plan to keep you here. A newly mated female shouldn’t leave her home until the scent of her new mate thoroughly covers her. Among Darrvason couples, this process usually takes one to three moon cycles, or less time if the heartbond forms sooner and the male’s ancestral markings appear on the female’s arms. The markings are the ultimate deterrent in keeping unmated males from trying to steal another male’s mate.”
My mind reels. One to three moon cycles? A heartbond? Ancestral markings? Stealing mates? Alarm fills me as I study the glowing purple symbols that cover his arms, and I’m suddenly aware of how little I know about Emperor Radakk’s people and their customs. “Are you saying a heartbond will eventually form between us and your ancestral markings will appear on my arms?” I’m horrified at the thought.Heartbondsounds very lasting. How will I escape him then?
“No,” he replies in a clipped tone, scowling as he glances at my arms. “Our physicians do not believe it’s possible for a heartbond to form between a Darrvason-human mated pair. But after a few moon cycles of constant mating, my scent will cling to you enough that it will repel unmated males.” He tightens his grip in my hair. “I will not risk anyone looking at you with lust, let alone trying to steal you and claim you. You’re mine, little empress. My mate.”
The spark of hope that’s always kept me going starts to dim. I open my mouth, preparing to beg him to let me out, when the doorbell reverberates throughout his quarters. He glances over his shoulder.
“That would be Admiral Tornn. I invited him here for a private meeting.” Emperor Radakk guides me into my bedroom and turns me to face him. His nostrils flare, and a muscle in his jaw feathers. “You will remain in your room until I come get you. If you step foot outside your room, I will take a strap to your bottom. Stay. Here.”
Chapter23
THALIA
Not only doI decide to stay in my room, but I don’t venture near the doorway. I tell myself it’s not because I’m afraid of the punishment Emperor Radakk threatened. I tell myself I simply have no wish to interact with Admiral Tornn. Besides, I doubt they’ll conduct their meeting in Galactic Common. Even if I were in the same room, I wouldn’t be able to understand what they’re talking about.
Isolated. I’ve never felt so isolated and out of place in my life. I’m trapped in the emperor’s quarters for God knows how long, unable to communicate with anyone from theJansonna, and I can’t even understand the Darrvason tongue.
There are twenty-nine other human females aboard theHaxxal, yet I don’t have a way to communicate with them either. Will all the Darrvasons who claimed a human woman keep their mates sequestered in their quarters for months on end? I run a hand through my hair and pace the floor in front of the viewscreen.
A lot could happen in several moon cycles. I could fall pregnant. I could find myself carrying Emperor Radakk’s precious heir. Escaping would be next to impossible in such a circumstance.
