Page 13 of Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind
“Legend has it that your ancestor even managed to find his mate.”
Tiberius stilled then realized Quintus was having fun at his expense. “A jest in poor taste, my friend.”
Quintus looked offended. “You wound me, Tiberius. You of all people should know that I would never mock such a matter, especially when it is one so near and dear to your heart.”
Rightfully chastised, Tiberius inclined his head. “My apologies, Quintus. I do know that. However, your words may light a dangerous flame if I allow myself to hope for the improbable.”
“You and improbability share a close alliance,” Quintus quipped. “It was improbable that a noble young prince would befriend an orphaned urchin. It was improbable that a highly intelligent and fiercely loyal member of the royal family would be exiled for treason. That said prince would establish a kingdom in the human realm and be loved by all. Shall I continue?”
Tiberius’s lips quirked. “No, that is quite enough, thank you. You have made your point.”
“Good. My job here is done.” Rising, Quintus rubbed his hands together, his expression clearing. “Speaking of matters near and dear to our hearts, there are dozens of scantily clad beauties downstairs who are aching for the opportunity to experience the unmatched skill and stamina of an Aequorian male in his prime. I shall deny them no longer and leave you to your solitary ruminations.”
After Quintus made his exit, Tiberius wasted no time in pulling out the tablet that was touted as the latest and greatest in digital technology. Perhaps it was impressive by Earth’s standards, but it was woefully primitive and cumbersome when compared to the sentient artificial intelligence Aequorians had perfected centuries before.
With his long finger, he gracefully tapped a virtual key then spoke his request. “Search Tiberius, Ancient Rome.”
An eternity—several milliseconds—later, a series of links appeared on his screen. He began at the top, scrolling through the articles in quick succession until he had devoured every one.
Unsurprisingly, the human account referred to the ancient Tiberius as “one of Rome’s greatest generals.” That was logical. His peoplewouldbe considered great warriors to humans, as evidenced by his own experiences.
What Tiberius was most interested in was not his ancestor’s heralded military prowess, however, but his personal life. More specifically, the possibility that an Aequorian had actually found a mate among the females of this realm.
Historical accounts mentioned two women the would-be emperor had taken as wives. The first appeared to be a love match; the second, a purely political machination, and a mistake that ancient Tiberius had rued for the rest of his days, transforming him into the “gloomiest of men,” according to scholars.
Such pathos over the loss of a female would support Quintus’s claim that the ancient had indeed found his mate. Why he had forsaken her was the mystery. Once joined with his fated female, an Aequorian male suffered terribly without her. That was one of the primary differences between his kind and humans—humans often entered into nuptial bonds multiple times over the course of their lives. An Aequorian only did so once, and once forged, were unbreakable.
Tiberius cleared the screen with a swipe of his finger. His gaze returned to the multitude of live security feeds from the public and private areas below, searching the ebullient crowd, his mind churning.
Was it possible to hope that he, too, might find his mate while in exile? One thing he knew for certain: if he ever was granted such a gift, he would not be fool enough to let her go.
