Page 108 of Zirkov

“The new Assistant Director said I should come to meet his candidates for liaison. I told him you are the only liaison I will accept. He said he’d consider hiring you as a civilian liaison if I came to the retreat.”

“Really? That’s why we’re here?” Zirkov would sacrifice anything for her, including his privacy. He didn’t socialize with humans, and this retreat was a social event.

“I want you back as my liaison, Magdalena.”

“Don’t you see enough of me when you come home at night?”

“I could never have enough of you.”

Maggie trailed her hand down his chest. “I never told you how much it means to me that you believe I’m your sholani, despite what the doctors told you.”

He pulled her against his chest. “Once I listened to your advice and trusted my heart, I knew the truth. You, and only you, are mine. Forever.”

“I hope that means you won’t get upset when I tell you what I did.”

He dawned that stoic look she hadn’t seen since they’d married. “Tell me.”

“I contacted your doctors on Zyan and told them about us. I wanted to know if they’d made any progress in healing you.”

“Why would you do this? Do you not believe we are heartmates?”

“I believe it. I have for a long time, but I want you to be sure, Z. For you to have peace of mind.”

“I have everything I need. You. Whatever the doctors told you, forget it. We are heartmates. I have nothing more to say on the subject.”

He took her hand, and they continued walking until she planted her feet in the dirt. “Maybe you don’t have anything to add, but I do.”

“Sholani—”

She held up her hand, silencing him. “When you’re unsettled, it’s my job to help you, just as you helped me. We’re more than heartmates, we’re a team, partners, in every sense of the word. I know you love me, that you’re committed to me, and that nothing can tear us apart. But I know deep inside there’s still a part of you that aches to know the truth. Not being able to ease that ache hurts, Z. I had to at least try. That’s why I contacted the doctors on Zyan. You deserve to not question yourself… or us. But we’ve been speculating based on theories, not science. I want to put your mind at ease, my sholan.”

Large hands cupped her head. “I’ve stopped questioning. I am fully committed to you, sholani.”

“I know. And it’s because you love me that you will listen to what they said.”

After a moment, he nodded.

“I told them everything we’ve been through and that we’d mated. They were shocked to hear you’d fully claimed me. They said no other male with this same condition has ever stayed hard for a female long enough to mate.Ever. They said it’s impossible.”

Zirkov’s eyebrows pinched together. “Do they think it’s because the effects of the drug have reversed or worn off?”

“No, the damage from the drugs is permanent. But they also said there is only one way you could fuck with your mating cock… if you are with your sholani.”

Silver eyes grew impossibly wide, matched only by the smile on Zirkov’s face. Then he shut down, looking casual. “See, Magdalena, I told you we are heartmates. If you’d only trusted your heart all along, then we would have mated much sooner.”

She slapped his arm. “Asshole.”

Zirkov swung her to him, then curved his hand over her ass. “Is that an invitation to take you? Withbothmy cocks, sholani?”

“Out here? No way.” She pressed her hips against his. Sure enough, both cocks were hard for her. “That’s another reason I shouldn’t return as Earth Intelligence’s liaison to GI7. We’d never get any work done.”

“Indeed. But we have so few marshals and I wish to spend more time with you.”

With Stenikov gone, Konnitch and Zirkov were stretched thin keeping all the newest rescued women secure and transporting them to and from Dal to testify.

“I guess I could be the liaison again.”

Zirkov ran a finger over her brows. “No. Not if it will bring this sadness to your face. You desire to do more with your life.”

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