The slight chatter of her teeth answers for her, but she nods anyway.
“I can hold you, if you’d like. We can share warmth.”
She stills, staring up at me with wary eyes.
I wait, knowing she is weighing whether to trust me this much. Just like a Drakarian female. None would dare allow a male to hold her unless he was her mate.
After a moment, she nods, moving closer. My hearts soar as she leans against me. Cautiously, I extend my wings from my back and wrap them around us both. At first, she freezes, but then she releases a small sigh of contentment and nestles against my side.
Happiness blooms in my chest that she allows me to hold her so intimately. We are building the beginnings of trust. Was ever a male so blessed to have his female trust him so early in their relationship?
Her sparkling green eyes meet mine. “Can we lie down?”
I nod, gently lowering us to the floor. Underneath my wings, I wrap my arms around her dainty form. I do not mind that she is smaller than a Drakarian female. If anything, her size calls forth my protective instincts. She fits perfectly against me and I revel in the sensation of her body so close to mine.
I tug her back against my chest. When she flinches slightly, I realize my mistake. She is nervous and I am acting too familiar without her permission.
She turns in my arms to face me, her gaze cautious. I give her a faint smile before closing my eyes and pretending to fall asleep, hoping that she will be able to relax and realize that I would never harm her.
I am keenly aware of her eyes upon me, but I remain as still as possible, making sure my breaths are soft and even. In truth, I wonder if I will be able to sleep this night. I’ve never held a female so closely before. The pull of the mate bond means my body is completely and utterly aware of everything about hers.
Her scent, the soft texture of her skin, her long, silken red hair. All of these features draw me in, threatening to overwhelm me.
I struggle to relax and pretend to sleep as she gently traces her delicate fingers up my arm and across the leathery folds of my wings.
“Beautiful,” she whispers. I realize she is speaking to herself and not to me. She believes me unconscious.
I can barely keep a smile from forming on my lips at her praise. I can hardly believe I am actually holding my mate in my arms. Hearing her opinion of me evolve from “ugly lizard man” to “beautiful,” makes my hearts soar. Perhaps I will not die alone after all.
Thoughts of holding her close every night fill my mind, followed by images of tracing my fingers along her delicate skin and watching her writhe beneath me as I give her pleasure. Her arms and legs wrapped solidly around my form as I enter her and fill her with my seed. My stav extends from my mating pouch at the thought.
Suddenly, I am overcome with worry. She has only just begun to trust me, and I do not wish to frighten her. Carefully, I turn just enough to angle my hips slightly away from her.
She responds by nestling even closer. Her face is tucked beneath my chin, her arm wrapped around my waist, and her leg is thrown over my hips. My hearts clench at the amount of trust she bestows in me. I thank the Gods again that this sweet female is mine. Her trust is a gift and I vow to never break it.
Chapter 14
Lilliana
Awareness slowly trickles back into my mind as I awaken. Completely enveloped in warmth, I can’t remember the last time I slept so well. Stretching out my arms and legs, I turn in the bed and snuggle under the covers. I rest my hand on the hard pillow beside me, feeling a steady thump beneath my palm.
My eyes snap open to find two reptilian green eyes staring back at me. My cheeks heat and my heart begins to tap a frantic rhythm as Varus’ mouth curves into a devastatingly handsome smile.
“Good morning,” I barely manage.
“Did you sleep well?”
Still tangled in his arms and wings, I nod. I can’t believe I’m so comfortable around him. When did that happen? I only met him yesterday.
But even as this thought enters my mind, I realize why he puts me at ease. He’s done nothing but try to take care of me since we met. I smile brightly at him. Varus is a good guy and I’m lucky that he found me when he did. If he hadn’t, I’d probably already be dead. It doesn’t hurt that he’s handsome in a masculine, rugged, alien sort of way.
Suddenly, a thought hits me. What if he’s taken? My heart stops. It never even occurred to me to ask if a Mrs. Varus is waiting for him back home.
As I study him warily, I almost hate to ask, though I know I have to. I think I’m already developing feelings for him, although we just met.
“Varus?”
“Yes?”
“Do you, uh—” I lower my gaze, unable to meet his eyes as my cheeks flush with warmth. “Are you married?”
He pauses, which worries me. I lift my gaze to find him wrinkling his brow in confusion. “Married? What is that?”
“You know… do you have a wife? A mate?”
“Ah.” He nods. “No, I do not have a mate.”
I nearly sigh in relief, but freeze when he adds, “Yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“My parents have chosen a female to be my betrothed.”
My heart sinks. Of course, he’s taken. He’s too handsome to be single.
Worry flits across his features. “Do you have a mate?”
I shake my head. “No. I’ve never even had a steady boyfriend.”
He tips his head to the side with a questioning look. “Boy… friend?”
“A guy to date—court, I mean.”
“So, you are unmated?”
“Yes, I guess
