His eyes hardened. “You are my Nova. There is no one else.”
“So you say, but what good has that done me? You used my vulnerability and our connection for your asinine plan to impregnate me without my consent. You abused my trust in you and the connection we built over the years. You want me to trust you, yet you still won’t trust me with something as simple as your identity!” I shouted, throwing my hands up. “What if something happened during delivery and the healers don’t know what to expect or do because the father’s species is unknown? They have already told me they don’t know how to proceed without knowing more about the father. Both my health and the health of my offspring are endangered by not knowing what you are.”
“I have already considered all of this. The healers aboard the Destiny are fully capable of delivering our offspring if required and assisting with your care until you arrive. I will claim you both and provide everything you need. But you must trust me, please!” he begged.
Turning away from him in disgust and frustration, I leaned on the railing and willed myself to calm down. His failure to understand my feelings and his distrust in me hurt. That I was still drawn to him despite all that he’d done hurt even more. I felt torn in two.
Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling my body against his. I closed my eyes, absorbing the warmth rolling off his smoky form. The weight of his head came to rest on my left shoulder, his face turned toward my neck. His breath tickled the fine hairs on my neck, making me squirm.
“You are my Nova, and any offspring of yours is mine as much as you are.” He paused as he breathed in my scent. “I know you’re distressed, but all I want is to provide for you and our offspring. To shield and protect you from harm. To ease your worries.”
I felt a gentle squeeze as he held me close.
“If it matters so much, and will lessen yours fears about the pregnancy, I’ll tell you what I am. But I can’t tell you any personal details, not yet. It’s still not safe—not until I have you by my side and can protect you. I can’t come for you myself, but I’ll send a special escort to ensure your safe arrival at the space station. And I’ll be there to welcome you. Please trust me a little longer. All will be well once I have you in my arms,” he murmured against my neck.
“I want so badly to trust you, and that’s what hurts the most. I hate secrets. I hate being valued only as a commodity rather than who I am as a person. For my feelings not to matter.”
I closed my eyes as I leaned into his embrace.
“I do value you, Selena. You are my Nova. I’ll provide what answers I can.” He took a deep breath. “I am Aldawi,” he stated proudly.
“And what does me being your Nova mean?”
He sighed into my neck. “Novas are rare among Aldawi. And you being human—that’s unheard of. Combine that with my rank—Selena, it’s very dangerous for others to know who you are to me. You must keep this between us.”
I nodded, relieved he was finally giving me answers, not wanting to interrupt lest he stop.
“The average Aldawi gestation period is fifty days. The healers on the Destiny know and will be able to factor that in when you tell them. You’re about fourteen days away from CEG HQ, and it’s been thirty-eight days since our night together—”
“You’re going to miss the delivery of our offspring?” I shouted—hiding I was pregnant with twins. I tried to shake off his embrace.
“Humans have considerably longer gestation periods. I’m hopeful yours will therefore be longer than the typical Aldawi pregnancy. You should make it to CEG HQ before delivery. I cannot leave, but I’m in the process of preparing everything for your arrival.”
“Why does it seem like you’re fine not being here when I’d need you most?” I jerked away and turned to face him, looking him in the eye.
“Aldawi females don’t allow males near them outside of mating season—”
“I’m not an Aldawi!”
He cornered me against the railing, caging me between his arms. Leaning forward, his black face almost touching mine, he snarled, “Believe me, I know this. It’s not my place even though you are my Nova.”
“So, you’re fine with other males helping me deliver our children?” I questioned, testing his limits.
He roared, the sound echoing, startling the birds from the trees.
The island fell silent.
“I am bound to you as you are to me. You’re my Nova, and the only one for me. I will know no other. I can’t force that on you since you’re not Aldawi. I’m not yours in the same way.” His eyes hardened. “But if you take another male, I ask you not to take another Aldawi. That’s the one thing I can’t accept. You couldn’t be his as you are mine.”
I was speechless.
Why did everyone seem to be okay with their female—me—being with others? I couldn’t possibly accept that so easily were our positions reversed.
I couldn’t deny my connection with him. Countless years spent with him here in my dreamscape, endless hours talking, even our one night on the Yaarkin ship—despite how that had turned out—we’d built something special. Though I was angry with
