was only guest quarters. Only temporary until it was decided where they would be placed permanently. Guest quarters or not, they were beautiful. The stone walls sort of…sparkled. The lights seemed to have grown right out of the rock. The glow having caught the surface of the walls, the crystals embedded into the stone, to make them shine and flicker in the light.
Soft rugs covered the floors. There weren’t chairs so much as lounges. Plush pillows to recline on the ground with. Spaces to stretch out and be comfortable. There was a large bathing room situated off the main space. Instead of an enzyme shower, there was a huge pool sunken into the floor. Big enough to comfortably fit at least four. Ohlen told her it was meant to be filled with water.
It intimidated her for some reason.
Their bed was twice the size of the one aboard the warship. A glance back at her mate showed him to be standing at the threshold of the room. His shoulders propped up against the wall while he watched her move curiously around. A soft smile on his face. The wardrobe, she opened just out of curiosity. Andi gasped when she saw that it was filled with dresses and clothing obviously meant for her,
“When did you…where did all this come from?” she breathed. Reaching in to touch the softest material she’d ever had her hands on.
“Ga’rae’s medical scanner took your measurements when you first came aboard. When the commander, the Asha , briefed the mated males on where we would be housed I sent a request for items to be bought for you. They are just enough things to make you comfortable. It would please me to take you to the market place for anything else you might desire.”
Ohlen shifted in the doorway. The sound of it pulling her away from the beautiful sight of all the very thoughtful, very generous gifts. Gifts almost overflowing from inside the wardrobe. Ohlen was still intently watching her.
“I never said, thank you.” she whispered.
“For the clothing? My one, it is my honor, my pleasure to provide you with anything-“
Ohlen stopped speaking when she shook her head. She took a deep breath, making herself walk forward towards him. His hands reached for her before she even got close enough to touch. “Not for the clothes. You found me on the Aria . Gave me your blood. Saved me even when I fought to die.”
His expression melted into one of complete, utter tenderness. It permeated his smile, his scent. Softened the rumble of his purr. He pulled her in, touched his lips to her brow and folded her into his embrace.
“The god’s were not yet ready to take you into their keeping. For this, I will be grateful every day.” Tears pooled in her eyes, but this time, they were happy tears.
Tears of relief. Such unbelievable relief.
****
Ohlen watched her during the evening meal. Noticing how she smiled more readily. The confidence her change had brought, marked. Where before she had shied from making eye contact with anyone, now she did so with ease and calm. Every now and again, he could sense niggles of uncertainty from her along their bond. He silently asked her about it and she cast him a little look. Her fingers curled around his under the table.
I made myself invisible as possible for so long, it’s just hard to let people see me.
He did his best to lock down his side of their bond. Not wanting her to feel the backlash of his rage. Ohlen would never not feel that searing fury when she made mention of anything pertaining to her previous life. He hoped that one day he would be better able to control it. For now, it simply caused him to see red. He wondered how many of his brother warriors would take a human mate and suffer such fury. Suffer knowing that their mates had not been honored or protected. Had been made to suffer such unspeakable pain and fear.
He wondered how many potential mates had been lost because they had not been strong enough to endure as his female had.
He wondered how
Soft rugs covered the floors. There weren’t chairs so much as lounges. Plush pillows to recline on the ground with. Spaces to stretch out and be comfortable. There was a large bathing room situated off the main space. Instead of an enzyme shower, there was a huge pool sunken into the floor. Big enough to comfortably fit at least four. Ohlen told her it was meant to be filled with water.
It intimidated her for some reason.
Their bed was twice the size of the one aboard the warship. A glance back at her mate showed him to be standing at the threshold of the room. His shoulders propped up against the wall while he watched her move curiously around. A soft smile on his face. The wardrobe, she opened just out of curiosity. Andi gasped when she saw that it was filled with dresses and clothing obviously meant for her,
“When did you…where did all this come from?” she breathed. Reaching in to touch the softest material she’d ever had her hands on.
“Ga’rae’s medical scanner took your measurements when you first came aboard. When the commander, the Asha , briefed the mated males on where we would be housed I sent a request for items to be bought for you. They are just enough things to make you comfortable. It would please me to take you to the market place for anything else you might desire.”
Ohlen shifted in the doorway. The sound of it pulling her away from the beautiful sight of all the very thoughtful, very generous gifts. Gifts almost overflowing from inside the wardrobe. Ohlen was still intently watching her.
“I never said, thank you.” she whispered.
“For the clothing? My one, it is my honor, my pleasure to provide you with anything-“
Ohlen stopped speaking when she shook her head. She took a deep breath, making herself walk forward towards him. His hands reached for her before she even got close enough to touch. “Not for the clothes. You found me on the Aria . Gave me your blood. Saved me even when I fought to die.”
His expression melted into one of complete, utter tenderness. It permeated his smile, his scent. Softened the rumble of his purr. He pulled her in, touched his lips to her brow and folded her into his embrace.
“The god’s were not yet ready to take you into their keeping. For this, I will be grateful every day.” Tears pooled in her eyes, but this time, they were happy tears.
Tears of relief. Such unbelievable relief.
****
Ohlen watched her during the evening meal. Noticing how she smiled more readily. The confidence her change had brought, marked. Where before she had shied from making eye contact with anyone, now she did so with ease and calm. Every now and again, he could sense niggles of uncertainty from her along their bond. He silently asked her about it and she cast him a little look. Her fingers curled around his under the table.
I made myself invisible as possible for so long, it’s just hard to let people see me.
He did his best to lock down his side of their bond. Not wanting her to feel the backlash of his rage. Ohlen would never not feel that searing fury when she made mention of anything pertaining to her previous life. He hoped that one day he would be better able to control it. For now, it simply caused him to see red. He wondered how many of his brother warriors would take a human mate and suffer such fury. Suffer knowing that their mates had not been honored or protected. Had been made to suffer such unspeakable pain and fear.
He wondered how many potential mates had been lost because they had not been strong enough to endure as his female had.
He wondered how
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