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His pale-green eyes sparkled with a fondness that had always been

reserved just for Kai. “I’ll bring some up at once, and sir, I would offer

my congratulations.”

It took a moment for him to realize why the male meant to

congratulate him. The epitome of calm and grace, Dalin hadn’t so much

as raised an eyebrow at Kai’s physical transformation, but it was foolish

to think he hadn’t noticed.

“Thank you. She is as lovely and unpredictable as the seas, and I

couldn’t be more blessed.”

Ascending the curving staircase to the upper floor, Kai thought back

to what Ivy had suggested in the gardens of the citadel. He’d never

assumed to question that his soulmate would be another Xenon. Now,

he couldn’t stop wondering how many of his people had been denied

the gift of a mate because of the elders’ decision to close them off from

the universe.

Of course, he wanted the entirety of their race to find peace and

happiness, but he knew of none more deserving than Dalin. At more

than twice Kai’s age, he’d been alone for so many years, his life dedicated

to caring for a family not of his own blood. He’d be a good father, a

dedicated and protective mate, and Kai wanted that for his friend.

His doubts and concerns grew into a simmering anger with each step

he climbed, so that by the time he reached his father’s office, he didn’t

knock, but stormed in unannounced.

“Ah, the prodigal son has decided to grace us with—by the

ancestors!” Elder Elor Blackthorn flatted his hands over the surface of his

desk and pushed to his feet. “When did this happen?”

“Recently,” Kai answered, his tone clipped.

Instead of offering his congratulations or showing any signs that he

might be happy for his son, the elder pressed his lips together and

nodded. “Your mother will be pleased to hear.”

“How is mother?” Kai missed her, especially now when he had so

many questions.

“She’s well. Still visiting her sister in the Eastern Isle.” He motioned

to one of the empty chairs in front of his desk as he lowered back into his

own seat. “Who is the female? Someone I know?”

“My soulmate is one of the human females who landed on the beach

yesterday.” He spoke louder, talking over his father’s objections. “She is

the reason I’m here. Will the other elders be joining us?”

Elor’s golden eyes narrowed dangerously, but after a heavy pause,

he sighed and leaned back in his chair. “They’ll join us shortly.” Folding

his arms over his broad chest, he observed Kai for several heartbeats

before continuing. “You have been avoiding my communications.”

He’d often been told he looked a great deal like his father, but Kai

had never seen it. All of his life, he’d been of average height and build,

no more remarkable than any other unmated male. His father, having

been fortunate enough to find his soulmate, had always been large and

imposing, both in appearance and demeanor.

Now, apart from the color of their hair, Kai could see the

resemblance, and it left him somewhat unnerved.

“I didn’t want to trouble you until I had information.”

Elor’s lips stretched into a knowing smirk. “You always were a

terrible liar, son. Dishonesty doesn’t suit you.”

It wasn’t a lie. Merely a partial truth. “I’ve come to request permission

from the Court of Elders to transmit a communication off-planet.”

He’d expected his father to deny him at once, to rage about the safety

and security of Xenthian. Kai had anticipated judgment and a lecture

about the responsibilities of a leader to put his people before his heart.

During the shuttle ride into the Valley, he’d rehearsed his defense,

prepared to remind the elders of the sanctity of the mating laws they

themselves had written.

So, when Elor shook his head, Kai wasn’t surprised, but then the elder

spoke.

“It won’t be easy to sway them to what you ask. Can I assume this

pertains to your new mate?”

Taken aback by the response, it took Kai a moment to change

directions in his argument. “Ivy, and yes. Her ship was damaged during

the landing, and while most of her crew escaped, she is worried for their

well-being. She informs me that it’s also imperative for her to reach her

superiors.”

“She is also a stranger in an unfamiliar world. I’m sure she misses her

home.” He chuckled quietly when Kai gaped at him. “Son, I expect

greatness from you, because I know you are capable of extraordinary

things. I’m aware that I can be difficult and uncompromising, but I am

not without compassion. All your mother and I have ever wanted is for

you to find happiness.”

Kai’s carefully planned words abandoned him, and he sat in silence

as a wave of love and gratitude for his father washed over him. He’d

never known the man to be unkind, only steadfast in his resolve and

narrow-minded about things he didn’t understand. It was an intolerance

built on fear and instilled into their people from birth, one Kai hoped Ivy

would help him to change.

“I have your support?”

His father sat up straighter and lifted his chin. “You do, but as I said,

it won’t be an easily won battle.”

“I’m prepared to use any means of persuasion necessary.”

A predatory grin curled the corners of Elor’s lips. “Good.”

* * * *

through the winding streets of Sommervail the following afternoon.

“They don’t look very happy, either.”

Some of the Xenon appeared only curious about the newcomer to

their secluded city, while others glared at her with open contempt. The

men watched her, suspicious and apprehensive, but most of the hateful

glances and snide comments directed at her came from the females.

“Ignore them,” Kai murmured as he nuzzled against her temple.

“You look beautiful today.”

He said all the right things, and he’d lavished her with attention

during the day, but something had changed. Since he’d returned from

his meeting with the elders, he’d been quieter, more reserved. When

she’d questioned him about it, all he’d say is that the elders had agreed

to consider her request and would relay their decision soon. Ivy didn’t

like the answer, but apart from rebuilding her ship by hand and hoping

she could make it off the planet before she was caught, she had no choice

except to wait.

A loud snort from behind her drew Ivy’s attention, and she whipped

her head around to glare up at Tariq. “Say one word. I dare you.”

“What? You do look beautiful.” He laughed, showing off his pointed

canines as he lifted Cami onto his back to carry her. “You really should

wear more dresses.”

As Kai’s mate, sort of, she’d been informed that she needed to look

the part when making public appearances. Instead of the tunic and tights

she’d been sporting around the citadel, the attendants had helped her

choose a simple black dress that flowed down to her ankles and a thin,

silver cloak. The light, silky material felt amazing, and it clung to her in

all the right places.

She hated it.

The last time she’d worn a dress had been on her tenth birthday. Her

fathers had longed for a boy, a male heir to follow in the footsteps of their

military careers. They’d never said it outright, but Ivy knew they’d been

disappointed to discover their bouncing baby boy wasn’t a boy at all.

Still, they’d comforted themselves with the knowledge that she would

one day be claimed by a pair of Elites, preferably from wealthy families.

So, from the time she could talk, her mother had attempted to groom her

into the perfect lady, the ideal mate.

Well, the joke was on them. At the age of ten, she’d been tested,

judged, and found lacking, marked as an infertile female with an inky

black star for all the worlds to see. When she’d entered the Academy, her

parents hadn’t visited, and Ivy had only been allowed home on her

mother’s birthday. Now, she saw them once every couple of years, more

out of obligation than actual fondness, and she dreaded every visit.

“Can you even fight in that thing?” Tariq prodded when she didn’t

rise to his teasing.

“Well enough to kick your ass.”

“Maybe we can find some bows for your hair.”

“Tariq,” Cami whispered, squeezing her arms around his neck, “not

now.”

“I’m just saying—” He cut off abruptly when Cami fisted her hand in

his golden mane and jerked hard. “Damn it, angel!”

“Tariq, love,” she cooed dangerously, “drop it.” Sliding down from

her mate’s back, she turned to Ivy with an expression that very closely

resembled pity and mouthed, “Sorry.”

Having a telepath for a friend often came in handy. This wasn’t one

of those times, but she couldn’t be too upset with the woman. Cami tried,

but she couldn’t always block out the thoughts of those around her, and

Ivy imagined the recollection of her parents had been rather “loud.”

Kai had watched the entire exchange in silence, but the murderous

expression in his eyes said more than words. Ivy needed only to say the

words, and she felt confident he’d destroy Tariq with a snap of his

fingers. The fact that he hadn’t rushed to her defense, that he’d trusted

her to fight her own battles, meant more to her than any testosterone-

fueled display of protectiveness.

The man practically vibrated at her side, and she could almost feel

the self-control he exercised to keep his anger checked. Stars help her,

but she found it sexy as hell.

Rubbing Kai’s forearm in calming strokes, she pressed closer to his

side, drawing his attention away from Tariq. “He’s an idiot, but he’s only

teasing.”

“He upset you.” With a menacing step toward the hybrid, he waved

his hand through the air and mumbled a series of strange words under

his breath. “There. That’s better.”

Cami screamed, and Ivy gasped, but Kai just smirked. One minute,

Tariq had been standing in the middle of the street, and the next, he’d

simply vanished with no explanation. Of course, Ivy had seen magic

before, but she hadn’t been prepared for it at that moment, and the

incident left her grasping for something to say.

“Where did he go?”

“Bring him back!” Cami yelled, advancing on the king and poking

her finger into his midsection. “You bring him back right now!”

Kai appeared so perplexed by her anger, Ivy began to laugh, but

quickly covered it with a cough when Cami glared at her. She and Tariq

bickered like siblings, but it never meant anything. Yes, she’d been

momentarily saddened by depressing thoughts of the past, but that

hadn’t been Tariq’s fault, not really.

“If you don’t bring him back right this minute,” Cami raged,

“I’ll…I’ll…well, I don’t know, but it’ll hurt. A lot.”

Kai caught her hand when she moved to poke him again and held it

gently. “I merely sent him back to your quarters in the citadel. I assure

you he is perfectly unharmed.”

“Fine.” Jerking her hand back, Cami spun on her heels and began

marching down the street. “Oh, he’s going to be impossible after this.”

“Cami, wait,” Ivy called. With all the yelling and people disappearing

into thin air, they’d drawn quite the crowd, and she didn’t want Cami to

be alone. “Wait, I’ll go with you.”

She took only one step before Kai caught her around the wrist to pull

her back to his side. “Tira.” He said her name with a quiet sigh, and he

didn’t even blink when she appeared at Ivy’s side, out of fucking

nowhere. “Please escort Lady Navarra back to the citadel.”

“Yes, sir.” The captain bowed her head to Ivy. “Until our next

meeting, Ivy Dalton.”

Ivy waved at her dazedly, but she couldn’t get enough air into her

lungs to speak until the female had already disappeared down the street

with Cami. In her world, the laws of physics made sense, and magic only

existed in books and legends. People stayed firmly where they were

supposed to be and didn’t poof in and out of goddamn existence.

The more she thought about it, the less sense it made, until she finally

had to ask. “Okay, teleportation or whatever, I get. Well, in theory, but

how the hell did Tira hear you?”

Kai had the audacity to look at her as if
she
had lost
her
mind. “She

was standing at my side.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” She waved her hands around, drawing more

attention from the onlookers. “Are you saying she was what? Invisible?”

“My lady, is that so hard to believe? A cloaking shield hides our

entire planet. One little captain is not so difficult.”

Thinking back to her time in the citadel, Ivy remembered sentries

appearing from the shadows when she was lost or needed help. She

really hadn’t given it much thought, assuming they’d simply been