Rystani Warrior 04 - The Quest (32 page)

But surely they wouldn’t go. Tessa and Kahn owned an entire world. Within the Federation she wielded more power than almost anyone. They’d made a home here that would become the new capital of the Federation. Why would they want to leave?

Yet, at Kirek’s words, she saw excitement bolt like lightning across the room until the very air around them crackled with electricity.

Two young boys separated themselves from the other kids and threw themselves at Kahn. “Dad, can we go? Can we? Please!”

Tessa shook her head, love in her eyes, and chuckled. “You know, the Milky Way is damn crowded. I wouldn’t mind shaking down the new shapeshifting ship in a new galaxy.”

Kahn hugged his boys and tousled their hair but remained silent.

Dora placed a hand on Tessa’s shoulder. “If you’re going, then I’m going. You’d get into way too much trouble without me.” Then she turned to Zical with a question in her eyes. “Unless—”

“I was getting bored, anyway,” Zical agreed. All at once a dozen conversations broke out across the room as everyone speculated about Kirek’s proposal.

“Hold on, before we all get swept away in excitement,” Kahn spoke quietly, but everyone settled down. “A trip like this one will be dangerous. I suggest we all get a good night’s sleep, maybe take a week, and then return to discuss it again.”

Kirek immediately turned to Angel. “Will you stay until we make a decision?”

“Of course.”

ENSCONCED IN THE luxurious private quarters of Kirek’s home, Angel’s emotions vacillated between hope and despair. As much as she wanted to spend more time with Kirek, she wished he’d spoken to her about his idea before he’d presented it to his entire family.

“What’s wrong?” Kirek asked.

“Even if your entire family wants to go exploring in another galaxy, it doesn’t mean that they won’t eventually settle on another world.”

“That world can be our base. We’ll make the
Raven
our home and build a second home near my family. Seems like a good compromise to me.”

He had everything all worked out. She should be happy. She shouldn’t feel trapped. She should feel honored that he was willing to go to such lengths for her, and yet, if he was committing to the exploration and journey only for her, she suspected he might end up resenting her for it. That would ruin what they had together.

“Does exploring the galaxy really appeal to you?”

He eyed her and kissed her neck. “Do you really think I would go just for you?”

Kirek knew her so well. She turned in his arms to look into his eyes. “So why do you want to go?”

“Curiosity. Challenge. Opportunity. Adventure. My work here is done.” He lowered his head to nibble her collarbone, sending a delicious shiver of delight through her. “Besides, I can’t imagine a life where we can’t be together. Can you?”

She couldn’t. But she didn’t feel like talking about space travel right then. Not when there were so many other more pleasurable things they could be doing.

He lifted his head, whispered into her ear. “I love you with my entire heart and all my soul. Whatever it takes, I’ll always find a way for us to be together. For as long as you want me.”

Stars. He sure knew how to sneak under a girl’s skin and steal into her heart. But would she always return his love? Twice before she’d thought she’d been in love. Twice before she’d been wrong. Yet she didn’t want to think how much she would miss him if they weren’t together. “I do love you.”

“You always will.” He grinned at her. “I’ll make sure of that, sweetheart.”

His words sounded so good, yet she couldn’t still her doubts, not so much in him, but in her own ability to commit to love and a permanent partner. “But—”

He cut off her words, tracing his finger over her lips. “You’ve been inside my mind. You know me better than anyone else in the universe. Did you see anything there you can’t live with?”

“People
…
change.”

“We’ll change together. We’ll grow old together—but not for a long, long time.”

Angel bit her lower lip. “You’re so certain.”

“Certain. Determined to have you. Forever. Perhaps you’ve heard that Rystani warriors can be very stubborn men.”

“Oh, really?” She started to laugh. “Define stubborn.”

“We know what we want, and we go after it.”

She threaded her arms around his neck, arched her back, and pressed her breasts against his chest. “And here I thought you were all talk.”

“Take a chance on me, Angel. Marry me?”

She tilted back her head, recognized the love in his eyes, and accepted what was in her head and her heart. Kirek understood her. He loved her. She loved him. She’d found her perfect mate. “Yes. I’ll marry you
…
but I’m not promising to have your children.”

She expected him to argue. He laughed, instead.

“What’s so funny?”

“I was just thinking how much fun we’re going to have while I change your mind.”

“Rystani warriors aren’t the only people who can be stubborn,” she muttered, letting a challenge enter her tone. “Now kiss me, please. Before I decide you’re all talk and no action.”

“Woman, was that an insult?” He pretended to take offense.

“Take my words however you want.” She grinned at him. “Take me, however you want.”

And he did.

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