Hugging the blanket close to her chest, she lay in a fetal position. Tears streamed silently down her face. She would let herself cry—today—but that was it. She knew that she couldn’t change the situation and crying never solved anything—a lesson she had learned when her parents were killed.
She was so caught up in silent grief that she didn’t notice Risshi sitting in a nearby chair, watching. When her tears finally slowed, she swiped at her swollen eyes and slowly sat up. Her eyes met his, and she quickly looked away. Heat rushed to her cheeks.
“Did you just turn a different color?” Risshi asked.
Her eyes shot to his, and she noted the concern on his face. Clearing her throat, Sydney felt her cheeks burn hotter.
“Yeah. I didn’t know you were sitting there. Sorry.”
“I’ve never seen anyone do that before.” He stared a little longer. “I’m sorry if you already told me last night, but what species are you again?”
“Hu…Human.” And she blushed again.
“You did it again. Why?” he asked, tilting his head.
“It’s just what some Humans do when they feel embarrassed. I can’t control it. Sorry.”
To make matters worse, her stomach rumbled loudly. Sydney closed her eyes, willing it to stop without success.
“Come, you must eat.” Risshi walked toward the table, which held several bowls of odd-looking fruit.
Still dressed in the same clothes from the night before, Sydney just threw the covers from her legs and joined him. He watched her as she ate her share of the exotic fruit.
“This is good. Thanks!” She shot him a grateful smile.
“You are welcome.”
Five minutes after she finished, they were still sitting at the table when she sprinted to the bathroom. Everything she had just eaten come back up. After wiping her mouth with the back of a shaking hand, she looked up and found Risshi standing in the doorway.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I don’t know why that keeps happening. I don’t feel sick.” He watched as she rinsed her mouth out with water and splashed water on her face.
“Perhaps your stomach doesn’t like our food.”
“That’s what I thought.”
She headed out to the porch, Risshi behind her. They each took a seat and watched the waves crash down on the jagged rocks in silence for a while.
“Can you really smell that I’m mated?” she asked without looking at him.
“Yes, although your scent is different.”
“What does that mean?”
“I cannot explain it. You smell mated, but different. Maybe it’s your Human smell mixed with the mating scent.”
“Hmm…” There went her chance of ever getting over Jakke and moving on with her life, at least on this planet.
“I know Takkeo gave me the condensed version last night, but how did all of this happen exactly? How did you come to rescue Takkeo and to be mated to Jakke?”
From the corner of her eye, she noticed he had turned to face her. Since she had literally nothing else to do, she told him the entire story, leaving out the more intimate details of her nights with Jakke.
“That is incredible!” he said when she had finished.
She scoffed. “Is it? Jakke and Kavvan told me once that Azziarins mated for life, and even after the mate passes, they can’t take another. And here I was, stupid enough to think they were talking about sex.”
Risshi coughed to cover a laugh. And now that she said it aloud, it sounded stupid to believe something so…
“Why do you not have consorts here with you?” Sydney asked.
“Truthfully? I am not sure. I was the one closest to my mother.” He chuckled a little. “Well, my sister and me. Mother always had trouble accepting Father’s consorts. Oh, she never said anything, but I could always tell.”
“Yeah, I don’t think any woman likes a cheating asshole.”
“I think there is something wrong with my translator. I don’t understand what a wumun is, and it translated the last word as a place to defecate from.”
For the first time since arriving on this strange planet, Sydney laughed. “It’s ‘woman,’ which means the same as female. You nailed the asshole interpretation.”
“I like the sound of your laughter. I can see why Jakke was taken with you,” Risshi said sincerely, though his tone was platonic.
Sydney liked Risshi and decided to be honest. He was her brother-in-law, whether she liked it or not. “He wasn’t taken with me; he didn’t have a choice. The mating fever hit him, and he tried to stay away. He never wanted a Human mate.”
Overwhelming despair seeped into her bones, settling inside her chest. She was astonished when Risshi dropped to his knees in front of her and wrapped huge arms around her. She dropped her head on his shoulder and wept bitterly.
“I can smell your pain,” he whispered. “You really do love my brother.”
After her tears slowed, she leaned back and sniffed. Peering into his sky-blue cat eyes, she confided, “Yes, I do. But it doesn’t matter. Humans don’t share, and I refuse to start now. I’ll get over him eventually.”
“I am sorry, Sydney.”
She spent the rest of the day reflecting on her loss.
________
The next morning was the same; Risshi waiting on her to wake, food on the table, eating, and vomiting. Talking on the porch, walking on the beach, only to repeat the routine the next day and the days after.
By day five, Sydney found herself over the toilet again.
“Are you sick again?” Risshi asked, brushing the hair over her shoulder and away from her face.
“Yeah, but I don’t know why. It’s strange. I was eating Azziarin food on the spaceship for three weeks and it seemed fine.”
“Perhaps you should see the healer.”
“No, I’m fine. It’s probably just my nerves. In the past, when I would get upset, I couldn’t eat.”
“You still think of Jakke?”
Walking out the porch, Sydney nodded. “I do. I can’t seem to stop.”
“Would you like me to take you back so you can talk to him?”
She smiled kindly at Risshi. He had become such a good friend over the past few days. “No. I’m afraid of what I will find.”
“What do you mean?”
What did she mean? It should be easy to go back, face him—yell at him even. She certainly wanted to. Then what?
“I’m more afraid that he will be happy with his—the others. At least now, I can hope he misses me a little. But what if he doesn’t?”
“I am sure he does. You are his mate.”
“On Earth, marriages were often that in name only. Men cheated. Women cheated. Some got a divorce, others stayed together, but I don’t understand why. If it’s bad—it’s bad. Plain and simple.”
She stared at the crashing waves, which seemed to mimic her feelings—out of control and churning. Inhaling slowly, she shot Risshi a sad smile. “I will not be saddled, nor will I condemn Jakke to a loveless marriage—one of obligation only. He is free to do as he pleases, but I refuse to watch or be a part of it.”
“He is a fool.”
Sydney laughed. “Thanks. I think he is too.”
That evening, after throwing up yet again, Sydney took a long shower. As the water washed over her head, she smirked at the knowledge that even here on this alien world, some things were universal.
Ticking off some of those similarities in her head, one thought hit her like a ton of bricks. She had missed her menstrual cycle.
Oh, God! Her hand flew to her stomach.
Finishing as quickly as possible, Sydney stepped out of the shower and dried off. Stepping in front of the mirror, she turned sideways; her slightly rounded belly stared back.
Oh God! She swallowed hard, staring at the evidence in the mirror. That certainly explained the daily sickness.
Staring at the sideview angle, she couldn’t draw her eyes away. How can I be showing alrea
Blowing a slow breath through pursed lips, she slipped on her jeans and pulled a tee over her head. It stretched tight across her belly.
“What are you doing?”
Turning, Risshi stood in the doorway.
“Don’t you knock?”
“I heard you dress, but when you did not come out, I was concerned.”
She jerked her hands away from her belly and smiled. “I’m fine.”
Lightly bumping his shoulder as she passed him in the doorway, she went into the kitchen.
He snatched her arm, bringing her to a stop. Looking over her shoulder, Sydney saw his accusing look. “What?”
“I smell the lie,” Risshi replied, visibly upset.
He had been a true friend, someone who took her in when she needed a place to stay. She looked down at her belly.
“I was looking at my stomach.” Her eyes lifted to his. “I think I’m pregnant.”
An array of emotions crossed Risshi’s face: confusion, shock, delight, then panic. “We need to get you to the healer!”
“No. I’m fine…I think.”
Never would she admit her fear. Here she was, trying to escape Jakke, but having his baby would make things much more difficult.
A baby! I’m having a baby!
A smile spread across her face as she thought about having someone to love, someone who would love her back. She could raise it here, at the ocean, and be happy. Who needed Jakke?
Risshi clasped her hand, leading her to sit beside him on the couch.
“Are you really having a youngling?” he asked, his eyes dipping to her belly every few seconds.
“I’m not positive, but I think so.” Sydney’s hand splayed over her stomach. “I don’t think I should be showing this early, though.”
“Why not?”
“It’s just too early.” She couldn’t stop rubbing her belly. Then her eyes snapped to Risshi’s. “Wait, how long do pregnancies last on Azziar?”
He squinted. “I believe about three and a half months, maybe four.”
Three and a half Azziarin months. Sydney silently counted, doing the math in her head. Nine days per week…three and a half months… She whipped her head around.
“Eighteen weeks! I’m going to deliver a baby in eighteen weeks!” she shrieked.
Risshi turned and gripped her shoulders.
“Calm yourself!”
Sydney gulped down air. “I don’t know how far along I am.”
“How long do you carry younglings on your planet?”
“Nine months… Oh God, I can’t have a baby in eighteen weeks!”
Risshi’s voice was controlled, but his eyes were wild. “We need to have a healer evaluate you, and we should tell Jakke.”
“No! I don’t want my child raised in a home with a mate and consorts! How would that even work? ‘Jakke, I’m going to take our baby outside for some fresh air. Feel free to do…’” She flicked her wrist, unable to finish the sentence. “No, I will not stand by and watch him as he cheats on me!”
Risshi wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and she leaned into him. “I’ll protect you and your youngling, which is blood of my blood.”
Hugging him tight, she whispered, “Thank you, Risshi. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“We do need to have someone evaluate your condition, Sydney.”
“I know, but not right now. I need time to get used to the idea first.”
Risshi nodded. “We will wait. But not too long.”
Heading to the kitchen, he brought her back a glass of water.
“Thanks.”
“Now we know why you cannot hold your food,” he said, taking the glass from her after she had finished.
“I guess so.” Sydney sighed. “Thanks, Risshi.”
“You are welcome.” He hesitated; it was obvious he wished to say more.
“Take my bed tonight,” he said finally. “I will sleep on the couch.”
“I’m good right here,” she replied firmly. She could not bring herself to sleep in another man’s bed.
After a beat, he nodded. “Rest. If you need anything, please wake me. Otherwise, I will see you in the morning.”
“Night, Risshi.”
As he turned out the lights, Sydney grabbed the blanket and pulled it to her chest. She couldn’t sleep. All she could do was fantasize about what her baby might look like. Would the child have blue cat eyes or brown? White hair, or raven black? Five fingers and a thumb or four? Her mind whirled in an endless loop of possibilities for hours, until she finally drifted off into a restless sleep.
Waking at dawn, she tiptoed outside to watch the sunrise.
At least it’s a beautiful, peaceful planet, she thought. No war, no filth, no hunger. A good place to raise a child.
The door creaked open. Risshi stepped outside and took a seat beside her.
“Feeling better this morning?” he asked.
“A little.”
“Are you ready for me to call the healer?”
“Not really.”
He covered her hand with his own. “It is necessary. If today is like the others, you will be expelling the contents of your stomach. I am not sure if that is normal or not, but regardless, you need your strength.”
Sydney’s shoulders sagged. “Okay. But don’t tell Jakke. I don’t want him to know just yet.”
As the father of her baby, Jakke had a right to know; Sydney knew that. But the wounds were far too fresh. She needed more time.
Risshi nodded, pushed up from the bench and headed inside. A few minutes later, he returned.
“He will be here as soon as he can.”
“Did you tell him it was for me?” she asked anxiously, knowing that news of Prince Jakke’s Human mate must surely have spread already.
“No, I just told him that I needed his assistance and to bring all of his portable equipment.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Risshi held his hand out and she let him pull her to her feet. “Do not worry. Everything will be fine. Now, how about first meal?”
“Why not?”
Chapter 22
Jakke
Pacing his room at the castle, Jakke refused to return home until he found Sydney. With each passing day, he began to fear something terrible had happened.
He almost missed the soft knock on his door.
“Come in,” he mumbled.
Kavvan swung open the door and took one step inside. “Jakke, let’s go have first meal.”
“I’m not hungry,” he replied, barely glancing at his friend.
“You’ve barely eaten this past week. Come on, it will do you good, maybe even help your mood.”
When Jakke never cracked a smile, just shot a warning glare, Kavvan walked farther into the room, stilling Jakke’s movements.
“Jakke, you have been my best friend since we were younglings. Let us get something to eat so we can think clearly. Maybe there is something we are missing, some fine detail that will lead us to her.”
Jakke blew out a harsh breath. “Fine. Lead the way.”
Sitting at the large table, Kavvan tried to talk to him, to devise another plan to find Sydney. Nearby activity caught their attention, however. A messenger rushed in and whispered to Rykker, who then hurried away, leaving his food untouched. Jakke stood to follow.
“Where are you going?” Kavvan asked, rising.
“To Rykker’s office. Something is wrong.”
Side by side, they headed down the hallway. A pit formed inside Jakke’s gut. Had someone found his mate? Was she injured?
Rushing into Rykker’s office, he was packing supplies.
“What has happened?” Jakke demanded.
“I am not sure,” Rykker replied. “My assistant informed me that Risshi contacted him, said he needed me there today and to bring all my portable equipment.”
“Something wrong with Risshi?” Kavvan asked.
Rykker shot him an irritated glance. “As I said, I do not know. He wouldn’t say what was wrong, so I am unsure about what to pack.”
Jakke and Kavvan shared a look.
“We’ll go with you,” Jakke said.
Jakke had never been as close to Risshi as he had the others, but they were brothers.
Packing up the hover-car, the three of them headed out. Jakke constantly scanned the surroundings, hoping for a glimpse of Sydney. It had been a long week and he longed for his mate. There was a deep void in his chest that only she could fill.
Three hours later, they arrived at Risshi’s house by the ocean. As the three exited the hover-car, Risshi rushed out to meet them, but suddenly slowed to a near-stop when he spotted Jakke.
“What’s the emergency?” Rykker asked.
Risshi licked his lips nervously, his gaze darting between the three of them before landing on Jakke. “In the house, Rykker. I will be in shortly.”
Rykker headed toward the house, leaving the others outside.
“Risshi, I am glad you are well,” Jakke commented, crossing his arms. “I was worried something had happened.”
“Why?”
“You are my brother. Is that not reason enough for concern?”
“You should not have come.” Risshi turned, staring at the house before turning back.
He is hiding something, but what? Jakke wondered.
Finally, his brother blew out a long breath and motioned to some nearby rocks, where they sat.
Steepling his fingers, Risshi began, “About a week ago, Takkeo arrived with a distraught alien female.”
Jakke exploded to his feet. “Sydney’s here?” he yelled.
Risshi jumped up, pressing his hands on Jakke’s shoulders. “Yes, now sit down,” he ordered in a commanding tone that made Jakke obey. His eyes were hard. “Good. She has been an emotional wreck, thanks to you. She does not want to see you, Jakke. You have hurt her, and she made me promise not to tell you she is here.” Glancing at the house, he focused on Jakke again. “She will think I called you and hate me now.”
“So, you and Takkeo have conspired against me,” Jakke snapped angrily.
“No. Apparently, Takkeo owed her a debt that he has now repaid, and I told her I would not lie if you asked, but I would not tell otherwise. How could you do this to her, knowing how Mother felt? You knew what kind of culture Sydney came from.”
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