CHAPTER 4
XADE
“We are here,” Xade announced as they arrived at the palace. He commanded the vehicle with a quick Zatan word and it glided to a stop in front of the castle gates.
His little mate looked around, a little panicked, and Xade’s heart gripped with worry. What was the problem?
“I can’t find my robe,” Caden said after a moment, his cheeks still flushed from their earlier lovemaking.
Xade sighed, relieved. His mate was fine. He glanced around the vehicle and found the little robe crumpled in a corner behind the seats.
“Come here,” he said, draping the cloth over his mate’s thin frame and securing the clip that would keep it on.
After donning his own ceremonial robe, he opened the door of the vehicle and guided his mate to the ground. His vehicle flew off of its own accord, heading to the shared castle lot.
“Wait a second.” Caden suddenly stopped walking, his eyes wide. Xade stopped as well and looked at his mate with concern. “This is… your place?”
“Indeed, it is,” Xade confirmed.
“This is… This looks like a castle. It’s giant!” His mate stared around in amazement, his mouth hanging open as he took in the sight before him.
Xade realized the confusion. Of course, the human did not know he was a prince. He had only introduced himself by his first name after all. He was so used to navigating Zata as a known member of the royal family that he had neglected to announce his title to his mate.
“You are correct, this is the palace from which the Zatan high king rules.”
Caden cocked his head. “Do you work here?”
Xade smiled. “I do, in a sense.” He placed a possessive hand on his mate’s back and guided him toward the glittering mass of the palace towering over them in the night. “It seems I neglected to tell you that I am Prince Xade, the second prince of Zata.”
Caden’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened even more. “No. You’re kidding me. No way.”
“I do not lie,” Xade assured his mate.
The redheaded man started to laugh. “Okay, if you say so. Wow. I can’t believe this.” He shook his head, looking around the palace. “Tonight has been…” He paused, turning slightly to look up at Xade with his playful green eyes. “Out of this world.”
It took Xade a moment to recognize that his mate had used an English idiom meaning tonight had been amazing, and did not mean what he had said literally. He had to agree. His cock and balls still ached pleasurably from their earlier lovemaking and his heart was full with the knowledge that he had his mate beside him and that for once, his future was looking bright.
He would never again have to wonder or worry when he would meet his mate. His mate was right here, by his side where he belonged – a human with brightly colored hair and eyes, a friendly face, and the most infectious smile Xade had ever encountered.
Not to mention the way he aroused him… It seemed so improbable, and yet it was true.
How lucky he was! What a fortuitous night.
“Follow me,” Xade said. “I wish to show you some of the palace grounds.”
“That sounds amazing,” Caden said, smiling up at him as they started to walk inside.
Xade’s heart purred in joy at the expression. He couldn’t wait for a lifetime of making his mate smile like that.
They wandered through the empty halls of the palace for some time, chatting pleasantly to pass the time. Caden had some questions about the Zatan society that Xade was only glad to answer, and Xade asked him about his thoughts on Zata so far.
Soon, their conversation passed from these easy topics to speaking of themselves and their lives, and then moved on to anything and everything that came to their minds. Xade had plenty of friends and was close to his brothers and the rest of his family, but he had never felt so open and comfortable speaking with someone before.
Hours slipped by as Xade showed his human mate the mirrored hallways, fountains lit in the triple moonlight, and the statues of Zatan gods nestled in the gardens of plants that Caden admitted he found very exotic. The moons were setting when they finally arrived at Xade’s chambers.
“Sleep here with me tonight,” Xade beckoned his little mate. There was no way he was letting the human from his sight now that he had found him.
“I’d love to,” Caden said quietly, and Xade felt his heart leap at the words. He opened the doors to his chambers and watched as his little mate walked in before him, marveling at the décor.
“Everything in your life is so beautiful,” Caden said in amazement. “I’m glad you don’t have to see my place back on Earth.” He laughed. “It’s basically a literal trash heap compared to this.”
“What’s mine is yours,” Xade responded, his voice serious. “Come to bed.”
He watched as his mate jumped into his bed, stroking the sheets and spreading his arms and legs out, barely filling half the bed with his body.
“It’s giant,” the human said. “And the sheets are so soft.”
“I am glad you are pleased,” Xade said, joining his little mate under the thick covers.
Caden curled up against Xade without warning and the prince looked at his mate, surprised. He had never experienced such a gesture of affection from another being and it felt so comfortable to have his mate against him. He put his arms around the male protectively.
It was only moments before Caden was asleep, nestled close to Xade. The prince looked down at his mate, the man’s bright red hair contrasting with the pale sheets in the waning moonlight. He was the prettiest creature he had ever laid eyes on.
Soon, Xade drifted off to sleep as well, exhausted after the long day. He listened to the slow breathing of his mate, his heart softly purring in his chest as his thoughts wandered to the future.
He knew that human males were not known to carry children on Earth, but some part of him couldn’t help but imagine little red-haired half-Zatan children in his future, his mate raising them by his side.
Could it be possible?
He had filled his mate with his seed. Only time could tell the outcome.