Adelina woke up curled into Nash’s side, naked and feeling sated for the first time in a long while. His warm, cinnamon scent filled her nose and she sighed with contentment. In his arms she was safe and protected. She was cherished and appreciated. Adelina made small circles on the black band across his chest as she watched the prince breathe deeply and evenly while he slept.

The dark night sky glittered through her windows. They’d missed the midnight dinner from what she could tell from the position of the three moons. Adelina decided to ignore her simulcast. Nadyah knew where she was and no doubt would field any requests or questions as to her location.

The marks on Nash were beautiful and told a story she couldn’t read. While he slept she was able to study his face and body more closely. The way his muscles felt under her hand and the scars covering his gorgeously warm skin were all a mystery to her. Adelina wanted to know everything she could about him, like what the tattoo between his thumb and index finger meant. Was it ornamental or was it functional, like her own?

“How long have you been awake?” Nash grumbled, rolling over so they were face to face. His eyes were still closed but he smiled.

It made the moment less uncomfortable for Adelina as she wasn’t sure how he would act after sex. The fact that he seemed to be making himself comfortable with no move to leave eased some of her nerves. “Not long,” she assured him. The sheet was over her body and Adelina still felt self-conscious. She had no idea how to proceed.

Nash took care of the problem for her. “Tell me why you chose to learn of the Drakesthai.”

It made her blush that the prince would want to know, or even care why. She ducked her head, hiding under his chin. “I hoped one day I would be able to convince them to open trade with Draga, maybe set up an embassy…I also heard some of the Unchanged Humans live with them. I’d love to know more. It is strange how isolated we are from different factions of our own people.”

The prince said nothing as he let her hide. His hand trailed up and down her spine in a soothing motion. “We aren’t really the same people anymore though are we? My genetic makeup is completely different from yours, as much as it differs from the Unchanged I assume.”

“It’s not that different,” Adelina murmured. Her lips brushed against his skin and she felt him shiver. They all still had the basic Human biology and gene pattern. They could reproduce with each other safely and the slight differences were just that, miniscule in comparison to the other living specimens in the universe.

Nash nuzzled against her hair and she could feel his smile. “Not in the ways that matter,” he agreed. “I forgot to ask, how do your people prevent pregnancy?”

There were three black bands on his bicep and Adelina traced the thinnest. A child with him now would be disastrous, but she couldn’t help thinking fondly of what the babe might look like. “I choose when I conceive, nothing before that can impregnate me.” Until Adelina was ready her body would keep the eggs instead of releasing them for fertilization every month. That was one of the best changes from what she’d read. Not having that choice sounded like a prison to her.

For a moment she wondered if Nash had fallen asleep again, but then he made a noise as he considered her words. “Doctors have to activate the fertility in our females. We have difficulties still with conceiving.”

Adelina pulled back and arched an eyebrow at him. “Your mother had four children; I would say there was no difficulty there.” Did he feel nervous about that little quirk from the formula?

Those gems of red, green, and yellow sparkled at her when Nash finally opened his eyes. He inspected the lines of her naked form under the thin sheet and then reached for her jaw, trailing a finger softly until he tapped her full, bottom lip. “My mother was lucky. Most are not.”

“I’m not worried, if that’s what you are thinking,” Adelina said. It was silly to be talking about such a thing when the possibility would never occur, but she wanted to erase the sad look from his eyes.

“If you never had children you would not mind?” he asked. The sad look turned bitter when he tried to play off the question as a joke.

Adelina took his face in both hands and kissed his lips. “There are many ways to have children. Plus I’ve read that when two races are crossed they are very fertile.”

Adelina would be devastated if she never had her own children, but it was not something she even wanted for a long while. She was still very young and the possibility would be decades in the future if she had her way.

“Tell me about these marks,” she said, changing the subject. Offspring was a heavy matter and she did not wish such a thing to mar their short time together.

Nash looked where her fingers traced the bands from his arm and over his chest. Symbols were tucked in between a few of them and the work was exquisite. “The marks are the story of my past and my family’s history,” he told her, tapping the symbols that she recognized. It was very old Kharan and difficult for her to read. “It tells how many times my family has ruled, how we’ve fought through the centuries, my rank among my people as prince, and my Destiny,” he said, indicating each mark and band as he told her.

Adelina was intrigued. “Your destiny?” she asked. “How does that work?”

Nash kissed her cheek and rolled out of the massive bed. He was utterly naked and Adelina licked her lips as she studied him from head to toe. Goddess, he was a gorgeous male. The mark she’d made with her teeth on his shoulder had her blood boiling. She planned to make a few more of those before he left.

Adelina grinned when Nash glanced back at her with a roguish smile. He had no idea she knew exactly what she was doing. If the Corinthian princess saw the mark she’d back off and give Adelina the time to try and make this work. It would be months if she ever saw him again, but she wasn’t ready to let him go.

He disappeared first into the washroom and she heard water splashing. Then he came out with a clean, wet cloth for her. “As I’m sure you know my people do not believe in gods or goddesses per se. We believe in the Light and the Dark. We believe in the balance and Fate, or Destiny. Every single one of us has a path we are supposed to follow. Even if that path isn’t clear, we will keep pushing forward trying to find our place in history.”

Nash leaned forward and nipped her thigh hard enough Adelina gasped before he went into her sitting room. When he came back he was laden with plates of food, two glasses, and a pitcher of water. She laughed as she took the glasses and water from him. The sheet was carefully knotted around her for modesty. Normally she wasn’t so shy, but this felt so new and the bubble of time they had together was so small and fragile.

Adelina poured the water and set the pitcher on her night table while Nash set a picnic up on her bed. When she turned back to hand him a glass he held out a piece of food for her. She glanced up and the wry smile on his face told her he was a bit nervous as well. It was a sensual act, to feed a lover and it was in one of Nadyah’s courtesan books on how to seduce someone. Despite knowing all this Adelina leaned forward and took the morsel of food into her mouth. The grape was delicious and sweet. She made sure her tongue licked his fingers and having them in her mouth felt deliciously sexual.

As she chewed he simply watched her. “So explain this destiny to me,” she said. Adelina smiled wide when he jolted at her question.

“Yes, Destiny, well at our birth a priestess writes down the three possible paths for the infant and then when we are twelve cycles the first path is tattooed. It’s the path of our family – where we came from and where I could go based on this.” He popped a sandwich in his mouth.

Adelina listened raptly. This was one of those customs that was never properly explained in the reference books. She knew of the marks and their belief system, but not that they were tied together.

“When I was fifteen my present day was tattooed here, and I entered the fighting arena. The path of the warrior is depicted. As you can see it’s intertwined with my family band meaning I will fight for them and the Crown. The third band was given when I came of age and my future is written here.” Nash trailed a finger over the markings and Adelina leaned in to get a better look.

“What does it say?” she asked.

Nash gave her a strange look. “It’s rather obscure, but it says I will find the light in the dark and only the light can save us all.”

Adelina pressed her entire hand against the marks on his chest as she wondered what that could mean. The priestess could simply have guessed his future. It was rather vague and the light and dark could represent literally anything. She kept the thoughts to herself since it would be considered rude to question his faith. “Does everyone in the Khara galaxy have these?” she asked.

Nash shook his head. “This band on my arm represents my rank and then my status in the arena. This here is my position in the military and my conquests.” He held her hand to his chest when she started to move away. “When I wed I will add another, and if I’m graced with offspring there will be more. It’s much like your status marks, but more complex.”

Nash moved her hand and inspected the gold on her palm. “Did this hurt?” he asked, tracing the filigree.

“More than anything in my life,” she admitted. Adelina wanted to pull back but he had her mesmerized as he swirled his finger over the sensitive skin.

He reached out and tugged the knot in the sheet free, so quick she couldn’t stop him. The thin white fabric fell to the bed, completely exposing her. Adelina gasped and Nash’s eyes turned hungry. “Are there any other golden marks?”

Adelina shook her head as he inspected her naked body. Her words stuttered and her voice too quiet as she tried to explain. “I can receive one to show my rank, but most royals don’t unless they are crowned. Then a mark here is made for the king or queen.” She pointed to the spot between her eyes but Nash didn’t waver from his inspection of the rest of her.

“Where would your ranking mark go?” he asked pulling her into his lap. Nash’s nose touched hers and she felt her heart pound in her chest.

His cock was already hard. She could feel the head of it pressed against her entrance; it slid between her slick lips when she shifted. “Between my shoulder blades,” she breathed.

Nash’s hands clutched her hips and he moved her against him, slow but sure. The sudden surge of wanting consumed her and Adelina rocked against him hard enough he sank halfway into her. Nash groaned and she held onto his shoulders, eyeing the soft skin of his neck. A small mark there could be seen even with clothes on.

Her hands ran up and down his chest and she closed her eyes so she could enjoy the sensation of him against her. The slow movements made her wetter and she slid up and down the length of him. With each stroke his hands tightened until he was practically panting against her. Adelina held him close and adjusted her hips so on the next movement he slid right inside, filling her completely until she thought she would orgasm from the sensation of stretching alone.

When Nash was hilt deep and his hips touched hers she sank her teeth into his neck. The bite was small and only a drop of blood escaped but he yelled her name and rolled her underneath him, tossing everything to the floor in one quick motion. His large hands gripped her wrists and he drove himself into her over and over.

The reaction was so quick and so brutal it was exquisite. Adelina moaned as he brought her closer and closer. Nash leaned forward and bit the top of her breast when he sank in one last time and came hard. The feel of his teeth and the pulsing of him deep inside sent her over the edge hard and fast. She writhed under him but he had her pinned. The pleasure went on and on and Adelina could feel the hot seed inside her as she milked him.

The aftershocks of her orgasm made him shudder and then suddenly Nash collapsed while still keeping most of his weight from crushing her. Adelina was dazed and she barely heard the words he murmured into her neck.

“What did you say?” she asked, holding on to him tightly. Adelina had to relax before he slid out of her. The sensation would be too much otherwise.

Nash licked the blood from her breast and the tingle of his saliva healing her was strange. “I said you really know how to set me off don’t you?” Those gorgeous eyes of his glittered down at her and his smile was infectious.

“Do I?” Adelina teased. She pushed him away and rolled off the bed. It was time for a shower.

Those sparkling green and yellow eyes with no trace of red at all watched her hips sway as she padded to the washroom. “You know enough of my ways I gather, to understand the significance of what you did.”

Adelina glanced over her shoulder and gave him a wink. “Maybe.” Then she crossed the cold tile to the bath and decided a good soak would be lovely. The sound of the water rushing into the tub drowned out anything the prince might have said. She sat on the edge of the large bath and ran her fingers over the various glass bottles she had.

A love bite in the Khara galaxy was close to the significance of offering a diamond for the hand of a female. It wasn’t permanent, but it was the beginning of a courtship from what she’d read. Even if that courtship ended abruptly, it was there for a short while and most females would stay away until it disappeared.

A nice soap would do, something that wouldn’t mask either of their natural scents would be best. Adelina settled on a vanilla-scented oil and poured some into the bath. The lovely smell wafted up and filled the room with the steam.

Nash came up behind her and ran a hand up her bare back and then rubbed her shoulders as he watched her swirl the water with her black nails. The lacquer was a gift from Nadyah and Adelina had liked the contrast so much she’d worn it constantly ever since.

The massive prince made her tub look almost small and Adelina laughed as he stepped into the water. He helped her in and then pulled her against him as he sat and stretched out. His strong body holding hers felt delicious and Adelina sighed in contentment. This may not last, but she would enjoy every moment of it.

“Any particular reason you put a claiming mark on me?” Nash asked.

His lips against her ear sent shivers down her spine. Adelina reached back and caressed his face. She ran her fingers through his hair and he melted against her, but his arms tightened and one hand spanned her belly as he held her close. The other arm crossed over her chest in a possessive hold Adelina adored.

“I don’t want Princess Kaita getting any ideas.” Adelina shrugged and lay back against him. Her hands rested on his muscular thighs and her eyes closed in relaxation.

Nash chuckled. “You can be rather possessive.”

This moment was perfect. Adelina nodded but didn’t bother to respond with words. She squeezed his thigh and let him wash her hair.

“Will you tell me about the fighting arena one day?” she asked. It was a silly request as there was a good chance she’d never have the opportunity to hear the story.

“I can tell you now if you like.” Nash pushed her up so he could scrub her back. His hand traced the small space between her shoulder blades. “A gold mark here?” he asked.

Adelina shivered. “Yes.”

“It would look beautiful on you,” he said quietly. “Are there any other marks aside from the crown?”

There was one, but it was permanent and most didn’t like the mark in silver or black. Only a royal could use the gold. Adelina finally nodded. It was strange, but she suddenly felt nervous to tell him. “You can choose to mark your marriage band on your finger. The traditional ring is usually still worn, but it is moved to a different finger as the band is sacred.”

“That’s it?” Nash asked.

Adelina laughed. Compared to all the marks he wore his question was understandable. “For a royal, yes. Tattoos are worn by others for a thousand different reasons, but I cannot have any marks other than those listed.”

His thumb made a line on her arm. “In Khara a band would be marked here if you were wed along with a symbol of your own rank and theirs. A new symbol to represent both as one is made and added to the band.”

Adelina wondered what that would look like in gold and then shook her head. “Your people like to wear their entire life on their skin.”

Nash finished washing her and she turned around so she could give him the same attentions. He watched her closely as she grabbed a soap that reminded her of his natural scent. When she scrubbed gently across his chest, taking care of his marks he inhaled sharply.

He answered her unspoken question, “Yes, with the tech we have we are a rather straightforward people. There are spies, but not many. We’d rather confront each other and fight out our problems in a proper duel or skirmish. As such we like to know who we’re dealing with.”

She had him turn around and paused when she saw the expanse of scars across his back telling their own story. Adelina took such care with his skin he rumbled in approval like the cats his genetic formula was mapped after. When she was finished she kissed the mark she’d made on his neck.

“You don’t want to heal this?” she asked.

The heat in his gaze when he faced her – it made Adelina quiver. “I want you to claim me, why would I remove it?”

Time slowed and they stared at each other in that endless moment. Adelina held her breath and despite all his hints, that question slapped some sense into her. Nash planned to make her his, and the universe be damned. The romantic side of her loved it, but the pragmatic side told her this was a mistake. She never should have let him in her bed.

Tears pricked her eyes because she knew she would probably break his heart one day.

“Shh, Adelina come here.” Nash’s hands held her face and she let herself drift into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head. “I know the odds and the risks, but I also know I’m a stubborn ass who will fight for what I want.”

She laughed and wiped the tears away. “You truly are a hard-headed male,” she agreed.

Nash chucked her under the chin and then watched her step out of the tub. It only took a few moments to put on something comfortable – a loose shirt and sleep shorts. Nash’s eyes widened when he saw her pull the entire mass of her hair up and into a messy pile, one golden stick to hold it all up. Her face was clean of makeup and Adelina grinned.

“You didn’t think I knew how to relax?” she asked.

He shook his head and leaned back. “It honestly never crossed my mind you could look so…”

“Normal?”

“You’re too gorgeous to look normal, but it’s flattering to see you let your guard down around me.”

She smiled and left him in the massive tub. There were still books to look through and answers to find. Nash would need them if he actually made it to the Hai galaxy and the dragons didn’t attempt to kill him on sight.

Adelina brought the books into the bedroom and set them on her bed. The tray of food from earlier was still on the floor and she picked up the pieces rather than call a servant. Nash couldn’t be seen and she wasn’t ready to give him up yet. Only a day or two, maybe three if she was lucky, but his people had been working non-stop.

She sighed and glanced at the night sky and the three moons outside. The lights clicked on instantly when they sensed her presence. Adelina crawled into her bed and lay back against the headrest, pulling the top book towards her.

Nash appeared at the threshold with a towel wrapped around his waist, low enough she could see the ‘v’ of muscles pointing down and she couldn’t help but ogle him. Adelina’s mouth watered, but they had work to do.

“Can you put on some clothes?” she asked tartly, opening the book as she settled against the pillows.

Nash grinned, but he slipped on his pants. They were tight and his bare feet and chest looked erotic against the black leather. He settled next to her and opened another book. Adelina found it difficult to focus.

“I can’t read this one,” he said, grabbing hers and switching.

Adelina studied the title. “You can’t read the Ancient language?” she asked.

Nash shrugged. “We don’t use it much in the Khara galaxy. Our files are digital and in our tongue so everyone can gain the knowledge they need.” He ran a finger down the index and then flipped the pages delicately.

Adelina wondered how much knowledge was lost to her own people because they didn’t keep many digital records. “Perhaps when we are at peace again I will suggest we add a digital library with translations for everyone to have access to.”

The book she had was difficult to read, the lettering faded, but her father had marked a few places with slips of paper. “This seems to be a history of them,” Adelina said. “Apparently the Neprijat are one of the Human factions.”

Nash leaned in, his scent curling around her. “Strange, I’ve never heard that before.”

Adelina kept reading. “It says Humans couldn’t agree on which genetic formula to use back when we left Earth. Which I’ve read before and that’s why we have the four we have now. It’s part of Kalan history.”

Nash nodded. “We have the same beginning to our history. The Humans had destroyed our ancestral home and to prevent the same mistakes they sought to remove our weaknesses, the reasons we were so destructive. A few different genetic formulas were created, but the council couldn’t come to an agreement.”

Adelina knew that would never happen now. The most dominant of her people would have demanded the best solution, and their people would have followed based on their trust in their rulers. The strongest of Nash’s people would have done the same. She tilted her head as she considered.

“The genetic formula mapped and designed after the ancient wolves and their pack mentality was used by one faction that broke off and settled in the Draga galaxy. The most dominant leads,” Adelina read. Her people were the wolves.

It was strange to think they all lived on one planet thousands of cycles ago.

“My people were another faction who used the lions and their prides as a map. The strongest of us leads,” Nash stated. “Then we know there was a third faction of Humans who decided against any genetic alterations aside from scrubbing diseases and the like.”

Adelina flipped a page. “The Unchanged are the third faction, and the fourth were a mistake.”

“It’s never really been written how the Drakesthai were created,” Nash said. “Maybe Varan managed to gather some intel on that.”

She looked up at him. “I heard it was some kind of creature called a dinosaur.”

Nash snorted and flipped through his book quickly. “Those are a myth. It was some kind of reptilian bird. It’s why they grow wings.”

“But they weren’t adjusted correctly; there is no pack or pride with the Drakesthai.” Adelina couldn’t imagine what that would be like. Who led, and how did they choose?

Nash sighed and set down the book, stretching those glorious arms.

She smiled, but kept her eyes on the pages. “If you’re going to distract me you have to leave. You need this information.”

Nash ran a hand up and down her bare leg. “I won’t distract you.”

“This book states the Neprijat were a fifth faction of humans, the genetic map is unknown, but one was captured by King Beo.”

Instantly Nash perked up. “What did they find?”

“It says they have mental powers of persuasion. Their voice and brain waves can control someone, much like the Draga dominance. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers died because they simply stopped breathing.”

The male beside her tensed. “Why did they stop breathing?”

Adelina put the book down, and a chill of horror ran down her spine. When she looked at the foreign prince beside her all she could imagine was what would happen if he ran into a Neprijat, a true monster and not one of their hounds. “They were told to lie down and die, so they did.”

Red sparked in Nash’s eyes. “Is there a way to counter-act this?”

Adelina turned back to the book. “My great-grandfather said there is a wavelength that can nullify the commands. Otherwise all sound must be eradicated. They wore helmets of armor and tech in their ears.”

Nash sat up and pulled the book towards him. He growled when he saw the Ancient handwriting. “Could you copy this down for me? I can get my scientists working on it immediately. As soon as we have the data I can share it with the Draga Army.”

She nodded and made notes in her shreve. “Our tech and scientists aren’t as advanced as yours, but I’ll get them started on it as well. I wish I’d known this before Giselle left.”

A large, warm hand stroked her back and Nash leaned against her. He gave comfort so easily despite his aggressive nature. Adelina adored the soft, gentle side of him.

“I’m going to capture one of these beasts and take it apart,” Nash said. “Then I will find where their home is and eradicate them completely.”

Adelina shivered. She could never forget his violent nature no matter how sweet and gentle he was with her. His eyes were fierce as he stared at nothing and she didn’t doubt he’d do exactly as he said. It should have frightened her, but Adelina knew from all those lessons she took to help Raena rule – sometimes you needed a monster to fight a monster.

“Once I have some of their DNA I can track them with our tech,” Nash told her. “That too will be shared. I promise.” He kissed her bare shoulder.

Something about erasing an entire race of Humans bothered her. “What if they’re not all like the ones who killed your family?”

Nash pulled away from her, frowning. The muscles in his shoulders and neck tensed. “How can we possibly tell one from the other, Adelina? They were pushed back centuries ago and now here they are, feasting on us for revenge. Does your book state why they left the rest of us? Does it say why they chose their genetic alterations? Why they disappeared without a trace? The rest of us settled near each other even if we went our separate ways. What did they want that was so different from us, and how is that not a threat to all Humans now?”

Adelina was frozen as she listened to Nash rant. She knew losing his family had devastated him and he still carried guilt for not being able to save them. That didn’t excuse genocide. “There has to be a way, Nash. Or we are no better than they are.”

He grunted and got to his feet with unerring grace and speed. Nash paced in front of her bed and she watched him warily.

“The Neprijat who have invaded need to die, but tracking them back to their homeworld and murdering innocents is not the answer,” Adelina told him. “Yes, we need to find their source, but we have to negotiate and create a peace treaty. Children will be on that planet, Nash. I forbid you to present that as the solution to the dragons.”

He whirled around, nostrils flaring in outrage. “You dare order me?”

Adelina set the book on the bed next to her. Her instincts told her to run, an apex predator had her in his sights, but she had to stand up for those who couldn’t themselves. “Yes,” she said, eyes narrowing. “I dare order you. The alliance between our people is at stake.”

There was mostly red in his eyes and Adelina made sure she was ready to slash her nails across his face if she needed to. She’d avoid his eyes and the important veins, but it would warn him off. Never would she have thought she’d have a dominance fight with a Corinthian warrior prince.

“The alliance?” he hissed. “You’re threatening the alliance?”

“No, Nash. You are threatening the alliance if you disobey.”

He breathed hard, but Adelina could see he tried to reign in his anger rather than lash out at her. She buried that twinge of fear deep so he couldn’t smell it on the air.

“Fine,” he snapped. “I won’t kill them all.”

“Good,” she said, crossing her arms.

Suddenly his shoulders slumped and Nash ran a hand through his hair as the red in his eyes lessened. “You drive a hard bargain.”

“I may not be as powerful as Raena,” Adelina said, pulling the book back onto her lap. “But I do advise her. Presenting solutions is my job. How I present them is how she decides to agree. Don’t forget – I’m not powerless, Nash.”

He studied her from head to toe. “No, you aren’t.”

Then he chuckled.

Adelina’s muscles felt weak after all the strength it took not to flee from him when he was angry. She was still not used to standing up for herself, or for anything. It was in her nature to agree and avoid conflict. Or it had been, and now she had to learn the other side of her as well. She just wished her dominance hadn’t been tested with Nash, of all people.

She shuddered and set the book down. It was too difficult to focus. This was why she had chosen not to tell Nash about her true genetic history. He may have feelings for her, and they were currently on the same side, but one day he might not be. One day he would have to rule his people and their best interests might not coincide with her people and their best interests.

Nash pulled her to his chest. “I’m sorry,” he murmured against her hair. “I didn’t mean to challenge you like that. It’s just my nature.”

Adelina knew they were different. Their people had completely different cultures and expectations. She opened her eyes and studied his face. There had been marriages between their people before, but would it work with her varying dominance and position?

It didn’t really matter, she supposed. They had a few days together and until things were different, it wouldn’t do to worry about it. Adelina had to prepare for her reality, even if she did not particularly like it at the moment.

She wrapped her hands around Nash’s neck and kissed his forehead. “It is the nature of our positions. I am a princess of Draga. You are a prince of Khara. A normal relationship between us is not likely unless the requirements on me or you happen to change.”

“I wish we could be normal citizens,” he sighed. “But here I am planning how to convince a bunch of cantankerous Drakesthai to agree to help us. So the plan is to share our tech with them, our solution to eradicate the conquering roaches, and then find their homeworld to make lasting peace.”

Adelina nodded and ran her fingers through his dark hair. “We will have to free the dragons from Neprijat rule first, however tenuous it is at the moment.”

Nash pushed her until she lay on her side and he set the box of discs before them. “Well, I suppose we should see what your thief has found.” He rested his head on her waist and pulled out his device, so much sleeker and faster than her own.

Adelina stroked his hair as he read to her and she closed her eyes. She didn’t care that they had opposing cultures or issues of dominance between them still. It didn’t matter to her that Nash had a violent temperament, not when he had so much control. He was gentle with her and managed his aggression well. He’d never hurt her. With him by her side she felt protected and safe.

Adelina kissed his forehead. When they finished their work she planned to spend the rest of the night enjoying the male that would be hers – for just a single breath in the long expanse of time.