Nikhil(40)

Nikhil's voice was so full of concern that she wanted to turn to him, wanted to let him wrap his massive arms around her and keep her safe, but she couldn't trust him. Not that she really came first, as he said an Ashe or True Mate would. Not when he thought her no better than a Pleasure Worker.

"Put it on," she said and closed her eyes as Luol lowered the educator.

Luol made sure the educator was sending out the deep, penetrating waves needed to put Mackenzie into a deep sleep and transfer its knowledge before rounding on Nikhil.

"What in the name of the Goddess happened?!!" he demanded.

"That is something between me and my Mackenzie, Luol."

"Not if it has her refusing to be your Ashe, Nikhil," Luol walked over and put a hand on a bulging muscle of Nikhil's arm. "I am your friend, I only wish to help."

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

"It was a misunderstanding. I... over-reacted to something." Nikhil walked over to his Mackenzie, he didn't care what she said, she was his Ashe whether she accepted his bead or not, and ran a calloused finger over the back of the small, pale hand that was resting on her stomach. She'd willingly touched him with that hand, had caressed him with it. Would she ever again?

"Nikhil...” Luol watched as the Empire's largest and most deadly warrior carefully touch the hand of his newly discovered True Mate as if he feared she would disappear.

"I insulted her, Luol. Accused her of being something that I would never think to accuse one of our females of being."

"What did you accuse her of?"

"Acting like a Pleasure Worker." He pulled his hand away from Mackenzie as he said it, and took a step back.

"Nikhil! Why would you accuse her of that?"

"I woke this morning with my Mackenzie in my arms, and her running her hands over my body. It was the most incredible feeling, Luol."

"I'm sure it was."

"My body responded to her touch, especially when she pressed her lips against mine, but I worried it was too soon, and I withdrew. She misunderstood and took it as a rejection."

"How does that make her a Pleasure Worker?" Luol demanded.

"It doesn't." Nikhil ran a hand over his head causing his beads to hit together angrily. "It was later and we were... talking and it led us to more touching and kissing. It was then I realized she was experienced... in kissing on the lips. I questioned it and she admitted it. Apparently certain things aren't as sacred to them as they are to us," he said quietly. "I... didn't react well, and said only a Pleasure Worker would do such a thing."

"And she knew what a Pleasure Worker was because the Zaludians were going to make her one."

"Yes." Nikhil's gaze returned to Mackenzie. "I did not mean it, Luol. She is my True Mate, and I want her to be my Ashe."

"She is your True Mate, Nikhil. The bead proves that. Give her time to come to terms with all that has happened, to get to know you, and I'm sure she will come to realize you did not mean it the way it sounded and forgive you."

"Will she? Would you if you were insulted so? If another male were to insult her like that, I would kill him without a second thought. So why would I think I had the right to say it?"

"She isn't the only one that needs time to adjust to what has happened, Nikhil. You do too. Your life is now forever changed. You are the first to find your True Mate in nearly five hundred years. Others are going to want to know about her, see her, talk to her."

"She is mine!" Nikhil growled angrily at the thought of other males approaching her.

"I know this, Nikhil, and so will every other male when he sees her wearing your bead, but they are still going to be curious. You are going to have to be able to handle it along with helping her, handle it."





Chapter Eight


Mac could have sworn the educator had just gone on when Luol was removing it. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Why would you think that?" Luol replied.

"Because you just put the educator on."

"That was nearly two hours ago, Mackenzie."

"It was?" A movement behind Luol had her looking to see Nikhil standing there.

"What are you still doing here?" she asked.

"I would never leave you in such a vulnerable position," he said, his glowing green gaze never leaving hers. "I vowed to keep you safe. I keep my vows."

"Nikhil remained at your side the entire time, Mackenzie. Caring for you while I was treating the Jerboaians."

"How many?" she asked.

"Jerboaians?" Luol questioned.

"Yes, twenty of them arrived with us."

"Twenty arrived with you?" Luol gave Nikhil a sharp look. "There were only three left for me to treat."