The Alien's Equal (Drixonian Warrior #7) - Ella Maven Page 0,7
a trap,” he repeated. “It’s a slow-release feeder.”
I blinked at him as my anger deflated like a popped balloon. “A what?”
Drawing me down with him, he crouched on the balls of his feet. I followed, my head feeling a little fuzzy at my whiplash of emotions.
His agile fingers unlocked the lid and opened it to reveal a selection of food—mostly dried jerky and fruit, as well as some nuts. “The food goes in here.” He nudged the food aside to reveal a small platform underneath it. “I set up a timer for this to release food once every rotation. It’ll land here for your mingo to eat.” He pointed to a small tray connected to the bottom of the box.
My mingo. He’d call Mozart my mingo. My face felt like it was on fire, and I blinked rapidly as my vision blurred.
“I meant to have this done yesterday, but there was other work to be done…” he actually seemed sorry he hadn’t rushed to make a complicated piece of tech for what he considered a pest. “Better late than never, I guess. You can still deliver fresh food if you’d like, but in case you miss a day, now you know he’s fed.”
He glanced up at me for the first time and sat back on his haunches. He didn’t say another word, only watched my face as I scrambled for words. It took a minute before I could clear the traffic jam of words in my throat “Nero, I-I don’t know what to say.”
“Do you like it?” He cocked his head, and he looked so adorably unsure for a moment I almost laughed.
I unstuck my tongue from the roof of my mouth and placed my hand on his knee. After taking a moment to collect myself, I smiled. “Of course, I do. It’s perfect. Bazel was so upset yesterday when we didn’t get a chance to feed him—” My mistake hit me too late. I clapped my hand over my mouth as my eyes went wide. I’d just betrayed my partner in crime. Although it most likely didn’t matter. She stood along the wall just out of earshot, still holding a tray, her eyes huge and round.
“I saw her two rotations ago,” he said patiently. “I knew she was helping you.”
Okay, this was ridiculous. I dropped my hands from my mouth and narrowed my eyes at him. “Is there anything you don’t know?”
His lips curled into an attractive smirk. “Sure.”
“Could have fooled me,” I muttered. I fiddled with the box, poking around at the food. “He can’t get in here and eat it all in one go?”
Nero shook his head. “Mingoes are dexterous, but he can’t break this lock.”
“We call him Mozart.”
He shot me a questioning look.
“It’s the name of a composer on Earth. He makes music.”
“Have you met him?”
I held back a laugh. “No. He died a long time ago. Way before I was born.” I bit my lip. “Thank you for this feeder, Nero. I know you have so much going on, and the fact that you took the time to do this for me … for us,” I glanced over my shoulder at Bazel before meeting his gaze. “It means so much to me.”
He grinned, clearly relieved at my praise. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Why are you doing all this for one mingo?”
His eyes twitched. “The mingo? I’m not doing it for him.” He rose to his feet, shaking his head. “I’m doing it for you.” His fingers brushed the top of my head before he turned, and after a nod at Bazel, strode away.
I gaped after him until he was blurry, and it was only then I realized my eyes were welling with tears. I sniffed them back, plastered on a smile, and beckoned Bazel. “Come here, honey. Come see what Nero built us.”
Nero
I didn’t want to walk away from Justine. I would have loved to stay as she observed her Mozart eat his meal from the feeder I’d made. But it wasn’t the time. I got the feeling Justine didn’t often have anyone do nice things for her—especially males. So, I’d give her time to think about the gift I’d made her.
She didn’t know it, but my mission to make her my mate was now in motion. I’d still take my time and be mindful of her skittishness, but we were on my timeline now. Ever since I felt her hand on my chest, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. She’d see soon she