“I see, and one last question, Cha’lii. Do you think that your Earth Gov—your scientists and leaders—would truly hurt your people if it benefited them?” His brow furrowed as he spoke, as if the concept was beyond him.
For a moment, Charlie tried to imagine what it would be like to have spent her life in a place where such a thing was inconceivable. It pained her to think about.
Charlie gritted her teeth and met his eyes. “There’s one truth every non-gratas knows. In the end, we’re expendable. They will make us last as long as they can, and therefore won’t waste us foolishly before fresh bodies come over, but they will dry up every bit of energy from us that they have access to. When they’ve taken all that we have, we serve our purpose in other ways.”
“I see.” The king sighed, his eyes lingering on her before shifting over to Rhyst. “I think I have heard all I need to hear for now. Your responsibility now is to see to the mating bond. I will have the necessary files seen to on your behalf,” he said as he gestured to the male who had brought her in. He bobbed his head eagerly.
Charlie could barely form words as Rhyst plucked her and settled her over his back before slipping out of the room with Ag’hana trailing close behind.
What the hell did the king mean by “securing the mating bond?” What the hell just happened?
Chapter 30
Charlie was silent the entire way home, her mind reeling, made even more complicated by Rhyst’s thumb gently stroking her wrist and his palm over her hands clasped around him.
What had changed that he was once again freely touching her? It was like the worst of the tension between them was forgotten, and she could feel the genuine concern and affection in his touch. Yet it only added to her confusion. She barely had the presence of mind to respond to Ag’hana’s farewell when they separated at the square. But now that she was alone with him, she was consumed with questions.
What was this mating and who exactly was she supposed to be mated to? Maybe she had missed it, but that part hadn’t been clear at all. No wonder she felt a sudden upwelling of panic that Rhyst was going to take her to some poor fool’s house and dump her on this doorstep with an order from the king to mate her.
She was naturally relieved when the familiar plain house where she’d spent the last couple of days came into view. Charlie said nothing, her tongue tied into a knot as he passed through the doorway and deposited her gently on the floor, his green eyes gleaming down at her with heat.
That… was new.
Fire sparked in her belly as he stared down at her, that single mechanical eye fixed on her as his actual eye skimmed over her with blatant possession. A quiver licked through her at that focused, all-consuming gaze.
“Rhyst? What’s going on?” she whispered hoarsely.
A low, growling purr rumbled out of him, the sound erotic and tantalizing. “I am about to bind you to me,” he informed her. “I have requested the privilege of claiming you as my mate, and it has been granted. Now come to me.”
He extended his open hand to her and she stared at it blankly.
Wait…
“I’m sorry, but did you just say that you asked your king if you could mate me and now it’s a done deal? Am I supposed to just jump in your arms after you ignored me for the last two days?” she snapped, her temper flaring. “After you dumped me on my ass and ran away the moment I tried to show you how much I wanted you, and then proceeded to not even speak to me the next day?”
A frown marred his brow as he halted and stared down at her. “Are you speaking of a matter of pride?”
Her mouth dropped open. “No! Well, maybe a little. But that’s not what I’m saying.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched, and his hand dropped away. “Then it is because you do not wish to mate me with me. I should have known,” he hissed, turning away, his tail snapping behind him with the sharp move.
Charlie muffled a curse and followed him down the hall. “That’s not what I said either! You know there’s something between us… I feel a strong pull toward you, a sort of attachment that