known I couldn’t trust you,” he said bitterly.
His grandfather wore the public form, the one that all Pardorians assumed when dealing with outside races, but he looked the same as always. Arrogant and untouchable.
“I was only doing what needed to be done,” the old man said.
“I don’t understand.” Hanna looked between the two of them. “Was something wrong with the fruit?”
“No, saachi. It simply has some…unpleasant side effects.”
“Unpleasant?” His grandfather snorted. “Don’t you mean necessary? Life-giving?”
“For a Pardorian,” he said firmly. “Not a human.”
“For a mate,” his grandfather said, equally firmly.
Aidon’s eyes flew to Hanna’s face. This was not the moment he would have chosen to make such an announcement, but to his relief, she merely looked confused.
“I don’t understand.”
“I’ll explain it to you later,” he said, reaching for her hand. As soon as their skin touched, a wave of desire washed over him, and it took all his control not to snatch her into his arms. The shifting sickness still ran hot in his veins. He forced his gaze away from her and found his grandfather watching, a scowl on his face.
“You don’t have to repeat all your father’s mistakes.”
“Just shut up,” he said impatiently and started to sit up. “We’re leaving.”
“Aidon, are you sure? Are you that much better?” Hanna’s big blue eyes were warm with concern.
“I’m sure, saachi,” he said quickly even though he could still feel the lingering weakness.
“At least eat the damn fruit, boy,” his grandfather growled.
It galled him to take anything from the old man, but he needed to be alert and strong when he guided Hanna through the jungle. He reached reluctantly for the bowl of fruit.
“It’s okay for you to eat that?” Hanna’s eyes followed him as he lifted the cube of jinsar to his mouth, and she licked her lips. Fuck. She was hungry. As much as he hated to do it, his pride was not as important as seeing that his mate was fed. He glared at his grandfather.
“Will you bring her something to eat? Something safe?”
His grandfather studied his face, then nodded, turning to leave the room. A muttered “fool” floated after him.
“Aidon, what’s going on?” Hanna whispered. “Is he really your grandfather? And what was wrong with the fruit? Was he trying to hurt me?”
“No,” he admitted reluctantly. “He may even have been trying to help, but as usual, he only sees things one way.”
A way that he would never force on her. He tore his eyes away from her anxious ones and looked around. It had been many years since he had been here, but his room hadn’t changed at all.
“How did I end up here?”
“You were unconscious when we landed, and I didn’t know what to do.” Her hands twisted together in her lap. “There wasn’t anyone around, and you never told me what you needed once we got here. I tried opening the landing ramp, but that didn’t seem to make any difference. Then I thought maybe some water would help, so I went to collect some—”
“You went into the jungle?” Horror filled him. “Don’t you know how dangerous that is?”
“Well, no, not really. But I wasn’t going to go in,” she added hastily when he groaned. “I was just collecting some water off the leaves when your grandfather appeared. Although I didn’t know that’s who he was. He never said anything.”
“He’s a secretive bastard.”
Hanna’s brows drew together. “But he did help you, didn’t he? You seem so much better. Or is this like on the ship and you’re going to get worse again?”
“Don’t worry, saachi. As long as I eat properly, I won’t get sick again.”
“Thank God,” she sighed and gave him a watery smile. “I’ve been so worried.”
“Everything is going to be fine now,” he assured her. At least, he was determined that it would be fine for her.
She blinked away a tear, then leaned forward and pressed her mouth against his. A kiss, she called it. He remembered it from their time on the ship, and his control weakened. With a muffled groan, he drew her closer, forcing her soft lips apart and delving into the sweet temptation of her mouth. She melted against him, and he was lost. Just as he started to strip the clothes from her body, he heard a sound from the doorway.
His predatory instincts erupted, and he pushed her behind him with a snarl, his claws extending, prepared to fight to the death to defend his mate.
“I’m not going to hurt her, boy.” Only his grandfather stood