in training, and Frinkik is a guard who also works at the palace.”
Also works at the palace? She shot Rem a questioning look but decided she would ask him about his job later. Recovering her senses, she smiled briefly at both men, only for another growl to leave Rem. Seriously, what was his problem?
“Hello, Chexxa and Frinik, it’s nice to meet you,” she said, still smiling, even though she was beginning to suspect that her friendliness toward these males was pissing Rem off. Ugh. She really hoped her impression of the situation was wrong and that her mate wasn’t the jealous type. Just in case he was, she allowed her smile to fade.
“Welcome to Mars,” Chexxa said.
“Yes, welcome to our planet,” Frinik said, “and may I wish you both a happy mating union.”
“That’s most kind of you. Thank you.” Tyra nodded at each male and forced herself not to smile again, lest it anger Rem any further.
Once the males said farewell and resumed walking by, Rem loosened his hold on Tyra’s arm. She took the opportunity to physically pull herself from his grasp, putting all her strength into her movements. She rubbed her upper arm and glared up at him.
He reached for her, but she placed a hand up in a gesture of self-defense.
“Stop!” She gave him a pleading look. “You’re being too rough. Perhaps you don’t know your strength,” she said, giving him the benefit of the doubt, “but you were hurting me just now.”
To her relief, his previously harsh expression morphed into one of concern. He reached out to gently caress her arm, rubbing the spot he’d just been grabbing. However, despite how worried he appeared over the prospect of hurting her, his muscles remained tense and an anxious aura hovered around him. He wasn’t entirely relaxed and she wondered what had him still on edge.
“I am truly sorry for causing you any pain, Tyra.” He shifted closer and stroked a hand through her hair, his touch eliciting goosebumps to rise all over her body. “But I did not like the way you were looking at those males. You were smiling at them and they were smiling at you. I wanted to kill them.”
Her stomach flipped at his words. So he was the jealous type.
After taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat and met his gaze.
“Rem, I’ve been matched to you. We’re about to become mates. You have nothing to worry about. I came to this planet fully intending to honor my promise to become a Martian’s mate. I’m not the type of person to cheat.” Her heart sank at the memory of how her uncle’s habitual cheating had affected her poor aunt. She would never do that to anyone, not even this temperamental Martian she’d just met. Perhaps he wouldn’t seem so angry all the time once he trusted her.
But how long would it take to build such a trust between them?
“It pleases me to hear you intend to honor our mating union.” He looked her up and down, appearing deep in thought as he studied her. “I only hope you are telling the truth.”
“Of course, I’m telling the truth.” Feeling more than a bit affronted by his statement, she placed her hands on her hips, giving him her best glare. Were all Martians jealous barbarians? Before she could say anything else, he wrapped an arm around her—not too tightly this time, for which she was thankful—and guided her further down the white stone path.
After a few minutes, they arrived in a clearing near the palace, where a huge red house sat amongst the thickness of the surrounding forest.
“This is my home.” Rem pointed at the red house. “Our home,” he amended, his tone filled with unmistakable affection. The sudden change in the timbre of his voice caught her off-guard.
Her heart skipped a beat when he pulled her closer, his nearness and the warmth in his voice making her pulse race with anticipation.
He’d said a Wise One was waiting for them at his house. That meant their union would be blessed very soon and she would officially belong to him.
She peered at the house, admiring the unique but beautiful structure. It looked like some sort of exotic fairytale cottage and she couldn’t wait to go inside and explore.
Rem grasped her hand, lacing his huge fingers through hers, and gave her a heated look that only caused her pulse to race faster. Though the possessiveness he’d displayed in the forest earlier had frightened her, it had also