Alien Lover (Zerconian Warriors Book 2) (11 page)

But learning about what Zoey had gone through … it had nearly undone him.

Boris gave him a regal nod. Then he looked over at Zoey and nodded at her.

Dex frowned. “I will give you anything but my mate.”

“I don’t think he wants me.” There was a hint of amusement in her voice which calmed him. If Zoey could find amusement in something, then she was probably going to be all right. It would take time, for both of them. But Dex would support her. He would provide her with whatever she needed.

No matter what, he would be there for her. He wouldn’t fail her again.

“What does he want?”

“I think he wants to stay with me. I’d like him as a permanent bodyguard. For as long as he wants to remain with us, that is.”

“Done.” Boris had earned his eternal gratitude, and he had no doubts now that he would protect his mate.

“How did he snap Targos’ neck with only one good arm?” he asked.

Zoey stilled. “I don’t know. I didn’t see it happen.”

Interesting.

“Zoey? Do you feel up to telling us what happened?” Thor asked.

“No,” Dex snapped. He wouldn’t put her through that again.

Zoey squeezed his hand. “It’s okay, Dex. I feel better having told you. Maybe it’s cathartic to talk about it.”

Fine. If Zoey wanted to talk then he would listen. He would be whatever she needed him to be. From now on, he supported Zoey no matter what. Because if this had taught him anything it was that Zoey came first.

Zoey led him over to a large sofa, and he sat. Taking a deep breath, he forced the tension from his body.

“Where’s Giz?” The panic in his mate’s voice immediately put him on high alert.

Where was the furry little creature? He knew how much Giz meant to his mate.

“He is well,” Thor reassured her. “We believe he had a knock on the head. Currently, he is being monitored in medical.”

“Can you have him brought here?” she asked.

Dex stared over at Thor and nodded. His cousin spoke into his communicator quietly. “Macon will bring him down.”

“All right. Good. I’ll feel better knowing he’s with me. I can keep a watch on him.”

The door opened and Macon walked in, carrying an obviously unhappy Giz.

“Giz!” Zoey cried out, standing and reaching for the furry creature who wrapped himself around her, his face snuggling into her neck.

Dex wished it was him wrapped around her body. But he would wait for her to make the first move. The last thing he wanted was to scare her.

Zoey sat back on the sofa, setting Giz down beside her. He curled in tight to her side as she started to tell the others what had happened.

Koran grew increasingly pale as she spoke, his eyes growing wild. When she finished, he slid down to his knees in front of her, his head bowed.

“Milady, I can never forgive myself. But I do beg your forgiveness.”

Zoey gave Dex a look of confusion then turned to stare down at Koran. “For what?”

“For failing you.”

That wasn’t right. He hadn’t failed her.

“You didn’t fail me. What the hell? Sometimes you guys really do talk in riddles.”

Thor snorted in amusement.

“I allowed you to enter a dangerous situation without back-up. The result could have been your death. My primary objective was to protect you. My failure to do so dishonors me.”

Dex could see how ashamed he was.

“It wasn’t your fault, Koran. It’s not like you held a gun to my head. It was my plan. I convinced you. Plus, we thought I would be pretty safe, surrounded by his other guests. You weren’t to know that Targos would take such an, umm, interest in me.”

The room fell silent.

“Oh, stop it, all of you.” She glared around at them.

“My own?” Dex asked, surprised by the anger in her voice.

“You’re all acting like someone has died. We’re all alive, aren’t we? We won. Just stop acting like this is a tragedy, all right? I just want to get over what happened. The last thing I need is everyone acting like their favorite uncle died.”

Everyone looked to Dex to handle her. Only thing was; he didn’t really know what to say.

“Whatever you think is best, my own.” He wanted to do whatever he had to in order to make her better. Whatever she needed, he would give her.

She gave him a weird look. “I want everything to be like normal. I want to forget all of this ever happened. Can we do that?”

He nodded and glared at everyone until they did the same.

“Good. So Koran, get off your damn knees, will you?”

***

“Dex, I need to talk to you.”

Dex slammed his opponent to the ground, pinning him down.

“Dex!”

He snarled over his shoulder at Thor. “I’m busy.”

“You’ve been here for four hours. You can take a break. This is important.”

Dex jumped up. “Is it Zoey? Is she well?” Alarm filled him. When he’d left her, she’d been asleep. He hadn’t wanted to leave her, but he’d desperately needed to expend some energy.

Rage, sorrow, and fear had been building inside him since Zoey had recounted what had happened to her at Targos’ hands.

Just sitting around and doing nothing while his mate was hurting was killing him. Give him an enemy to face and he’d gladly fight. But there was no enemy left. Targos was dead, and there was no one for him to take his anger out on.

He had to do something. If only he had some idea of what he could do to help her.

Close to a week had passed since they’d left Edreinia. There was a distance between them that he couldn’t seem to breach. Everything had changed, and he didn’t know how to fix it.

Zoey barely touched him. Not that he blamed her. Why would she want his touch after what she’d suffered at Targos’ hands? After he had failed to protect her.

She probably didn’t trust him anymore.

“Zoey is well. But I want to talk to you about her. In private.”

“Just let me get cleaned up.”

“I will meet you in my office.”

Ten minutes later, Dex strode into Thor’s office. “What is it?” He knew his voice was abrupt; his worry over Zoey was shortening his temper.

He leaned back against the wall, too restless to sit.

“Dex, has Zoey talked to you about what happened to her?” Thor’s face was filled with concern.

“You were present when she recounted what happened. Have you forgotten?”

“I have not.” Exasperation tinged his voice. “I meant has she spoken to you about her feelings?”

“Feelings?”

“Yes. I have been conducting some research into Earther females to better inform our males should they be lucky enough to encounter their Earther mate. Our females are less emotionally driven. From what I have deduced, female Earthers enjoy conversing with other females of their species. They talk about feelings and emotions while either drinking an alcoholic beverage or eating chocolate.”

Dex nodded solemnly. “Zoey has spoken many times of chocolate. It is very important to her.”

Chocolate would fix her emotional issues. He straightened. “Thor, you are a genius. If I locate chocolate for her, she will be well.”

“No,” Thor told him as he turned to leave. “I do not believe that is enough. Zoey needs to talk about what happened.”

He scowled. “I do not like putting her through that. Recalling what happened hurts her.”

“According to my research, talking is integral to her recovery from this.”

“What should I do? I cannot force her to talk to me. And what would I say?” Right now, a bloody battle against a group of Coizils would be preferable to navigating this mine field of emotions with his mate.

“From what I have gathered, you do not have to say much except be there for her.”

Dex frowned. “Be there for her?”
What the stars did that even mean?
“Just where did you find this research?”

Thor blushed. “I have been reading.”

“Reading what?”

He cleared his throat. “Romance novels.”

“Romance novels?”

“Yes. When we were on Musin, prior to the auction beginning, I left to restock some medical supplies. As I was perusing the market, I found an Earther stall. The stallholder uploaded some stories to my handheld.”

Dex just gaped at him.

“At least I am conducting research into Earther ways. Have you even spoken to Zoey about her life previous to you mating her?”

“No, but I had my reasons.”

“Because you wanted her to forget her previous life? Because you thought it would be easier for her to acclimate to her new life?”

“Yes,” he said defensively. “Was that wrong?”

“I understand your reasoning. But you must encourage Zoey to open up to you. Help her heal.”

“What if she cannot speak to me? What if she cannot trust me?”

Thor frowned. “Why would she not trust you?”

“Because I failed her.”

“What?” Thor stared at him in confusion.

“I stood outside the palace and waited while inside she was being attacked.”

Thor stared at him for a long moment, then he sighed. “You are not alone in your guilt. Koran is drowning in it.”

Dex hadn’t noticed. But then he hadn’t spent much time with Koran lately, he was still working through his anger at the other warrior. They had settled some of it in the training ring, but some residual anger lingered. “He appears fine.”

“Am I the only one to look past the surface?” Thor asked with exasperation. “Zoey is acting as though nothing occurred, and Koran is so shut off from everything around him that sometimes I check to ensure he still breathes.”

More failures on his part.

“Can you forward those novels to my handheld?” he asked.

Thor smiled. “I will do it right away.”

“This is nice,” Zoey made the effort to smile at Dex as he sat across from her. He had surprised her with dinner in their quarters.

“I am sorry I have no flowers.”

“Ahh, that’s okay?” Flowers? That was odd. Flowers were the last thing she’d expect from him; he wasn’t exactly romantic. Plus they were in the middle of nowhere without a flower in sight.

“The next planet we land on, I will buy you as many as you desire. I know Earther females like to receive flowers.”

“Sure, I like flowers but don’t go out of your way or anything.” This was seriously the oddest conversation she’d had with him. Why was he suddenly fixated on flowers?

“And chocolate. If I cannot source the final product, perhaps I can find the ingredients and have it created for you.”

“You don’t need to do that.” Even the thought of chocolate didn’t stimulate her appetite. In the week since they’d fled Edreinia, she’d barely eaten.

Dex had scarcely touched her over the last week. She felt them drifting apart, and it terrified her.

Would this be what finally broke them? Did he find her repulsive now? Did he not want her anymore?

But then why did he organize this dinner tonight? Why was he talking about flowers and chocolate?

“Zoey, will you tell me about your life on Earth?”

Zoey stared at him for a long moment.

“Zoey? Are you well? Would you like me to get Thor?” He started to rise, and she reached over, grabbing hold of his arm.

“Wait. I’m fine.”

“Are you certain? You appear pale and tired. You have nightmares. You call out in your sleep and wake me up.”

“Oh.” She flushed with embarrassment. “I apologize for waking you.”

“Do not apologize,” he said stiffly. “I did not mean it as criticism.”

“What did you mean?”

“That I am worried about you. I want you to talk to me, Zoey. About your feelings and emotions.”

Zoey had never seen him look so uncomfortable and out of his depth. A smile threatened.

“You don’t have to do this, Dex.”

“Yes, I do. The stories said that you need to talk about your feelings, preferably with a female companion. However, you do not have one of those. Unless you would like me to arrange a meeting with my mother? We are near a wormhole that will allow us to contact Zerconia in real time.”

“Ahh, no, that’s okay. I can’t talk to someone who is a stranger.” His mother wasn’t exactly the kind and cuddly sort of mother-in-law. The love child of Cruella De Ville and the Godfather would have been warmer than his mother. “What stories are you talking about?”

Was he actually blushing? Surely not.

“Thor got hold of some Earther novels. They have many commonalities. All female Earthers need to talk through their feelings. They also appreciate romantic dinners, flowers, and chocolate.”

Ahh, that explained it. She would have to ask Thor for a copy of these stories so she could read them.

She couldn’t believe she actually had to say this. “Dex, you can’t believe everything you read. Not all women want those things.”

He scowled at their dinner. “So you’re not enjoying this?”

“I am. A lot,” she said hastily. “But I don’t need flowers or even chocolates—although I definitely wouldn’t turn them down. And I don’t need to talk.”

Liar. Liar.

“Are you being truthful with me, Zoey? Because even though you pretend nothing has occurred, you are losing weight and becoming increasingly distant.”

“I’m not distant. If anyone is distant, it’s you.”

“Me?” He appeared shocked.

“Do I repulse you now, Dex? Do you think less of me because he touched me?”

“What?” His eyes widened as he gaped at her.

“Do you wish you had never mated me? Do you want to break things off?”

“Break things off?” He frowned with confusion.

“Yes, unmate me.”

He stood, glaring down at her. “Unmate?” he roared. “
Unmate
?”

Reaching down, he clasped her around the waist and pulled her up into the air, so they were face-to-face. “Unmate?” he whispered.

“Ahh, yes,” she whispered.

He pulled her in and kissed her. It was hot. It scorched her nerves and sent shivers through her body. Her nipples hardened.

Dex pulled away. “I apologize.” He set her on her feet. “I shouldn’t have done that. Did I frighten you?”

“Do it again.” She stepped closer to him.

“What?”

Reaching up, she clasped hold of his shoulders and tugged. “Kiss me again.”

This time, his kiss was gentler. Sweeter. But no less hot.

“I love you, Dex.”

“I love you too, my own.”

“You’re sure? You don’t regret being with me? Our bond is weak and I know you have doubts. Just please, don’t give up on me.”

“Give up on you? Where would you get such an idea? Zoey, listen to me. I am your mate. There is no one else. I have explained before that our bond cannot be broken.”

“Yes, but just because it
can’t
be broken, doesn’t mean you don’t wish it
could
be. I’ve been worried that without the bond you wouldn’t want me.”

“What?”

“I’m not a very good Zerconian mate. I can’t remember all the names of all the royals since time began. I can’t be obedient and submissive all the time. I show too much emotion, I’m too excitable, and I make rash decisions that nearly get me raped and murdered.”

Dex let out a loud sigh before sitting. Zoey did the same. How had he not known what she was thinking?

“Why would you think I have doubts? That I might give up on you?”

“I overheard you talking to Koran after we left Musin. You told him that you feared you were asking too much of me.”

He groaned. She had overheard that?

“Zoey, I was wrong.”

The look of shock on her face almost made him smile.

“It has come to my attention that it is your differences that I love. You care about those around you. You are fierce in your loyalty. Yes, I would appreciate that you be less rash and more caring of your personal safety, but I would not change you.

“I will always be protective and possessive. I will always expect you to follow orders that are given to keep you safe. There are still Zerconian customs and rules that we must follow. But I have no doubt that you can do whatever you desire to. Zoey, you come before everything and everyone else. I love you.”

Tears filled her eyes. “That was so sweet.”

He grimaced. “That is not a trait a warrior should have.”

“My lips are sealed.” She mimed locking her mouth and throwing away the key. He gave her a confused look. “It means I won’t tell anyone.”

He sighed in clear relief. “I would appreciate that. To command the respect of my people and warriors, I need to maintain a certain image. Sweet is not part of that image.”

“You got it.”

“I have missed your touch, my own.”

“Me too. I thought maybe I repulsed you now.”

“Never,” he told her fiercely, cupping her face between his hands. “Never say that, do you understand? Even had he raped you, I would never hold you responsible.”

“But I put myself in that position.”

“That does not make it your fault. What he did was reprehensible. You must believe that I could never blame you.”

“Then why haven’t you touched me?” she whispered.

Stars. Had he handled any of this in the right way?

“I was worried about making you fear me. I thought to let you come to me.”

She smiled, but there were tears in her eyes. He could not allow those tears to fall, because when Zoey cried, he fell apart inside.

He rubbed his thumbs beneath her beautiful eyes. “Zoey, you are all that I ever wanted, even if I did not realize it at the time. With deep sincerity, I apologize if you ever felt that I did not desire you or that I wished we were not mated. The bond will form. As the elder told us, it may just take more time. But even if it could be broken, I would never choose to do so. Because with you is where I should be.”

Tears dripped down her cheeks, and she sniffled. “I’ve felt so alone. So scared. I love you so much. I didn’t want to lose you.”

“You would never lose me. I regret that I did not realize how you felt. I stayed away because I was ashamed.”

“Ashamed? Why?”

“Because I failed you. I stood outside the palace, waiting while you were being attacked. I should have come to you.”

“That’s silly. I told you to wait outside. You couldn’t have known what was happening.”

“I should have been the one to rescue you. Not Boris.”

“You’re not jealous of him, are you?”

“I will admit to some feelings of jealousy. But once I learned of what happened, I understood. You trust him.”

“Yes. But I love you. Only you. We haven’t been doing a very good job of communicating, have we?”

“No. Discussing emotions and feelings is not something that comes naturally to a warrior, but I am determined to try.”

Zoey smiled at Dex.

“Eat, my own. You have lost too much weight, and I am worried about you.”

She bit her lip.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Well, I don’t really like any of this food. I find much of your food too spicy.”

He looked so remorseful that she wished she hadn’t said anything.

“I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No. You shouldn’t have had to say anything. I should have known what food you like and dislike. I have neglected you.”

“Dex, we’ve got to stop the blame game. We’ve both made mistakes. We just need to learn to talk to each other more.”

He scowled. “Koran informed me of what Madam Arana has been teaching you. She will no longer be your tutor. You will make an amazing Crown Princess and one day, an Empress.”

“It’s kind of scary.”

“I shall support you.”

Zoey moved around the table to slip into his lap. He gently cuddled her close. While things weren’t automatically fixed, the knot in her stomach had unraveled, making it easier for her to breath.

God, she still didn’t really know what she was doing, and the future was uncertain and a bit scary, but as long as she had Dex at her side everything would be all right. Tears dripped down her face

Dex drew back, staring down at her in alarm. “Please don’t cry.”

“These are happy tears.” She swiped at her cheeks.

“I have read about these. They are good.” A smug look crossed his face, and she laughed.

“I have got to read these romance novels.”

He frowned. “I’m not sure I like the idea of that. Some of them are rather explicit. About sex.

“Ooh, sounds like my kind of book.”

Leaning down he kissed her gently. As their lips touched something jolted through her, stealing her breath. Her heart beat so rapidly it felt as though it might burst from her chest. Her head spun, her vision growing dark.

Then air swooped back into her lungs and she gasped, her vision returning with a rush of color.

“Oh, God, what was that?” She gaped at Dex in shock.

Looking equally surprised, he gaped at her. Then a huge grin crossed his face.

“The bond. It’s fully formed.”

“What? No, I don’t feel anything.”

“Close your eyes.”

She closed them.

“Take a deep breath, let it out slowly. Now tell me how I feel.”

There he was. A part of her. But not intrusive like she’d imagined. His presence made her feel warm, safe.

“You’re happy. Really happy. Content.” And horny. Although she kept that part to herself. She didn’t feel quite ready for that. Not yet.

She opened her eyes. “It’s really there.”

He kissed her again. “Yes, it is. Everything will be well, Zoey.”

As long as she had Dex, yeah, it would be.

Alien Lover,
Zerconian Warriors #3 is due out December 5
th
. This is the last part of Dex and Zoey’s story but certainly not the last we’ll hear from the Zerconian Warriors.

Sadie xox