The nurse motions into a private room. “Here you are, Prince Aurelius.”
I cringe. “Just call me Aura. I have no title otherwise.”
“But your profile—”
“I know what it says. I didn’t add that. I am just Aura.”
“Does she know?”
“Yes, stars.” Jovie’s sitting in the middle of her bed, a foot swinging as she adjusts her metal armbands. She pulls something out and a light switches off. “That’s the only part associated with the defense system. I still disagree with this, but I understand it gives me an unfair advantage over other women.”
A woman in armor takes the chip Jovie hands her, sliding it into a static barrier bag. “I will store this for you.”
“Thanks.”
I walk to Jovie. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. They’re letting me keep my augments now since they give me data on my bodyweb.” She looks up from her screen. “I’m sorry we got off to a bad start. And if you want a healthier mate, I understand.”
It bothers me that she has so little faith in my loyalty.
Jovie looks at the nurse. “Can I go?”
“Yes. But you need to eat every three hours. Pack snacks. Until you get some morehefton you, you need extra calories.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” I inform both of them.
“I don’t want to be a bother,” Jovie remarks. “Or your responsibility.”
I offer her a hand. “I like your independence, but I want to. And all of us males are briefed on your potential statuses before we officially enter the races.”
After a moment, she takes my hand. And I realize that I’m going to have to work hard to help her trust a male again. She’s used to being considered a problem or someone to use.
Once she’s officially signed out, I lead her out of the medical wing, keeping her close. “I want to show you something.”
We walk to the balcony that overlooks the race grounds and garden below. The Mingle Celebration has ended, and the halls are mostly quiet.
I pull her in against my side and point up into the sky at a large orb. “Do you see that? The blue one.”
“I think so.”
“That is my homeworld. Do you know how I know when I am so far away?”
“No.”
“Because my Storm is reaching for it. I can feel it pulling inside me, straining for that one. It is the same feeling I have with you.”
I turn toward her. “My Storm has always known my mate was not one of our own. It did take me a long time to figure out where you were. But my Storm has always wanted you. I know it because when I touch your skin, it calms and flows through me like a river instead of a tornado.”
She braces herself against the railing and studies me.
“Jovie, I do not care what struggles are ahead. There are always challenges. But I know now, looking at you, how—”
Jovie shifts against me, her hip brushing my crotch.
Lust stirs in me. I hum a grunt. “How absolutely perfect you are. I understand you may not feel the same connection.”
“I feel something for sure. I just don’t know how to describe it.”
