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“Nothing happened between us. It didn’t seem like a practical idea to start a relationship with the only colony sheriff. Seemed like a recipe for disaster, but I’ll admit I was tempted.”
“Is he handsome among your kind, then?”
I shrug. “Sure. More importantly, he’s a good man. So don’t get any ideas.”
He smiles a dangerous smile. “Can’t imagine what you could mean. I’m an upstanding citizen who would never consider murdering a representative of the Alliance government for looking at his mate like she belongs to him.”
“You’re insane,” I sigh. “I’m going to ignore that. You’re burying the lead, Niko.”
“Explain this phrase.”
“The sheriff’s feelings for me are not important. But I know you were listening to what he said about the war. What do you know about it?”
“Nothing,” he says. “It’s a tragedy that the planet of Kar’Kal is in the hands of evil, but it has nothing to do with me.”
I sense that there’s more to this conversation than he’s letting on. I level him a narrow-eyed glare.
“When we first met, you had never seen my kind before?” he asks.
“No,” I reply. “Not that I recall.”
“And your memory of your captivity is uninterrupted?”
“I can’t know what I don’t know.” I shudder to think about the possibility of suppressed memories, but it’s something I can’t rule out.
“If the compatibility between humans and Kar’Kali is a reason for the Azza to take humans from their homes, then wouldn’t that suggest they are up to something that might also require a Kar’Kali victim?”
I nod. “That would definitely be the suggestion.”
“My extremely basic conclusion is that this can’t be good for any of my kind. They hold control of the planet we were birthed from, and now they are toying with the mating call. Wasn’t it enough that they put our species on the endangerment list?”
“Hey, I’m sure the truth will reveal itself.” I’m so used to his light and airy tone that it hurts my heart to see him so spooked.
“Should I ask you about your relationship with the mysterious woman who agreed to pick your ass up at the drop of a hat?” I want to cheer him up, so teasing him seems like the best course of action.
He snorts. “Rossa? She’s a friend of a friend. Are you pretending to be jealous?”
“Yes. Have you fucked her? Should I start a fight with her?” I mime a boxing stance and feign a punch toward his chin.
He grins at my silliness. Mission accomplished. “Absolutely not,ti kaia. Rossa is not a female to be trifled with. But she is a friend only, and she happens to prefer females. I have a feeling you two will get along well.”
“Phew,” I sigh.
“I’m guessing games of jealousy are more common on your world,” he says. “I’ve seen it often among species that don’t have mating bonds. I never thought about it much until I saw the way that human looked at you and wondered whether you and he shared a human bond.”
“He was only worried.” I roll my eyes and take a swig of my drink.
“No, he wasn’t, but don’t worry about your little sheriff,” he says, brightening his voice with the change of subject. “He’s safe from me. A mated male need not concern themselves with their female’s admirers.”
“Oh really?” I tease, raising a brow. “You’re awfully confident in that god of yours and his matching service.”
“It is a spirit,” he corrects me. “And that male wasn’t a threatening opponent.”
“Because he’s human? Are you trying to say my species is inferior in a fight?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“No, he doesn’t threaten me because he’s not right for you. He could never tempt you.” He shrugs. He’s so fucking arrogant sometimes.
“And why is that?” I snap.
