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It took me minutes to gather my things. I hadn’t really unpacked anything, since I’d only planned on spending a single night on Venus Hive. A soft knock on my door startled me.
“Come in,” I said, closing my bag.
The door partially opened, and Grace’s heart-shaped face peeked in. She carefully looked around the room, as if to confirm I was alone. I laughed and waved her in.
“You’re not interrupting anything naughty.”
Her gorgeous face heated, and she entered, clutching a small bag in her hand. The door closed behind her with a soft click. The way she chewed her bottom lip and approached with hesitant steps made me wonder at the contents of the bag.
She cleared her throat. “I… Listen, I hope you’re not going to find this out of line. So… I apologize in advance if you find any of this offensive.”
Now she had me really curious.
I shrugged. “It takes a lot to offend me, but your disclaimer is duly noted.”
She licked her lips nervously and extended the bag towards me. My jaw dropped after I opened it. I looked back at her with disbelieving eyes. Grace appeared on the verge of running out of the room for cover as she awaited my reaction.
I burst out laughing. The tension bled from her shoulders, relief settling on her beautiful features.
“Denax?” I asked, waving the bottle containing a clear liquid. It served as lubricant and powerful dilator.
Grace’s face heated again. I almost felt sorry for her. That milky-white complexion of hers hid nothing of her embarrassment.
“Trust me. Braxians cannot mate with humans without Denax, or they will kill them. They’re too big.”
I smiled, unable to hide my amusement. “I’m not human, Grace. Despite our similarities, we are anatomically different.”
Her brows shot up in surprise and curiosity.
“Guldan females never tear.” I tapped the side of one of my horns, being careful not to stab myself on its sharp tip. “Our offspring are born fully horned. They would shred us to pieces if our inner walls weren’t reinforced and flexible enough to adjust as needed.”
Grace’s lips parted in shock. She stared at my groin like she could see right through clothes and skin at what I’d just described.
Shaking her head, she looked at me in awe. “You really are made for him.”
That sobered me.
“More than you know, Grace.”
A troubled look descended on her face.
“What is it?” I asked.
She hesitated then gestured at the bed, inviting me to take a seat as she herself settled on the edge.
“I have known Ravik for nearly six years now. He has never reacted towards any woman the way he has with you. I barely know you, but I know you could grow to be very important to him. He’s like a father to Anton and me. In many ways, he made it possible for us and our children to have a safe future together.” Her eyes flicked between mine, pleadingly. “Please, don’t hurt him.”
“I assure you, Grace, it is not my intention.”
“I believe you, but…” She hesitated, appearing to look for the proper way to word her thoughts. “Braxia is a terrible place with a dreadful culture. People sometimes do horrible things that haunt them forever. But no amount of remorse can ever erase the damage and the guilt they bear.”
By the haunted look in her eyes, I realized that she was no longer just talking about Ravik, but Anton as well.
“Do not let his outward appearance fool you. Ravik is a good man who carries a great deal of pain inside. He deserves to be happy. I hope it can be with you.”
My throat tightened. I didn’t know what Ravik had done for her to give me such a veiled warning, but I understood guilt all too well.
“We’ve all done things in the past that we regret. What matters isn’t what we did, but what we’re doing now to be better,” I said.
