“Why do they look … sick?”
Ezah glanced at them and stared fondly.
“You learned of the mission they’re on, yes?”
“Yes,” I answered. “Nuni told me they first searched for a compatible species before your brother Kol came to save us humans on Earth. They’ve been in space searching for a way to save your species for thirty-six Ealrian years. That’s a very long time.”
“It is.” Ezah nodded. “Ryla’s mission was the priority mission, rescuing humans was always going to be a backup to that, but when Earth’s government cracked under the pressure of the Earth’s condition, they gave human women up to us in exchange for credits and the coordinates to the new human planet, Terra.”
I had heard of this before, and it still pissed me off.
“Those men were weak.”
“Agreed.” Ezah softly growled. “But I am glad of their selfishness because it allowed you humans to make a home on Ealra … and it brought you to me.”
I smiled coyly and ducked my head. Ezah chuckled lightly.
“My brothers’ bodies suffer because they have been in space for such a long time. They have had respite on other planets throughout their mission but never for very long. They have been on a set journey home for some time now. They will reach Ealra in one year and eighteen moon cycles. Once their bodies are subjected to Ealra’s natural air and environment, their skin will look as healthy as mine.”
I was pleased to hear that.
“Do you have many messages from them?”
“Lots. Recorded holos are the only communication we have with them. Sometimes they come unmute before the portal system automatically mutes them again. We have dozens of clips and holograms of them around the palace. We all miss them, but they are mainly for Surkah since she has no memory of them in person. Only what she sees on the recordings.”
I frowned. “They seem to miss her.”
“Greatly.” Ezah nodded in agreement. “She’s not only our only sister but also the youngest sibling among us. She is very precious.”
“I think she knows that.” I giggled. “She’s very …”
“Annoying?” Ezah finished, grinning. “She is very young, still a child amongst the people.”
“Right.” I blew out a breath. “She’s only thirty-nine Ealrian years old … you know I’m twenty-one Earth years, right?”
“Yes.” He slowly walked towards me. “I read your human profile. Surkah is much older in years, but she is at the stage of development that humans call the teenage years. We mature much slower because our lifespan is very long.”
“I learned about all of that during one of the many Maji way lessons I attended, but it still freaks me out sometimes.”
Ezah didn’t reply as his alluring eyes lowered to my body, and I felt myself shifting instantly. “Do you like that we match, tola?”
The fabric of his trousers matched my clothing exactly. I had noticed it upon seeing him when I arrived at the palace, but I didn’t mention it in case it was simply a coincidence. I bobbed my head to answer his question.
“I had your ensemble made from the same fabric … I was making a subtle claim on you.”
“Subtle?” I raised an eyebrow. “Nothing about you is subtle, nalex.”
My use of the new-to-me endearment made Ezah growl, and the sound caused a shiver to run the length of my spine.
“Have I mentioned how edible you look in that ensemble, tola?”
The room suddenly began to feel very warm.
“I … I don’t think you mentioned it.”
“A shameful thing for me to do.” He growled softly. “You look … there isn’t a strong enough word for you, my beauty.”
My mouth ran dry at the sudden shift between us.
“Ezah.”
“I love when you say my name. No formalities, no titles causing barriers … just my name. I want it to always be that way between us.”
I stepped back as he closed the distance between us.
“You’re making me really nervous.”
His stunning eyes looked so intense as they roamed over my form.
“But are you scared, tola?”
I shook my head. I wasn’t. The fear that Ezah’s presence once brought had vanished many days ago. The moment we committed ourselves to being the other’s intended, I knew that fear would never be something I would feel towards him. Never.
“I can tell.” He inhaled deeply. “No sickly-sweet scent of fear, just the mouth-watering scent of arousal.”
“Arousal!” I practically choked on the word. “I’m not aroused. Take that back!”
Ezah’s grin turned devilish, and I found myself screaming with sudden laughter when he lunged forward and caught me in his strong arms. He lowered his face down to mine and flicked his tongue over my lips, drawing a groan of need that I didn’t understand from my mouth.
“Let me play with you.”
“Play with me?” I trembled. “Like a toy?”
“No,” he mused. “Like a beautiful female. I want to see what makes your body … twitch.”