Chapter 5

Kor walked in and stopped. For the first time since he'd laid eyes on Diana, he thanked the Oracle. And, yes, he'd finally relented enough, or should he say groveled enough, that Alphie had given him his mate-to-be's name, along with some basic information about her, but not too much. Kor, for some unfathomable reason, looked forward to discovering more about his chosen. He especially couldn't wait to see how she'd look naked with face flushed and her body aroused. That erotic thought presided at the forefront of his mind as he viewed his intended looking radiant as the moon goddess wearing the flowing garments of his people. Her shapely curves, both hidden and revealed by the strategically draped cloth, made her look good enough to eat. As soon as Diana opened her mouth, though, Kor rolled his eyes and lost his appetite.

"I demand you find me some proper clothes," she stated, hands on her hips, glaring at him, not realizing what a fetching picture she made. "I refuse to be dressed like a harem girl."

"I do not know what you refer to, but the answer is no. All the women on my planet are attired thus. I do not see the problem. Your planet seemed to embrace attire of a much more revealing nature than this."

"I look like an idiot."

Kor processed the word and its meaning. His brows rose. "On the contrary, you look quite attractive."

Surprisingly enough, his compliment stopped her next harangue, and, pinking prettily, she said, "I do?"

"Very," he said, crossing the room to stand before her, his towering height making him feel oddly protective, an emotion he was unaccustomed to. "Come," he said, offering her his arm. "The ship is not large, but I thought that perhaps you would enjoy a tour, and perhaps I could satisfy some more questions I'm sure you have."

For once not arguing-had his one compliment disarmed his prickly intended?-she tucked her hand onto his arm, her pale skin looking stark against the vivid blue of his own and sending a surge of lust through him. His aroused body demanded he throw her down 'til those pale hands scratched his back in pleasure.

But no, he had to control his urges and guide her slowly, as one would a Jelaxian mount, those pesky alien creatures commonly used for planetary travel. They were well known for their skittishness, just like his intended. He needed to build up Diana's trust in him. Not perhaps the way he'd envisioned his mating trip but, given her lack of cooperation, a necessary step.

Leading her from the bedroom, he showed her the conservatory where fresh produce was grown to keep space travelers healthy. They toured the lounge area that also doubled as a dining area then, finally, the command center with its large window screen showing the vast, dark space they traveled quickly through.

"Oh my God," she exclaimed, taking her hand off his arm and wandering up to the large display, her eyes wide in her face as she took in the celestial view.

Kor wandered over to the main console and slowed the ship down so she could better see some of the stars and planets they were passing.

He heard her gasp. "We really are in space."

"Of course we are," he replied, somewhat confused. "Where else would we be?"

Facing him, she looked uncertain, and he had the strangest urge to take her in his arms and hold her tight. What is happening to me? I am a warrior by trade, she is simply my mate. Why do I feel like this?

"I guess I still thought this might be some kind of prank or even a dream. But it's not, is it? This is really happening. To me. I'm never going back home, am I?" The last she said in a lost voice, her arms reaching around to hug herself as if she felt alone.

Kor, without thinking, strode over to her and replaced her arms with his own. Hugging her lush body tight to his, he rubbed his cheek and chin against the softness of her dark curls. "You will have a new home, never fear. One I am sure you will approve of. And I will show you such wonders as you've never imagined."

"I'm sure your planet is chock-full of neat stuff, but it's your planet, your people. How is someone like me going to fit in?"

"As my mate, you will be accorded full respect."

"I'm not talking about respect," she said, pushing out of his embrace, a spark of her will straightening her back again.

So much for docile, he thought ruefully.

"I'm talking about friends and companionship," she said, gesticulating with her hands, agitated.

"I will be your companion," he said with a grin. "I look forward especially to sharing the communal bed with you."

"I'm sure you do," she muttered darkly. "But what about the rest of the time? Surely you have to go work or something. What about then?"

Kor held back some of his glee that she finally spoke as if she intended to bond with him. He needed to tread carefully now. "There will be other mates for you to befriend, earthlings like yourself and females of other species who have been mated."

"So I'm not the only one?" she queried.

"No, there are many like you who have been chosen to leave their home worlds and become mates to the males on ours."

"Why?"

"Let us become more comfortable if we are to embark on a history lesson," he said, guiding her back to the lounge area and pressing a button to drop a vid screen from the ceiling. At least instead of arguing she was now showing an interest. He hoped she'd be more receptive to his plight once he gave her a history lesson.