Chapter 9

"Kor," said his mother in a firm tone, "what do you mean you have not bonded yet? You are almost home. What are you waiting for?"

"She hasn't said yes yet, Mother," said Kor, restraining an urge to run his hand through his hair, a sign of agitation his mother was sure to recognize.

"What? Who cares if she hasn't said yes? She was chosen by the Oracle. Now do your duty and bond with her."

What did his mother think he'd been trying to do? By all the silvery moons, he thought he'd had her the last time they'd kissed. She'd been ripe for him. He could sense it, smell it. His body still twitched in remembrance. Yet, she still hesitated. He'd never understand females.

"I'm trying," grumbled Kor under his breath.

But his mother, of keen ears, heard him.

"Well, try harder, son. Have you not explained the plight of our world?"

"Of course I have. But she insists that we date." Dating, an unfamiliar term that Kor had researched and found to mean, on her planet, some kind of extended courtship.

"Date? Oh my, I haven't heard that term in a long time," said his mother with a chuckle. "They found you an Earth girl. How marvelous. But that changes nothing. Give her what she wants and be done with it."

"I'm not even sure what she means by a date. I've been courting as best I can on board."

"Then take her somewhere off ship. Somewhere romantic."

Romantic, another term Kor didn't quite comprehend. Did he not lavish attention on her already? What more did Diana need?

Kor chatted with his mother a few moments more before saying goodbye and switching off the communication console. He leaned back in his seat, thinking.

According to Alphie's research and his mother, he should take her somewhere pretty and flatter her, make her feel attractive. Didn't his kissing and touching her every chance he could count? He needed to make her feel comfortable in his presence. By the power of the moons, this dating business seemed complicated. No wonder the bonding ritual had been invented. A pity his mate couldn't see the beauty of it.

Kor pulled up on-screen a map of the system they were currently flying through and grinned when Alphie circled one particular planet in red.

"Thanks, Alphie," he said, jumping out of his chair. He'd found the perfect spot to make Diana his.