"Jali, do you think I will be a good mate," I ask as we begin to pull up the massive gown over my hips. My mind isn't even focused on the dress, even though it is magnificent. Besides the day my mother sent me here, this is the biggest day of my life. No matter how beautiful my gown is or how perfect my makeup is, I won't remember those details. In the years to come, I will remeber my mate choosing me and how I felt accepting him. I will remember how I began this new journey, not how I looked when it started. "I think you are like a flower about to bloom. Right now, people don't look at you, or maybe they don't notice you. You are shy and withdrawn, but with the proper care and growth...," Jali says softly as she zips the soft material and walks around to face me. I stare up at my tall colorful friend with a scared expression. The rest of my life is going to begin today, and I am so afraid that I will fail. Maybe I will cause Terrax to be violent. I might not be a good wif
"The next champion is Lieutenant Oslo," the Kea says, and I watch as a champion from Glortinon walks toward our line to choose a mate. He looks like Terrax, but not. His eyes are a darker blue, and his hair is brown, not blonde. His jaw isn't as chiseled, and his cheeks are rounder. All in all, Terrax is cuter, and the only similarity is their luminous glow.I smirk at myself as he and his newly chosen mate wave to the crowd. It's gotten easier as the champions have chosen their mates. My nerves have left me, and I have grown comfortable with how the selection process is happening. Xiu and Jia have already left us, which wasn't sad...it was beautiful. Xiu smiled like a happy child when her champion offered her his hand, and Jia looked like a beautiful princess.As the glowing champion and his female disappear, I turn my attention back to the Kea handling the list. He looks excited whenever he calls a champion, and it warms my heart. Krystal is excited too. She has watched every fema
FIADH POV "Captain Terrax, it is your turn to choose a mate," the male Kea announces, and my heart practically bursts through my chest as hope overloads my internal systems. Every second that has passed and every couple that left here happy has reassured me that this tournament is truly magical. The courtship between the males and us is so brief I didn't think love could genuinely blossom, but every couple, not counting Zor's, has left smiling. The joy radiating from them is almost visible in the air, and now it's my turn. My eyes are glued to Terrax as he cuts across the empty space between us. More than half the champions have chosen their mates, but being chosen first was never something I was concerned with. I don't mind the wait if it's for him. "Fiadh of Earth, I offer you my hand and my heart. If you accept, you will control both until the day I die," Terrax says as he holds out his pale yellow hand, and my eyes widen due to the sincerity in his voice. I lick my lips
TERRAX POV Pain. There is so much pain and fear in her eyes. I do not know what I have done to make her fear me, but I have to fix it. No female should look at her mate as if he is about to hit her."Fiadh, I know we are strangers, but I want you to understand that you may speak honestly with me. You never have to cover your feelings. Please, tell me what I said that bothered you," I say gently, hoping I can coax her into being honest with me. Her deep blue eyes begin to storm as if a battle is waging within her, and I grow nervous. Something in her past has affected her deeply."Fiadh, trust me," I plead, and she opens her mouth. "I am not ready to share a room with anyone yet. I have never been with a man, and we barely know each other. You said "our" room, and I guess I panicked. I don't have a healthy past, and men scare me," she says quickly, and shock slaps me in the face. I stare at her, unable to respond. I can not believe I didn't think of that. My sweet human has only
FIADH POV I sob as I listen to Terrax request a meeting with the Harvest professionals. I feel terrible for failing him. I am broken, and he shouldn't have to put up with me. I understand why he is requesting to speak with them. I wouldn't want me either. He begins to march away, and my heart cracks right down the middle. I thought we would be together forever. I thought he would protect me, not be disgusted by me and my weaknesses."Terrax," I sob as the pain becomes unbearable. I want to beg him. I want him to hold me. To my surprise, he turns around. He comes back to me instantly, and hope springs to life within me. "I am so sorry. I was consumed with hate," he whispers, and I search his face looking for the regret I know he feels. "I am sorry I am broken. You probably wish you chose someone else," I cry, and his mouth falls open for a second before he shakes his head. "I am the proudest male in the universe. I have the strongest, bravest female of all! I swear
TERRAX POV The word has spread across the allied planets. Zor of Makskin is dead. Her father is being tried for treason, and Krystal of Earth...a female human, has earned the rank of gold. I glance at Fiadh's tranquil face again before taking another gulp of sukku. I hate this stuff, but it has helped me today. Between Fiadh's confession of abuse and Krystal's kidnapping, my nerves are fried. I couldn't close my eyes if I wanted to. I have too much to think about...too much to plan.Not only has my mate made it clear I must avenge her, but I must also avenge Burk's mate. Burk and I are not friends, but we are linked through our mates now. Krystal's safety matters to Fiadh, so Krystal's safety matters to me. All the humans who came through this Harvest are now tied to my life. I glance at Fiadh again before leaving the room.I have to set up meetings for tomorrow. One of our enemies has surrendered, and while that is joyous news, I feel like it is the turning point. Krystal
FIADH POV I smile as Duya leaves the room looking rather smug.She always insists on helping me dress even though I have told her I am completely capable. But I must admit her help today was very much needed...and she knows it.I look down at my pale blue dress and bite my lip. I like my choice. The flowy material and modest neckline look lovely, but my nerves won't let up. Terrax has finally convinced me to meet his parents.After one whole week of pleading I agreed and now I am terrified. I know that my experience with my parents is a complete 180° from how Terrax was raised, but that doesn't erase my fear. They might hate me. They might be upset that their son chose a human at the Harvest instead of one of the other females. Not to mention the fact we haven't mated. All my friends have already sealed the bond with their mates. I am not even comfortable with sharing a bed with mine. "Fiadh," Terrax calls softly from behind me and I turn away from the mirror to see him standin
TERRAX POV "She has been unconscious for hours," I whisper as I trail my fingers down my mate's creamy cheek. "She is safe here. You should go to Earth. You will return before she wakes," my father says as he watches from the wall. I stare at Fiadh's face and weigh my options. I really don't want to leave her weak like this, but it might be the best time. She is safe with my parents and she won't have to stress while I am away. I slowly bend forward and place a soft kiss to her small forehead. Desire and love course through me the moment her warm skin brushes my lips. As I stand up I give my father my full attention. "Father, I realize you have your own mate... And you are my father, but if...," I say before my father raises his hand. "I will protect her with my life. I will not fail you my son. Your sweet mate is safe here. I swear it," my father says as he lays his hand over his heart. I nod once as our matching eyes stare at one another. "I will return as soon as