The Alien King's Mate part 19

Lilian

I rub my hand on my thigh, trying to erase the imprint of Vulcan’s cock. But it’s impossible. It’s branded on my skin, much like those golden tattoos are on his cock.

We’ve crossed a line. I’ve reached a place I never thought I would. For the first time in this insane journey, I’ve pictured falling into his arms. Falling into arms made of gold, so solid and powerful. Can I let him in?

Get it together, Lilian. Don’t get ahead of yourself.

I still miss home. I even miss my mom, who is probably furious that I haven’t sent her a brick of gold yet. But the prospect of exploring this new world is warming on me. It’s exciting.

Vulcan sits still as I stand behind him and carefully tend to his wounds. His broad back is contoured by muscle and tanned, warm skin. The lashes don’t weaken his appeal. The bloody, raw lesions only make him more resilient. Especially since I know he got them in a deranged show of strength.

When I finish, he stands and turns around. He stands tall with a schooled expression. There’s no hint of pain.

“Thank you for your help,” he says.

“Thank you for your craziness,” I whisper, licking my dry lips.

He chuckles. “Be careful about insulting your king. I might spare your back from lashes but not your ass from a spanking.”

I look down, pretending to study the floor when I am really staring at his muscular thighs and the ridiculous cock that hangs between them.

“Let’s get you to your room,” he says. “I have to get some things done, but I’ll return later to bring you dinner and escort you to a bath.”

“You should be the one getting served, not me. You’re injured.”

“Nonsense. Tell me if you need anything else.”

I finally meet his eyes again. I bite my lip, considering my request.

“Tell me,” he insists.

“I would like a tutor. Someone to teach me the Versai language, but I know you’re too busy.”

He shrugs. “Then you’ll have one.”

I murmur a thank-you, and he leads me outside, shirtless. The sight of his injured back makes me frown. It’s incredible how his composed expression and proud stance makes me forget his injuries.

He leaves me in my room. Once I’m alone, I approach the window. No matter how far out to the city I look, no matter how many intriguing details there are, I can’t concentrate. My eyes keep trailing to my hands, remembering the cock they were just exploring.

— • —

Vulcan returns as he promised, bringing me a tray of food. He wears the same pants and a long white robe that’s open at the center. His sculpted chest takes my breath away just like his back did.

He stands by the door, reading a journal. I sit on the edge of my bed as I eat the sweet meal. I enjoy the Versai food. It’s delicious, better than the microwaved meals I have at home.

I sneak glances at Vulcan, ashamed that I feel hunger for him, too.

I wonder what he’s reading. Based on his furrowed brow, it’s probably work-related. I clear my throat when I’m finished eating and rise with the platter in my hands.

He fastens his eyes on me, and the stark color of his irises catches me off guard. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to them.

“Are you ready for your bath?” He asks, snapping the journal shut.

“Yes, let me grab clothes.” I go into the closet I’ve been sleeping in and pull out the plainest clothes I can find. The Versai aren’t big fans of oversized sweatpants and ripped t-shirts, so I grab a silky set of a top and a knee-length skirt. They have minimal beading.

“Why is there bedding on the floor?”

I blink, surprised by the question. “Oh, I’ve been sleeping in the closet.”

“What? In a closet? Why?” He steps closer, looking outraged.

“Because the room is too big for me.”

His expression softens, realization dawning. “Forgive me, Lilian. I had not realized…” he sighs. “I can get you a smaller room if this one feels overwhelming. And you can move your things into my room whenever you want.”

Move into his room?

My shocked expression says it all.

“Don’t worry, I’ll stop sleeping naked once you move in.”

It’s a miracle that I don’t faint.

I hug the clothes to my chest and walk around the crazy, horned king with unforgettable cock tattoos and sinful plans.

At the bathhouse, he waits outside. I bathe meticulously, putting in more effort than usual. When I realize what I’m doing, I curse under my breath and stop scrubbing. What am I doing? Grooming myself for the king? How ridiculous.

I dry myself and change. “I’m done!” I yell.

The doors burst open, and Vulcan swoops in, wrapping his arms around me unexpectedly.

“Vulcan!” I gasp.

He chuckles. “I’m here to rescue you from the wicked hairballs,” he says, scanning the floor.

I would have laughed if my heart wasn’t racing. “Can you let go?” I ask, afraid he’ll hear my heartbeat.

He releases me. “Are you ready to go?”

I tip my head aside. “Go where?”

“I told you I would show you around Versai.?”

“You meant now? But your back–”

He raises a hand. “There is no need to worry about me. Let’s get you a hood.”

“What about you?” I ask. “Your golden horns will be recognized. And they'll hear us speaking English.”

He shrugs. “There are cone-like, decorative covers for horns. It’s common for my people to use them. I will cover mine. As for the language, they will assume it's a foreign one. There are a dozen languages in Versai.”

“And what about your face? Won’t they recognize their king?”

He tenses and drifts his gaze away. “My face is only known among the nobles. I have never published my portrait, not that my people would want it.” He shrugs. “I am not a beloved king.”

“Why?”

He has proved to have a backbone. To go to extremes–even if it hurts him, to make a point. If he bled for me, he would do anything for his kingdom.

“Because I banned gold.”

“What?”

How could he ban gold? It’s the life force of this kingdom. I’ve seen more gold in this palace than my entire life. I can’t imagine how important it must be to their culture.

How could Vulcan take it from his people?

Although I’m disturbed, I don’t question him. I’ve only been on this planet for a few days, and it’s not my place to meddle. I’m not one of his citizens.

“Are you ready?” Vulcan repeats.

I clear my throat. “Yes. Where will we go?”

He thinks about this for a while. “Let me surprise you.”

He’s asking me to trust him. Trust him like I was supposed to when he threatened to whip me. His stare becomes more intense, and there’s a shift in the air. Passion.

I don’t think he’s taking me to a church. Wherever he’ll take me will be dangerous.

“Okay,” I whisper, hoping he doesn’t notice how my body has begun to react to him. I wear no bra under this silky top because I planned to go directly to my bedroom. My nipples are hardening, and Vulcan notices with a quick glance.

“Good,” he says, his voice deeper. “I will cover my horns and find you a hood. We will go when it’s dark. A guard will follow us.”

Excitement swells in me. I wonder where he will take me, how we’ll blend into the crowd. It won’t be easy. He’s a king, and I’m a human. And something dangerous is sparking between us.

A/N: Where do you think he's taking her?

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