“Don’t mention it,” she said, wrapping Lexi in a warm hug. “Now, let’s get some of these windows open, shall we? It’s like a grave in here.”
“Poor choice of words,” Lexi said wryly. She got up and walked slowly up to the balcony doors, putting her hands on the steel latch. She stood there for a moment, taking deep, even breaths to calm herself. Then she clicked the lock and slowly swung the doors open.
Immediately the beauty and peaceful sounds of Nova Aurora rushed to greet her. Lexi smiled as the world itself welcomed her … as if the planet was begging her to stay.
I’m still not convinced this place is safe, but I do know one thing. It really is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Maybe, just maybe … I belong here.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
RAO
After Riley made preparations, Rao greeted Lexi at her door. He was tense, not just because of his plan to meet his brother, but because he had no idea how Lexi was going to react to him.
To his surprise, she opened the door with a flourish, and she had a big, warm smile for him.
“Hey, Rao,” she said, a happy lilt in her voice. “I’m ready for our date. Where would you like to go?”
For a moment, Rao just stood and admired the beautiful, strong woman before him. Lexi had obviously prepared herself with great care, teasing her honey blonde hair out into flowing waves, applying the lightest touches of makeup, and dressing up in a beautiful blue gown.
He smiled, aware that his silence was becoming awkward, but he was almost completely stunned by the sight of his mate. She seemed utterly transformed from the frightened, withdrawn woman he’d last seen.
“Rao?” she asked. When he met her eyes, she blinked and looked down as if eye contact was too intense. It only took a second, though, for her gaze to find his own again.
“I’m really excited that you’re ready for our date,” Rao said, taking her hands gently. “But there’s something I need to do first, and I’d very much like it if you could accompany me.”
He saw her eyes darken as a small frown danced around her pretty face.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes. No. Well, I hope it will be,” he said, sighing. “I just really want you with me for what I need to do next.”
“Of course,” she said, stepping toward him and squeezing his hands. “I’ll be with you.”
Rao smiled, sensing eternity in her smile. Neither of them were ready to admit it, not really, but they knew the bond between them was unshakeable and that the magnetism between them would draw them together, even if they tried to run from each other.
“If you’ll come with me,” he said, holding out his arm. “I have a luxury aircar out front. The distance is a bit far for the bikes and smaller cars.”
“Okay,” Lexi said, a little nervously. The last thing Rao wanted to do was bring up giant crabs … he didn’t want to trigger her … but he did feel like he needed to address where they were going and how confident she was about it.
“Are you all right?” he asked. “Last time we spoke, you said you didn’t want to leave the castle, and Trull mentioned you were … a little under the weather.”
Lexi turned to look up at him, and Rao was struck by her beauty all over again. There was something about her pale green gaze and deep red lips that left him speechless.
“I’m not going to lie, Rao,” she said. “I’m scared. I can’t help it. I’m scared of lots of things, actually.” Lexi sighed, turning her head away to look at the floor.
Rao made sure he walked slowly so Lexi didn’t trip on her high heels or long blue skirt.
“I want to trust you, though. I want to see the planet and everything on it. Nova Aurora is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. It’s just that I need time to learn how to trust.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Rao said softly. He could sense the same wound in her, almost identical to the one he carried. Both of them were afraid of the unknown … of the future itself.
They reached the front entrance to the castle, heading out from the massive foyer to the wide driveway. A fully decked-out, luxury air car was waiting for them. It had a glass top and sides, like the bikes that she liked so much did, so the occupants could get an excellent view as they flew above the city.
Rao helped Lexi get settled and sat in front of her. Lexi looked a little alarmed as the car rose much higher than she’d expected. “Are you all right?” he asked, taking her hand.
She nodded. “The other cars and bikes didn’t get up nearly this high.”
“That’s because we’re going to the next city,” Rao sighed. He kept hold of Lexi’s hand, but he looked away as if he couldn’t face her eyes. “We’re going to see my brother,” he said very softly. “In his castle at Grayspire.”