Description
EXCERPT
Chapter One
Quillin strolled into the examination room, a cup of Serp ambrosi cradled in his hands. The sweet, sharp scent of the drink filled his senses, a familiar and comforting routine. He took a sip, letting the ambrosi’s tranquilizing effect soothe his mind in preparation for another mundane session.
As Med Chief, these examinations had long ago lost their novelty. He would check the charts, administer the genetic modification serum, monitor for any reactions, and send the human on her way to her new match—oftentimes to her displeasure, but the treaty dictated everyone’s role. Day in, day out. He could do it in his sleep.
Quillin glanced down at the open chart glowing on his datapad, skimming the information for his next patient. Briana Willis. A nice name, he mused, taking another sip of ambrosi. The warm liquid trickled down his throat, calming the restlessness that seemed to have taken root in him today.
With a flick of his wrist, he minimized the chart and strode toward the examination room. Time to get this over with. He pushed open the door, eyes downcast as he took one final swig from his cup.
“Hello, I’m Quillin. I’ll be—”
He froze, the words dying on his tongue. His gaze lifted as his world shifted, tilting dangerously on its axis. An ethereal vision stood before him—a woman of unparalleled beauty, with dark skin that evoked star-flecked night skies. A halo of curls framed her delicate features. Her figure was an enticing symphony of curves, with each more enchanting than the last.
Quillin’s grip failed, and the ceramic cup slipped through numb fingers. It hit the floor with a resonant crack, splattering sweet ambrosi like a starburst across pristine tiles.
He scarcely noticed and barely heard the sharp gasp echoing through the room. The woman before him consumed all his senses as a tempestuous rush of foreign emotions crashing through his mind. His skin rippled with color as kaleidoscopic patches swirled wildly across his body.
This was no gentle flutter and no routine spark of compatibility. This was a hurricane raging unchecked, a cataclysmic upheaval of his reality.
The Mating Flare. Impossible, unbelievable, and undeniable.
Quillin swayed on his feet, dizzy with the force of the Mating Flare raging through him. His gaze remained locked on the vision before him—Briana Willis, according to his chart.
“Are you all right?” Her voice was melodic, imbued with notes of concern. It cut through the chaos in his mind like a beacon, calling him back to the moment.
“I…” Quillin blinked hard, shaking his head in an attempt to dispel the fog enveloping his senses. “Forgive me. I don’t know what came over me.”
He took a faltering step forward, then another until he stood before this captivating creature. This close, he could discern flecks of amber in her dark eyes. They watched him warily but didn’t shy away.
“Hi, I’m Briana.” She gave a tremulous smile. “Are you sure you’re okay, Med Chief Quillin?”
The sound of his name on her lips sent a thrill through him. Without thought, he reached for her, fingers tracing along the line of her jaw. So soft.
Briana tensed, and Quillin immediately dropped his hand. What was he doing? He was here to administer genetic modification serum, not…not whatever madness had seized him.
Quillin stepped back, shaking his head to try and clear the intoxicating haze that had come over him. “Forgive me. I seem to have lost my composure.” He turned away and busied himself preparing the genetic modification serum, hoping the routine task would help settle his scattered thoughts.
His hands trembled slightly as he loaded the injector, acutely aware of Briana’s presence behind him. Her floral scent still filled the air, surrounding him. It took all his willpower not to turn back and look at her again.
“Is everything okay?” asked Briana uncertainly. “Should I come back another time?”
Quillin steeled himself and turned to face her. “No, please stay. I need to examine you. It’s my duty.”
He gestured for her to scoot closer. Briana perched on the edge, watching him warily.
Taking a steadying breath, Quillin initiated the exam, waving the medical scanner over her to ensure she was in optimal health before giving the injection. As the device hummed and blinked, he found his gaze drawn back to Briana’s face, tracing over her elegant features. She really was breathtaking.
He blinked and hastily returned his focus to the scanner. “Your results look normal so far. Now I just need to administer the genetic serum.”
He held up the loaded injector. Briana eyed it nervously but tilted her head, baring her slender neck. As Quillin pushed the injector into her skin, his fingers grazed her nape. Another spark raced through him at the contact. He pressed the button on autopilot, his attention focused on the curve of her neck. He wanted to lick it.
With the serum delivered, he stepped back, blinking at the thoughts whirling through his mind.
Briana met his gaze, confusion and curiosity swirling in her eyes. “What happens now?”
“Now…” Quillin’s voice trailed off. What did happen now? The Mating Flare changed everything. “Now we talk.”
She seemed puzzled. “That’s standard protocol?”
He didn’t answer the question, not wanting to lie. “Before we discuss anything else, may I ask—how do you feel about being matched as a proxy for Commander Zartik?”
Briana lowered her gaze, fingers twisting nervously in her lap. “I’m afraid,” she said after a moment. “This is all so new to me. Zartik seems honorable but distant. I don’t know if we’ll be compatible. I know it’s just a year…or until we have a baby, but…” She bit her lusciously full lower lip, betraying her anxiety.
He clenched his fists, fighting the possessive flare blooming in his chest. “You shouldn’t have to mate with one you fear.”
He began pacing, desperate energy boiling through his veins. “What occurred between us—the Mating Flare—it signifies an exceptionally strong bond. I know I’m still a stranger to you, but I can’t ignore what fate forged between us.”
She frowned. “The what?”
He realized it was all on his side and sighed. It was hard to focus but he tried as he stopped and turned to her, eyes blazing. He intended to try to rationally explain, but an impassioned plea burst from him instead. “Come away with me, Briana. We can leave and start over somewhere.”
Briana’s eyes widened in shock. “Just…leave? But why would you risk so much for me?”
Quillin crossed back to her in two strides, grasping her hands in his. “Because you’re mine now. It’s the Mating Flare. I have no choice but to protect you. I want to. Need to.”
Her eyes were wide as she tried to pull her hands from his. “I think you must be ill, sir.”
He was half-mad with need. Did that count?
“What is this Mating Flare you keep mentioning?”
“It’s an instinctive awareness that you’re my mate. My ideal match in every way. It’s more mystical than medical.” How galling that was to admit for a man of science, though he didn’t care about any conflicts with his beliefs right now. He was consumed by the need to claim her.
He brought her hands to his lips, basking in her sweet scent and soft ebony skin. “Say you’ll come with me,” he said, no longer trying to mask the desperation in his voice. “I can’t bear the thought of you in another’s arms. I have to claim you as my mate.”
