Scaled Heart: A SciFi Alien Romance (Project: F5 Book 2) by Jade Waltz (ereader android .TXT) 📕

found that reminded me of you when it blooms, hoping you would enjoy watching it grow.”

“What a thoughtful gift. Thank you.” She tilted her head, studying me. “But I believe this is quite particular coming from you. Circuli don’t give gifts, nor are males naturally this forward, so tell me exactly why you’re here.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It doesn’t?” She gave me a soft smile. “I think it does, but you are afraid to tell me… Which seems to be a common trait among Circuli males.”

I flinched at her offhand comment. It wasn’t my intention to upset her more than I already had.

“I’ve studied your species’ mating practices and the notes I took from your lessons, hoping to show you how sorry I am for the things I’ve done—or in this case, didn’t do—and how much I appreciate you.” Sighing, I looked away to avoid her reaction. “I came here because I wanted to ask you to be my nestqueen… but it seems like I may be too late, so I understand if you reject my advances.”

“I don’t know what to say, nor whether to be confused or flattered.” Suddenly, the fruit tray was lifted out of my hand, pulling my attention back to her. Kaica turned around. “Chyox, can you please take this from me? I need to have a private word with Usthu.”

In a few moments, Chyox appeared, Kaica’s new courting thread leading straight to him. His violet gaze met mine and he nodded as he grabbed the tray from his new nestqueen’s hands.

“May the Stars bless you.”

Before I could reply, Kaica took my hands in hers and led me to the room next door. Releasing her grip, she walked over to the drink dispenser and ordered two green-colored teas. Handing one to me, she sat down on the couch and took a whiff of the steam.

“Let’s discuss this as mature adults and not waste each other’s precious time by denying the truth. I am not angry or upset with you, but I want you to tell me why you want me to be your nestqueen.”

Sitting across from her, I placed the drink on the table, afraid my shaking hands might drop the cup accidentally. I didn’t expect her to be so forward and blunt about this, but I should have anticipated she would want to approach this as two healers would.

“Is it even worth an explanation?” I flicked my gaze toward the wall this room shared with her bedroom. “Aren’t you going to reject me?”

Her lips pursed and she took a sip, studying me with an intense stare as if she hoped the drink would calm her.

“First off, I never said that. I led you in here to talk about our relationship. I was hoping to spare you the embarrassment of speaking in front of Chyox since you both always seem so nervous when talking to me.” She shrugged. “I don’t understand why. I’ve never threatened either of you with my ‘deadly skills’ to get what I want.” She shook her head and waved me off. “Never mind that. I simply figured you would rather have this discussion in the private comfort of a sitting area than in the hallway where anyone could potentially overhear.”

“So you aren’t rejecting me?”

“As I said, tell me why you want me as your nestqueen. I’ve heard about the permanent connection between a Circuli male and his nestqueen, and some of the things I have been told as of late have alarmed me. I have been hesitant because I didn’t want to be the reason why the courting bond didn’t work out and have any Circuli male have to live a miserable life that Odelm explained to me, forever broken and considered tainted amongst your species peers. Mainly, I would take on the responsibility of knowing that if something happens to me, my males’ lives would be in danger too. We are seeing this now with Selena and her mates.”

“You accepted Chyox, so you must not be entirely opposed to the idea.”

“I believe what is going on between me and Chyox is none of your business. He fully accepted the risk of being my nestmate and I welcome his presence.”

“How can I convince you to accept mine? I’ve done everything you said females liked, including giving you a gift my kind would consider taboo if they heard!”

“Taboo?” She frowned in confusion. “What the Stars are you talking about?”

“The plant—”

“Was a sweet gesture.”

“But to the Circuli, especially the Wudox, giving a plant as a gift is considered a gesture of ill will.”

Leaning forward between her legs, she covered her face with both hands as a burst of roaring laughter filled the air.

“Wait...” she gasped, slapping her knee as water drops—which I had learned were normal for demihumans—formed at the edges of her eyes. “You’re telling me that the whole time I was telling the males in the research team to offer a female a bouquet of flowers, you thought I was trying to trick you?”

“How else could I explain it?” I mumbled, feeling more embarrassed now than I would have felt if we had continued this talk in front of Chyox. At least he would have supported my claim. “You spoke of many bizarre things that I would have never fathomed doing.”

Wiping her eyes, she grabbed my hand as she bit her bottom lip, a gesture Kaica did whenever she thought too hard before speaking.

“No, you are right. I am sorry for laughing at you. It’s just I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard, so thank you for that. Though I wish you guys would address your questions about our differences in customs with me.”

Rubbing her thumb over the back of my hand, she tilted her head to the side as her excited green and pleased violet hair cascaded over her shoulder, creating a curtain of striped color that highlighted the scales on her face.

“Let’s start over,” she began, her voice failing