Saving Verakko: The Clecanian Series Book 3 by Victoria Aveline (books to read for teens TXT) 📕

did. But how could they be true? She squirmed to be released. Verakko rumbled a deep sound of disapproval but gently pressed a wet kiss to her ear that made her shiver, and opened his arms.

She faced him. He looked so happy and relaxed. His bright-green eyes watched her with such contentment. A wistful grin transformed his features as his gaze settled on the part of her neck he’d bitten.

Lily thought back to the night before and recalled he’d mentioned bites were reserved for mates and wives. If he bit her, that must mean he had hope she’d become one of those things. Right? Or was she just fooling herself again?

When they’d first met, he’d told her mates were a couple married for life. It was the type of relationship Alice was in now. Could she see herself staying with Verakko for life? She didn’t know.

If this afternoon had taught her anything, though, it was that losing him had scared her more than anything she’d ever experienced. The thought of not seeing him, arguing with him, laughing with him, threatened to level her even now.

Lily smiled to herself as Verakko waded to the edge of the pool, his devastating teal body glowing brighter in the neon-blue light from the bioluminescent moss. If an emotion like that wasn’t enough to give a lifelong commitment a shot, she didn’t know what was. Still, if they could start with something less permanent and go from there, she’d feel more comfortable.

He rummaged through a large trunk mounted onto the floor near the edge of the pool and produced a small bottle, grinning brightly. “Soap,” he said, raising one dark brow at her.

Lily gasped and splashed over to him, uncaring of how desperate she must look.

“What’ll you give me for it?” He chuckled, holding the bottle out of reach.

She stood back with her hands on her hips and tried to be annoyed. Her scowl cracked. The boyish look of delight on his face was enough to break any woman’s resolve.

She gave him a sly smile and straightened her shoulders, pushing out her breasts. His gaze snapped to attention. She sauntered over to him through the water, reveling in the hungry way he eyed her movements. “Well, maybe if we get really clean all over,” she purred, running her hand slowly down his rock-hard chest, then beneath the water and over his firm stomach, “I might be willing to kiss you in some other places.” He jerked when she gripped his still-hard shaft, making her intention clear.

His eyes widened in disbelief. “You’d do that?”

Lily snaked her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts into his chest and grinning. “I think you’re vastly underestimating how much I enjoy being clean.”

He lowered the tube, and she snatched it. Then he dipped his head, a deep chuckle rumbling through him, and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Lily let out an embarrassingly loud moan and leaned into the touch of her alien.

Chapter 15

Today is the day. I need to tell her everything. Verakko scrunched his chin and peered down at Lily, sleeping deeply, sprawled on his chest.

He ground his teeth. The haze of unprecedented joy that had overcome him the night before had worn off as the night had stretched on. After she’d fallen asleep in his arms, he’d finally searched his hands, frustrated to find them still mark-free.

But it didn’t matter. His eyes had changed, which meant he’d recognized her as a potential mate. Potential. He scoffed, knowing deep in his bones that it was only a matter of time before his stubborn marks appeared.

His marriage contract with Ziritha no longer bothered him either, now that he could get out of it easily by claiming Lily as his mivassi. No, the worry that had slowly seeped into his mind during the night concerned her acceptance of the bond.

How would she take the news that she was unequivocally his and he hers? That neither of them would ever be with anyone else? That the longer they were together from the time his marks appeared onward, the harder it would be for him to survive on his own?

He could keep his distance from her for a while, give her time to adjust. But once his marks appeared, it would be incredibly difficult to give her space, or so he assumed based on all the accounts of mating he’d ever heard. No individual lived happily once their mate was gone. Not a single one. There was no way of knowing how the mating bond would affect him, seeing as Lily was human. Would the bond be weaker? If his feelings for her now were any indication, no. Would he have the strength to stay away from her if she refused to accept the bond?

A slice of anxiety, different from the constant worry that had plagued him all night, hit as a thought occurred. What will my mother do if my marks do show up, but Lily refuses to make a commitment to me? Verakko swallowed. Would she force Lily to remain with him? And if she did, would Lily come to resent him?

Maybe I shouldn’t bring her to Mithrandir. He ground his molars and clutched Lily to him a little more tightly.

Lily made a small sound of discomfort, and he loosened his grip. She roused, yawning and stretching against him in a way that felt indescribably right. She gazed up at him, sleep still clouding her eyes, and smiled.

Fuck! Verakko inwardly cursed over and over as he looked at her. Couldn’t they just stay here? Pretend like the rest of the world didn’t exist?

Her eyes grew instantly worried. “Is everything okay?”

Verakko forced a smile and nodded. “Yes. I’m not looking forward to the rest of the journey, that’s all.”

Her gaze turned confused. “Wait.” She took in their position on the ground near the