Tave Part 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

He pleaded to her with his gaze. He wasn’t sure he could force himself to depart if she demanded it, and for the first time in his life, he begged. For her, for his mate, he would beg. “Do not send me away.”
    She nibbled her lower lip and he ached to tell her to quit abusing such a tempting morsel, but he knew it would not go over well with his pyabi . “I’m not trying to be difficult.”
    He nodded. He sensed her fear and unease. Perhaps anger as well. But, he didn’t sense cruelty in Rina. “I know this. Nor am I, but I am an Ujal male and you are my mate.” His blood burned with the knowledge. The need and desire to claim her before all nearly incapacitated him. “It is ingrained in us to sacrifice all else to care for a female. That drive is heightened between mates. I know this is difficult for you. I only ask you to be patient while we learn about each other. While we attempt to join our lives.”
    “You’re so sure we’re meant to be together? I mean, I know what IMA says, but…”
    She was giving him an “out.” One he did not wish to embrace. With slow steps, he approached her. Taking his time, he raised his arm and carefully reached for her face. Even with one eye swollen shut, she was the most beautiful woman in all of the worlds. “From the first moment I saw you, the very instant you entered the room, I knew. I knew I wanted nothing more than for you to belong to me and for me to belong to you.” He gently ran his thumb over her smooth skin, gaze categorizing her features and hating that she was still suffering from the actions of his trusted guards. They would be dealt with later. For now, Rina was his priority. “Go wash. I am enraged that you were injured while in the care of our males and I am fighting the need to challenge them for the offense.”
    “It’s not their fault I threw away all the mating notices. Or that I was showering when they showed up.”
    “All males are taught that everything is at a female’s leisure. They should have been more patient. Instead, they rushed.”
    “They didn’t know who I was.” She defended them despite their actions. As her mate, he hated that she stood up for them. As the crown prince, he was thankful he had such a caring and forgiving principessa.
    “It should have not mattered, but we can discuss this more once you are healed.” He cataloged the fatigue marring her features and the redness surrounding her eye. It assaulted his heart, forcing the muscle to squeeze and tighten with regret and heartache. “Please. Care for yourself. For me, if not for yourself.”
    He placed her hand atop his, the first voluntary touch, of skin on skin, and he felt rather than saw his scales slide beneath his flesh. Her breath caught, stuttering with her gasp and unease filled him. Was she disgusted by his scales? His inner nature? Her application had indicated she would look favorably upon a male not of her own species, but he gathered her mother applied on her behalf. Much like his own.
    “Rina? Do my scales—does it—”
    “Beautiful,” she whispered, and slipped her hand from his. He regretted the loss, but then rejoiced when she stroked him elsewhere. Her fingers glided over his collarbone and along the line of his neck, the pads teasing his scales out of hiding. This was a secret among their kind—the knowledge that touches in certain areas could bring out their scales… and heighten pleasure. He fought to control his breathing, the quick inhale when she petted a particularly sensitive spot, and she snatched her hand away. “Sorry.”
    Tave carefully captured her wrist and lifted her hand back to his chest. “Never apologize for touching me. You are my own and I will never deny you. I am pleased you find me appealing.” Rina’s fingertips caressed him again and he shuddered with need. “Perhaps I was wrong.” His voice was gruff as he stilled her touch and he didn’t miss the confusion, which marred her features. “I like that too much.