Her look of soul-deep sorrow touched him, and he recalled what he felt as a youth to find his father and mother dead and his family hunted and forced out of their own home. She turned to leave, and he caught her arm. Nishani didn't resist when he wrapped his arms around her but began to cry the soul-deep sobs he remembered from his youth. Her trembling body was warm and small tucked against him. He rested his chin atop her head, knowing there were no words to comfort someone who hurt so deeply and regretful that he caused this pain.
He held her for a long moment, surprised to find her sorrow echoed in his breast at knowing she might choose to leave. He hadn't thought himself attached to the unique woman he chose as a nishani. They were bound by fate, and he knew she felt the profound connection between them from the moment they met. Was it possible for such a connection to be stronger than her bond to her own world?
She calmed in his arms, and he focused on comforting her and not his awareness of her soft body pressed against him.
"A'Ran?" she whispered.
"Yes, nishani."
She hesitated, then propped her chin on his chest, gazing up at him with stormy, reddened eyes. He smoothed the remaining tears from her face.
"Will you do something for me?" she asked uncertainly. "You can say no."
"What would you have me do?"
"Will you kiss me? Like you did when we met? I just want to know if … it's important," she asked, face flushing. "You can say no."
"Nishani, no man would ever turn down such a request," he said, amused.
Her words floored and excited him for more reasons than one. He'd begun to think he'd lost any chance he had at keeping her. He complied and kissed her deeply, enjoying the taste and feel of her despite the mix of salty tears. Their kiss grew more passionate, the feel of her body against him not enough to sate his growing need. The connection between them flowed with hot energy, the planet's life form itself bonding the two of them together at their touch. She clutched at him, and he tightened his grip around her, dragging their bodies together.
Their kissing grew frantic, their petting setting them both afire. He lifted her at last and carried her to his quarters, senses full of her quickened breath, heady female scent, sweet taste. He'd always intended to bed her when she was ready for him, but he'd never thought that moment would be now, if at all. His body responded with a surge of heat and desire at the idea of feeling her naked body beneath his.