“There are few universal truths,” Rainair began, speaking in that cadence he preferred when telling stories. It always struck me as odd because it lacked his usual cursing. “The universe is vast and varied, but there are a few rules proven true time and time again. The most important is that every sentientspecies across the galaxy capable of multi-unit reproduction has a true mate. Another being or beings who are fated to be theirs. And wonderfully, because our universe is mighty, fate often intervenes to bring mates together. It is not a guarantee or a promise that one ever finds their mate, and many go their lives experiencing fulfilling emotional and sexual relationships without ever meeting their mate, but when fate steps in and brings creatures together for love, entropy loses its grip on us all a little more.”
My mate was silent for a long time before speaking. “That’s really beautiful, but humans don’t have soulmates.”
“But you have a word for it,” I countered. “It’s possible your species is unaware of the physical manifestations when finding your true mate, but I recognized you the moment our eyes met.”
“You did?” my mate asked, turning to me. My hands stayed on her waist and I nodded. “How did you know?”
I closed my eyes. “My heart raced in my chest and I got tingles through my body. I felt a tug in my chest, under my ribs as if pulling me toward you, I still feel it now.”
“And these tingles told you I’m your fated soulmate?” she asked.
“Yes, it was the same for my grandfather when he met my grandmother. They are the markers most recognized by all ormonai.”
My mate frowned. “Humans don’t have something like that. We don’t have anything that tells us who we should be with, we just guess and hope we get it right.”
I tipped my head from side to side. “It’s possible your species hasn’t identified the markers of your true mates yet. Some species don’t. There are others who use DNA coding to identify theirs.”
My mate frowned. “So this is real? You guys aren’t messing with me?”
“I would never joke about love,” Rainair said, then frowned. “Unless it was a dirty joke. I enjoy telling those.”
My mate laughed and turned back to face me. Her eyebrows were nearly back to their normal position, but not quite.
“So there’s no reason you’d like, put me aside or choose someone else down the road? No breakups or divorce?”
“Absolutely not,” I said, sharper than I meant to. My hands tightened on her waist. “You are mine. Fate brought you to me and I’m not letting you go under any circumstance, do you understand? If you decide you no longer like the life we live, we will change it, together.”
My mate’s shoulders seemed to relax and something like relief spread across her face. “Okay, good,” she said softly, and leaned into me, her arms coming around me. I held her tight and glanced at Rainair. He raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Had my mate worried I didn’t intend forever with her? I was glad we had cleared that up.
She.
Was.
Mine.
After a long moment, she relaxed her grip and I took a step back.
“Is this settled now?” I asked. “You understand fate brought you across the galaxy to be with me, and I’m never letting you go?”
She smiled. “Yeah, I get it.”
With a kiss to her forehead, I coaxed her to climb on my back once more, and we continued, as if one of the most important conversations of my life hadn’t just happened.
“Rainair,” my mate called back. “What are the braxx signs you’ve found your true mate?”
I grinned and enjoyed listening to my friend stammer. He was weirdly prudish about his own anatomy while boldly discussing other species.
“Well, uh, we sometimes lose control of some functions, and there’s purring, and uh, other things.”
“You purr?” my mate asked in a weirdly squeaky voice. “That’s so cute.” I growled and squeezed her thighs and she kicked me lightly.
“Well, yes. But only when I choose to, which isn’t often. With a mate it’s a little... different.”
“Hmmm, okay,” my mate said. “I can tell this is weird for you, so you don’t need to explain, but maybe when we get back you can recommend a good braxx romance and I can have Kex read it to me.”
I snorted. “How about that one with the pirates?” I called, teasing my friend. “You know the one with the?—”
“Yes, yes, I know the one,” Rainair said, cutting me off. “I’ll send you the title when we’re back.” His voice sounded resigned and I couldn’t stop my laugh. The universe had so many unusual things I couldn’t wait to share with my mate.