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“Like, can he dump me if it doesn’t work out?”
    “Mate bonds are for life. A male mate, especially of the warrior class like Kor, would die before allowing you to come to harm. You will be well taken care of.”
    But will I be loved? she wondered, still confused as she went to sleep in the large bed, alone.
    19

Chapter Five

    “Kor,” said his mother in a firm tone, “what do you mean you have not bonded yet?
    You are almost home. What are you waiting for?”
    “She hasn’t said yes yet, Mother,” said Kor, restraining an urge to run his hand through his hair, a sign of agitation his mother was sure to recognize.
    “What? Who cares if she hasn’t said yes? She was chosen by the Oracle. Now do your duty, and bond with her.”
    What did his mother think he’d been trying to do? By all the silvery moons, he thought he’d had her the last time they’d kissed. She’d been ripe for him. He could sense it, smell it.
    His body still twitched in remembrance. Yet, she still hesitated. He’d never understand females.
    “I’m trying,” grumbled Kor under his breath.
    But his mother, of keen ears, heard him.
    “Well try harder, son. Have you not explained the plight of our world?”
    “Of course I have. But she insists that we date.” Dating, an unfamiliar term that Kor had researched and found to mean on her planet some kind of extended courtship.
    “Date? Oh my, I haven’t heard that term in a long time,” said his mother with a chuckle.
    “They found you an Earth girl. How marvelous. But that changes nothing. Give her what she wants, and be done with it.”
    “I’m not even sure what she means by a date. I’ve been courting as best I can on board.”
    “Then take her somewhere off ship. Somewhere romantic.”
    Romantic, another term Kor didn’t quite comprehend. Did he not lavish attention on her already? What more did Diana need?
    Kor chatted with his mother a few moments more before saying good-bye and switching off the communication console. He leaned back in his seat, thinking.
    According to Alphie’s research and his mother, he should take her somewhere pretty and flatter her, make her feel attractive—didn’t his kissing and touching her every chance he could count? He needed to make her feel comfortable in his presence. By the power of the moons, this dating business seemed complicated. No wonder the bonding ritual had been invented. A pity his mate couldn’t see the beauty of it.
    Kor pulled up on-screen a map of the system they were currently flying through and grinned when Alphie circled one particular planet in red.
    “Thanks, Alphie,” he said, jumping out of his chair. He’d found the perfect spot to make Diana his.

    * * * *

    “Come with me,” Kor said mysteriously, interrupting her virtual game of chess with Alphie.
    Diana barely glanced at him, intent on her next move. But her body sure knew he was there. Treacherous body . She’d barely slept the night before for thinking about him. At least she’d come to a decision. She’d bond with him before they got to his planet, but only when the time seemed right, which, judging by her reaction to his presence, would probably be the next time he kissed her. However, she had no intention of telling him that. A lady should always play hard to get if she wanted her man to appreciate her.
    Kor leaned into her line of sight with a pleased look on his face like a little boy who had a surprise and couldn’t wait to reveal it.
    20

    “Come with me,” he repeated.
    “Where?”
    Kor shook his head with a smile and didn’t answer. Diana found herself intrigued at his mysterious, almost playful air and rose from her seat. Tugging her hand, Kor led her to a bland room she had never seen before.
    “Close your eyes.”
    “Why?” Diana asked suspiciously. Is he going to kiss me again? Yay! Diana frowned at her subconscious glee at this thought. Just because I’m going to marry him doesn’t mean I have to be so eager, she thought.