Page 74 of The Thren's Fated

“I mean, begging me for forgiveness would work too,” she said with a laugh, but he took her hand, squeezing tightly, his expression conveying none of the mirth that she felt.

“I will do anything to win you back. I promise to take care of you for the entirety of our lives, to make sure you never want for anything.”

And he was serious, too, not even a hint of a smile on his face as he pierced her with his gaze.

“That sounds like a good start.”

Now, Screl broke, the corner of his lips quirking. Her heart fluttered at the soft look, and she tried to focus on what the next steps were, though it didn’t feel as urgent as it normally did.

A thought came to her, one that sent a jolt of pain through her, but she tried to remain calm.

“What will happen to you when… when I die? Your lifespan is much longer than mine.”

Screl shook his head, brushing his tentacles through her mussed-up hair.

“Our connection will change us in many ways. Though there are not many instances of Thren and non-Thren bonds, when there are, both partners have the longevity of the longest living species in the pair.”

Shock zipped through her, and then a giggle bubbled in her throat, one she couldn’t contain even if she wanted to.

“What is it?” Screl asked, brow furrowed with concern.

“You’re telling me I might live to be a thousand years old?”

“You very well might, amoreth.”

It felt impossible, and yet he spoke to her in her mind. She felt his emotions as if they were hers, his pain too. And the thought of an eternity with Screl? Well, maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing.

“Where are we going, anyway?” she asked.

She’d been so preoccupied with getting away from the Sovereign, she hadn’t bothered to wonder where exactly this ship was headed.

“Returning to Henios.”

Lena raised a brow.

“Won’t you get in trouble?”

“Why? Are you going to press charges against me?”

Oh, there was that dangerous smile, the one he wore so well. She chuckled, biting her lip hard to stifle the sound.

“I should.”

“Yes, you should,” he purred, his voice raking over her flesh like knives, tingling her scalp.

“But I won’t. I’m not sure how station management will see it, though.”

Screl’s tongues flicked over his lips, and need filled her.

“I’ll take whatever punishment I’m given, as long as I can be with you.”

“Punishment. I like the sound of that,” Lena cooed, enjoying how the sultry timbre of her voice affected him, his pupils dilating ever so slightly.

A tentacle slid under the band of her panties, running back and forth as her body clenched with anticipation.

“I deserve it,” Screl muttered, sliding the tentacle in further and tracing through her slick seam with a gentle touch.

“You do,” she agreed, trying to focus on the arousal coursing through her.