Page 40 of Errik

But as Errik landed his vessel on the rooftop landing pad above his home, doubts started to creep in. Arnold hadn’t just learned about Errik’s cage fights, he’d learned about the full brutality of them. He’d informed Holly that he’d killed over a hundred alien males during those fights, often in gruesome manners to appease the roaring crowds. As Errik had flown to intercept the mercenary ship, he’d pulled up the comm system from his house remotely and replayed the entire conversation Holly had had with her brother.

His spirits warmed somewhat when he considered how Holly had defended him, and his heart swelled with emotion when he recalled how she’d confidently announced that Errik was the love of her life.

The love of her life…

His throat burned. Fluxx. When he reached her, he needed to be completely honest with her. He needed to tell her just how he felt about her.

But he also needed to make sure she truly wanted to remain with him on New Vaxx. Though he loved her deeply, and the thought of parting ways with her made him want to raze entire galaxies, he could not in good conscience force her to stay with him if she had doubts.

What if she’d spent the time locked in the safe room thinking about everything Arnold had told her? What if she’d realized she couldn’t be with a male who’d committed the atrocities he’d committed during the cage fights? What if she started to fear him? He couldn’t bear the idea of her fearing him in any capacity.

He disembarked his cruiser and rushed to the safe room, desperate to reach his mate. His heart pounded faster, and worry clenched in his gut.

He unlocked the door of the safe room and entered the small space, his gaze immediately colliding with Holly’s.

“Errik,” she whispered brokenly. Her face crumpled as she rushed into his open arms.

He held her close, running his hands up and down her back, trying his best to soothe her as she cried into his chest.

“Shh. It’s all right. I am fine. All the warriors in my unit are fine. No one else on New Vaxx even knew about the Rumhuxxian ship. It didn’t venture close enough to this planet to be visible from the surface. Shh, my darling mate. It’s all right. The situation was resolved peacefully. Not a single drop of blood was spilled.”

She withdrew from his arms and peered up at him in shock. “But… how?”

He quickly explained his friendship with the Rumhuxxian commander and the sum of money he’d offered the mercenaries. He also revealed that her brother hadn’t been among the mercenaries but was waiting on an outpost nearby.

“I can scarcely believe it. Oh, my God.” She exhaled slowly and placed a hand on his chest.

Even though he’d told her that no blood had been spilled, she kept looking him over carefully as though searching for any injuries. Her concern warmed his heart.

“I’m so glad you’re all right, Errik.” She blinked back more tears. “I was so worried. I’m just so thankful that you’re alive and well.” She hugged him again, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing him so tight that he had trouble breathing.

“Holly, we must talk about something.”

She pulled back, her expression immediately turning wary. “What is it?”

Errik took her hands in his, searching her beautiful dark eyes for any hint of hesitation. He had faced countless opponents during war and in the cages without a trace of fear, yet he was struggling to find the courage to ask her this one question.

“I need you to be honest with me, my darling mate. After everything your brother told you about my past, do you truly wish to remain with me?”

Her lips parted in surprise. “Of course I do!”

“Holly, you know what I did at those outposts. You know how many aliens I killed and the terrible things I did to survive and appease the crowds. I cannot change my past, no matter how much I might wish otherwise.” His throat tightened. “I would understand if knowing these things made you see me differently. If you no longer felt safe with me, or if you wished to return to Earth… I could never force you to stay.” He swallowed hard and his gaze traveled around the safe room.

“Errik, look at me.”

He met her eyes.

“Yes, I know about your past, but I still want you. More than anything. You’ve treated me with kindness, listened to me, and made me feel safe and cherished.” She squeezed his hands. “I care about you so much, and I couldn’t fathom being parted from you. My heart would shatter to pieces.”

Emotion surged through him, and he struggled to speak.

She still wanted him. She felt safe with him.

She couldn’t fathom being separated from him…

“I don’t want to leave you,” she said. “And I don’t want to leave New Vaxx. This is my home now, and you’re the mate I want to spend forever with.”

He stared at her, still overcome with emotion. “Even knowing everything?”