29.

The answer was simple. There was no way for a human to be his mate-it was a biological impossibility. And if he acted on this crazy impulse, he might miss the opportunity of finding his true mate. If she was even out there.

To complicate matters, if she was his mate, no matter how unlikely, he'd be forced to resign his post and move back home. That was the way of his people. But this was his life's work and a resignation at this stage of his negotiations between the Ecada and the humans would place the colony in great danger. The insectoid race would take advantage of the stalled talks and would likely attempt to invade the colony. Any sign of weakness was seen as a great advantage by the Ecada people, one to be exploited. He wasn't about to let that happen.

Kamran sighed and sat up straight, leaning against the cool surface of the light, golden wood desk he'd had shipped from Briel. The loose-fitting tunic he'd changed into pulled tight, forcing an adjustment. What had possessed him to wear this anyway?

The data pad was once again in his hands, the details of the latest treaty updates staring back at him. This was what mattered. Providing a safe place to live for humans and Briel alike. Not some false obsession with a human woman he would probably never meet again.

The door chime rang once. Kamran looked up and smiled. There was only one person who would call on him at this hour. He immediately rose from his chair and answered the door.

"Taber, how very good to see you. Please come in." Taking a step back, Kamran gestured with an open arm, welcoming the one person in the colony he considered a loyal friend.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Taber was military and would never seat himself at Kamran's table to enjoy a drink.

Kamran offered regardless.

"You know I cannot. But you honor me with your invitation."

"Some day we must break with that tradition. You know I see you as my friend and not as a subordinate. What can I a.s.sist you with?"

Taber didn't answer immediately. In his typical fashion, he merely stared at Kamran. Most Briel would find this disconcerting but Kamran had known him long enough not to be bothered by his friend's intensity. Taber was renowned for his ability to get information from suspects without any physical harm. Ah, to be able to give a look like that. Negotiation times would certainly be reduced.

"What happened this afternoon?" Taber asked abruptly.

The mouthful of amber liquid Kamran took was larger than intended. It burned as it made its way down his throat.

"I changed my speech at the last minute. The humans don't need a Briel history lesson the minute they enter the colony."

"Agreed. But there was something else going on. You seemed distracted."

30.

Kamran paused to examine his friend. How did one go about telling a friend of his s.e.xual desires?

"There is a human. She is one of the new colonists who arrived earlier today. She was sick when she got off the ship. I offered her some a.s.sistance."

He felt his c.o.c.k surge to life again at the memory. The contrast of her pale skin against her dark brown hair was striking. She was small compared to him but tall for a human. Their bodies would fit nicely together. He liked the way her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pushed against her jumpsuit-taunting him. He'd never noticed how tight-fitting women's clothing was. Before her. He'd been driven mad by an unusual floral scent that lingered in the air the rest of the day. It had to be hers.

"A sick human is not an uncommon occurrence. "

Kamran, startled out of his thoughts, drained his gla.s.s. After having negotiated peace treaties with warring worlds, you'd think he'd be able to discuss this with Taber.

"I seem to have a problem, my friend. And I'm not sure what I should do about it."

Taber straightened and Kamran caught the flash in his eyes.

"I can a.s.sist with the problem. Is it with this human?"

"I don't need that kind of a.s.sistance." The last thing he needed was Taber starting a manhunt for his future wife. He cringed. "I don't know what to think, but I seem to have some sort of connection with this woman," Kamran said. He rose to fix himself another drink.

"What sort of connection? Is she trying to blackmail you?"

"No, nothing like that." This wasn't coming out right.

"What then?" Taber said, clearly annoyed. Kamran knew he hated not knowing everything.

Kamran closed his eyes, letting the woman's face drift back to the surface of his mind. Bright, inquisitive eyes framed in a perfectly oval face. The way she'd looked at him as she sat on the floor, like she wanted to rip his clothing off, tested the limits of his control. The way her exotic scent rolled off her in waves, intoxicating his senses.

What then indeed?

"I am aware of her on this station. I don't mean consciously, but physically. I can describe her in perfect detail. Her face, body, scent. I even know that she is walking around the station right now. It wouldn't take me very long to hunt her down."

He then turned to face Taber. His expression hadn't changed from before, but Kamran recognized disbelief when he saw it.

"That is impossible," Taber said, his voice even.

"I know."

"You are describing this woman as if she were your mate."

"I know."

31.

"No Briel male has ever responded to an off-worlder in that manner. Many have tried."

"I know the history."

"Which brings us back to the fact of that being impossible."

"Exactly. And that is the reason I've accomplished nothing all day."

Taber's hand twitched and flexed before he laced it through the other one behind his back. He walked over to Kamran's window and paused. The winds had picked up again, pelting sand and small rocks against the gla.s.s in a mad frenzy. Kamran felt a kinship with the planet tonight.

"Do you think it's a trick? A chemical or toxin perhaps, used to confuse your body into thinking it has found a mate?"

"I thought of that. I had the computer scan me for any foreign substances. Nothing.

Had you seen her you wouldn't question her reaction either. It was genuine. Besides, what would she gain by doing so?"

"The Ecada have lots to gain."

He'd thought of that too. "I cannot imagine a human conspiring with them. The Ecada see the humans as little more than a food source. It would be suicide."

"There has to be another explanation."

He straightened. His chest tightened and he had to fight the urge to hit Taber. Who the h.e.l.l was he to question whether or not Kamran had actually found his mate?

"Why?" The word sounded clipped to Kamran, but he didn't care.

"Pardon?"

"Why does there have to be another explanation?" Kamran placed his gla.s.s on the table, afraid it would shatter in his hand.

"It's simply not possible."

"Again, why not? Humans are the closest race to ours in chemistry and biology.

They are only missing three organs and their brains are built a bit differently than ours.

As far as any of us know our two people are perfectly compatible." By the end, he was almost shouting. He had to close his eyes and concentrate hard to relax.

"You're getting hostile."

Kamran opened his eyes and saw the faint trace of a smile on Taber's face.

"I'm sorry."

"You are also dressed more causally than normal."

Kamran looked down at his tunic and pants. "My skin was irritated. I had to change."

Taber appeared to consider that information before asking his next question. "You are showing all the signs. But if she is your mate, why are you not tearing this station apart?"

32.

Kamran took a deep breath and managed to get ahold of his growing hostility. He finally managed a smile as he found his chair and collapsed into it. "That was the very question I was asking myself when you arrived."

"Different race, different pattern?"

"It must be. So far I have been able to hold off every impulse I've had to go after her. But each time, it becomes more difficult."

"Why fight it? If she is your mate, go to her. Everything else will attend to itself."

He shook his head. "What if I'm wrong? Maybe the madness that takes us is a good thing. Forget the world outside and attend to your own desires. But I can't seem to do that."

Kamran had never spoken to anyone about his hopes, not even his family. Being a single male in a family with paired mates was painful. He was the oldest. It was his responsibility to bring honor to his clan. And he had done so for thirty-eight years. An amba.s.sador was the highest obtainable rank by a male and the placements were few.

He'd risen to that position faster than anyone else in the history of his people. In his time as amba.s.sador he'd ended wars on several planets and initiated the fledgling relationship with the humans on Eurus.

But all his accomplishments paled in comparison to the day his brother found his mate. His people had their priorities.

"What will you do about this?" Taber said. There was nothing accusatory in his tone, merely simple curiosity.

"Nothing for now. I doubt I'll be working with the woman. Most of the new settlers are engineers. And the doctor."

"And the new human security chief. I met her this evening. She was trying to order from Cindean's."

At the mention of the t.i.tle, Kamran knew it was her. Everything felt right about it.

"What was her name?" He spoke too quickly again.

"Haylie Bond. She has quite an impressive record and a habit of cleaning up corruption around her. I imagine she was getting a feel for the station before she began her duties and wanted to stay a bit anonymous. That's what I would be doing."

Haylie. It had to be.

Taber gave him a long hard stare before bowing. "I've stayed too long. I'll leave you to your rest, Amba.s.sador."

Normally at this stage in their social sparring, Kamran would insist he stay longer.

He would even go so far as to leave with him for a walk around the station. Not tonight.

"Thank you. I shall see you tomorrow."

Kamran didn't move and waited for Taber to leave. He then cleaned up his desk, putting all sensitive information into his vault that was built into a hidden compartment of his desk. He stood, triggered the door release and stepped into the hall.

33.