Nikhil (Kaliszian Book 1) by M.K. Eidem Page B

the treatment. Then she should be ready to use the educator.”
    “It would have been better for her to remain here,” Gryf said stiffly.
    “No, it wouldn't have. Not only would I not separate Nikhil from his True Mate but from what I’ve heard, there are going to be other survivors that need the deep-repair unit. Having other males around his weakened True Mate would raise all Nikhil’s protective instincts, which would in turn agitate his True Mate. She doesn’t need that. She will rest better in Nikhil’s quarters.”
    “You are sure she is his True Mate, Luol?” Treyvon asked quietly.
    “She wears his True Mate bead, General. And while I don’t think she realizes it or knows what it means, she responds to Nikhil’s words, touch, and emotions as only a True Mate would.”
    “A True Mate hasn't been found in nearly five-hundred years, Luol.”
    “I know that, General, and had I not witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t believe it. But I did. Her responses were true.”
    “I need to see this for myself. Gryf, with me.”
    Gryf silently walked beside his General, knowing some things still needed to be said. “I should not have approached her like that.”
    “No. You shouldn’t have,” Treyvon agreed, continuing to walk.
    “I didn’t believe she was his True Mate. I mean how could she be? She isn’t even Kaliszian.”
    “You know there was a time when Kaliszians found their True Mate within other species, Gryf.”
    “Before the Great Infection, perhaps, but not since.”
    “True, but that only means we should thank the Goddess that she has blessed a male with one.”
    “Thank the Goddess...” Gryf shook his head in disgust. “She is the one that took away our True Mates along with our ability to provide for them. If not for her, Mica...” he cut himself off.
    Treyvon stopped walking and turned to confront his friend. “Mica was never meant to be yours, Gryf. If you can’t believe that by her actions alone, then believe your True Mate bead. It refused to accept her.”
    “I left her alone too many times. I didn’t...”
    “That doesn’t matter! Your True Mate bead still would have accepted her. It refused to do so, so she was never meant to be your True Mate. You have to accept this.”
    “There was still a chance.”
    “Only if Mica had accepted your Ashe bead. She refused it, Gryf. She has moved on, and so must you. One of our finest Warriors has found his True Mate. We will celebrate his good fortune as if it were our own.” Turning, Treyvon continued to Nikhil’s quarters.
    ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
    Nikhil gathered up his weapons, worried Mackenzie might harm herself with one, and changed into a dry uniform. Now he just stared down at her sleeping so deeply in his bed, still finding it hard to believe she was there, that she was his. Carefully he reached down, lifting the section of her hair his True Mate bead had claimed. It responded to his touch by glowing slightly and giving off a sense of peace that told him she was well.
    It was one of the carefully guarded secrets of the True Mate bead. The True Mate beads connected a couple. Just by touching it, one would know the condition of the other. If it were two Kaliszians that exchanged their beads, they needed only to touch the one in their hair to know if the other was okay.
    Nikhil had to admit that he wished Mackenzie had a True Mate bead for him to wear. Then when he was away from her, he would know she was okay. But he was also grateful that she didn’t. He didn’t want her knowing if he was hurt during a mission, which was always a possibility. He didn’t want her feeling what he felt as he killed, even if it were justified. None of that darkness that was a part of his life should ever touch this amazing creature the Goddess had entrusted to him. She didn’t even realize how she had already lightened the load he carried. She looked at him and saw him, not some large, oversized male that others did. She didn’t fear him. She trusted