Page 81 of An Alien for Her Heart
When she doesn’t immediately continue, I get the feeling it’s something serious.
“What is it?” I prod.
She releases a breath before tugging down the neck of her tunic to reveal…
I startle, eyes going wide before I lean in, probably invading her personal space as I stare at the marks on her chest.
Delicate swirls in an intricate pattern disappear deep below her neckline.
“What are those?”
Eleanor adjusts her clothing, her gaze boring into mine. “I guess that means you don’t have them yet.”
“Why would I…it’s not a tattoo?”
She shakes her head. “They’re kahl sigils.”
I blink at her, eyelids fluttering again.
“They appeared soon after Zynar’s rut. Kind of like evidence that I’m his mate.”
I unconsciously grip my own chest, my fingers searching for any raised markings, any unfamiliar patterns. But I feel nothing but smooth skin beneath Varek’s shirt. A strange mix of disappointment and uncertainty washes through me.
Eleanor must read something in my expression because she reaches out, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “Hey, don’t worry about it. Zynar says they’re rare. Even rarer than finding akahl. And even if they never do appear, it doesn’t change what you and Varek have.”
I nod slowly, trying to absorb this new information. The idea of physical marks tying me to Varek is thrilling. Tangible proof of our bond, but also an indelible claim on my body.
“What do they mean?” I whisper. “The sigils, what do they represent?”
Eleanor shrugs, a slight frown creasing her brow. “From what I’ve gathered, each pattern is unique to the mated pair. Some kind of symbolism that reflects the nature of their bond.”
She traces a finger over her chest, following the invisible lines of her markings. “I like to think mine represent the way Zynar and I balance each other. His strength and this resilience I’ve had to find, woven together into something unbreakable.”
There’s a soft, almost reverent look on her face.
“Xarion’s looking into it. The Initiative is greatly interested in the fact we’ve, um, settled in so well.” She gives me a devious little wink that has me chuckling. “Turns out that proximity and emotional connection are what kick the mating bond into gear.”
“Hmm,” I muse. “So it’s not just about physical attraction?”
Eleanor shakes her head. "”No. Xarion’s tests point to the fact that, for example, I’ve always been Zynar’s fated. But because I’m human and not Kari, it took time for Zynar’s body to recognize who I am.”
I clear my throat. “Varek and I, we spent time together, got to know each other before his core-rhythm awakened.”
“It’s a process.” Eleanor smiles. “For me, it happened during an…intense moment. Nothing like adrenaline to speed things up.”
I nod, taking it all in. “To think I had to nearly get myself killed for this all to come to be.”
Eleanor barks out a surprised laugh. “Me too! Well, not exactly, but let’s just say it wasn’t your typical engagement party.”
“These men and their dramatic timing.”
“Tell me about it. But hey, at least they keep things interesting.”
I grin. I never thought I’d find a female friend here, but I can already feel a connection with Eleanor. “And they’re not bad to look at either.”
“Luckily, they know how to use those good looks.” Eleanor winks.
We’re both laughing when the door opens slightly and Varek pops his head in. His gaze finds me immediately and warmth fills my soul. I’m about to ask if he’s finished when I hear another voice, not his brother’s, out in the corridor.