Rao leaned back onto his desk. "Yes, but that doesn't mean much. It's only a month."
"A lot can happen in a month," she said with hope. "She's from Earth, and Earth women like to be spoken to. They like for the person to get to know them. You guys are from two different planets with two very different backgrounds. Stop trying to impress her and try to just understand her. Win her heart that way."
He wanted to tell her he wasn't trying to win her heart. He didn't deserve it. He opened his mouth to tell her, but she waved a hand, stopping him.
She sighed. "If you really want her to have a nice time, that's the way to do it. Talk to her, get to understand her. No woman wants to be shown all this and not be spoken to."
He snapped his mouth shut, taking her words in. He could consider it. He could try to talk to her and maybe get to know who she was. She was his fated mate. After all, the least he could do was try.
"I'll take your words into consideration."
She seemed to be happy about that response. "Good, that's what I'd like to hear."
He tilted his head, looking at her. Riley wasn't one to come into his chamber, even to catch up. So, there must have been a reason she came into the room. He gave her a look. "Riley, why did you come in here?"
"To say hi," she said with a chuckle. "Why else?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
Riley stayed quiet for a moment before she sighed and took a seat on a chair. She patted her outfit and looked back up at him. "Well, I suppose there are two reasons. I do have something on my mind that I'd like for you to know about."
"Which is?" He could tell it might not be the easiest thing for her to bring up, considering she was growing nervous herself.
She rubbed her hands together. "I just got back from visiting with your brother."
His heart faltered and twisted painfully.
"After speaking with Jagi, it sounded like he was open to the idea of reconciliation." Riley looked up at him, and Rao had to bite back a snarl. "I would like for you to maybe think about it as well."
He gripped his hands into tight fists and felt his jaw clench. He felt like he could crack a tooth if he ground harder. His nostrils flared, and his eyes darkened. Riley swallowed, almost looking like she could throw up.
"I will not even consider the idea of reconciling with my brother." He inhaled sharply. "He is dead to me and will remain just that. A dead body. How dare you even bring him up!"
He watched Riley's eyes harden, and her lips fell into a straight stern line. "You're being ridiculous now, Rao. For once, could you set your anger aside and think about the good this could bring you? You're acting like an idiot."
She pushed herself up. "You have a brother who cares about you. You have a mate waiting to be loved, and you're acting like you have nothing. You aren't going to win any martyr awards for acting like this."
He inhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You act like it's so simple. Like what happened in the past doesn't matter. It isn't black and white."
Riley took a step toward him, softening her tone. "I know it's not that simple, but Rao, you have to try. You need to stop acting so stupid and allow your heart to heal. It's been years. Do you think your parents would want this? Forgive your brother and allow Lexi to love you. At least let her try. What harm could that do? What harm could come of you moving forward?"
So much. He knew if he opened his heart and she didn't want him, it would hurt more. Why allow himself to be hurt more than he already was? His past haunted him, and he didn't want to add more to it by doing something stupid now.
He hardened himself and shook his head. "There is no reason for that because, in a month, Lexi will leave because she won't love me. I already know that. My brother doesn't want forgiveness. He doesn't mean it when he says that, so everything you are trying so hard to push is moot."
He shook his head. "And if you'll be so kind, I need to get ready for my date. So, leave."
Riley remained silent, but after a few moments, she turned, and she left, leaving him alone with nothing to do but think.
He needed to calm himself if he wanted the date to go well. But that was the thing … did he want it to?
CHAPTERSIX
LEXI
Lexi stood awkwardly in front of the mirror while Trull tugged the snug dress over her hips. She was frowning sullenly at herself and couldn’t seem to stop. “Trull, I’m really not sure about this,” Lexi said hesitantly.
“Don’t be silly,” Trull said, not taking her eyes off the hem. “It’s fabulous.”