Earth Mars Love (The Marsikons)

Chapter 35

He tried to swallow his remorse, while Regina searched his gaze. Then she slowly closed the distance between their mouths, and hesitantly slanted her lips over his. The hot desire seared his veins. Not giving her a second to change her mind, he crushed her to him. Their mouths and tongues moved in a passionate dance of feverish kisses until her body melted to his. His hands roamed all over her body, satisfying his tactile hunger for her. Her hands were in his hair, pulling and tugging, sending hot chills over his body.

He wanted more of her, was desperate for her.

His heart swelled with emotion.

He loved her. The emotion was so deeply ingrained that his heart painfully ached from it. He wanted to stay like that, he in her arms, and she – in his, forever.

He couldn't go to Mars like this. Not without her. His heart belonged here, on Earth, with Regina.

He was sending all his love through the kiss, hoping that she was feeling the same.

One moment she was kissing him back, the next she moved away.

"You're the Prince. What does it mean?" she whispered, heavily breathing. In her heavy-lidded gaze, he almost couldn't see her hazel irises. She moved her hands to his waist, gripping it.

Mention of his heritage sobered him instantly. He didn't want to mar this moment, he wanted to stay in the moment of total bliss, with Regina in his arms forever. But he must be honest with her. He must face the reality of their worlds and tell her everything about being the Prince of Mars.

He put his hands on her upper arms, squeezing them gently. His heart was still beating too fast after their passionate kiss, but it slowed down a bit after the deep exhale.

"I'm the only son of the King of Mars. In our tradition, the rights to rule are passed when the son is ready. Usually, it's around thirty earthly years old. That way, the father is still relatively young and can have well-deserved rest, but our nation has a young leader, who knows what is the best for his generation. Father can still be an adviser, but all decisions are made by the new King."

"And you are ready for this role," she whispered, her eyes never wavering from his.

"Yes, I've been preparing for this since I was three years old," he exhaled, thinking how much time he had to come to terms with his heritage, but he still felt dread. He took in a deep breath, "So, as soon as we're back on Mars, there would be preparations for coronation and father would pass me ruling of the Marsikons," he was saying it slowly, reluctantly, like his body was also against this concept.

***

Regina had wondered before what role Marcus had in their trio. Kos was a scientist, Darius was a computer genius, and now she understood what skills Marcus brought to the team. He was their leader, their champion, and he would fight for the Marsikons and Mars till the end. He would be a great King.

Then she remembered another thing he'd told her. That no King ever left his domain. And she knew better than anyone that no matter two people's commitment to a long-distance relationship, if his domain required him to close his heart to love, who was she to demand otherwise? She'd been selfish shutting herself off to the world. She wouldn't be selfish in opening herself up to it, either.

"So, you chose to go to the Earth now, because you wouldn't be able to do it after you're a King?" she said quietly, looking at him through her lashes. She gripped his waist tighter, already understanding what it had meant for them. That they didn't have any possible future together.

He looked sad, when he replied, "In a part, yes. But also, because I wouldn't let anyone else go on this suicide trip. If something would've happened to them, I couldn't have ever forgiven myself. My father was furious that I enlisted myself, but my Mom was calm. She convinced him that everything would be all right with me because even before she was pregnant, she saw a vision, that she would have a son, Marcus, who would save Mars. Reluctantly, father agreed, but he made me promise, that when I got back, he would proclaim me the King right away."