Chapter 11

Dakkan

As we entered the alien jungle, the air was thick with the scent of unfamiliar flora and the sounds of unseen creatures rustling in the underbrush. Sabine's pack was filled to the brim and clearly weighed heavily on her. "What did you put in there?"

We had been wandering through the dense foliage for what felt like hours, hoping to find the center of this enigmatic forest and, with any luck, discover a way out. The canopy overhead obscured the sky, casting a murky green light over our surroundings. Sabine's eyes were wide with amazement, her scientific curiosity piqued by the alien environment around us. "You know, important stuff. Things I need."

I could take the pack from her. I'd likely have to at some point. "What kind of ‘stuff'?"

She glanced up at me. "It's mostly medical equipment, okay?" Her voice was defensive. "I need to be able to treat us the next time we get bit by something." She swatted at one of the many bugs flying around. They found her very appealing.

"Did you have to bring the entire supply of devices?"

"Keep your senses sharp, Dakkan," she said. "These plants and creatures are unlike anything I've ever encountered. There could be dangers lurking around every corner."

I nodded, my own senses alert for any sign of threat. Despite my formidable reputation, this place was as unfamiliar to me as it was to Sabine. Even my keen alien instincts struggled to decipher the mysteries of this jungle. "I am."

"We kissed last night," she said.

"I recall." Oh, did I ever.

"We should discuss it. It absolutely can't happen again."

"Why not?" I glanced back at her. Her brow was set in a scowl.

"I'm not looking for romance. I'm here to provide medical care for the women and children of your Thrail. Last night was highly unprofess—"

I turned around and walked right up to her, gazing down into her fierce eyes. "There is nothing professional about what we shared last night or what I want to do to you in the future—thank Skrah for that. I hope you don't expect me to pretend I don't desire you, because I won't. I can't."

Her lips pressed together. "This is no place for romance."

"Who said anything about romance?" I wasn't even sure what "romance" meant for her. Traditional courtship wasn't possible, obviously. Mitran males had learned what human females expected in the pursuit process and had adapted to comply. Humans didn't have the mate urge that we did, so it took time to win them over. They liked doing things like dining together and walking side by side with no destination or purpose. Both of those activities involved an inordinate amount of talking. I already knew that Sabine liked the talking part, and we were walking. What more could she require? "We are aroused by each other's presence," I said. "That will result in copulation one day, and from there, we will be mates."

The momentary blank look she gave me should have been a warning, but I, in a moment of pure foolishness, leaned down to make my point and kiss her again.

Her palm hit my chest before I could get close. "Are you out of your mind?"

"No."

"Oh, I think you are." She slid past me and started walking ahead of me. She wasn't going to get far without me to slash the foliage down before us. "I'm not going to be your mate. I've no plans of staying on Mitra for the rest of my life and if I were to choose a husband, I'd pick one less…"

I didn't grin, although I wanted to. I couldn't wait to hear what she would say. "Less what, Sabine?"

She stopped and turned, eyes dilating as she ran her gaze over me. "Less you."

I tested fate by moving forward a fraction, bringing us closer. "Even now your desire betrays you," I murmured. "I can see it. Feel it. I can smell it."

"I can tell you what you're smelling, and it isn't desire."

"Shut up, Sabine." I ran my fingers down her arm and felt her skin shiver through her light jacket. "It's okay to not always be in complete control."

"Says you, who is always in complete control."

I spread my arms. "I'm not in control of any of this."

She sighed. "Look, I don't like having my future declared for me. Just because I'm attracted to you, doesn't make us a great match. We argue."

"You're stunning when you're angry at me."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You are out of your mind."

"We can debate that later," I said, turning an eye to the sky. "Let's get as far as we can before Skrah sets for the day. I would like to make camp near a water source."

We agreed on that. As we pressed on, we came across a clearing bathed in a soft, ethereal light. The ground was covered in a carpet of iridescent flowers that seemed to shimmer with their own inner glow. Sabine crouched down to examine them, her eyes alight with wonder.

"These flowers… They're emitting some form of bioluminescence," she mused, her fingers gently touching the delicate petals. "It's as if they're communicating with each other."

I watched her in fascination. Despite the perilous circumstances, she remained unyielding in her pursuit of knowledge and interest in the natural world. It was a trait I respected, and one we had in common.

"Perhaps they will add light to the evening," I said. "If they remain prevalent. Let's try not to step on them."

As we continued our journey, the air grew heavier and the atmosphere more oppressive. The day pressed on and I gave her the meat left from the morning meal. As Skrah began to dip toward the horizon and Brinat's red glow lit the jungle, we noticed that the flora had changed.

"The jungle looks like its dying here," she said.

It was true. The plants had become twisted and gnarled, their shapes contorted into grotesque forms that seemed to defy the laws of nature. Previously bright foliage was dark and less lush. There was a palpable sense of unease settling over us, as if the forest itself was resisting our intrusion.

Suddenly, we heard a low, guttural growl emanating from the shadows ahead. Sabine pressed close to my side, while I held my spear in readiness. As the growling grew louder, we saw a pair of glowing eyes staring at us from the thick underbrush.

"Sabine, stay behind me," I commanded, my heart pounding with adrenaline.

But the creature let out a low, menacing growl and retreated into the shadows without attacking.

"What the fuck was that about?" she asked in a tight voice.

"Maybe that wasn't a predator," I replied.

"It sounded like a predator," she said, stepping out from behind me.

"Honestly, I don't know what just happened." I scanned the area. It wasn't as pretty in this part of the habitat, but upon looking closely, I could see that it was just as alive and thriving as the other parts of this jungle. Different plants flourished in this section. The air smelled different, but not unpleasant. "Let's keep going. Stay alert."

I pulled vines back so Sabine could pass and we both held onto trees as the ground was slick with damp moss. The forest, which was looking more like a swamp, had gone quiet.

"It feels weird here," Sabine whispered. "Like we're being watched."

I couldn't disagree with that. There was something strange that I couldn't pinpoint. I heard moving water somewhere up ahead. I wanted to get to that before we made camp. Even if we had to try to sleep in this eerie part of the woods, we'd have a water source. I hacked through a wall of vines and thick branches. The light was low, but I could see what lay before me and stopped.

Sabine bumped into my back. "Oof. Why did you stop?"

"Shh." I held up a hand. "We're not alone." On the other side of that foliage wall were three beasts in a clearing. Each stared at me with glowing eyes and glittering teeth.

"What's there, Dakkan?"

"The growling friend we encountered before has returned," I said grimly. "And it's brought friends."

Sabine poked her head around my arm. "Oh, no."

Suddenly, a dark shape moved in the shadows behind the creatures. It was shaped like a large Mitran male. He carried a spear and tapped it on a rock. The three beasts turned to look at him. "You two," the male said in a deep voice. "Took you long enough to arrive."