Chapter 13

Zara

The same familiar scent I’ve woken up to for the last three days invades my senses, and I smile against the warm body I’m practically lying on top of. Despite the lingering aches everywhere, I’m not entirely uncomfortable. The ground beneath me is much softer than it’s been now that I’m sleeping in my furs in my own tent, even with the familiar lump I’ve grown used to. Something I can finally admit I wasn’t entirely positive would ever happen.

While I was with the Njeri, I refused to even think about the possibility I wouldn’t make it back to the Tavikhi village, but deep down, where I’d buried every negative outcome, the knowledge that there was a chance I’d die was present. It almost feels like this is just a dream and when I wake up, I’ll be back with those fuck faces.

I breathe in Kyler’s comforting scent and slowly open my eyes so I can ground myself in the here and now. That sense of relief hits at the sight of lavender skin and black mating marks. Light filters in through the opening above and shines directly on his face. His eyes remain closed, and I take the time to study his features.

There are a few more noticeable fine lines around his eyes and between his brow bones. He has more white strands of hair than yellow ones and there are a few patches here and there across his shoulders and along his chest where his skin shade is slightly paler than the rest. To the point I’d even consider it gray. Kyler’s still sexy as fuck. I’m not sure how I got this lucky, but I’m not going to question it again.

I shift closer, almost rubbing against him like a cat in heat—completely forgetting about my injury—until pain shoots through me, and I hiss. His eyes open and he’s instantly alert.

“What is wrong? Where are you hurt?”

My cheeks heat with embarrassment over trying to dry hump him and I wave him off. “I’m fine. This damn arm keeps getting in my way.”

Kyler studies me for a second and I can almost swear he knows exactly what I’d been doing. I try not to flinch under his steady gaze. Finally, he blinks, and the connection is broken. He sits up and I brush off the fact my feelings are a little hurt that he didn’t even try to kiss me good morning. Maybe he was just being nice when he said my breath didn’t stink. I brushed my teeth last night, but that doesn’t mean the freshness hasn’t worn off.

He turns slightly and stares down at me. “Are you hungry? I will bring us something to eat before I must go back to the healer’s tent to check in on the wounded again.”

“I’m okay. You go ahead.” I push myself upright. “I’m going to go find one of the girls to help me with a bath. I’m so ready to feel clean again.”

“You will be careful?” Kyler asks.

I nod. “Of course.”

He hesitates for only a second, and as though sensing my disappointment, he leans forward and kisses me. It’s brief, but no less powerful than any others we’ve shared. Except I want more. I thought I’d get it last night, but then this stupid broken arm had to go and cock-block me. Kyler draws away and gets to his feet.

“I will see you at the midday meal?”

That long? Jesus, when did I become such a needy bitch ? “Yes, I’ll see you then.”

His eyes stay locked on mine for a minute until finally, he dips his head and walks out. I stare at the flap, waiting for him to come back, but it remains closed. With a heavy sigh, I flop back onto my furs and sling my good forearm over my eyes.

I’m not sure how long I lay there, but there’s a slapping sound against the door flap. “It’s Eloise. Can I come in?”

“Yeah.”

I move my arm to expose one eye and squint at the light that shines in through the entrance as she steps inside.

“You okay down there?” she chuckles.

“I’m wasting away from the lack of dick.” I slowly push myself to sitting again and huff in annoyance. “Why can’t these Tavikhi males be a little less gentlemanly?”

“Because they love and respect their women and sometimes tend to be a little over-protective.”

Eloise and I share a look before bursting out laughing.

“Okay, so maybe a lot over-protective,” she clarifies. “But that’s what makes them such amazing guys. They’ll do anything for us. Especially when they think we might get hurt. It’s in their DNA to care for their mates.”

“I know. This stupid broken arm isn’t doing me any favors though.” I raise it. “How long do bones take to heal, anyway?”

She winces. “Usually around eight to twelve weeks.”

“Two or three months?” I croak out. “Are you telling me that Kyler isn’t going to do more than kiss me for the next two or three months?”

“I mean, I’m sure there are things you could do to persuade him otherwise.” She shrugs. “It’s not as though you don’t have any feminine wiles. Use them.”

This is why I like Eloise. She isn’t above doing what needs to be done to get what she wants. From hearing her tell it, she’s the one who seduced Zedam. I’m not above seducing Kyler. I just wish this stupid splint and sling weren’t in the way. It’s hard to be sexy when I’ve got this thing strapped across my chest.

“You’re right. I have wiles. They might be a little rusty, but I definitely have them.” At least, I think I do. “Let’s start with getting my stank-ass clean. Because I do not feel sexy in any way smelling like socks that have been soaked in sweat and piss for ten days and then set out in the desert heat to cook the scent in.”

Eloise makes a gagging sound. “That is not the visual I needed.”

She holds out a hand, and with her help, I climb to my feet. “Let me grab some clean clothes and soap.”

I rifle through everything in the pile I know is actually clean and manage to snag what I need, although I have to sniff the jeans to make sure they aren’t really dirty. Eloise helps me carry some of it. As we leave my tent, I get my first good glimpse of the village in the daylight.

“So much was destroyed.” My eyes burn seeing the destruction as I take it all in while we walk toward the river.

“It was, but we’re rebuilding,” Eloise says. “Even some of the humans from the settlement have been here to help.”

“Really?” I know relations between the Tavikhi and the humans that opted to stay back in the settlement after the Krijese attack that brought London, me, and the rest of my friends here have improved slightly over the last nearly five months, I just hadn’t realized they’d improved that much.

“I think Gary and Adam finally accepted the fact that things would be better for them if they were on good terms with the people who could actually protect them if the Njeri decide to invade them,” Eloise points out. “Look what happened here with a village full of trained warriors. The humans at the settlement wouldn’t stand a chance. Although, if I’m being honest, I’m kind of surprised they didn’t start there, all things considered.”

We reach the riverbank and come to a stop.

“Everybody there is lucky. The only reason I can think they started here was because it was harder. I mean, if they could take out the Tavikhi warriors, then raiding the human settlement after that would be a cake walk.” It’s the only thing that makes sense. “Handicap our village so we have to use all our resources to protect ourselves and then go for the weak ones.”

Eloise nods. “You might be right. I just hope that doesn’t mean the Njeri are regrouping and planning to try again.”

“Let’s hope.” I sigh and then grin. “Well, I guess you’re the lucky one who gets to help me get naked.”

She laughs. “Yay, me.”

“Didn’t think this all the way through when I mentioned needing a bath, did you?” I hold up my broken arm.

“I did not, but don’t say I’m not a good friend who helps someone out in need.” Eloise walks over and together we somehow manage to get me out of my clothes.

She hands me the berries we use as soap, and I pad out into the water. “Motherfucker, it’s cold.”

“Don’t be such a baby,” she calls out.

I give her the finger as I wade farther into the deeper area. All she does is chuckle. Once I’m submerged up to my chest, I quickly wash my entire body as best I can. When I’m done, I do it again until I finally feel human. Now comes the hard part. I hold my broken arm up in the air and dunk my entire body. In seconds, I come up sputtering and swiping hair out of my face.

“Fuuuuuuuck.”

“Need some help out there?” Eloise hollers and it’s clear she’s trying not to laugh.

“I hate you right now.”

“You love me,” she sing-songs.

With a disgruntled huff, I make my way back to shore. “I can’t wash my hair.”

“Come on, let’s get you dressed, and then you can lie down.”

With her help, I manage to get my clean clothes on and positioned on my back so I can tilt my head into the water. Eloise quickly lathers up the soap and threads her fingers through the wet strands. To my surprise, she gives an amazing head massage. I peer up at her.

“You’re good at this.”

A flash of sadness crosses her face. “I had to help my friend Johnna wash her hair back on our ship after she broke her wrist.”

The terraforming ship Eloise worked on had been attacked by space pirates, and she and her friends managed to make it off the thing in escape pods before it exploded. The aftershocks sent the pods in different directions, so she has no idea what happened to her crewmates, or if they’re even alive.

I reach up and lay my hand on top of hers. I don’t want to offer false words of hope, because we have no way of knowing Johnna’s all right. I squeeze Eloise’s hand in support. “I pray she was as lucky as you.”

She offers me a small smile and finishes washing my hair in silence. Once it’s rinsed out, she squeezes as much moisture out of it as she can and helps me to my feet. I manage to get my arm back in the sling with only the slightest bit of help. I’m sure I’m going to have to have Kyler adjust the splint again. It’ll be worth it though to feel clean.

We walk back toward the village where there’s a ton of commotion. Eloise and I glance at each other before we take off jogging toward the central fire where we can already see tribespeople gathering. But they’re not alone. Fear shoots through me and my steps stutter until I realize no alarms are being sounded. In fact, Zander steps forward and clasps arms with a stranger.

An extremely beautiful male stranger wearing a tight-fitting, black sleeveless shirt that accentuates a muscular build to rival most of the Tavikhi and matching pants that mold just a little too well to his…oh wow. I almost choke. His copper skin shimmers in the sunlight and his short, teal hair has the perfectly tousled look as though someone weaved their fingers through it to muss it just enough .

I squint. Are those horns peeking through, too?

Oh my God, they are. Well, hello, new mister alien man.