Chapter 16

Erhan

Erhan slithered through the nearby forest, every movement carrying him further from the village and deeper toward the remote site where he had stealthily landed their spaceship.

His heart was heavy with the responsibility of their current plight, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him.

He had been avoiding Kleena for two days now, trying to make himself busy with any task he could find. He knew he had to leave this place as soon as possible before he lost control of himself.

“What if she sees right through me?” he wondered aloud. “What if she realizes how much she affects me?”

The trees parted to reveal the clearing where their spaceship should have been.

Scouring the area, Erhan found nothing but disturbed soil and the residual energy signatures of a ship long gone.

His worst suspicions were confirmed. Their only means of escape had been commandeered by the enemy.

The soil bore the marks of recent activity, and the faint traces of campfires told a grim story. Their enemies had camped here, waiting, watching. If he had come back for the ship right after they escaped, it would have been the end of them.

We never had a chance. Every plan I make falls apart. How can I protect her if I can’t even keep a ship safe?

Clenching his fists, Erhan felt a surge of frustration and helplessness.

He wanted to scream, to vent his anger at the unfairness of it all, but he knew that wouldn’t help. He had to stay strong and focused.

Why can’t I just let these feelings go? Why now, of all times?

He chastised himself silently, knowing that his emotions were a liability he couldn’t afford.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within him. He couldn’t let his emotions get the better of him, not now.

As he turned back toward the village, his thoughts inevitably drifted to Kleena.

He’d been avoiding her, not because he didn’t want to see her but because he couldn’t trust himself around her. The feelings she stirred in him were too strong, too dangerous.

I must protect her, but how can I do that when she is my greatest weakness?

As he slithered back, his mind once again replayed the moments they had shared: the warmth of her smile, the sound of her laughter, and the way her eyes seemed to see right through him. He wanted to be close to her, to protect her, but he knew that giving in to those feelings would only put her in more danger.

Returning to the village, Erhan’s facade remained unbroken, but inside, the storm brewed. The reality of their extended stay loomed before him with all its complications. He had to find a way to keep them safe, to find another means of escaping the planet.

On top of that, he had to find a way to keep his emotions in check, to protect Kleena from the turmoil within him as much as from the enemies that surrounded them.

What if I fail her? What if she sees me as the monster everyone else does?

He caught sight of her as he entered the village, her presence a beacon of warmth and light in the midst of his dark thoughts.

She looked up and met his gaze, a question in her eyes, but he quickly looked away, unable to face her.

I can’t let her in. I can’t let her know that I care. It would only make things worse.

As Erhan slithered, he was greeted by the bustling preparations for the annual couple’s blessings. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and music, the villagers’ cheerful voices creating a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within. He tried to blend into the background, hoping to avoid any attention, but it was not to be.

“Erhan! Kleena!” a villager called out, waving them over with a wide smile. “You must join us for the couple’s blessings! It’s an honor for newcomers to participate.”

Erhan’s heart sank. From Calla’s exciting chatter the previous night, he had learned the annual festivity was one of the most significant cultural events in the village, a celebration of fertility and unity among couples.

He glanced at Kleena, her expression mirroring his own discomfort.

They had been carefully avoiding each other because of how awkward he made things, and now, they were being thrust into a situation that demanded closeness and feigned affection.

This is the last thing I need right now. How am I supposed to keep my distance when everyone expects us to act like a couple?

Despite their mutual reluctance, it was impossible to refuse the invitation without raising suspicions. The villagers’ warm, expectant faces left them with little choice.

Erhan nodded, forcing a smile as he agreed to participate. Kleena did the same, their silent glances communicating their shared discomfort.

How do we get through this without tearing down the walls I’ve worked so hard to build?

The festivities began with a series of rituals, each of them symbolizing aspects of unity and partnership.

Erhan felt the weight of every gesture, every touch, as if the cultural significance of the ritual was pressing down on him, reminding him of the boundaries he had fought to uphold.

Every act of feigned devotion felt like a betrayal of his resolve, scattering the lines he had drawn in his heart.

As they stood before the village elder, Erhan reached for Kleena’s hand, the contact sending an unwelcome jolt through his body.

Her hand felt warm and soft in his, a stark reminder of the feelings he struggled so desperately to suppress. He glanced at her, their eyes locking for a moment that felt like an eternity.

Stay focused. This is just a role we’re playing. It doesn’t mean anything.

But despite his attempts to rationalize, he couldn’t deny the growing connection between them. Every forced smile and every shared look only deepened the bond he fought to avoid.

The villagers surrounded them, clapping and cheering, their joy amplifying Erhan’s inner conflict. The ritual continued, requiring them to speak words of affirmation to each other. Erhan hesitated, searching for the right words that wouldn’t betray his true feelings. He looked into Kleena’s eyes, seeing a mix of hope and confusion.

“I… appreciate your strength and resilience,” he said finally, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “You’ve been a true partner in these difficult times.”

Kleena’s eyes softened, and she nodded, her own words echoing his sentiment. “And I appreciate your unwavering dedication to our safety. I couldn’t ask for a better protector.”

Their exchange, though brief, felt charged with unspoken emotions. Erhan struggled to maintain his composure, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

How long can I keep pretending? How long before these walls come crashing down?

The ritual ended with a symbolic gesture of unity, a dance that required them to move in sync, their gestures mirroring the harmony expected of a true couple.

Erhan’s heart pounded as they danced, their bodies moving together in perfect rhythm. He felt every movement, every touch, acutely aware of the growing intimacy.

By the time the festivities drew to a close, Erhan was exhausted—not from the physical exertion, but from the emotional strain.

As the villagers dispersed, he released Kleena’s hand, the absence of her touch leaving a strange emptiness in his heart.

He needed to get away, to find a place where he could think clearly. He nodded to Kleena, muttering an excuse about needing fresh air, and glided briskly toward the outskirts of the village.

I can’t let this continue. I need to find a way out of this situation before it’s too late.

Erhan found a secluded spot, his back against a tree as he allowed his tail to coil and sank to the ground, his head in his hands.

He replayed the events of the evening in his mind, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him.

I have to protect her, but I can’t let my guard down. I can’t afford to let these feelings get in the way.

He took a deep breath, the cool night air filling his lungs, trying to calm the storm within. Erhan knew he had to find a way to reinforce the walls around his heart, to keep his emotions in check.

For Kleena’s sake, and for his own, he had to stay strong. Even if it meant continuing this painful charade, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness, he would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

That was his duty, and he could not fail her. Not again.