7. Xax

Chapter 7

Xax

" T here you are," someone said from behind us before we could enter the stem of my shroom. We turned, and the doors closed.

"Bork," I said as the oldest male in my clan strode over to stand with us. His grandson, ten-year-old Cresar, walked with him.

Bork's gaze fell on Amanda, and his eyes widened. "You said you were going to the Veerenad city. Did you find her . . ."

"This is Amanda," I said. "Amanda? This Bork and his grandson, Cresar. Bork is raising Cresar."

"My parents were killed during a stampede years ago," Cresar told her, gazing at her raptly. "You look funny."

"Cresar," Bork chided, though gently.

"It's alright," she said with a laugh. "Honestly, you look funny to me too."

"I'm not funny looking." He huffed, his spine stiffening. " I have nice blue skin and hair the color of the stars. Why is your skin so pale, and why is your hair such an odd color?"

"Cresar," Bork sighed.

"Truly, it's okay." Amanda's smile didn't waver, and I appreciated that. I appreciated everything about her, actually. She was pretty in her own way, but I sensed a kindness in her that would soothe my soul.

"I apologize." Bork's sincere gaze met Amanda's. "Cresar's young. I indulge him more than I should."

"You do so because you love me." Cresar said simply, leaning against his grandfather's side.

Bork's arm went around the slender Zuldruxian male's shoulders. "I do, youngling. I do." He nodded to Amanda. "It's very nice to meet you."

"You as well," she said.

"Why are you wearing torn clothing?" Cresar's gaze landed on the knot I'd made to hold Amanda's tunic together.

"I tripped and it tore," Amanda said. "As for why I look so different from you, I'm from Earth. It's a planet far from here—I assume. I haven't heard of a planet called Zuldrux, though this could be a part of Venus for all I know. It's not like we've traveled there to find out if anyone can live on the surface. As for my coloring, my ancestors came from Ireland, which is a country . . ." She frowned. "A very large village, I guess you could call it. On Earth. Many of those from Ireland have my coloring, though there are other skin and hair shades there as well. "

Once again, I was stunned by how lovely she was, plus how sweetly she behaved, smiling and speaking to Cresar like she might to another adult. She appeared different than me, different than anyone I'd met on Zuldruxia, but she had a beauty all of her own.

"I can't imagine leaving Zuldrux," Cresar said. "It's not possible, is it Grandfather?"

"Something like that remains within the will of the gods," Bork said wisely.

"Sadly, I was stolen from my planet and brought here," Amanda said. "I doubt there's a way for me to return."

Cresar's eyes filled with tears. "That's sad. I can't imagine leaving my grandfather or our clan."

"It is sad." Amanda pushed out a breath. I couldn't read her emotions there, though I wished I could. "I'm going to take this one day at a time."

I could ask, but what would I do if our god said it could return her to Earth? I didn't want to lose Amanda, but I'd never force her to remain here with me if she truly wished to leave.

"My space pod crashed into the lake, and Xax saved me," she said, her smile growing anew.

"No," Cresar said, his eyes widening. "The jevecks didn't eat you both? They're dangerous. I don't dare swim in the lake."

"Please don't ever try," Bork said. "Use the river." His hand swept toward the back of our village where the water flowed through the forest. It continued for many varns, and while I'd walked beside it for days, I hadn't yet determined where it emptied. The ocean I'd heard of but never visited? Perhaps my mate would like to take this journey to the ocean with me and see the amazing sight.

Assuming she chose to remain here. And assuming she decided she wanted to be my mate.

I didn't like how bleak I felt at the thought that she'd reject me. I was a simple male. Attractive enough if the way the Veerenad lizard females looked at me was anything to go by. Would she find goodness within me, enough to grow feelings, or would she leave me like my parents did when I was young?

Mine hadn't left me like hers; they were killed when a tree fell on them during a storm. But they'd abandoned me just the same.

"What's that?" Bork asked, pointing to the purple plant I still clutched.

"The gods sent it," I said. There was no way I'd mistaken the sign. I tightened my grip on the stalk. Feeling it in my hand reassured me. Plants took time to grow. They didn't shoot from the sky and impale themselves in front of a male unless it was supposed to mean something.

"Sent it?" Bork asked. His gaze traveled to the back of my right hand where a mating mark should've appeared to prove she was my fated mate. Why didn't I have one yet?

I didn't like feeling uncertain about this.

"Yes. It impaled itself in the ground right in front of me."

"Ah." He nodded slowly. "Some sort of sign, then. "

" The sign."

"Do you want to swim in the river with me sometime, Amanda?" Cresar asked, and I was grateful he was taking Bork's attention away from the bare back of my hadn.

"I'd love to." She shot me a smile that made my heart flip over. "As long as there are no jevecks in the depths to bite my toes."

"Not at all," he said. "A few little fish might nibble on your feet, but most will leave you alone."

"How big a fish are we talking about?" she asked.

Cresar lifted his hands, holding them a forearm's length apart. "About this big."

"Oh." Her breathing hitched. "Will you protect me if one of them bites?"

Cresar's chest puffed. He was still rather scrawny when compared to a full-grown male, but he'd broaden as he aged. "I will."

"I will as well." I'd stand guard on the shore while she swam, then walk with her and Cresar back through the forest. I'd remain with her until she was safely inside our shroom once more.

"I'd love to go swimming with you," Amanda said.

"Thanks," he breathed.

So few paid much attention to Cresar. He was a youngling, someone to be disregarded in favor of an adult. The fact that she took time and listened to him meant a lot to me.

It would be very easy to fall in love with Amanda.