Chapter 8

The sound of a light-clicking noise wakes me up, and it takes me a minute to remember where I am. WhenI can't place the noise, I snuggle back into the heat behind me only to realize. I have a huge arm draped over my side, holding me close.

ZoDis breathing evenly behind me, so he must be asleep. I reckon I should be mad that he thought it was ok to sleep with me, but what's the point? I am not a child, and he has done nothing to hurt me so far. So technically, I have no reason to be angry with him. I could spend the rest of my life ranting and raving and nothing would change the fact that I am lying in bed with an alien.

Wow, my mind just shuts off with that thought. It doesn't matter how I got here, or how long it took. Or the fact that all my personal choices were taken away from me. I would still be right here. I should take ZoD up on meeting the few other humans left, but hell I didn't get along well with others before all this shit happened.

Myluck, it would just be a bunch of stuck-up city girls whom I would have zero in common with besides how we all got here. Would staying here be so bad? I have no clue. MaybeI should look at this like I moved to a different country where I don't understand all their customs. ButI don't remember flesh-eating worms listed on the brochure.

Suddenlytoo hot, I squirm around until I am facing ZoD. He looks ten years younger while sleeping. I have to make myself not trace the markings on his face. They are extreme compared to his white skin coloring. The room is slowly lightening due to the one window in here. This allows me to see him better, and that's when I notice he isn't as colorless as I first thought.

Hislips are actually dark gray and quite full to be on a guy. He has a square jawline with really high cheekbones. Because of his bright eye coloring, I never noticed his black eyelashes before. His jaw twitches, and that's when I notice his ears are slightly pointed. He is absolutely fascinating. I could probably spend hours looking at him and I still would miss something. Whoever created this race had one hell of an imagination. They sure make us humans look plain and boring.

Ibelieve things could have been much worse for me if I had not ended up here. Taking in what I know so far, ZoD seems caring. His people worship him, and he is good to his kids. That's better traits than most human guys have. What is my place here in this world, though? I am so caught up in my own thoughts that I don't notice him staring back at me at first.

"Good rising, Amori. Did you rest well?"

"Considering everything, yeah, I think I did. Something ticking woke me up, and it took a minute for me to realize where I was. Why did you bring me in here with you? The way I acted yesterday, I would have thought you'd put me on that couch thing."

"The ticking you're hearing is dirt hitting the outside of the dwelling. When the suns first emerge, the winds are intense, and you can hear it through the walls. As to why I brought you here. I couldn't bear to put you down and we both needed to rest. Do you mind waking up here with me?"

Ishrug. "It wasn't too bad. I don't really have anything to compare it to. Never woke up with an alien before. You smell good, that's a plus, and it seems like you like to snuggle, so that's a perk too. I was just thinking about how much worse things could have turned out if you hadn't bought me. Even though I still don't understand hardly anything that's happened, it doesn't make a difference. I am here and I need to figure out what's next. Did you know your ears are pointed?"

Hissudden smile brightens up his entire face, and I feel like I am seeing him for the first time. The only sad part is, I know he rarely has a reason to laugh or smile. BeforeI realize what I am doing, I trace his bottom lip with my fingertip. ThenI run my fingers softly over the markings on his cheeks. His bright orange eyes trace my every move. "You are so different."

"AmI really? I must not see us in the same light." He lifts his hand towards my face slowly tracing along the same places I had just done to him. "We both have two eyes, but now that I can look at you closer it's easy to tell that your nose is cuter than mine. You have two lips that are beckoning me to kiss. Skin so smooth and unblemished that I am scared to touch it because I don't want to hurt you. Me, on the other hand, I am equipped with two robust arms to hold you close and a sturdy body to shield you from any danger that may come your way. TheLord of Light gently placed into my hands a beautiful female that came from a faraway star, for me to cherish. I see the fire that lights up your soul just as I see the grief you are trying to overcome. We are only as different as we allow our eyes to see. If you could not see me, would you know the difference? Or would the care I provide you be enough?"

"Damn, big guy, how has one of your own not snatched you up? You're right, and I don't admit that easily. IfI could not see you, your actions would say it all. I am thoroughly confused by the things that have happened and trust doesn't come easily for me. Some part of my mind tells me to run and not believe a word you say. The rational part tells me to pay attention to your words and actions. My heart is drawn to your words and how easy it is to be around you. I don't know what to listen to."

Hepushes my hair off my face, then tilts his forehead to mine. "The good part is you don't have to figure it all out this rising. Push the bad to the back of your mind and try to come to terms with the changes around you. I wish I could spend this rising, easing you into my world, but things never happen the way we want. Unfortunately, Raya has been covering for me long enough, and I have a few things to tend to. Would you like to go with me? ... Never mind, I shouldn't assume you would want to spend the rising with me. What would you prefer to do?"

"If the offer still stands, I wanna go with you. Aren't you worried about what others are going to say or do when they see me walking around with you? You know, the big commander showing the alien girl all your secrets."

Heshakes his head and smiles once again. "Amori, one thing I have come to understand about you is there will never be a boring moment between us. My people will be curious, and that's why they need to see you by my side. There are several things in my alien world. I hope you will come to enjoy, as much as I do, that I would love to share with you."

Hedoesn't have a chance to say anything else because his wrist beeps. He snarls when he looks down at it then hits the button. "Yes?"

"Father, we are receiving a secured message on an encrypted line. Do you want us to send it straight to you or leave it unanswered?"

"Send it to my personal quarters and I will answer it momentarily."

"I am …"

Puttingmy fingers over his lips. "Don't apologize, ZoD. You're an important guy, I get it. I need to go to the bathroom and clean up. If you have time afterward, maybe you can show me around then."

Hepulls me close, his large arms practically encasing my entire torso. I feel him kiss the top of my head before he rolls away from me, heading into the other room. My eyes stare after him until he is out of sight. In all my years, I don't think I have ever felt a hug like that. It would be easy to fall for a guy that makes you feel like the world revolves around you. The moment those thoughts cross my mind I push them away. I am simply new to him and after a while, he will show his true colors; all guys do.

Ihave to make myself get up and face the day. In my mind, I consistently repeat the need to be both open-minded and invisible. I know the best way to learn the truths around me is to be able to move around freely. Up until now, I have simply taken ZoD's words as facts, but what if he is lying and there is a chance I can get back home?