“It would be an honor to host another human guest, I’m sure,” he says, the sarcasm dripping from his tone. Clark picks up on it immediately, but I smile through the tension, leading the men back in the direction of the town hub. As we venture towards the city, Kajin speaks up with obvious reluctance. “I need to gather some supplies before we head back to the city. Since we’re out now…,” he trails off, watching Clark with a sneer. “I can trust you two to behave yourselves?” He inquires snidely, and Clark bristles at the implication.
“Go get your supplies. We’ll wait here for you,” Clark bites out, looking to me for reassurance. Though I’m not entirely confident about being left alone with Clark, I don’t have it in me to voice the concern.
“We’ll be fine, Kajin,” I assure him gently. His gaze softens as he glances towards me, and he nods his head once before slipping back into the forests. As soon as he slips away, Clark takes me by the arm and pulls me in close. “Clark, what in the world--” I blurt, cut short when he shushes me none too politely.
"The communication hub on the ship… it was seriously damaged in the crash. In the time I've been camping here, however, I managed to repair it enough to send out a signal," he says, excitement glinting in his eyes. Mine widen in shock and what should be pleasure, however, the sensation I feel is closer to fear.
“You got a message to Earth?” I inquire haltingly, and he hesitates for a moment, his expression drooping slightly.
“Not quite Earth. But a close enough system that they have vowed to send the message onward. We can get off of this hellish planet, Kara. We can go home,” he breathes, reaching out to grasp my hand. I shift uncomfortably, looking at our joined hands with barely disguised disdain. I should be happy. Though I had been thrilled to see Clark, it had been more for the sake of his survival than the fact that he might find us a way home. Still, my lack of excitement makes little sense, even to me.
“We’ve come so far, though… to leave now would leave our expedition dismantled in vain. We have to try and salvage the mission somewhat, don’t we? Don’t we owe that to the rest of the crew at least?” I inquire softly, and his eyes narrow critically upon me.
"I get the feeling your reasons for wanting to stay are not so pure," he says in a growl. I quirk a brow at him, and he jerks his head in the direction Kajin had gone. "You're rather cozy with the natives, aren't you? Or a native, in particular, it would seem," he hisses. My eyes widen, and I can't help but sneer at the implication he's making. It's not as if his assumption is wrong, regarding my relationship with Kajin at least. He's entirely wrong on my reasons for wanting to remain, however. The angry glint in his eye seems to indicate he wouldn't believe reason even if I tried, however.
I grit my teeth, turning away from him and waiting for Kajin to return. The potential of returning home to Earth is a tempting one, but it’s not one I can decide so easily.
CHAPTER FIVE
When Kajin returns, the tension between Clark and I could likely be cut with a knife. The alien man looks between the two of us with a rather odd expression, settling his gaze upon me and quirking a curious smile. He holds up the carcass of a slain animal, and I can’t help but light up at the sight.
“I’ll have to take samples,” I say, excitement resonating from my voice. Clark levels me with a rather disdainful look from the corner of his eye.
“Oh, yes. We forgot to gather the supplies for your study, Kara. We will have to return to the crash site in the coming days,” Kajin says apologetically, and I shrug my shoulders, looking towards Clark with an equally snide expression.
"It's of little consequence. Perhaps I'll make an attempt to learn the ins and outs of your planet's technology," I say coolly. I dare not mention the rescue signal that Clark had sent to a nearby system, fearing what Kajin's reaction will be. Clark seems to take the hint, remaining silent about the signal as well. The human man simply trails behind my alien lover and me, eyeing us with obvious scorn. There's obviously something he wants to discuss, but I don't care to give him a moment of my time, at least not quite now.
As we step into the city, Kajin greets the guard once more. The other native critically scrutinizes Clark, offering me a faint smile before allowing us passage. I'm relieved to see that Clark isn't subjected to the same collaring treatment that I had been previous, and I make a note not to mention it to the man. I know he will have less sympathy for the native customs than I had, and even I had been reluctant to accept the collaring. We approach Kajin's home, and he opens the door for Clark and me to step inside. He trails behind me, keeping a close eye on Clark. The human male examines the housing area and I step up beside Kajin, pressing a tender kiss to his cheek.
"I am going to carve this ubuton. I will leave you enough flesh for a sample before cooking it up. Feel free to show your human friend around," Kajin murmurs, returning my kiss but one-upping me with a peck on the lips. Clark watches us with narrowed eyes but remains silent until Kajin leaves us to our own devices. He approaches me with pursed lips, arms crossed firmly over his chest.
“You realize you’re little more than a sex slave, right? Once he grows tired of you, his people will probably see you killed. This planet is full of savages, and he’s just the same as the rest of them,” Clark says coldly. I stiffen, glancing in the direction Kajin had gone. Though they were thoughts I had been forced to consider, it didn’t feel particularly nice to have them thrown in my face.
“I’m old enough to make my own decisions, Clark. You don’t get to decide who I spend time with,” I bite out. He smiles a bitter smile, resting a hand on my shoulder.
"You mean, I don't get to decide who you sleep with. At least, not anymore. I can remember a time not so long ago that you would have been more than eager to have me hike up that skirt of yours," he says crassly. I just scarcely resist the desire to slap him, slipping away from him and in the direction, Kajin had gone. I don't care to entertain Clark's foul notions any longer, and it seems like he's merely getting a kick out of my irritation at this point.
I find Kajin in what I suppose is his backyard of sorts. There is a small garden, and a rack where he has meat hung up to dry. He seems to sense my presence before I can announce myself, turning to quirk a smile at me.
“I saved enough for your sample,” he says with a toothy grin. I force a smile in return, trying to ignore the churning feeling in my stomach. He quirks a brow at my lack of response, stepping closer to me to press the back of his hand to my forehead. “You humans are more inclined towards sickness, are you not? I want to be sure you are in good health,” he murmurs before drawing away.
"Oh, I'm not ill. At least, not physically," I breathe, taking his hand in my own and brushing my fingers against the back of his knuckles. He watches me with a vaguely content expression, though he seems concerned by what he considers a human ailment. I suppose he's right if heartache is a human notion alone. I watch as his face becomes increasingly worried, and stand on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. Though I'm not certain it will do much to soothe him, I can hope as much.
“Kajin…,” I begin reluctantly, cupping his cheek in my hand. He places his hand atop my own, tenderly stroking my skin. “Clark seems to think that you are… taking advantage of me in some way. He thinks that you can’t feel the level of emotion that I feel for you. He implied that I was little more than a human sex toy,” I blurt, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. His dark eyes widen in shock, and he wraps his arms around me and draws me in close.
“Kara, do you really think I feel nothing for you?” He inquires gently, stroking my hair as I bury my face in his broad chest. I simply grunt out a reply, enjoying the intimacy of our closeness. “I will allow that if the circumstances were otherwise, that is very well what you could have become. However… I would be lying if I did not admit to harboring some sort of deeper feelings for you. I do not know what you refer to it as, on earth. It is a warmth in my heart, the desire to bring you happiness, no matter the stakes. I know I have
offered little comfort, but know that even if the council suggested, I would not see harm befall you,” he says soothingly, rubbing my back. I draw away, looking him in the eye. He meets my gaze, smiling a tender smile before scooping me up in his arms. “Perhaps it would be better if I were to show you how I feel,” he smiles. I do not have it within me to resist. He carries me to his bedroom, and there is no question in my mind that what we’re doing is making love.
Though it was certainly not my intention, I find that I will have more difficulty than expected, leaving this place. Then, the thought strikes me. Perhaps I won’t leave. Perhaps I will remain here, at Kajin’s side. I can’t imagine a more appealing fate, even on my home planet.
I decidedly keep my decision regarding my fate to myself, refusing to tell Clark of my attempt to remain on this planet. We have not had any outright arguments, mostly because I have been ignoring his attempts to engage me in conversation. I have nothing to say to the man. Any part of me that may have loved him in the past has faded to new and more intense affection for Kajin. I don’t say as much, not eager to cause another fallout between the men. However, it is all I can do to contain my excitement for Clark’s departing. Though it is certainly not set in stone, and I have not expressed my old flame’s attempts to contact earth to my new alien lover, I have the deepest of hopes that something will cause Clark to leave. If not this planet, the city at least.
As the days pass, however, Clark becomes increasingly bold with his attempts to engage me. He brushes against me, whispering crude words into my ear when Kajin is not around to witness it. Truthfully, it instills a bit of fear within me. I don’t know what Clark is capable of, though I know that he is reluctant to let an issue go once he puts his mind to it. That’s part of what had caused our initial breakup. Perhaps the worst of all is when he makes an attempt to grope or otherwise harass me when Kajin is only in the next room. I dare not call out to my new lover, fearful that he would kill the human male if presented the opportunity. While I know better than to think Kajin and his people are mere savages, I know they are a warrior people. Kajin would not take kindly to the lack of respect he’s receiving from Clark.
I’m busying myself in my new study, a small nook that Kajin and I had constructed with the most reluctant of help from Clark. It isn’t anything like my lab back home, but it will do until further facilities can be arranged. I don’t hear Clark approach, but I sense his presence as he begins to loom over me. I draw away from my microscope, turning to face the other human. His smile is wicked, and he pushes me back against the wall, pinning my hands on either side of me.
“What are you doing?” I blurt angrily, and he presses his lips to the column of my throat.
“If I can not convince you with words, I’ll simply have to show you what you’re missing out on. What you’re giving up, when you screw around with that alien savage,” he murmurs against my skin. I struggle against him, panic washing over me as I realize he fully intends to rape me. However, as if smelling my fear, Kajin rushes in and snatches Clark by the back of his collar. He throws the human man across the room, examining me for injuries.
“Are you okay?” He whispers lovingly, and I press myself into his embrace.
“Don’t kill him. It’s not worth it. Just… leave it, Kajin. Please. For me,” I mutter, tears streaming down my cheeks. He brushes a hand through my hair before turning to face the disheveled human man.
“It would do well for you to know that you are not to touch Kara without her express consent. If she would have you, I would not come between it. However, it is clear that you’re pressing an issue where you are unwanted,” Kajin says coldly. His teeth are bared in an almost animalistic gesture, and I swallow a thick lump in my throat as Clarke storms towards the door.
Something has to give, it’s only a matter of time at this point.
CHAPTER SIX
The next day, I awake in Kajin’s arms. He has decided to keep a closer eye on me while Clark remains in our company. Clark himself is growing increasingly distant, though I don’t have many complaints on that front. I could go the rest of my life without speaking to him, were it an option. This morning, however, Clark seems exceptionally chipper. I watch him warily, not knowing exactly what he has up his sleeve. He approaches me and Kajin that afternoon, smiling a daring smile at the alien man.
“I have news,” he reports boldly, and I draw nearer to Kajin, having the vaguest of ideas of what this news could be. Kajin seems altogether uninterested, but allows Clark audience, gesturing for him to continue. “I have received a signal from planet Earth. They have sent a rescue team, who will be arriving at our crash site by this evening,” he smirks. Kajin, much to our mutual surprise, simply smiles in response.
“That is certainly news,” he says noncommittally. Clark narrows his eyes dangerously, drawing nearer to the two of us.
“If you are to try and stop my return to earth, it will be a matter of intergalactic war. I’m well respected on my planet, and I can give the word for the United States army to launch war upon your planet,” he says with a wicked smile. I stiffen at Kajin’s side, but the alien man simply shrugs his shoulders, gesturing towards the door.
“I care not for your United States but if you want to leave, I will make no move to stop you. I will even escort you to the rescue site, to ensure that you are not injured by the planet’s fauna. You seem the foolish sort to take on a wild bagaloon with only your bare fists,” Kajin chuckles, and I manage to relax, if only slightly.
“I would think that you would be more upset to lose your little sex toy,” Clark bites out. Kajin narrows his eyes, reaching out to grasp the human man by his shirt collar. He draws him in closer, pulling him off his feet and meeting his gaze with a steely expression.
"I will thank you for showing my mate the respect she deserves," he begins, hesitating before turning to face me. "I know the Earth is your home, and I would not presume to ask you to remain here with me. However, I want you to know that my soul is forever entwined with yours. We are fated to be, in the everlasting afterlife. I love you, Kara," he says gently. My eyes widen, and I can do little but throw my arms around his neck, drawing him in for a passionate kiss.
“I love you too,” I whisper against his lips, drawing away and shooting Clark a dirty look. “I intend to remain here, with you and your people. Space travel has always been my dream, and you, Kajin, are a dream come true. I dare not lose you for the sake of a home that is no longer my own,” I murmur, holding him close. He inhales a shuddering breath, pulling away to consider me with his wide and dark eyes.
“You are sure this is what you want?” He asks gently, and I nod my head fervently in response.
“I could want nothing more. Let’s see Clark to his rescue pod, and I can finally return to my studies here, in peace,” I say, glancing to Clark with pursed lips. He watches the two of us with wide eyes, sputtering nearly incoherently.
“Kara! You can’t stay here! The Earth is your home! Have you gone absolutely mad?” He cries out, struggling as Kajin takes him by the arm and guides him out of our now-shared home.
“If love is a form of madness, consider me absolutely batty,” I say with a smirk. I lead the men to the crash site turned rescue site, spotting an earth vessel long before we reach the location. I hesitate, glancing to Kajin with a soft smile. “I will say my goodbyes, and then… it’s the two of us, here on out,” I murmur. Kajin nods obligingly, trailing after me as I make my way to the human vessel.
“Captain Nolan! You did survive! It’s so wonderful to see you in one piece,” the apparent captain of the rescue vessel announces. I nod my head politely, speaking before Clark can possibly interrupt me.
“I indeed survived the crash. However, I will not be returning to Earth with you and your crew. My research is needed on this planet. I simply wanted to bid Clark farewell, and establish that I am remaining here of my free will,” I say firmly. The captain’s eyes widen, and he glances to where Kajin stands behind me. He seems
to consider my words, and I’m certain he will try to convince me to return with them. However, he simply shakes his head before guiding Clark into the ship.
“As you wish, Captain Nolan. If you ever wish to return to Earth, we will be but a signal away,” he says kindly. I’m more than mildly taken aback, but manage a broad smile.
"I don't think that will be necessary, but… thank you, captain. God speed," I say grandly. He salutes before ducking into the rescue vessel. Kajin steps up beside me, reaching out to take my hand.
“I will not be upset if you leave. I don’t want you to feel forced to remain here,” Kajin murmurs, watching as the thrusters for the ship begin to ignite. “This is your last chance, for some time, Kara. Are you sure this is what you want?” He inquires.
“I want you, Kajin. That’s all. I want only you,” I smile. He gathers me in his arms, and the two of us watch as the rescue vessel takes to the sky. Though I know I am leaving my entire life behind, I’m confident in the life I will begin anew. I’ve always been an explorer, my dreams to explore the vast depths of space. However, it seems that in my journey I have found something better, something so much more. My new dream is to explore this feeling, this sensation of love unlike any I have felt before. It wasn’t just my escape pod that crashed on this planet, my heart crashed alongside it.
Collared By The Warrior Page 3
