Rescued by the Alien Warrior

by Hope Hart

  “Because you are my son,” she whispers. “You were mine from the moment I saw you. I love you more than I could have ever imagined. And when I heard you defending your love for your female, I realized how badly I have hurt you with my actions.” She lets out a sob, and I can’t help it; I pull her into my arms. It’s been so long since I hugged my mother that I forgot how small she is. She feels fine-boned and fragile, and the thought makes panic burn at the base of my neck.

  “Mother—”

  “I need you to know, Tagiz. I love you so fiercely that sometimes at night, I would stare up at the roof of our kradi and think of all the ways I could lose you. I would dream your real father was still alive and he was coming to take you away from me and I would have to pretend to be happy for you. Every time you left on a hunt, I would lie in my furs for days, just begging the gods to bring you back to me. I went along with your father’s plans because that was our deal. He got a son who would fall in line with his plans, and I got you.”

  I stare at her, stunned. All this time, I thought both my parents considered me nothing more than a tool they could use to keep them close and in favor with the qatai.

  “I…love you too, Mother.”

  She buries her head against my chest and sobs. I hold her to me, gazing at the water. I’m even more furious at my father for the way he has treated my mother. But some small, broken part of me has begun to heal. One of my parents loves me. So much she is currently breaking apart as she wets my shirt with her tears.

  “It’s okay,” I murmur. It takes a while before she can raise her head, wiping her damp face. “I forgive you,” I say, and her eyes fill with tears again.

  I laugh. “No more tears, Mother. Whatever happens between me and Calix has nothing to do with us, understood?”

  Her eyes widen slightly as I use my father’s name. But as far as I’m concerned, he’s no longer my father until he apologizes to Zoey and begs my mother for forgiveness for the way he has treated her.

  “Where is Zoey, Tagiz?”

  I sigh, and it all comes pouring out of me. How she will no longer speak to me, will barely look at me. How I ruined the best thing to ever happen to me.

  My mother listens and then smiles. “I never told you, but I was in love with another warrior when I mated with your father.”

  My mouth drops open. “What?”

  She nods, and her face is sad, although her eyes have finally dried. “He was the love of my life, and on the day I mated with Calix, he left the tribe for good. I tell you this because I want you to know I understand what it feels like to love someone as you love Zoey. And I know she loves you too. It may feel like all hope is lost, but true love…it never dies.”

  I stare at her, still wrestling with this new information, and she gives me a smile that lights up her face.

  “Go and win your female, my love. I can’t wait to properly meet her.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Zoey

  I shiver as I collect the things I need in the forest. Jozet is on guard, but ever since the attack, this forest is teeming with Braxian warriors.

  I thought I was doing better. But I barely slept last night. Each time I closed my eyes, it was like I was back on that slave planet. The crack of my ribs sounded again and again in my ears. Then the dreams shifted until I was watching Tagiz wrap mating bands around Malis’s wrists, and all I wanted to do was run until I couldn’t run anymore.

  Finally, I gave up on sleep.

  Most of the Braxian warriors simply nod at me when I appear to collect the ingredients Moni asks for. Rakiz has them constantly changing up where they’re stationed, but there have been no more sightings of Dokhalls in the area.

  I have no doubt they’re planning something.

  Just like us, they probably want to get home to their planet. Home to their families. I feel a moment of nausea as the Dokhalls I killed flash in front of my eyes, and I stumble. I glance over my shoulder, but Jozet is sharpening his sword, his mind obviously elsewhere.

  No, Zoey. Those Dokhalls bought you. They treated you like a product and almost killed you.

  Logically, I know I did what anyone would have done in the same situation. I had a pregnant woman to protect, and if the Dokhalls woke up, they likely would have killed me.

  But it doesn’t change the fact I took three lives.

  I bite down on my lower lip until it almost bleeds, glancing over my shoulder at Jozet.

  The last few times I brought Jozet to the forest with me, he was practically vibrating with tension, ready for an attack. But now we tend to run into so many other guards in this area that he’s gradually relaxed. Thank God because the more tense he is, the more nervous I get.

  I’ve been visiting Nevada most days and cuddling her gorgeous little daughter. She has the tiniest toes and the shadow of green-blue scales across her chubby baby shoulders.

  I wonder if mine and Tagiz’s babies would have the same scales.

  No, Zoey, we don’t think about him anymore.

  He still hasn’t told me what he was doing with Dragix. He seems to be giving me space, although I constantly find him watching me, promise in his eyes. He doesn’t go near Malis, who has been walking through camp with her own Braxian male by her side.

  But I still don’t trust it.

  Mom once told me about how my father used to swear he would leave his wife. As soon as she got the courage to break things off with him, he would tell her he just needed a little more time. He kept her hanging on for years.

  I don’t think Tagiz is anything like my father. But he’s an honorable man who feels beholden to Calix. And I can’t compete with Braxian honor.

  Jozet opens his mouth when I approach, my basket full. Inside the basket is a tiny wooden box, painstakingly carved. Beneath the smooth lid, the box has been divided into sections, allowing me to keep herbs and plants separated.

  I found it beneath my pillow a few days ago. It’s a thoughtful, kind gift that shows just how well Tagiz knows me.

  And my heart breaks a little more every time I look at it. If I were smart, I’d give it back.

  But I’m not.

  Jozet clamps his mouth shut at whatever he sees on my face, following me back to the healers’ kradi where he checks on Hewex and then leaves us both with a murmured goodbye.

  I get to work, and I’m lost in grinding, cutting, and mixing when Tagiz storms in, his expression fierce.

  My heart leaps into my throat as I greedily drink him in. A small part of me is relieved to see he seems to be sleeping about as well as I am, dark circles beneath his eyes.

  Eyes that turn sharp as they narrow on me.

  He storms forward, ignoring the way everyone in the kradi goes silent as he grabs my elbow, pulling me further toward the back of the kradi.

  “Don’t leave,” he says. “Please, Zoey.”

  I look at him wide-eyed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Hewex told me you’re going to leave as soon as the ship is fixed. Just give me one chance, little healer.”

  I’ve said no such thing, and I barely control my eyes, which want to dart in Hewex’s direction. The grouchy warrior has obviously decided to give his friend a little encouragement.

  A small part of me is enjoying the look of desperation on Tagiz’s face. After so long of me being the one pining for him, I have to admit it’s not the worst thing to experience the opposite. But I quite simply don’t think I can trust him with my heart.

  “Tagiz—”

  “I know I don’t deserve it. But I can make you happy, little healer. I can give you the kind of love you deserve. You’ll never find that kind of love with another male. I swear it.”

  My heart flips in my chest, and I open my mouth to at least tell him I have no plans to leave…right now.

  He clamps his hand over my mouth, and I growl at him.

  “Don’t decide now.” His eyes are frantic. “Give me some time to prove to you how much I need you. And how happy I can make you.”r />
  He’s gone before I can reply, and I’m left staring after him in bemusement. Hewex rolls onto his side, and I raise my eyebrow at him.

  “What exactly did you say to him?”

  “The boy needed to realize you weren’t going to stay here and wait for him forever.”

  I sigh. “Since when do you care about our love lives?”

  “Since I’m sick of hearing the camp gossip. ‘Will they,’ ‘won’t they,’ ‘should they’—it’s tiresome.”

  “Tiresome. Uh-huh. And how much did you bet on us getting together?”

  He scowls at me in offense.

  I raise one eyebrow, waiting.

  “Ten credits,” he mutters. “But only because I know you’ll be mated soon. It’s easy to see you’re meant to be together.”

  I swallow around the sudden lump in my throat. “Aw, Hewex. I never realized you were such a romantic.”

  He gives me a look that suggests I’m a grade A idiot and closes his eyes.

  I spend the rest of the day mixing the wrong ingredients together, continually ruining my salves and tonics and starting again.

  I’m so distracted I can barely work, and this tiny, burgeoning hope is almost worse than the low-level depression that has plagued me for days.

  I snort. “You’re pathetic,” I mutter, furiously grinding a paste until it’s closer to water than the smooth salve it should be.

  “What was that, child?”

  I jump, realizing Moni is working nearby. I didn’t even notice I wasn’t at the workstation alone.

  “Nothing.”

  Moni gives me a look. “You know, sometimes, the fear of history repeating itself can make you afraid to take risks. You can lose more than you ever thought possible if you are afraid to risk your heart.”

  I blink back tears. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  She tilts her head, waiting, and I finally sigh, pushing away the salve.

  “My love for Tagiz hurts, Moni. I always thought love would feel good. But this love is brutal and mean. It’s wrapped in jealousy, and it makes me feel small.”

  “Is it your love that makes you feel small? Or is it the thoughts you have about that love?”

  I frown at that. Moni has a way of twisting things and making them sound like wisdom. I’m onto her tricks.

  She smiles at me as if she’s reading my mind. “Will you deprive yourself of love because it wasn’t handed to you the way you wanted it? Because when you found it, it wasn’t perfect? Will you spend your life wishing you had tried a little more, fought a little harder?”

  Tears spill over now, and Moni takes my arm, leading me to a quiet spot near the back of my kradi.

  She tuts, wiping away one of my tears. “Go rest, Zoey. You look tired.”

  I sigh. When Moni says you’re dismissed, you’re dismissed. I nod, collecting my first aid kit, which I restocked with the things I need, and wander out of the kradi. I don’t rest though. I’m a glutton for punishment because I head toward the training arena, desperate for a glimpse of the warrior who makes my heart beat like a drum even as he steals my breath.

  I watch him train, careful to stay out of sight. At one point, he seems to feel me watching him because his head swings wildly, his eyes searching the crowd gathered around the training arena. But I duck my head until Terex grabs his attention again and hustle back to my kradi, where I curl up in my furs with Harry.

  Tagiz

  My hand burns as I collect the bright flowers into a large bunch. I frown but shrug, reaching for a few more. Everything hurts when it comes to my little healer. Why should the flowers I pick for her be any different?

  It was Beth who suggested the flowers. She said on Earth, males give their females flowers for special occasions. She tilted her head and also advised me they were a good option for when males were “in the dog house.”

  Whatever that means.

  I can see why Zoey likes to be out here, alone in the forest. I want to end the threat that the Dokhalls present so she can once more have the freedom to gather her plants and herbs alone.

  Although, if I can convince her to be mine, perhaps she would allow me to come with her sometimes.

  Zoey is in the healers’ kradi when I arrive. I smile at her, presenting the flowers, but my smile drops as Moni gasps.

  Zoey is also not smiling. “Oh, Tagiz. What did you do?”

  This is not the reaction I was expecting.

  “These flowers are for you. They don’t come close to matching your beauty, but the color reminds me of your eyes.”

  She chews on her lip, and strangely, she doesn’t look pleased. She looks…concerned. Did I misunderstand Beth? Is this ritual not correct?

  “Okay, Romeo,” she finally sighs, taking a large bowl. “I’m going to need you to drop those flowers in here.”

  I comply, my brow furrowing. That’s when I realize my hand is still on fire.

  Zoey sighs. “Moni, can you—”

  “Yes, child.”

  Moni bustles over as Zoey gestures for me to hold out my hand. They pour water over it, and Zoey’s hands are gentle as she examines it.

  The burning is worsening, angry red blisters rising on my skin.

  “This flower is poisonous,” Zoey murmurs, gazing up at me through thick lashes. My heart stutters as I glance down at her beautiful face. I have chosen the wrong flower, but the pain is worth it to be this close to her once more. I want to take her mouth with mine, pull her to me and—

  “Ahem.” Moni shuffles forward again, handing Zoey a salve she has been mixing. I wrinkle my nose at the stench, and Zoey laughs, the sound musical.

  “Yes,” she says. “It stinks. But it’s the only thing that will relieve the pain.”

  She slathers the greasy salve on my palm carefully. “This needs to be bandaged, I’m afraid. Didn’t you notice it was hurting?”

  I shrug. “The flowers reminded me of your eyes,” I say again.

  She sighs. “I’m surprised you didn’t know better. You guys are always out in the forest hunting.” Her eyes narrow at me, and I tilt my head.

  “We know which berries not to eat, which nuts are best left alone, and which fruit is likely to give us a bad stomach. Most warriors pay no attention to plants and flowers.”

  Her lips twitch. “You’re not going to be able to use this hand for a few days.”

  “It’s not my sword hand. I can still protect you.”

  A tiny flush kisses her cheeks, and I watch, entranced by the color on her soft skin.

  “Tagiz…you shouldn’t be doing these things. We broke up.”

  “Broke up?” I frown. “Nothing is broken, little healer.”

  She sighs again. “Yes, it is.”

  “Malis and Heric are to be mated tonight.”

  Her eyes meet mine, her expression startled.

  “Tagiz—”

  “I told you, little healer. We are no longer at the mercy of our parents. Our destinies are our own.”

  Zoey

  After burning his hand with the xuri flower, Tagiz seems to become even more determined to talk to me. Malis has indeed mated with her warrior, and she’s glowing with happiness as she walks around camp.

  Tagiz leaves me gifts every day. A pretty rock he knows I’ll like. A new collar for Harry. A sharp knife to replace the dull one I left in the forest. Tiny, perfectly carved bowls and boxes to keep my herbs and flowers organized.

  People are beginning to talk, taking bets on what he’ll leave me next. More than one warrior has suggested I “put him out of his misery,” and a few of the new women have suggested that if I don’t want him, they’ll take him instead.

  They stopped suggesting that when I casually mentioned just how proficient I am with poisons.

  I wouldn’t really poison them, of course. But word got out I’m teetering on the edge of insanity, and most of the women began minding their own business after that.

  Not my friends though. No, they’re taking their own bets on the
situation and giving me unwanted advice from all directions.

  Nevada told me to make him crawl. Ellie advised me to beg his forgiveness. Beth suggested I talk it out at least, and Ivy said if she has to hear any more about it, she’ll do something that would make the evening news on Earth.

  Tagiz has also made it clear any male who walks with me into the forest will be meeting him in the training arena.

  I allow him to walk with me. Each day, he asks if I will speak to him.

  Each day, I tell him no.

  It kills me to do this to him. To do this to us. But I lost myself for a while, and now I’m finding myself again.

  Since I landed on Agron, I’ve been a victim, a patient, a healer, a murderer, and now, I guess, a toxicologist.

  And this whole time, I’ve been so in love with Tagiz I could barely see straight. It’s not that I enjoy seeing Tagiz beg for my attention; it’s that I’m trying to figure out who I am—both with and without him.

  But staying away from him is killing me, and Moni’s words play over and over again in my head.

  “Will you deprive yourself of love because it wasn’t handed to you the way you wanted it? Because when you found it, it wasn’t perfect? Will you spend your life wishing you had tried a little more, fought a little harder?”

  I know better than most people just how short life is. I came so close to death that sometimes I still wake up and almost cry when it no longer hurts to take a full breath.

  Mom wouldn’t want me to miss out on love because I was afraid. She would never want me to be second best, sure, but at her heart, she was someone who believed fiercely in love.

  Wherever she is, I’m sure she’s urging me to conquer my fear and grab love with both hands.

  So that’s what I’m going to do.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Zoey

  Surprisingly, it’s Malis I go to for help putting my plan into motion. She throws her arms around me, talking a mile a minute, and we end up chatting for hours, as if we’ve been friends for years.