“Now, I'm just trying to find solid ground again. To figure out where I fit in here.” Her gaze drifted to the palace, and without thinking, I reached out and took her hand in mine, intertwiningour fingers. Her smile deepened at the small gesture, and my hearts swelled.
“There’s a patch of ground near our huts where you could plant a garden,” I suggested, my thumb gently stroking hers, thrilled she had shared something of herself with me. “I could escort you into the jungle during the light hurs and collect seedlings. Perhaps on the next suns-rise, I can find a couple of warriors to guard our backs while we collect seedlings and nascent flora if you’d like to plant in a garden to study.”
“Are you sure it’s safe for us to wander outside the dome?”
“The jungle’s creatures are nocturnal, and we will have armed warriors with us. I’m sure we will be safe.”
“That would be amazing!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. My spirit knotted and pressed against my sternum, knowing I was the one to bring my female such joy. “I know you’re hugely busy beefing up the dome and making weapons to protect the city. Are you sure you have time to spend with me puttering around the jungle?”
“I always have time for you, Rowan.”My heart,I wanted so desperately to utter.
Her eyes softened, and she placed her hand over mine where I held hers. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice full of gratitude and affection.
Rowan's touch lingered and something shifted between us, the invisible bond tightening ever so slightly. I yearned to strengthen that connection, to foster a sanctuary for her within my world she’d been cast into, wanted nothing more than to protect and cherish this female who had become so important to me in such a short amount of time.
But I knew it would take patience and a gentle hand. She was finding her footing. The spark of desire between us was undeniable, but I pushed it aside for now so I could focus on comforting her.
“I can feel the weight of your sorrow, the ache for the home and family you were stolen away from.” I placed her hand over my ancillary heart where the tiny echo of her spirit resided. “But we cannot allow the shadows and regrets of our past to consume us.” My thoughts briefly flickered to Hexxus, my mentor whose brilliant mind was slowly succumbing to darkness. “We must learn to accept what is and forge ahead toward the future.”
A lone tear escaped her eye, a glistening trail down her soft cheek. I reached out and gently caught it on my thumb. She leaned into me, seeking comfort. An ember of heat ignited, a spark of desire kindled.
But then she asked the question that broke my hearts.
“There’s no hope of me ever going back to Earth, is there?”
My instincts screamed to reassure her, but I knew the harsh truth. The long-range crafts we had were being dismantled, sacrificed for the security of the many. Even if we had a craft that could reach Earth, Zaku had made it clear the odds were against making it there undetected by the Yulineon patrollers who would kill any humans found off-world.
I cupped her cheek and laid my forehead to hers, silently conveying my regret and sorrow.
She let out a choked sob, and I didn’t hesitate to gather her to me. I thrummed for the first time, a vibrating melody meant to soothe my spirit mate as her body trembled against mine. She openly wept, releasing all the anguish built up within her sincebeing ripped away from all she'd known. My hearts ached for her as my arms held her tighter, offering her what solace I could.
Chapter Three
ROWAN
Iwoke to the gentle clinking of ceramic and the warm scent of something sweet and spiced drifting through the air. My eyelids fluttered open, revealing Gia setting down a covered tray on my table for two inside my hut.
“Good morning, lazybones,” she greeted me with a warm smile, her tight curls falling to her shoulders in midnight waves.
“Morning,” I mumbled, rubbing the remnants of sleep from my eyes. Pushing back the covers, I sat up, feeling the cool air hit my bare legs. I padded over, my toes sinking into the plush fur covering my floor, compliments of Zikkar, as I made my way to the table where Gia waited.
Her smile widened as she poured me a cup of herbed tea. The rich aroma would never take the place of French roast, but it was as close to home as we could get on this alien planet.
“Morning rituals.” Gia winked, knowing how dependent I was on that first cup of caffeine. “The cooks made your favorite today.”She lifted the lid off the tray, revealing the Valosian version of cinnamon rolls they called ruhis.
I sipped my tea and sagged in the chair, pulling deeply of the scent wafting off the sweet confection. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
“Yesterday, when I brought you new undergarments Isobel sowed for everyone, and the day before that when I found the perfect strip of leather for your new belt.” Gia ticked off the list on her fingers.
We settled in at the table, sipping our drinks while Gia chatted about her new room and bragged about the beauty of the palace. I reached for a ruhis, popping the sweet, doughy goodness into my mouth. The flavor burst across my tongue—not quite cinnamon and more gooey than a pastry—but delicious all the same.
Inevitably, my thoughts wandered to my twin. Breena adored sweets almost as much as I did. The void where she should have been ached within me, a constant reminder of our separation.
“Hey,” Gia touched my hand, giving it a gently squeeze, “you faded on me.”
“Sorry.”
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for.” Gia sat forward. “Listen, Ro, I know you’re worried about your sister, but for all you know, she could still be on Earth. Living in a state of anxiety and guilt is bad for your health, both mentally and physically.”
