To save us.
His fingers trail through my hair. “I couldn’t have asked for a better mate. You are kinder and braver than anyone I’ve met. And even though you aren’t Paohl, you didn’t freak out.”
“I did. But I understand why you didn’t just bring me home to meet your captain. Why you didn’t ask me first.”
“I wouldn’t harm you. Mates are to be treasured.”
I blink so I don’t cry. His death will harm me. I lie back down, drawing the blanket over us both. Our fingers lace over his stomach. “I never told you what’s been going on out there.”
“True…what is the latest? Are the Selouans still fighting with their neighbor’s over that moon?”
“The Selouans were wiped out in a war about one hundred years ago. There’s debris all round this system.”
“Wiped out? How is that possible?”
“Some kind of toxin was released on their world. Trade sanctions followed.” But of course, that can’t bring back a race of people or their culture. “The Paohl are still around.” I add rapidly, and the tension in his body eases. “Several new species have joined the commerce alliance.”
For a little while I talk about some of the species, and I answer his questions as best as I can. He knows more about the goings on of the various aliens than I do. Humans are so insular even though they have been exploring this part of the galaxy for close to three hundred years.
Then he talks about his home world, and what it was like when he lived there and how he couldn’t wait to leave and explore the galaxy, only to graduate and crash on his first trip.
He talks about being hunted by the big white beasts and the feeling that they weren’t alone. The little lights in the trees…he doesn’t know what they are, only that they herald trouble and always have.
We lie together as if we’ve done it a hundred times before. Talking about the things we thought would happen in our lives. How I wanted to be a doctor but didn’t have the money—he’s stunned that money even matters when it comes to education. I have traveled more than him, so I talk about the planets and moons and space stations I’ve been to even though my voice cracks. I’ll never see my friends and family again. I mumble and keep falling asleep.
When I wake there’s blue orb hovering over Eskar.
Chapter 14
I situp and bat the ball of light away, but whatever trouble it’s bringing is already here. I can hear male voices. I untangle myself from the blanket and Eskar and pick up the nearby gun so I’m ready and armed.
At least it isn’t another creature to fight off.
Eskar wakes. “What is it?”
“People.” I can’t see them yet, but I’m sure they can see me limned in firelight. The orb has disappeared, no doubt fetching something to make this worse.
“Help me sit up.” His hand is on my back, coolness seeping through my clothes.
“No, you might rip something.”
“It’s not going to matter, and I will not meet my fate lying down.” He pushes up onto his elbows and if I don’t help, he’ll rip the stitches I put into his whatever was bleeding.
I try to take his weight as he sits, then kneel behind him to make sure he doesn’t faint and fall over. My hand rests on his shoulder, and his hair is like silk on my skin. He leans against me, catching his breath, and I rest my cheek on his head.
If the Paohl don’t take us in, me and my fellow humans are dead. Wraight won’t survive without better treatment. Ava needs to be found. I could’ve skipped all this fun and been at the bottom of the lake.
Eskar tips his head back and smiles at me. “Whatever my captain orders, I have to abide by.”
“I don’t.” But if I refuse, will I be damning the others along with me? I can’t do that to Wraight and Harding and Ava.
Eskar’s hand covers mine. “I just want to know you are safe.”
“Will I be safe, or will I eventually give up because it’s easier to surrender to the next Paohl in line for a mate?”
He frowns. “What other options are there?”
I don’t want another mate. I want Eskar—and I know that’s the lust drug doing some of my thinking, but he has honor and he saved me. “Your captain could not interfere, and we could mate?”
