He laughed and she beamed at him. Since female vorpyr were much smaller than their male counterparts, she was about an inch shorter than his tall frame. They looked quite nice together.
What was I thinking? I blinked. I’d been thinking too much about romance after that amazing kiss with Arrazyl, but if I was realistic, I knew there was no chance for romance between any of us. Tatiana and Kyvar, Jaron and Thyra, or…us. We were still locked in the house at night, still kept under guard, still trespassers from an enemy species. And somehow we stillneeded to find a way home. Escaping was out of the question, at least not the way we’d tried before. Did our people even know we were still alive? If they did, maybe they would negotiate for our release. It would take some convincing, but perhaps he wouldallowus to reach out. To see if our government would offer something for our release. It would be a good thing, so then why did I feel sad at the thought of never seeing this place or Arrazyl and Thyra again?
“You look like someone stole your favorite book.” Jaron’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I tried to smile.
“We’re back in civilization, safe with our needs met, so what’s bothering you?”
“Safe or not right now, this situation has caused me to really think about what our futures will look like. And honestly? It’s so out of our control that I’m concerned.”
“If it’s that out of our control, then maybe we should let go for once.” he saw my expression. “Why fight the wave, Jac? We don’t have a choice. Either we’re going to get carried by the current or swept under, and there’s nothing we can do to change that.”
“Shouldn’t we try?” I stared at him. “You’ve never been one to lie down and let life trample you.”
“It’s not like we’re lost in a national park outside of Seattle. We’re stranded on another planet with no one from home even aware that we’re alive!” he wasn’t shouting, but his voice had enough enthusiasm to be heard outside of the two of us. It was at that moment that Arrazyl landed. He glanced over at us, his face a granite mask. Though I swore I saw hurt flash in his eyes. I felt bad, and I was still confused. About my feelings, about what his true intentions toward us were.
Arrazyl approached, his long strides eating up the ground. “The festival starts tomorrow evening. I trust you’ll both come enjoy it with us.” His eyes found mine.
“We were just discussing that.” Jaron said smoothly. “We decided it would be good to experience as much as we’re able.”
Arrazyl flicked him a gaze that told him he knew he was a bullshitter before returning it to me. “I think you’ll enjoy it the most.” he said it softly, intimately, as though it were just between us. “There will be a lot of fun and you’ll get to immerse yourself in more of our culture. This is a very important celebration for us.”
“Of course, I’m excited to see it.”
“It will be good for you to get some relaxation too.” He stepped closer, and it was only then that I realized Jaron had retreated to Thyra’s side. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
“I…I’m not sure how to take that.”
His lips tilted up. “I’m not either. Just promise me you’ll try to enjoy yourself this week and not think about anything else. It’s a time we all ease our burdens.”
“And does the Vorazyr also ease his burdens during this week?”
He looked out into the distance, “during certain moments.”
“Why did you leave?” I’d been wondering about it, why captain Jzulyk was left to his devices.
He blew a heavy breath through his nose and I knew it was like a long sigh, even as he kept his gaze on the horizon. “I must take care of everyone in my territory, Jacqueline. There was an urgent matter in one of the villages.”
I stepped toward him and placed a hand on his arm. His gaze came to rest on my upturned face. “And did you settle it?”
Something hard passed over his expression but was gone quickly. “Not yet. But have no doubt, I won’t stop until there is an answer.”
“Is there anything I can do? To support you.” I clarified.
His large hand covered my own and I thought he’d pull me off, but he simply held his hand over mine on his arm. “No, dhysa.There’s nothing for you to do.” he smiled, somehow making his strong face even more handsome. “Just enjoy the time we have during the festival.”
After a rush to finish preparations and an influx of vorpyr into the city, the city was prepared for the festival. Besides Thyra there had been at least half a dozen other organizers, but we hadn’t spoken because they didn’t know the intergalactic language.
On the afternoon of the start of the festivities, guards flew us to the central part of the city since the walkways were swarming with laughing and chatting vorpyr.
As soon as we landed, Thyra dragged Jaron away, chattering excitedly, Kyvar coaxed Tatiana to go try something, and Arrazyl tucked a wing around me, holding me to him.
“Come,” his eyes sparkled in the bright afternoon sunshine, and he led me to a booth. “Your outfit is incomplete without jewelry.”
The metalwork and jewel settings displayed on the u-shaped table were exquisite, and I didn’t dare touch any of them. “They’re beautiful, but I must decline.” Having no money made one extremely practical. Hell, even if I had money from back home, I doubted it would be enough to pay for any of these pieces.
Arrazyl ignored me, pointed at a piece with delicate gold metalwork and honey-red jewels, and a matching necklace. “That head piece and those necklace.” He used the universal language, and the vendor seemed surprised.
