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Chapter Sixteen

Freya

This could’ve very well been a dream, but I didn’t want to wake up from it.

Meriuam had just left about a half hour ago after checking my vitals and making sure that I was still healthy. Zark had sent word to her two days prior when I recalled the name of the poison I was injected with on Earth. After multiple tests inside and outside the lab, it was determined that I had less than two percent of the poison remaining in my bloodstream. I wasn’t sure if or when I’d ever gain all of my memories back, but I was content with what I’d gained for now.

There was a tree a short five-minute walk away from Zark’s property that produced maple fruit. I’d only just found out about it yesterday when he brought one for me to try. Although, rough and barbed on the outside, the flesh was surprisingly sweet and juicy. The seed inside contained a thick syrup that tasted like what we used to pile on top of our pancakes on Earth. There was even a waffle recipe in the book I was gifted that called for maple fruit syrup and I was determined to make it for Zark and I just in time for brunch.

Zark hadn’t gone far. I could still hear his voice as he chatted with the other scouts and warriors about the project. He had recently assembled a team, and soon, they’d all go to the outer lands with the sole purpose of drafting up the boundaries of the new settlement. It meant that he’d be gone for a few days, maybe even a week. I told him I’d be fine, but I knew I’d miss him when he was away.

Although I would rather have Zark all to myself, I knew the time we spent apart was good for us. Besides, I enjoyed exploring this new planet and my new home. I could wait until brunch, knowing full well that neither of us could resist touching and tasting and kissing each other and the exquisite climax we always experienced from it. If sexual intercourse with Zark was anything like our extensive foreplay sessions, I knew I’d never want to spend any days without him. He still seemed content on not rushing things between us, plus he sensed that I still worried about becoming pregnant.

I sighed, plucked another maple fruit from the tree, and worked my way back up the path to the podhouse. On my way, I spotted a small brown drawstring poncho on a bench. I picked it up thinking it must have belonged to Zark or one of the other warriors.

The sack was heavy then expected. The string gave way as I lifted it and I spotted over two dozen crystals of various shades stashed inside.

“Hey!” I heard something growl behind me.

I clutched both the basket and the pouch close to me and gasped. Standing not two feet in front of me was an alien male, who looked exceptionally different from the Zunatorian males I’d met. He was a rich shade green. He was so tall that he towered over me like a boulder. His shadow blocked the sun and an ominous feeling overcame me.

“Human,” he sneered. Two others came up behind him.

They must have been Aurraks from the planet Xalxa 5—the same aliens that we’re visitor Zunator and the same aliens that would help build the new settlement.

“Look,” the green Aurrakian said again. “The human wench has stolen my pouch.”

The others spoke in some foreign tongue I didn’t understand. It wasn’t Zunatorian. It was unlike any other language I’d heard before.

“I’m—I’m so sorry,” I said, and thrust the pouch back at him.

“No matter, wench.” He grabbed the pouch and a few of my fingers as well.

I tugged, but he wouldn’t let go of my hand.

“Who is your master, wench?” he asked.

I was appalled that he would ask me such a thing. Did he think I was a slave?

“I…” I tried to swallow the rising dread in my throat. I failed. It felt like I was swallow sandpaper. I shook my head.

“Perhaps we can trade some of these lovelies crystals for what you have in your pretty basket.” His gaze dragged lazily across my chest. “And I’m not talking about the maple fruit.” He sniffed. “I can smell a virgin wench from one notch away.”

“Take your crystals and leave me alone.” I threw the pouch at his chest, turned around, and started off in the opposite direction

I should’ve known the Aurrakian would follow me. They weren’t like the Zunatorian. They probably thought of humans as slaves. We’d studied about different alien species in the dorm. There were some that had labeled humans as their mortal enemies. I had to get back to the podhouse. Zark had warned me to stay close by.

Pain tore at my scalp when the Aurrakian pulled my braid from behind and yanked me back. My basket of fruit fell to the ground. I screamed.

He wrapped my hair around his wrist, twisting it, until my face was only inches from his. “Wench, you do not run from me when I demand you speak to me!”

I didn’t know what came of me, but I pushed at his chest hard and then slapped him across the face. “Don’t touch me!”

The Aurrakian’s apprehended me, pushing me down across a bench and ripping at my tunic.

“Stop it,” I yelled.

Things took a turn for the worse when others were alerted of the incident. When I looked up, Zark was running toward me. The assaulting alien was too busy trying to get me to hold still to realize what was coming for him. Zark lifted him nearly ten feet in the air and tossed him across the yard where his body crashed into the side of the storage house.