Rescued by the Alien Warrior Hope Hart (literature books to read TXT) 📖

I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession…

It’s my lips that tremble this time, but I firm them as I pluck a few of the petals.

…and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping.

One last ingredient. This plant looks similar to belladonna on Earth, also known as deadly nightshade.

It’s perfectly innocent when used alone. It’s not until it’s combined with the other ingredients in my basket that it will have the intended effect.

On Earth, I dedicated my life to healing. I took my pledge seriously.

I will devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.

I blink back the tears that threaten to rise as I snatch a few of the leaves and get back to my feet. This, combined with the maradoza berries, will give me everything I need.

I’m no longer on Earth. And I won’t let the Dokhalls take anything else from me.

A part of me, the small, innocent part of me that’s standing on stage with her friends, reciting the pledge…that part shrivels up and dies.

It’s replaced with a savage woman who will do whatever it takes to survive. Even if it means betraying everything I thought I stood for.

Tagiz

I grind my teeth, frustration coursing through my body. I was forced to leave Hewex’s side for another meeting with my father. Moni says the warrior will likely live, but even when he is back on his feet, he will deal with the pain for some time.

And instead of supporting the friend who has been at my side all this time, I am once again listening to my father rant about duty.

I glance at Malis, and her face is pale and drawn. She looks like a shadow of her former self, and I am beginning to feel the same. Our parents’ expectations are sucking the life and vitality from us.

Enough.

My father is ranting, two gold bands in his hand. Apparently, Malis’s father found them beneath Malis’s pillow. Heric is growing impatient.

“Father,” I interrupt, and he ceases his pacing, turning to scowl at me. Malis’s father is lounging on a chair across the kradi, his eyes dark.

“By now, you know Malis and I have no intention of mating,” I say. I glance at Malis, and her mouth drops open, hope shining in her eyes.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” my father snaps, and I sigh.

“I will mate Zoey,” I say, getting to my feet. His mouth drops open as my mother gasps.

“Tagiz,” she murmurs, and I shake my head.

“This plan of yours is causing so much pain,” I say. “Can you not see that? Malis and I are never going to want to be mated. Would you truly want us to be miserable together?”

My father stares at me, and a muscle jumps in his jaw. “You have always known this is the expectation we have for you. And now you choose to throw away all our plans for a human?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Be careful,” I warn him. “I will not tolerate you speaking about her with disrespect.”

He hisses in disbelief. “After everything we have done for you, you would throw it back in our faces? You were nobody—just another orphan when we took you in. We made you a warrior.”

I stare at him. Guilt rips through me, but I push it down. Zoey is worth my father’s anger. She is worth everything.

“I made myself a warrior. You gave me opportunities I am thankful for. But it was I who trained for hours every day. It was I who left this camp constantly to hunt and fight. Would you truly have me beholden to you for the rest of my life?”

“You would dishonor me this way? Dishonor Malis?”

Malis shakes her head, finding the voice that has been continually silenced since we were told we would be mates.

“There is no dishonor when it comes to choosing love,” she says.

“Love?” my father spits. Behind him, Malis’s father is getting to his feet, his face burning with cold rage.

“Yes,” Malis says through trembling lips. “I love Heric, and Tagiz loves Zoey. Why would you have us ruin our lives this way?”

“It’s not about you,” Malis’s father snaps. “This mating is about producing the strongest bloodlines to continue to stay close to the tribe king.”

“I am already close to the tribe king,” I say. “And I can tell you with full certainty, if Rakiz truly knew the plans you had in place and why, no one in either of our families would ever be trusted to be so close to power again.”

“You may be close to the tribe king, but what about my daughter?”

Malis’s lip quivers. “Father—”

My father holds up a hand. “This is ludicrous. We have waited long enough.”

I laugh. “What you want to happen is not happening. I suggest you move on.” I survey my father, blocking out everyone else. “I will always be grateful for your actions that day. You could have killed me, true, although I don’t believe your honor would have allowed you to. But I will not enter a loveless mating simply to keep you happy. And neither will Malis.”

My father is turning a dull purple, and my mother is staring at me as if she no longer recognizes me. My heart clenches. I knew I would lose my father, but I hoped…

I will still not change my mind.

“Do you know what Zoey said to me when she saw me with Malis recently?” I ask, and my father sneers.

“Do not speak that name in my kradi.”

I ignore him. Her words have echoed over and over in my head since the day she spoke them, and I have them memorized.

“I just want you to be happy,” I say, keeping my eyes on my father’s face. “Do whatever it is that makes you feel good, Tagiz. Live the life you want, and that will be enough for me.” I laugh bitterly. “Do you know what that is, father? That’s called unconditional love. Wanting someone to