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

“You’re pathetic,” I mutter, furiously grinding a paste until it’s closer to water than the smooth salve it should be.

“What was that, child?”

I jump, realizing Moni is working nearby. I didn’t even notice I wasn’t at the workstation alone.

“Nothing.”

Moni gives me a look. “You know, sometimes, the fear of history repeating itself can make you afraid to take risks. You can lose more than you ever thought possible if you are afraid to risk your heart.”

I blink back tears. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

She tilts her head, waiting, and I finally sigh, pushing away the salve.

“My love for Tagiz hurts, Moni. I always thought love would feel good. But this love is brutal and mean. It’s wrapped in jealousy, and it makes me feel small.”

“Is it your love that makes you feel small? Or is it the thoughts you have about that love?”

I frown at that. Moni has a way of twisting things and making them sound like wisdom. I’m onto her tricks.

She smiles at me as if she’s reading my mind. “Will you deprive yourself of love because it wasn’t handed to you the way you wanted it? Because when you found it, it wasn’t perfect? Will you spend your life wishing you had tried a little more, fought a little harder?”

Tears spill over now, and Moni takes my arm, leading me to a quiet spot near the back of my kradi.

She tuts, wiping away one of my tears. “Go rest, Zoey. You look tired.”

I sigh. When Moni says you’re dismissed, you’re dismissed. I nod, collecting my first aid kit, which I restocked with the things I need, and wander out of the kradi. I don’t rest though. I’m a glutton for punishment because I head toward the training arena, desperate for a glimpse of the warrior who makes my heart beat like a drum even as he steals my breath.

I watch him train, careful to stay out of sight. At one point, he seems to feel me watching him because his head swings wildly, his eyes searching the crowd gathered around the training arena. But I duck my head until Terex grabs his attention again and hustle back to my kradi, where I curl up in my furs with Harry.

Tagiz

My hand burns as I collect the bright flowers into a large bunch. I frown but shrug, reaching for a few more. Everything hurts when it comes to my little healer. Why should the flowers I pick for her be any different?

It was Beth who suggested the flowers. She said on Earth, males give their females flowers for special occasions. She tilted her head and also advised me they were a good option for when males were “in the dog house.”

Whatever that means.

I can see why Zoey likes to be out here, alone in the forest. I want to end the threat that the Dokhalls present so she can once more have the freedom to gather her plants and herbs alone.

Although, if I can convince her to be mine, perhaps she would allow me to come with her sometimes.

Zoey is in the healers’ kradi when I arrive. I smile at her, presenting the flowers, but my smile drops as Moni gasps.

Zoey is also not smiling. “Oh, Tagiz. What did you do?”

This is not the reaction I was expecting.

“These flowers are for you. They don’t come close to matching your beauty, but the color reminds me of your eyes.”

She chews on her lip, and strangely, she doesn’t look pleased. She looks…concerned. Did I misunderstand Beth? Is this ritual not correct?

“Okay, Romeo,” she finally sighs, taking a large bowl. “I’m going to need you to drop those flowers in here.”

I comply, my brow furrowing. That’s when I realize my hand is still on fire.

Zoey sighs. “Moni, can you—”

“Yes, child.”

Moni bustles over as Zoey gestures for me to hold out my hand. They pour water over it, and Zoey’s hands are gentle as she examines it.

The burning is worsening, angry red blisters rising on my skin.

“This flower is poisonous,” Zoey murmurs, gazing up at me through thick lashes. My heart stutters as I glance down at her beautiful face. I have chosen the wrong flower, but the pain is worth it to be this close to her once more. I want to take her mouth with mine, pull her to me and—

“Ahem.” Moni shuffles forward again, handing Zoey a salve she has been mixing. I wrinkle my nose at the stench, and Zoey laughs, the sound musical.

“Yes,” she says. “It stinks. But it’s the only thing that will relieve the pain.”

She slathers the greasy salve on my palm carefully. “This needs to be bandaged, I’m afraid. Didn’t you notice it was hurting?”

I shrug. “The flowers reminded me of your eyes,” I say again.

She sighs. “I’m surprised you didn’t know better. You guys are always out in the forest hunting.” Her eyes narrow at me, and I tilt my head.

“We know which berries not to eat, which nuts are best left alone, and which fruit is likely to give us a bad stomach. Most warriors pay no attention to plants and flowers.”

Her lips twitch. “You’re not going to be able to use this hand for a few days.”

“It’s not my sword hand. I can still protect you.”

A tiny flush kisses her cheeks, and I watch, entranced by the color on her soft skin.

“Tagiz…you shouldn’t be doing these things. We broke up.”

“Broke up?” I frown. “Nothing is broken, little healer.”

She sighs again. “Yes, it is.”

“Malis and Heric are to be mated tonight.”

Her eyes meet mine, her expression startled.

“Tagiz—”

“I told you, little healer. We are no longer at the mercy of our parents. Our destinies are our own.”

Zoey

After burning his hand with the xuri flower, Tagiz seems to become even more determined to talk to me. Malis has indeed mated with her warrior, and she’s glowing with happiness as she walks around camp.

Tagiz leaves me gifts every day. A pretty rock he knows I’ll like. A new collar for