Captured By The Alien Barbarian: A Sci-fi Alien Romance series (Planet Atraxis Warriors)

Chapter 10

His lips press against mine with an almost painful ferocity, leaving me breathless as though I’ve just run a marathon (not that I ever have, but you get the idea). His hand slides along my spine before tangling in my hair, and his arm wraps around my waist, holding me tight. The hand in my hair tilts my head back at an angle that suits him.

His lips press against mine, and his tongue probes deep, matching the fervor of his hips as they press and grind against me.

I whimper into his mouth, needing more—I’m on fire, his body so hot that I’m pretty sure I’m about to combust. My protest escapes as his lips leave me, a trail of kisses peppering my cheeks and jaw before he nips my neck. I cry out at the sensation of sharp teeth scraping skin. It’s a dangerous thrill, a heady mix that has my head spinning and every nerve in my body pulsing.

In a daring move, I wriggle out of Taccit’s grasp. He doesn’t hide his expression of frustration, but he doesn’t demand that I return, even after I was the one who asked this to turn sexual.

“Can I touch you?” I ask, attempting to switch the roles for a moment. I really do want to touch him. He’s had plenty of opportunities to explore my body, taking me to the peak of ecstasy, but I’ve never had the chance to return the favor. And I plan to change that now—I’m all about equal opportunities.

“My body is yours, my mate. Do what you want with me.”

Oh boy, my core clenches at his words, my mind racing with all the visuals I never thought I’d contemplate. There are so many things I want to do with Taccit. One thing first...

I cautiously glance down at his manhood, which up until now, I’ve been slightly fearful of—what it represented, and what it looked like. I mean, what if he had something horrifying lurking down there like spikes or tentacles? Yeah, I’ve watched too many horror sci-fi vids.

To my relief, it looks rather human-like, if you can ignore the size for a moment. He’s much bigger than any human male I’ve ever encountered. Ridges cover his length, almost like veins criss-crossing the surface. My finger traces along his shaft, exploring the intriguing terrain. They are hard—I know they will hit all the right spots inside of me. My clit tingles just thinking about it.

Towards the base, the ridges increase in size—I swallow anxiously. Will I honestly fit him?

“Too different?” Taccit asks apprehensively.

I look up and see real fear in his eyes for the first time. It occurs to me that he expects me to reject him. He believes that if we can’t overcome this obstacle, I will leave him behind like his family did.

“No,” I say, squaring my jaw and looking him firmly in the eye. “Though you are quite big. We might need to go slow.”

Our lips crash together. He funnels all his fears and needs into the one motion. This isn’t just a kiss—it’s a claiming. Within moments, I struggle for air again, squirming against him as my body becomes more and more desperate for his touch. Taccit’s hand around my waist slides down, cupping my bottom and pressing me impossibly closer. Then he guides my legs up to wrap around his waist, pulling me against him. His tail twists around my ankles, holding me to his body.

This new position has his cock pressing through my folds, sliding against me. His cock brushes against my clit, each of those glorious ridges feeling like a spark being lit in my core. I cry out, grinding my hips against him helplessly. Nothing has ever felt this good. Inside of me is a spring, coiling tighter and tighter. I need it to release, desperately.

“Taccit!” I moan, clinging to his biceps. “I need more.”

“Not yet, mate,” he says, growling against the delicate skin of my collarbone. “Let me take care of you first.”

His lips continue their ministrations down my body. He laps at the water droplets over the swell of my breast. The puff of his hot breath against my peaked nipple causes a shiver to dance down my spine, a tantalizing blend of scorching air and arctic breeze.

My needy hands slip into his hair, trying to pull him closer.

His mouth descends over my breast, and he sucks my nipple deep into the heat of his mouth with an almost painful pull.

His hand then makes its journey from my shaking thigh, over the curve of my hip, and finally cradles the weight of my breast. His fingers curl around my nipple and pluck at it.

This sensory overload is driving me to the edge. I cry out as my climax crashes over me. Pleasure blossoms, reaching from the depths of my soul to the tip of every extremity. My core clenches, yearning for something, anything, to grip onto. But there’s nothing but emptiness and longing.

He continues his ministrations until I’m spent. He teases me down from my high, kissing around my sensitive nipple. I’m absently aware of his tail stroking my side with long, soothing caresses, supporting my weight.

“I’m not done with you yet, mate.” He brandishes his pointy teeth, reminding me that I am, in fact, being claimed by a predator.

Effortlessly, he lifts me, guiding my body until I am perfectly aligned with his throbbing member. He presses against my entrance.

I desperately want him inside of me, but at the same time, a little voice at the back of my head reminds me that he’s so big.

Seeing the doubt etched on my face, he says, “You can take me.”

Slowly, he sinks me over him with small, controlled thrusts. Each inch ignites a burning stretch as my channel is forced to stretch to accommodate him.

I can feel each and every ridge as they enter me, brushing hidden, sacred spots. I thought he had wrung as much pleasure from me as possible, but my body is coiling once again.

Full. So incredibly full. Only when he’s fully seated inside of me does he pause. His forehead presses against mine, creating an intimate connection. “Good girl. Such a good girl,” he says, approval dripping from his words. “I knew you could take me.”

His praise sends me overboard. As if possessed, my hips take on a life of their own, grinding against him, pulling him impossibly deeper.

A growl escapes Taccit, his entire body vibrating like a high-tech adult toy, sending delightful quivers to my center.

A slow, sinister curl of his lips sends a thrilling shiver tiptoeing across my skin. His hands clamp down on my hips, and before I know it, he’s lifting me up and slamming me back down upon him.

Over and over.

Waves of pleasure cascade through me, building.

I cling to him, unable to do anything but moan out at the sensations that assault my body. He controls my movement, his hips thrusting wildly against me. Each push is deeper, faster.

The heat between us turns into an inferno. Surely we are on fire now. It’s too much. He’s too much.

I cry out as my orgasm sweeps over me like a tidal wave. Stars burst behind my eyelids. My back arches, shifting the angle just enough so that he’s slamming deep inside of me—pressing against my womb. My core quivers and clutches him, milking him. His own climax follows, his hips jerking and losing pace.

He roars out as he empties himself inside of me, his seed spraying my insides in molten bursts that somehow spur another climax for me.

And then I am falling. My body goes limp, and I’m unable to find the strength to hold myself up.

But Taccit pulls me close and wraps me up in the safety of his arms.

It’s intoxicating, knowing that my Taccit is a mighty predator who could easily end my life here and now with a snap of his fingers. But all he wants is me, and there is nowhere safer in this world than wrapped up in his velvety embrace.

The knowledge burrows deep into my soul.

This feels right. This is where I am meant to be.

* * *

Transforming into a gentle giant,Taccit carries me out of the water bridal style, and immediately the cool air playfully nips at my skin. I cling tightly to him, burrowing my face into the crook of his neck, reveling in the warmth emitted from his larger frame.

He lowers me, my feet sinking into the sandy soil. With one arm wrapped around my waist, his other retrieves a basket from a low-hanging branch. From inside, he pulls a large leather pelt, quickly draping it around my shivering shoulders like an impromptu cape.

He plants a tender peck of a kiss on my forehead before guiding me to sit on a nearby smooth rock. With practiced ease, he clears out a fire pit and kindles a small flame within seconds.

Taccit glances up at me with concern. “Are you warm enough?”

I blush, unused to such concern, the heat in my cheeks giving me a bit more warmth. “Yes, thank you.”

I stretch out my legs, letting my toes escape from the length of the blanket and push towards the growing warmth of the fire. It feels comforting. For the first time in so long, I feel content.

“So...” I begin, but am unsure how to proceed. I’m unsure what to say, how to behave now that our relationship has been taken to the next level. Do I act like everything is normal and absolutely nothing has changed between us?

My late husband wasn’t a bad man, but he despised small talk. Our pillow talk consisted of sleepy silence, punctuated by gentle snores. He’d hold me sometimes, but the memory pales in comparison to Taccit, who now shines like the sun in the cold light of retrospect.

Taccit tilts his head, a clear signal that he’s all ears while he busies himself with a few small bags from his belt. He may not look like a human, but he’s quite handsome. With his strength and refined muscles, some might even call him mouth-watering. I can easily picture him strutting his stuff on Earth, appearing in vids and talk shows, rubbing elbows with high society. He’d steal hearts left and right.

A twinge of envy strikes me at the thought of others ogling Taccit as I am now. I don’t want to share him.

The muscles on his back flex with each of his movements, drawing my eye. It gives me a delightful view of his rather strange—but quickly appreciated—tail and his thick thighs.

“Hey Taccit. Why doesn’t your back have your markings?”

Taccit sighs, grabs a bag, and saunters over to me. I attempt to wiggle over to give him space, but instead, he easily scoops me up. He plops down cross-legged on the ground, leaning against the rock, and gingerly sets me in his lap.

“I have no markings on my back because I have no tribe members to put them there.”

“I thought your markings were like... natural. Not placed. You said they appeared when you found me.” A touch of anxiety swells within me. He had hinted that his markings signified he had found his mate... me. Did he fib about my mate status?

Taccit kisses the scowl forming between my brows. “The ones on my arms are my mating marks.” He raises an arm to show me the intricate design, twisting to flaunt the swirls.

“These markings on my chest display my tribe and some of my achievements, like which weapon I have mastered, or my first kill.”

My fingers trace the markings decorating his pecs and shoulders. Upon closer inspection, they are indeed distinct. The shapes are more angular and less swirly, the colors subdued, and the edges not as crisp. They remind me of faded tattoos.

“I did these myself,” Taccit’s voice is soft and somber in my ear. “This one shows my axe, my preferred weapon. It’s all I have left from my father. I took the weapon with me when I left, even though I probably should have left it behind. This one here was made by him when I made my first kill.”

Sure enough, now that he points out the axe, I recognize the two shapes mingling within the pattern. I wonder how I ever missed it.

“You miss them, don’t you? Have you considered going back to talk to them?”

Taccit hands me something the size of my hand, dark and skinny. It’s meat jerky. I accept his offering and nibble on it, delighted by the smoky taste.

“I miss them every day,” Taccit says. “It’s even tougher when my brothers hunt the same territory as me. I often spot them from afar. Sometimes when hunting is rough, I leave them extra kills in a place where they will find it. They have more mouths to feed than I do.”

“You have brothers? Older, younger, or...” I let the question hang, not wanting to pry. Talking about my sister and family that I willingly left behind still stings. And I left willingly.

My curiosity is piqued, though. For some kooky reason, I had this mental image of Taccit being an only child. I would love to hear some hilarious stories about his childhood antics. I bet he was quite the adorable little mischief-maker.

“I have two younger brothers; Zoran and Balroth. Zoran was really small last I saw him. He was always so stubborn. If he set his heart on something, like swiping fermented makla juice from our progenitors, nothing could stop him. Then there’s Balroth, the second born. He’s...” Taccit pauses, searching for the words, before letting out a little chuckle. “I almost want to say that he was too soft. He has a big heart and it would often get him into trouble. Yet somehow, it was always him also getting us out of trouble.”

I give Taccit a hug when I see his eyes mist over, lost in bittersweet memories. His arms envelop me, holding me close, while his thumb gently caresses my knee beneath the cozy blanket we share.

“Are you truly alone out here? You don’t see anyone?”

Taccit snorts. “Hardly! I can’t survive entirely alone. I do trade with some other clans, even if it is frowned upon by the elders. But the risks are less for me—I have no real goods or females to protect.” He glances down at me, pondering. “Well, until now, that is.”

I suddenly realize how self-centered I’ve been. I’ve been so immersed in my own problems that Taccit’s issues haven’t even crossed my mind. Now, I’m completely dependent on him. He’s juggling the fallout from both of our lives at the same time.

“I am due to meet one of the other tribe members for a trade. You could come. I’m sure there are things you must want, and you’ll be able to request them for the next meeting,” he says hesitantly, as if questioning whether it’s a bright idea.

My eyes light up. “I would like that. When can we go?”

“The meeting spot isn’t too far from here. We can set off tomorrow. Considering your, um, leisurely walking pace, we’ll be back by nightfall.”

Not far away? That stroll sounds like quite the trek! And did he just call me slow? It’s not my fault I was born as a tiny human compared to him.

The prospect of meeting Taccit’s friends, even if they aren’t from his immediate family, fills me with a mix of excitement and anxious butterflies. Especially given the way he talks about the tribes not getting along.

“Are you sure it’ll be safe?”

“None would dare attack me. I am the strongest here,” Taccit winks and smirks, shifting his body to show off his best profile. Then, in an all too human-like manner, he flexes his gigantic bicep like a body-builder for maximum effect. I burst out laughing at his antics.

“Stay here by the fire,” Taccit instructs as he shifts me gently off of his lap. “I will fetch you clean clothes, and your feet coverings, from the cave.”

“My..? Oh, you have my shoes!” Well, they would have been handy when I tried my escape. And when I decided to leave the cave this morning. I’ll have to find out where he stashed them.

Taccit saunters off, his long strides covering vast distances effortlessly. His walk appears so casual, but I know I’d have to practically sprint to keep up with him. Yeah, so compared to him, I might be slow.

As soon as he leaves, it feels like he took all the breathable air with him. A shiver of unease creeps up my spine, and I suddenly become hyper-aware of every sound in my surroundings. My gaze shifts back to my immediate environment and lands on the drolvden. They watch me from a short distance, all three eyes staring intently at me. I realize that this is the first time I am truly alone with them.

“Nice doggy,” I say, trying not to sound terrified. Despite having met them before, I cautiously reposition myself, getting ready for a potential sprint into Taccit’s protective embrace.

One of the wolves raises a paw and whines at me. It dawns on me that its trio of eyes is honing in on my hand, or more specifically, the jerky I’m gripping.

“Do you want some?” I ask, lifting and teasingly waving the snack.

The drolvden proceeds to lick its choppers. I’m guessing that’s a canine “yes, please.” I cautiously divide the jerky into three equal shares, one for each furry monster. I flick the meat towards the drolvden. The wolves move with lightning speed, lunging forward and gulping down the meat instantaneously, devouring the morsels in one bite.

“Yikes!” I say. These guys are fast. Terrifyingly fast. I’d have no chance at outrunning them if they decide they don’t like me.

The drolvden that had whined before turns its snout toward me and sniffs. It lowers its head and gradually approaches. As far as my limited knowledge goes, it doesn’t seem aggressive. Its tail swings casually, and its ears stand tall. I’m not sure if I should be relieved or more worried. If it were angry, I assume there would be some growling or snarling involved. I freeze, holding my breath as it saunters close enough to sniff my trembling legs.

This whole interaction is significantly less nerve-wracking when Taccit is right by my side, lending me his silent strength. Without him, I’m back to feeling exposed and vulnerable.

The drolv flops down heavily in front of me. The other two follow suit and plop down as well, one with an annoyed huff—as if moving closer is an inconvenience it could do without.

I exhale, releasing the tension I was holding, and laugh nervously. They might be more than huge, but they’re a lot like dogs back on Earth. Each interaction chips away at my fear.

I glance up to see Taccit, standing at a distance with his amber eyes observing me tenderly.

He strides over to me, donning his form-fitting leather pants. The clothing material stretches visibly over his muscular thighs. He even has his trusty axe curled up in the tip of his tail.

“Good girl,” he says approvingly, planting a kiss on my temple. He hands me one of his shirts and my old boots, then pivots to extinguish the fire.

His praise stirs something within me. I squeeze my thighs together as I feel a heaviness growing between my legs, a reminder of our passionate encounter and the time we spent together in the water.

More significantly, I bask in a sensation of pride and joy. Taccit doesn’t coddle or smother me. He allows me to confront my fear, all the while providing his silent support if I were to require it.

Where has this man been hiding all my life?

* * *

Taccit leadsus on a brutal march towards the other tribe, his pace relentless.

My excitement from the night before prevents me from getting much sleep, which results in me springing out of bed before Taccit even stirs. It actually takes some effort on his part to persuade me to eat something before bolting out the door.

The environment we stroll through is downright stunning. We follow a dainty little stream with crystal-clear, glittering water, accompanied by reeds and cute shrubs lining the banks on either side. Oh, and to top it off, there are these generous trees acting like parasols, draping their branches over us and providing shade from the two suns above us in this alien sky.

Taccit obviously graciously shortens his steps, but I’m still basically speed walking to keep up.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this alien could run circles around me without breaking a sweat. Speaking of which, cue my panting and general perspiration. I thought of myself as fit and used to a little cardio, given all the work I did in the mines. But strength has nothing on cardio. I feel a tad sheepish for such a perfect male specimen seeing me so flustered.

Ever the gentleman, Taccit pauses every now and then so I can catch up with my jelly legs, while giving me his peculiar version of a grin. Let’s face it, any grin showcasing sharp teeth is bound to be a little disconcerting, but there’s a certain warmth in his gaze that kind of makes me go weak at the knees.

It seems like ages since someone has looked at me that way, and to be honest, I feel totally undeserving. Here I am, clad in a baggy shirt-dress, stomping around in thick boots, and sporting what is likely a bird’s nest of frizzy hair. Yet he looks at me like I am invaluable.

Suddenly, I spot a gorgeous white flower with vibrant pink stamens that beg my attention. As I approach, the air is filled with its enchanting floral perfume. Sure, I’m not generally a “pink” person, but maybe...

Just as my fingers are about to make contact, Taccit slaps my hand away. “Nika! What are you doing?”

“Hey! Why did you do that?” I glare at him as I pull my hand to my chest and rub the sting from it.

Immediately his fierce expression softens. Grasping my hand, he says, “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Nika. Don’t you know you mustn’t touch the lusnar flower? Did it get any of its pollen on you?”

“I... what? No,” I say. “I didn’t even get a chance to touch it.”

His shoulders drop, tension bleeding out of him. Taccit releases his grip. “Good.”

“Why can’t I touch the flower?” I say, bristling with suspicion.

Taccit heaves a sigh. “You truly don’t know any of the dangers of our world. You are weaker than a youngling.”

“Excuse me? What exactly do you mean by that?” I snap, hands instinctively planted on my hips while I shoot him my best “how dare you” glare. I fume. How dare he treat me like some child!

“This is a lusnar vine, Nika,” he says. “Its pollen releases a toxin that paralyzes you. The scent lures prey in, from tiny critters to big beasts. Once you touch it, you find your limbs growing heavy, and soon you are unable to move. But it’s not so much the flower that’s the problem; it’s the predators that feast on the immobilized prey.”

I open my mouth to retort, but I have nothing to say. The wind has been promptly knocked out of my sails. I had absolutely no clue whatsoever about the lusnar flower. The deadly plant could have easily passed for an ordinary, beautiful flower.

Taccit swallows, clearly troubled.

“The beast that attacked you when I found you...” Taccit swallows heavily, as if the memory of that night is almost too painful to bear. It probably is. I only have a few brief impressions of those events, and they have plagued my nightmares since. “The shreem often nest near where these flowers grow heavily. It’s immune to the flower’s effects, feasting on its victims with ease.”

Well then...

My anger at Taccit is unfounded. As it dwindles away, I’m left feeling foolish and embarrassed. Sure, he could’ve given me a heads-up, but I guess he overestimated my ability to not touch shiny objects. Oops!

Taccit looks down at me, his face shuttered. I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just disappointed him in the most embarrassing way.

With a shake of his head, he suddenly scoops me up bridal style. I squeal and throw my arms around his neck, frantically clinging to him.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“What does it look like? Since I can’t trust you to walk, I’m carrying you,” he replies, bouncing my not-so-light weight a few times in his arms to emphasize his point.

“I can walk. I’ll just never touch anything pretty ever again. I promise,” I say, giving his stubborn face a mini-death stare. In the future, I’m going to steer clear of anything remotely interesting looking. On this planet, chances are it will kill me.

“I cannot make the same promise,” Taccit laughs. “You are just as dangerous as the lusnar flower. Resisting the urge to throw you down and ravish you like a wild beast is taxing.”

My cheeks heat at his very blatant words. I squirm as a responding ache begins to pulsate.

He presses his face against my hair, sniffing deeply. “You smell irresistible, better than any flower, and I’m pretty sure you’d taste just as sweet. But my mate wishes to trade for things, and I will give her everything this world has to offer. So I will have to settle with having your arms around me like this since this is the only way if we are to continue traveling.”

Opening my mouth to reply, all I can manage is a flounder-like gasp. Words? What are those? Sweeping my hair back from my sticky forehead, I save my breath for another, less ravishing-related conversation. “When you get tired, I’ll walk. Deal?”

Of course, the brute just grunts in response, his hand giving my thigh a reassuring squeeze.

* * *

Taccit makes traversingthe hilly landscape seem like a breeze, effortlessly carrying both me and his bag as if it’s nothing. Soon, the stream expands and merges with others, forming a mini cascading creek.

He ducks under branches gracefully, including several needle trees that have me tucking in my limbs in fear of accidental scratches. Not once do the ominous leaves come close to touching me.

Needle trees look like your average pine tree, but their leaves are razor sharp—exactly like needles. It didn’t take long for the colony to start referring to them as such. They were the bane of my existence for a while, since they dotted my allocated farm area. I could never walk around barefoot in fear of stepping on a wayward leaf.

We pass a cluster of trees, and suddenly the world blossoms around us. My breath catches as the creek melds into a vast river. The sun’s rays play upon the water, creating a mesmerizing sparkle. Towering grasses, tinted in pale hues, line the river’s edge and its iridescent blues and greens shimmer like a mirage. Trees crowd the banks, teasing the water with lazy vines and branches. A cacophony of vibrant birds and enigmatic animal sounds fills the air, an orchestra of unfamiliar tunes.

This place is stunning, and my heart aches to think that many humans might never lay their eyes on this heavenly world. It’s an even more sobering thought when many of the humans at the colony have never had a chance to see this.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, wiggling a little for Taccit to finally set me back on solid ground. He lowers me ever so gently, my body sliding against his. His arms hold me close, seemingly reluctant to let me go. And for just a heartbeat in time, I think he’s going to kiss me.

I clear my throat, taking a step back to create much-needed personal space. I’m still grappling with my overwhelming attraction to this extraterrestrial.

He pivots and wades into the shallows of the river bank, pushing aside tall reeds. He turns back with a grin that has my heart skipping. He looks perfect in this moment.

Then he ruins it by slamming his tail into the surface, splashing water everywhere. And I mean everywhere. A veritable cascade of water splashes in all directions, leaving no pebble unsoaked.

I squeal and hop away, narrowly avoiding the chilly droplets plunging from the heavens.

“What on Earth are you doing?” I say with a laugh.

“He’s calling me,” a deep voice says, way too close for comfort.

I shriek, tripping over my own two left feet as I scramble back from the mysterious stranger.

Casually leaning against a tree nearby is an alien, but this guy looks nothing like Taccit. First off, his skin is a striking azure blue that fades to a softer shade on his neck and chest. Oh, and did I mention he’s got scales?

Standing even taller than Taccit, this fellow wears a stylish light blue wrap vest. The fabric hangs loose around him, cinched closed at the waist. He has a matching pair of loose flowing pants.

“Scales,” I blurt out, my brain struggling to compute the differences between Taccit and his slippery comrade.

He steps from beneath the tree, stalking silently over to us. From each elbow juts a long spiky fin. It looks dangerous.

The newcomer raises his hands, palms facing inwards. Is this some form of alien greeting? I quickly glance at Taccit, who’s mimicking the same gesture. Not wanting to be impolite, I give it a go myself.

The male’s eyes land on mine, and his shoulders lift and rise with a huff. If I didn’t know better, he was laughing at me. How rude.

“And who is this delightful creature?” he says. The male’s golden-eyed gaze rakes up and down my body.

I resist the powerful urge to hide behind Taccit, to seek refuge in the strong fortress of his arms. Instead, I lift my chin proudly and meet his gaze head-on.

Taccit strides over to the azure outsider, and suddenly they’re hugging and slapping each other’s backs like long-lost brothers. Their chummy rapport helps set me further at ease.

“Don’t scare my mate, Melvall,” Taccit playfully says, shoving the male away just for show.

Taccit exudes brute strength and bulging muscles. In contrast, the new guy—Melvall—has a sleek, swimmer-like build and moves with an almost poetic grace. He may be a little intimidating at first glance, but he radiates confidence and a bizarrely calming vibe.

Melvall’s eyes widen in surprise, and he swivels his head toward me. “Did you say ‘mate’?”

Taccit holds out his hand, beckoning me to join them. I try to walk to him calmly, but I suspect I still look like I scurry to his side. “This is my perfect little mate, Ariana. Ariana, this is Melvall,” Taccit says, pulling me in for a spine-crushing side hug.

Part of me is actually terrified of this new gentleman in front of me. But more than anything, my emotions are all over the place after Taccit referred to me as his mate. I know he is introducing me to someone, but I don’t realize I’d feel so touched by his proud acceptance of me.

I press my face into his ribcage, attempting to hide the sentimental tears threatening to give me away.

“Ariana, if ever there is an emergency and I am not around, you should come straight here to Melvall. Melvall will see to your safety until I return.” Taccit must see the doubt lingering behind my eyes, or perhaps I am just that bad at keeping a straight face. He laughs heartily, his chest heaving.

“I know, I know,” he says between guffaws, “he doesn’t look like much. Puny, really. And a bit slimy. But I swear on my ancestors that he is a good male.”

Melvall just stands there, brow ridges raised and lips slightly parted. “Uh, not sure if I should be offended or flattered,” he says to himself.

Finally catching his breath, Taccit gives Melvall a friendly slap on the shoulder. His laughter slowly dies to a more manageable state. “So, I brought payment for our last trade. And...” he glances down at me, his eyes full of good-natured mischief, “anything you can trade that my mate might like.”

Taccit’s quick jump straight to business is enough to snap Melvall out of his stunned countenance.

Banging his fist ceremoniously on his chest, Melvall replies, “I am honored to meet you, Ariana, mate of Taccit. If there is anything in my collection that I can trade, then rest assured that I will charge your mate well for it.” He tosses me a conspiratorial wink.

Taccit shoots a glare at Melvall, but I can’t help snickering. He softens when he looks at me.

“To be honest, I’m not quite sure what I’ll need,” I say, scuffing my shoe in the dirt, deep in thought. Why hadn’t I considered what I might need when we were coming here, knowing Taccit was here to trade? Ah, that’s right. I’d half expected an alien shopping mall and window shopping—not this... whatever this is.

“Definitely some clothes that fit better—oh, and warm shoes. Very warm ones.”

I’ve never experienced winter on this planet—no humans have yet—but from what I hear it is expected to be brutal. I have no idea what level of cold to anticipate, but I want to be prepared if possible. If I’m feeling the chill now, I expect that I will be freezing once the snows finally fall.

Melvall appraises me for a moment, humming thoughtfully. “I can set you up with the same gear our hunters use when they travel from home. Of course, we’ll need to make some adjustments for... um... sizing,” he says, eyeing me up and down. Somewhat surprisingly, this time around, his gaze feels more clinical, somehow less intrusive. “You’re quite tiny, like a little one. Forgive me for asking, but are you of age for your species? Taccit means well, but... um... are you sure this brute hasn’t hurt you?”

Taccit growls, gripping his axe, while a menacing glare is aimed at Melvall.

Now I’m the one fighting back laughter.

I find it amusing to hear someone else describe Taccit as a brute. So, I’m not the only one who thinks his crass demeanor and rugged looks are a bit much. It’s nice that Melvall shows some consideration for me, the poor, lost human.

Even if my husband is the butt of the joke.

Wait, what? Did I just think of Taccit as my husband?

I expected to feel more shocked. We’ve only known each other for days, after all. But oddly enough, the idea doesn’t bother me nearly as much as it probably should.

Melvall’s gaze flicks back and forth, searching my face as he awaits my response.

Finally, I speak, shaking my head. “He is... given the circumstances, I am surprised at just how happy I am with my ‘brute’. But thank you.”

Taccit’s gaze locks onto mine, his shocked expression turning into pure glee, his eyes melting with desire. My face flames, recalling how he looked at me like that just before we bathed.

Melvall smiles, and I quickly realize this is the first time his lips have curled with a genuine expression. He addresses me while eyeing Taccit. “I am glad my friend has found you then. If anything, I hold him to a higher standard. He is a man who can accomplish things when he sets his mind to it.”

The men exchange a knowing glance. Whatever Melvall is referring to, it’s something they have discussed many times before without resolution.

Melvall breaks the stare, looking back at me. “Is there anything you miss from... well, wherever you are from?”

I sigh and shake my head. “I fear I have lost everything from home. Most of what I had with me were basic things for survival more than comfort. Honestly, the only thing I miss is my necklace, and even that was more sentimental than anything.”

I spin to face Taccit, whose face suddenly becomes guarded. “No! No foolishness, remember? You can’t go back to the colony.”

Turning back to Melvall, I find he has retreated a few steps, visibly taken aback by my outburst. I offer an apologetic grin. “Sorry about that. I guess, for now, I just need the basics to help me survive out here. It is probably for the best to assume I have nothing.”

As my shoulders sag, it hits me that I really have nothing left to my name. The only remnants of my life before venturing into the wild with Taccit are my bow, a single arrow, and my boots.

Melvall asks cautiously, “What does your people’s jewelry look like, if you don’t mind me asking?”

I muster a smile. “I had a necklace on a silver chain, with a tiny, shiny gem about the size of my pinky nail that hung right here.” I tap my collarbone. “It wasn’t all that valuable, but my sister gave it to me before I left Earth.”

“Was the gem something like this?”

Melvall casually unstraps a mysterious trinket from around his wrist and presents it to me for inspection. I lean in to examine this intriguing curiosity, finding myself awed. My eyes widen as they take in the very fine, almost impossibly so, metal woven into intricate patterns to create a magnificent band. At its heart, a round and gleaming stone is carefully threaded and secured.

Upon first glance, the stone appears black, but as the light catches its surface, millions of colors come to life—purples, pinks, blues, reds, and fiery yellows.

I suddenly recognize what Melvall is cradling in his hand—it’s sorium ore that has been refined to look like a flawless gem. The amount he is holding is worth an absolute fortune.

With the swiftness of a magician, Melvall whisks the stone out of my reaching grasp and reattaches the band to his wrist.

I blink, feeling as though a spell has been broken. My reverie is shattered by the cold bucket of reality being dumped on my head.

Taccit’s body presses close to mine, and I find myself leaning back into his warmth.

Melvall and Taccit exchange a long, knowing glance with one another, before Melvall offers a nod of approval. “Please, rest here for a while while I retrieve your supplies. I won’t charge for your mate’s belongings—consider it a gift to celebrate your mating. Just the normal fee is fine.”

“Thank you,” Taccit says, his deep baritone voice sending shivers down my spine. His hands come to rest gently on my shoulders, steadying me within the protective fortress of his embrace.

Melvall casts a final enigmatic smile in my direction before slipping gracefully towards the edge of the river. In one fluid motion, he propels himself from the sandy bank and dives beneath the water’s surface, leaving behind barely a ripple. It’s as if he was never here.