Chapter 20
TWENTY
Bri
Shocker—there isn’t any consensus on the message from the clouds.
Our little field trip hasn’t solved anything so far.
I still have no idea where we are or how to find help.
Plus, the brethren are too busy bickering for me to get in there and cast some doubt on Boss.
They don’t even seem to notice the breathtaking view.
The dull brown sky turns bright with broad pink and purple streaks as the sun hovers over the horizon. For a fleeting moment, the dreariness of Sabaak is gone. Reds and oranges transform the sky into a watercolor painting, the kind painted by a person with a brush, not a computer’s poor imitation.
“That one right there! It’s the shape of a vessel! See? She alone is the Rain-Bringer of Sabaak! And the rain comes because her prayer pours it onto the desert like the water goddess she is,” one says, pointing to a flat, shapeless cloud.
I chance a look at Tai, who is mid eye-roll from the ridiculous notion.
He’s right. This is stupid. But as long as they think I’m their goddess, I can be a positive influence on them.
He better not mess this up for me. Also, isn’t it rude to make fun of other people’s religious beliefs?
I shoot him a death stare, and he shrugs back.
How is it that I am more sensitive to the cultural differences between us and the brethren? Wasn't Elowen the one lecturing me about this a few months ago?
“No, you fool. It’s clearly a flame, representing her works with the power of the sun,” another one argues right back. “The power of her fervent prayer quells the sun. She’s not only a water goddess. She works with the sun! She is the Sacred Flame of Sabaak!”
I walk away from the constant bickering and turn back to the stunning view.
It’s powerful enough to make me forget the overwhelming heat, the gritty sand sticking to every inch of my skin, and the creepy-ass brethren fawning over me.
This right here, the view from Table Mountain, is what I craved all those months ago when I was trapped in the muraDome with nothing but work to keep me busy.
One of the brethren and Tai are in deep discussion, and from their body language, it’s not going well.
Tai’s ear twitches when the brethren angrily waves his arms in the air.
Tai leans down to meet the brethren’s eye and says something through clenched teeth, his hands fisted at his sides.
Tai looks over, forces a smile, and pats the brethren on the head in the most patronizing way.
The brethren has a similar forced smile that doesn’t meet his eyes.
“Majestic Goddess, come this way and take a final look at the barren valley. For the next time you see it, it will be green and flowing with water from your blessings.” Another brethren pulls me away and directs me to the valley below.
“Now that you are here, you can restore the planet to paradise.”
Now’s my opportunity to get some information on what else is out there. “What’s over there? Any other holy sites?” I ask, pointing away from the direction we came, curious about a possible escape route in the future.
“No, just more sand. And possibly a Sabaaki village, but we aren’t permitted to travel that way,” he says.
Perfect. Once I’m done with Boss, that’s where we’ll go to find help.
The sun dips down below the horizon and the temperature plummets with it.
With the brilliant light show over, I notice the brethren staring at me with awe in their eyes.
Ugh. I search for Tai. He’s back at the h’axom adjusting his saddle, his back to me.
Mr. All-Business didn’t even take a second to enjoy the view.
Things are still tense between Tai and the brethren. I can’t stop feeling there is something I’m missing. Tai is so stingy with details about himself, I can’t tell if it’s because he’s private or because he is hiding something.
At the base of the mountain, a dozen tents are set up in a tight circle.
Meat cooks over a small fire. It smells amazing.
How am I supposed to go back to boring noodles when this is over?
There are a lot of negatives to being here—and the brethren are doing their best to ruin my first experience exploring the vast universe—but the fresh non-modified food might be the best part.
I’m led inside the largest tent. The smell of citrus soap wafts from a clawfoot copper tub set up in the back corner. I feel a twinge of guilt at the thought of the h’axom dragging the heavy sled with a giant tub for me. Since it’s here, I might as well put it to use.
An agitating voice reminds me of who I’m sharing my tent with tonight.
“The water will help.” In the far corner, Tai reclines on a pile of pillows, looking relaxed and clean.
“A gentleman would have let me use the bath first.” I realize how immature I sound.
“Good thing I’m not a gentleman.”
I ignore his retort and hobble my way over to the tub. Behind a privacy screen,
I pull off my clothes and step into the lukewarm water.
I groan while I ease my way in.
The water feels nice once I get past the sting of it hitting my raw legs. The bath is perfect, but it’s hard to fully relax when I’m sitting across from him.
“I have a proposal,” Tai says, disturbing my quiet relaxation time.
“Proposing already?” His setup justifies my corny reply.
“Can we call a temporary ceasefire? I'm exhausted. I don’t have the energy to spar with you right now,” Tai says as he wipes a hand down his tired face.
“So…you’re admitting defeat?” I can’t help myself.
“I am. I surrender. Please have mercy on me. I’m tired. You are too.”
I’d never say it out loud, but I’m relieved.
I don’t have the energy to go back and forth with him either.
Comfortable silence with Tai sounds nice.
Having him around isn’t all that bad. I prefer it over the creepy fawning from the brethren.
One look from the big blue alien usually sends them packing.
“I promise, we can pick up our usual shit-talking later,” he says.
“You better not be turning soft on me,” I tell him.
The words slip out of my mouth before I can snatch them back, an echo of what I said to him the night we hooked up.
The taunt that resulted in him pressing his giant cock against me.
I scrub my hands roughly over my face, trying unsuccessfully to banish the mental image.
Weightlessness relieves the pressure on my body. My legs, my arms, my back, my face. Everything hurts. Even my hair hurts.
Back above water, I lean against the tub and let the water work its magic. There is a chance he didn’t pick up on my comment, but I’m too tired to care any longer. I peek over at him.
He’s in a similar position. Head back, eyes closed. I seize the opportunity to get a good look at him. My eyes drift lower, taking in his muscular chest. I don’t want him to see me checking him out. He would tease me mercilessly.
Tilaks are objectively good-looking. They are tall, broad, muscular, and chiseled. Blue aliens are hot. Name an attractive trait, and they’ve got it. So, it’s totally normal for my eyes to be constantly drawn to him. The guy is in incredible shape.
Stop thinking about Tai’s incredible shape. Especially his thighs. He’s got some juicy thighs that could probably… Seriously, stop it.
Nevermind, quiet equals danger. Too much time to let my mind wander. So, I say the first thing that comes to mind.
“Did you name yours?” I ask.
“Name what?” He responds without opening his eyes.
“That giant thing between your legs today. Your h'axom, obviously,” I clarify with a grin.
Tai chuckles. “Name it whatever you want, but we’re not going to be here long enough for it to matter. You’ve got a few days to take care of Boss, then we leave and never come back.”
“Such a hurry to get home! What’s the matter, Tai? Your hand not getting the job done anymore?” The possibility occurs to me that somewhere back on his home planet, a beautiful Tilak female could be waiting for him to return. The thought makes my stomach twist.
Tai’s tone turns more serious. “Very funny. Just don’t get too comfortable around these guys. They aren’t safe.”
“I haven’t forgotten. But what I want to know is why they are so weird with you.”
“I’m a threat. They don’t have their goddess to themselves anymore,” he says, fluffing up a pillow and placing it behind his head. It rings true, but there is something nagging at me that there is still more to the story.
“Well, being worshiped is a nice change of pace. You should try it,” I say. In truth, it’s annoying as shit.
“We can’t all worship at the altar of Bri,” he says, flexing his bionic hand, and the arm drops limply on his stomach.
“How’s the…equipment?” Why does my voice sound so husky? Pull it together, girl.
“Equipment?” He lifts an eyebrow. Seriously. Everything is a challenge with this guy. And for fuck’s sake, I can’t back down from a challenge.
“Yeah, it looks…” I gulp. “Unreliable.”
He is up and strutting toward me in the time it takes me to blink.
“Oh Sunshine, the equipment is fine, and more than reliable.” He looms over me, and all of a sudden, the room is sweltering.
I run my fingers down his bionic arm from shoulder to wrist. A smile cracks my face when I see it twitch from the touch. “It’s looking a little…limp these days.”
“Just waiting for the right time.”
“I think you need to cool down,” I say, splashing him playfully. He’s not the only one.
With an arrogant laugh, he turns and strides out of the tent, giving me a full view of that ass in his tight cargo pants. The brief glimpse makes my entire body clench. I slide down the edge, submerging myself in the water, and scream.
What gives this alien the right to have such big dick energy?