Chapter 9 #7
"No, sweet girl." His voice softened as he slowed the vehicle and turned to her.
"I'm worried. This storm—it's worse than the forecasts. It’s going to be longer om duration, colder in temperature than I've ever seen here.
We're burning through power cells faster than I calculated.
That's why we need to reach Krammer in Coti.
He's holding four cells for us." He shook his head.
"I despise this cold. Absolutely loathe it. "
"Is it my fault? The power usage?"
"Not at all. Your cooking is worth every watt—much better than my bland meals.
Plus, we've had visitors. Before you, it was just me.
Now there's hot water for two, those long showers together.
.." His mouth quirked up. "I'm not complaining about those.
I want us to be comfortable. I'm just getting what we need to stay that way. "
Ancelin's fingers found his hand. "Without you, I'd be dead on this planet. I came here knowing nothing—not about power cells, generators, any of it. When I landed on Verrian, I think I was running toward danger, not caring what happened to me."
"This planet devours the vulnerable. When I found you alone that day.
.." His jaw tightened, eyes darkening at the memory.
"Every instinct screamed to shield you." He traced her cheekbone with his thumb, voice dropping to a near-whisper.
"We collided like stars, didn't we? So quickly.
And yes, you're my mate—but I need more than biology between us.
" His fingers trembled slightly against her skin.
"I don't want your addiction or gratitude. I want your choice. Your heart."
"Krevan, you know that I love you, and I may be addicted to you, too." Ancelin's fingers traced lazy circles on his muscular thigh, the fabric of his pants rough beneath her fingertips. "Why are you feeling insecure today?" she asked, her playful tone shifting to concern.
"I'm not insecure," he snapped, a muscle jumping in his temple. Krevan's mercurial mood darkened like the storm clouds gathering outside. His massive hands gripped the steering wheel.
The vehicle lurched forward with a mechanical groan. "What's gotten into you today?" Ancelin asked, studying the sharp angles of his profile against the slate-gray sky.
“The cold.” Krevan's jaw clenched like a vise as he squinted through the windshield, where fat snowflakes splattered and melted into rivulets.
By the time they reached Coti, the small town's central lot resembled a graveyard of snow-crusted vehicles half-buried in pristine drifts.
Without a word, Krevan's powerful arms scooped her from her seat before her boots could even brush the snow-packed ground.
"I can walk," she protested, her breath forming crystalline clouds between them, but he carried her through knee-high drifts and into Krammer's store, where the sudden warmth flushed her cheeks as dozens of curious eyes, some human, some decidedly alien, tracked their dramatic entrance.
Inside, he set her down and strode to the counter. "Krammer. Now," he said, each syllable sharp as ice.
The clerk scurried away, returning moments later with Carl Krammer. "Got your cells right here," Krammer said, unfazed by Krevan's demeanor. "Need anything else?"
Krevan thrust a list forward. “I need these things.” Then turned to Ancelin, his voice softening slightly. "Choose what you want. We might be homebound for weeks."
She watched his profile—the muscle jumping in his jaw, the predatory alertness in his stance. The other customers gave him a wide berth, and Ancelin understood why. Even at half-strength, his intensity could make hardened men step back.
Ancelin slipped her handwritten list to Krevan, who passed it to Krammer without a glance. The shopkeeper signaled a clerk, who scurried off to collect their items while other customers stood by their own needs momentarily forgotten in Krevan's presence.
"Perfect timing," Krevan muttered. "We still need to swing by the hardware store for plastican and reinforcement materials.
" He stalked after Krammer through the packed store, with Ancelin trailing in the wake he created.
Bodies shifted instinctively away from his broad shoulders and stern expression.
Once Krammer had bundled their supplies, Ancelin found a thicker coat, and put it on.
“Add this to our bill.” Ancelin zipped the coat up.
"Tell Katie I said hi! Stay warm!" Ancelin called over her shoulder to Krammer as she hurried after Krevan.
The store was packed with anxious shoppers preparing for the storm.
She lost sight of Krevan's broad back for a moment as a cluster of people shifted between them.
A sudden collision knocked her sideways. A burly man, red-faced and arguing with two others, had backed directly into her. Pain shot through her foot as his heavy boot crushed her toes.
"Watch it!" he snarled, not even fully turning. "People trying to walk here."
Before she could steady herself, Krevan materialized. His hand closed around the man's throat, lifting him until his boots dangled above the floor.
"You touched what's mine," Krevan said, each word precise and deadly quiet. The entire store fell silent. "Apologize."
"Didn't—see—sorry," the man gasped, face purpling.
"Krevan, please. I'm okay." She touched his arm. “It was an accident.”
He released his grip. The man crumpled to the floor, gasping. Without a word, Krevan gathered Ancelin into his arms and carried her outside to their vehicle.
"Didn't we need supplies from the hardware store?" she asked, watching the muscle in his jaw twitch.
"After what just happened?" Krevan's inhaled slowly. “That man nearly trampled you. He could have—" He cut himself off, exhaling slowly. "We'll go in a minute. I need to warm up first. This headache is splitting my skull."
"Did you bring anything for the pain?" Ancelin touched his arm gently.
"Took something before we left. It doesn’t matter in this cold." He rolled his shoulders, grimacing.
Ancelin drew back slightly. "You know, you're even making me nervous right now."
"I'd never harm you, Ancelin. You don't need to look at me like that.
" Krevan's voice softened. "My head's pounding and I'm on edge, but not with you.
Never with you." He got out and circled the vehicle, lifted her into his arms. "Stay ahead of me this time," he murmured against her hair as he set her down at the hardware store entrance.
"Where I can see you." They were in and out quickly, Krevan gathering supplies with efficient movements.
When Ancelin reached for the keys, he simply shook his head, jaw set.
The drive home went faster with the snow letting up, visibility improved enough to nearly double their speed.
As the garage door sealed behind them, something slammed against it from outside—a howling, violent force that made the metal shudder.
"Is that just wind?" Ancelin whispered.
"Yes, that's the wind. The weather service predicted it wouldn't hit until tomorrow, but Verrian's climate is unpredictable.
" Krevan's shoulders slumped as he rested his head in his hands.
His normally vibrant skin had taken on a dull, ashen quality.
"Thank the stars, we're home. I need to install these power cells and then warm up. I'm... not feeling right."
"Not feeling right how? Is this more than a headache? Can Triaxens get ill?"
"Not ill." He fumbled with the door lock, his fingers unusually clumsy. "The cold affects my species differently. It seeps deeper, slows everything down." He guided her inside, his movements stiff. "I need warmth. Your warmth."
"But you were so energetic earlier. This seems sudden."
Krevan leaned against the wall, his breathing labored. "I exhausted myself before you woke. The greenhouse and barn needed repairs. Spent too long in the cold." His voice softened. "That's why I've been... difficult today."
"Should I make you something to eat?" Ancelin touched his arm.
"Already ate before our trip." He gestured toward the stairs. "Just need rest and heat." Halfway up the stairs, he paused. "Are you hungry, though?"
"Food is the last thing on my mind right now."
"I've never heard you say that before," Ancelin said, raising an eyebrow.
When they reached the bedroom, Krevan peeled off his clothes and disappeared beneath the quilt while Ancelin was still shutting the door.
She took her time undressing, slipped her arms through her pajama top, and eased in beside him.
His chest already rose and fell with the rhythm of deep sleep.
She nestled against the heat radiating from his body and let herself sink into darkness.
Hours later, she stirred, then frowned. Krevan hadn't shifted position once—not even a twitch.
Propping herself on one elbow, she studied his face.
Sleep had softened his features, smoothed the hard lines around his mouth, yet something dangerous still lurked beneath the calm surface.
Like a weapon at rest. Her fingers hovered above his shoulder, then retreated.
Waking him seemed unwise, especially given his earlier mood.