a massive bruise on his face and I suspect that's from U'dron.
God, has any man ever been hotter? I would totally drop to my knees in front of U'dron right now and service him as a thank you if he wanted it.
U'dron follows my gaze and then grunts. "They were not trying to anger you," he says in a low voice. "They are outcast clan. Only the elders are allowed to make fire."
"W-what? That's a stupid rule." My teeth chatter. "And what are outcast clan?"
"I will explain later. For now, we will get you warm. Can you walk?" U'dron puts a steadying arm at my waist, bending over me so tenderly that it makes my heart ache. "Shall I carry you?"
"I'm okay," I whisper, hugging the furs tighter. I can't afford to let my heart go all pitter-pat over this guy. He doesn't know what I am. It's a sticky situation but…one crisis at a time. My heart can certainly wait until the rest of me warms up.
I stumble over to the cluster of rocks that U'dron points out. There's enough of a wind block here to start a fire, and as I sit down upon one of the rocks, he pulls out his pack and gets to work, producing tinder and strikers.
"You want me to get some driftwood?" I ask, huddling under the furs.
"No. You stay and warm up. I will get this." He gives me a stern look that indicates I'm risking his wrath if I even try to get up. I hug my legs close, avoiding the bandage, and watch him as he moves around the beach. He bends over to get some wood, giving me a show of tight backside outlined by his wet leggings…but then I see Pak and Dad standing a short distance away, just watching.
And I feel guilty. Because sure, Pak and Dad kidnapped me, but I don't think they meant me harm? I'm not sure what they wanted, but I don't feel like they're the enemy. And I'm about to have a nice warm fire…
When I see Pak shiver, my mind is made up. They're soaked, and they've got no clothes, just leaves. U'dron returns with an armful of wood and I gesture at the two “outcasts” that they should approach.
Pak looks up at his dad.
Dad doesn't move.
I sigh.
U'dron builds a fire, and soon warmth crackles and blazes from it. I scoot closer, letting it warm the chill from my bones. Man, it's nice. My companion strips his wet leggings off, in nothing but a loincloth, and I try not to stare too much at that. He's really well built in all ways, U'dron, and he seems to get bigger and stronger by the day. Several of the islanders have filled out with the plentiful food available at camp, and it shows on U'dron's strong frame. He no longer looks like nothing but wiry muscle. He's solid and thick.
God, I like thick.
"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" He sits next to me, tucking the blanket closer around his body. "We will leave soon and I will take you home, but for now, you should warm up."
I peer over at Dad and Pak, still watching us from a distance. "Why don't they come over by our fire and get warm?"
U'dron looks at me, puzzled. "Because they are outcast clan."
"So?"
He frowns. "So…they are outcast clan."
"I don't know what you mean by that. Did he…do something bad? Is he a criminal?" The word sticks in my throat, and I think about all of my secrets and how I'd get treated if they found out who I really was. "Are they being punished for something?"
"No…they are outcast. They are born without clan markings and therefore they are not real people." He shrugs and pokes at the fire with the butt of his spear, shifting the logs. "Anyone that is outcast is carried out to their village and must live with them instead of the true clans."
I stare at him, aghast. "You don't believe that, do you? That they're not people? Just because they weren't born with big horns?"
U'dron shrugs. "It is what I was raised to believe. I have not given it much thought beyond that."
I look over at Pak and Dad. In some ways, they look just like the other aliens from the island—they change colors with their camouflage. They have similar builds and the same different facial structure, the prominent cheekbones and nose without plating, features large but somehow still delicate. I think of Pak's stubby