The Alien's Revenge - Ella Maven Page 0,21

time, his head constantly on a swivel as he checked our surroundings. As for me, I listened. I documented what sounded normal so I’d be able to pick up anything unique.

When we finally swung into the doorway of his hut, he placed me on my feet near the bed. After arranging the furs, he slowly lowered me down to the floor. Seriously, I was getting too used to this. I didn’t want him to think I was incapable of doing things for myself. I’d managed pretty well on this planet so far. Sure, I’d been under the care of other Drixonians, but I still had to hold my own, not lose my shit, and look out for my girls.

He started the fire again and then skinned the moira using his claws. His movements were quick and efficient. I couldn’t do much from my spot on the floor, but I did set the table—er, floor—so to speak.

He only had the one board which he’d used to feed me yesterday, so I placed it between us to share with two jugs of qua. I dug out some fruit, a white fuzzy thing that reminded me of a peach but tasted like a melon. The skin was not edible, so I eyed Heart before beckoning him over to me. When he stood nearby, I grabbed his hand and tapped on the tips, growling, and curling my fingers into a claw imitation. For a moment, he only blinked at me like I’d lost my mind, but then he blinked, and his black dagger-like claws unleashed.

I grinned and almost patted him on the head. Using his finger like a tool, I sliced the fruit, taking my time and even cutting a few fun shapes into it. What else did we have to do other than watch a moira cook?

Heart sat beside me patiently, not moving, allowing me to twist his hand this way and that. When I was finished, I patted his hand and arranged the fruit along with a few seeds and nuts from what I dubbed his trail mix stash. I sat back and analyzed my board, pretty proud of my Planet Torin charcuterie. I might be in a tree house with a barbarian-like alien, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t eat in style.

I found a crude cup, filled it with some qua, and placed the bouquet inside. After fluffing the foliage, I eyed my little place setting. It was almost romantic.

Wait, was that what I was doing? Setting this up like a date? The setting sun cast an orange glow over everything and deepened the shadows in the hut. Heart remained crouched beside me, and when I turned to see what he thought of my task, I found him looking at the flowers.

He didn’t turn his head, and I searched his aura to see how he was feeling. The smoke was calm, swirling delicately in little curls. Finally, he met my gaze, and purple irises met mine. They were the lightest I’d ever seen them.

I reached out a hand to cup his cheek, feeling like I needed to physically connect, and he slowly lowered his lashes as he leaned into my palm. I adored the gesture, like every time I granted him my touch, he needed me to know how much he appreciated it. Not for the first time I wondered how long he’d been alone. He seemed wary of physical contact, while also craving it.

He swallowed and he opened his eyes to lock with mine before he pressed one single kiss to the inside of my wrist over my loks.

Six

The Warrior

I didn’t know when I’d ever felt pride like I did watching my female eat food I’d prepared. With my own hands, I’d killed and cooked for her, and now my efforts nourished her body. If I’d been able, I would have shouted it from the treetops.

Look at me, a warrior with a purpose once again.

I didn’t understand the reason for the blooms in front of us, but every once in a while, Merr-anda would reach out and touch the tip of her finger to a petal. She’d smile to herself, and the sight filled me with a welcomed warmth.

“Purridy,” she said to me when I caught her looking at the blooms.

I didn’t know what that word meant, but the blooms made her happy, and I had to admit the bright colors stood out amongst the dark wood of my hut.

She’d sliced the fruit into shapes, which I found indulgent, but