Page 15 of The Arabis Triad

She caught her reflection in a mirror and gasped. She held a shaking hand to her cheek. “Oh, my god.”

Her skin was mottled and sickly, her hair was plastered to her scalp with dirt, filth, and god only knew what. She was nothing more than skin and bones, though she’d had curves before she was abducted. Her eyes were wide and sunken, her lips chapped.

She ducked her head, closing her eyes against the flood of tears ready and waiting to escape.

“Put me down. Please,” she whispered.

Coltan set her on her feet. She kept her back to the mirror, not wanting to see her reflection. A glimpse was hard enough. She huffed a laugh.

“What is so funny, mate?” Coltan asked.

“I have to give you ten out of ten for wanting me. I look absolutely terrible.”

Gentle hands rested on her shoulders, and she looked up into Ashir’s face.

“You have been through a nightmare,” he said. “I would have given anything for you not to have experienced that. That you did and lived, tells us how strong you are. It is to be admired. You are our mate. We see through the dirt and the scrapes. They can be washed away and healed. Those are only momentary, and right now we will treat one, and then the other. We see the true you underneath your skin. Believe me when I tell you that you are absolutely stunning.”

Tears stung her eyes for a different reason. He certainly knew what to say to make her feel a little better. She didn’t think anyone had said anything like that to her. Ever. Maybe her mother. Certainly not her stepfather.

But she couldn’t really believe him, could she? The only case of insta-love she’d written about was an article for the weekend edition which was about different species of animals that were victims of their own hormones. The males of the species fought to win the rights to the females, ensuring the strength of their offspring. It was nature’s of way of securing the survival of the fittest, where only the strongest survived.

However, there was no fighting here. In fact, they were falling over themselves to be nice to her. Was she ovulating? She’d been through so much, she would probably get her period on top of everything that had happened. Day counting had slightly gotten away from her.

Maybe shewasin peak condition to become pregnant and these guys were just victims of their own hormones. She would get a period—or maybe she wouldn’t, if they had anything do to about it. Then they’d realize the mistake they’d made and walk away, leaving her alone, barefoot and pregnant.

Wouldn’t be the first time a man did that to a woman. Men just like dear old Dad, may he rot in hell wherever he was.

She had to remember they were aliens, for Pete’s sake. They could be capable of anything. Hormones or not, there was no way they could feel anything for her, except maybe pity. They didn’t even know her. She sure as hell didn’t know them. It was downright strange to be talking about never-ending love and commitment. She almost snorted at the concept.

“Well, that shower looks really tempting,” she said, “—and I’m beyond due, so… thanks for bringing me here, but I think I can take it from here.”

A confused glance bounced between them.

“We will aid you,” Paxt said.

Good to know he was the spokesperson, but she was so not up for this discussion. All she wanted was to feel clean and then to get some sleep. In that order.

“I’ve been showering myself for over twenty-five years now,” she said. “I’m good to keep it that way.”

“You are in no condition to bathe yourself. We will help,” Coltan said.

“I’m not two years old!” she snapped, even though she wanted to stamp her foot like a toddler. All she wanted was a shower. Why was this so hard?

Ashir rested his hands on her shoulders. “No, you definitely are not, but you are injured. Exhausted. Anyone would need help. We are here to help you.”

She didn’t want to think how good his hands felt, but she also knew it wasn’t a good idea getting naked in a shower with three men who wouldn’t think twice about stripping down along with her. She was at the end of her rope. “I’m not having sex with you!”

A low purr sounded from Paxt. “We do not ‘have sex’ with females who need help. Believe me, mate. We will not ‘have sex’ with you unless you ask us to.”

Ashir brushed her hair back from her shoulder, leaving a trail of goosebumps. He leaned in close and nuzzled her ear. It. Felt. So. Good.

“And youwillask,” he whispered.

Coltan tucked his knuckle beneath her chin and gently lifted her head. “Let me add, we do not ‘have sex’. We willmake loveto you. It will be more than a mere bodily function, and it will be when we areallready. Now, mate, we will care for you, and then while you are resting, we will prepare the area and make it safe. This is an unknown planet and we are unfamiliar with the animal life. We need to make this a safe site, which we will be able to do once you have been cared for to our satisfaction.”

Her brain stuttered with the last word of that sentence.

Paxt moved into the shower stall and started the water. Steam filled the little room. Her mouth salivated at the thought of water washing away the filth on her skin. Becoming clean was too much for her to deny, even if she had to get in there holding this scrappy towel.

---