Page 57 of Charmed By the Alien Warrior

His words send a chill skittering down my spine. But then I see Sorrin’s face, and that fear shrivels in the heat of his stare. His knuckles turn stark white as they clench around the hilt of his weapon, and the expression on his face is so hard it looks like it’s been made of stone. There’s a furious, protective fire blazing in his eyes, as if he’s only seconds away from tearing Sevvern apart with his bare hands.

He steps forward, keeping pace with Sevvern’s backward retreat. Sweat runs down his face, mingling with streaks of blood. I can see the strain, the way his chest is rising and falling like he’s run a marathon. He’s holding himself back, and I know it’s only because he’s terrified of harming me if he attacks now.

Sevvern’s chuckle grates on my nerves. “Look at him, human,” he sneers again, twisting his head to glance at Sorrin. “He’s a beast on a leash. Leashed by you. But then that’s to be expected from the Anuriix. They’re all beasts.”

But Sorrin doesn’t rise to the bait. His voice is hard and steady when he asks, “What grievance do you have with my tribe?”

“The Anuriix poisoned my land. They’re starving my tribe.” Sevvern accuses.

“That’s a lie, and you know it!” Sorrin snaps, his voice like a crack of thunder.

Sevvern’s grin widens, sickeningly triumphant. “Ah, but the other tribes don’t know that, do they? Even now, my warriorsare spreading tales of the Anuriix’s treachery across Laedirissae. Soon, every tribe will hate you, and no one will help you when we come for your tribe. And I will be crowned as the king.”

Sevvern drags me another couple of steps backward, and Sorrin mirrors the movement, each of his steps deliberate. We’re nearly at the end of the hallway, with only a few more feet left. I have to stall him. I have to keep him talking just a little longer.

“I don’t understand…” I manage to rasp out, forcing the words past the tight band of Sevvern’s arm across my chest. Each breath feels harder to take, like there’s a vice squeezing my lungs. “Didn’t Haavor make the same deal with them?”

Sevvern’s grip tightens, and he chuckles, his breath hot and sour against my skin. “Ha! He is nothing but a fool. The Pugj plan to discard him the moment he’s outlived his usefulness.”

Sorrin’s eyes narrow. “Youare the fool, Sevvern! There is no loyalty among the Pugj. Not for us. They’re using you, just like they’re using Haavor. And when they’re done, you’ll be nothing but a dead traitor.” His words cut through the air like a blade.

Sevvern’s expression flickers just for an instant, and I can sense the doubt creeping in as he hesitates before taking another step backwards, dragging me with him.

Good.My heart pounds with resolve, and I know this may be the chance I’ve been waiting for. Because villains like him never see it coming when their plans start to unravel, and he won’t expect me to move.

He shifts his stance slightly and his grip loosens just the barest fraction, but it’s enough. In that split second, I move.

It’s not much, just a shift of my weight, but it’s enough to make Sevvern falter. His grip on me slips, and I seize the moment, throwing myself to the side and out of his grasp.

Sevvern reaches for me, but I scramble away from him until I end up pressed against the wall. Sorrin lets loose with a roar that pierces the air around us as he charges forward, his blade raised high in the air.

The fight is brutal and over quickly. Sevvern only has enough time to unsheathe his own sword before Sorrin is on him, driving him back with furious swipes of his blade before driving it into his chest with one last, final thrust.

Sevvern stumbles back, his face contorting as Sorrin’s sword sinks deep into his chest, and he crumples to the floor, his eyes wide in disbelief as he stares up at Sorrin standing over him.

“You won’t win,” he gasps in a weak voice. Blood bubbles from his mouth. “We are too strong, and we have too many helping us. Even your own tr-” His eyes roll back in his head as the last breath leaves his lips in a rattle.

And then it’s over.

The silence crashes over me, deafening in its suddenness. My legs buckle beneath me, and I sink to the floor, the adrenaline draining away in a rush that leaves me trembling. I can’t believe we made it. We’re alive.

Sorrin is at my side in an instant, dropping to his knees beside me. He pulls me into his arms, gently cradling me against his chest. For the first time, I completely let go. I lean into him, pressing my forehead to his chest and clinging to the steady strength of his embrace.

His breathing is uneven, ragged with exhaustion and emotion, and I can hear the thunderous rhythm of his heart beneath my ear. No—his hearts.Two hearts.He has two hearts and one of them beats just for me.

"You’re safe.” His voice is hoarse with emotion. "I have you."

The simple declaration unravels the last of my defenses. I bury my face against the curve of his neck, drawing in the warm, spicy scent of him. It grounds me, pulling me back from the brink of shock. My body shudders as the adrenaline ebbs away entirely, leaving me raw and vulnerable.

But Sorrin is here. He’s alive, and I’m alive. We made it.

And for now, that’s enough.

His hands are gentle as they cup my face. When I meet his gaze, the intensity there steals what little breath I have left.

“I told you,” He murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. “I’ll protect you. Always.”

And I believe him. In his arms, I believe in everything.

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