Page 77 of Tempted By the Alien Warrior

I turn back to Vrok and press a plump berry against his dry, cracked lips and squeeze until dark purple juice bursts free and trickles into his mouth. It pools on his tongue before sliding down his throat. For a second, nothing happens. Then his throat moves in the faintest of swallows.

Relief makes my shoulders sag. “Come on, Vrok,” I whisper as I squeeze another berry between his lips. “Stay with me. Just a little longer.”

I won’t lose him. I just can’t. Not after everything we’ve been through. And not after I’ve only just realized how much he means to me.

Across from me, the warrior watches Vrok like a hawk. The scar on his face bisects his eye before trailing down his cheek and ending at his mouth, causing one corner to turn up in a twisted smile. I remember Mara mentioning a scarred warrior who was secretly working against the Tussoll and Pugj.

I clear my throat. “You’re Zahrik, aren’t you? Mara told me about you. She said you’re a double agent.”

His shoulders tense and his gaze lifts to meet mine. Wariness flickers in his eyes before he looks away.

“I don’t know what that means,” he mutters. “But if it means I don’t agree with what my tribe is doing, then yes.”

“I’m Emily, and this is my cousin, Lily.”

Zahrik’s eyes shift to Lily, and I see guilt flash across his face. “I apologize for my tribe’s actions. I only returned to the village last night. If I’d known they had captured you, I would have already freed you.” His jaw tightens, making the scar across his cheek twist with the motion.

He looks away from her and his expression turns distant again. And in that moment, I see the weight he carries. The pain of realizing the tribe he once honored has betrayed everything he believes in.

Lily glances up from the pouch of berries in her lap. Her voice is barely above a whisper when she speaks. “You’re helping now. That’s what matters.”

His expression softens again, the harsh lines of his face easing just a bit. “You are too forgiving. It’s more than I deserve,” he says slowly. “I haven’t done enough, but that will change.”

She shrugs, her eyes downcast. “I just want to go home, but that’s not possible, is it?” Lily looks at me in question, and I shake my head in answer. Her gaze drops back to her lap and her fingers fidget with the pouch.

“Thank you, Zahrik. For helping us, for fighting beside Vrok against your tribe, for coming with us.” I swallow hard.

My chest tightens and a fresh wave of tears pricks my eyes. Things would have been so different if Zahrik hadn’t been there. I might have lost Vrok right then and there, but now, at least he has a chance. If we can get back to the village in time.

“I can’t stand by while my tribe turns into something I don’t recognize. I won’t be part of it.” His jaw tightens. “And I need to speak with Chief Daggir.”

The silence stretches for a few minutes before I finally ask, “How much farther is the Anuriix village?”

He squints up at the sky through the branches. “We aren’t too far from the Vex Grassland. If we keep the same pace as earlier, then we should reach the village by nightfall.”

I look down at Vrok and brush a strand of hair from his forehead. “Just hold on a little longer. We’re almost there.”

After a few more minutes, Zahrik stands. “I’ll ready the eponirs.” He hesitates for a moment, his gaze lingering on Lily before he abruptly turns and walks away.

Lily watches him go with a furrowed brow. Then she turns to me. “Whoarethese guys?”

“They’re Laediriians. We crashed on their planet, Laedirissae. Vrok and Zahrik aren’t like the Laediriians who took you. They’re the good guys.”

She doesn’t look convinced. “Do you trust them?”

I think of every time Vrok has thrown himself into danger without hesitation. How he’s risked his life for me again and again. And I think of Zahrik fighting side by side with him, and the pained, haunted look in his eyes when he spoke of his tribe.

They’ve both risked everything for us.

“Yeah, I do,” I say in a clear voice.

23

Emily

The journey drags on,becoming a blur of jolting motion and grinding anxiety. My arms are locked around Vrok, stiff and trembling from the effort.

My muscles burn, my legs ache, and my butt’s gone completely numb, but I don’t let go. I cling to him like I can hold him here with me, like I can will his body to keep fighting.

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