Page 38 of Third

He tilted his head, activating the comm link to the ship’s AI. His hand remained firmly wrapped around her waist, as if the idea of letting go even for a second was intolerable. “Status on immediate surroundings,” he commanded.

“Visual obstructions detected. Elevation required for optimal mapping and threat assessment,” the AI responded calmly.

Tor’Vek’s jaw tightened. “We climb.”

Her stomach twisted. She hated climbing—especially now, when every ragged breath and trembling muscle threatened to send her hunger spiraling out of control—but she nodded tightly, knowing they had no choice. “That means we go up, right?” she managed tojoke.

Tor’Vek’s mouth quirked—amicro-expression, almost invisible. Atiny spark of warmth flared in Anya’s chest, absurdly out of place given their situation, but impossible to deny. For a heartbeat, it was just the two of them—no crash, no enemies, no fear—only the fragile thread pulling them closer.

“Affirmative.”

Anya blew out a breath, willing strength into her limbs. “Then let’s move before we both turn into sitting ducks.”

He helped her to her feet, his hand never leaving her body. The second they broke full contact, the bracelets pulsed harder, sending a wave of destabilizing heat between them. Anya stumbled, and Tor’Vek yanked her back into his side without hesitation.

“Contact stabilizes,” he muttered, half to himself.

They moved cautiously across the broken terrain, the ship looming behind them like a wounded beast. The terrain was treacherous—craters, jagged rocks, patches of unstable earth that crumbled beneath theirfeet.

Several times, Anya faltered—sometimes from sheer physical exhaustion, sometimes from the desire clouding her senses and making her limbs clumsy. Each time, Tor’Vek caught her, steadying her with a touch that grew rougher, less restrained. His instincts, sharpened by the bond, were no longer purely protective. There was a possessiveness to them now, aclaiming that bled through every gesture.

When they reached the base of a sharp incline, Tor’Vek paused, scanning the horizon. He cursed softly in a language Anya didn’t recognize.

“What?” she gasped.

“Movement. Unknown entities. Approximately six hundred meterswest.”

Anya’s blood turned to ice. “Marauders? Selyr used Marauders.”

“Doubtful. More likely natives.”

He turned to her, the faint glow in his eyes intensifying. “We climb. Faster.”

He boosted her upward first, his strength a terrifying contrast to the gentleness with which he handled her. Once she scrambled onto a ledge, he followed with fluid, predatory grace.

They climbed in silence, the bond between them burning hotter with every agonizing foot. Sweat slicked Anya’s palms, her muscles trembling, each step a battle against her own weakening control. When Anya slipped near the top, Tor’Vek caught her again—this time pulling her flush against him, her back against his chest, one arm locked around her waist.

She felt his breath against the curve of her neck, the brutal tension in his body barely contained.

“Tor’Vek—”

“Move,” he rasped. “Before I forget myself.”

Heart hammering, she surged forward, scrabbling over the lip of the incline. Tor’Vek hauled himself up behind her in one swift movement, immediately positioning himself between her and the threat below.

They crouched low, hidden by a natural rise in the terrain. Below them, indistinct figures moved through the wreckage—scavengers or worse.

Anya pressed closer to Tor’Vek, instinct overriding caution. His body tensed, vibrating with the effort to stay still.

“Endure,” he whispered.

She nodded, swallowing the frantic pulse of want tearing throughher.

They stayed like that, silent, as the figures drifted further into the distance.

The desperate need didn’t vanish. It clawed deeper under her skin, simmering hotter with every heartbeat.

But survival—together—came first.

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