Page 8 of Koha'vek
I crossed my arms. “I’m fine.”
He let out a soft, almost amused huff. “You are human. You do not heal as quickly as you think you do.”
I smirked. “And you’re a terrible conversationalist.”
For the first time since I had met him, Koha’vek hesitated, and then—to my complete shock—he chuckled. It was a deep, rich sound, so brief I almost thought I imagined it. But it had been real.
Something between us shifted at that moment, subtle but undeniable.
I wasn’t sure what it meant yet. But I had a feeling I was going to find out.
Koha’vek–A Few Days Later
The fire crackled as I watched Ava from across the cabin. She was reading a book she had found in the storage chest, her fingers tracing the edges of the pages as she lost herself in the words.
A strange thing had begun to happen over the past few days. At first, I had told myself it was nothing—that her presence was simply an inconvenience I had yet to resolve. But the more I watched her, the more I found myself anticipating her laughter, her sharp-witted remarks, and the way she met my gaze without fear.
I had spent years avoiding attachments. I had told myself I was better off alone, that it was safer that way. But now, I was beginning to question whether that was what I truly wanted.
I was Mesaarkan. She was human. We had no place in each other’s worlds. And yet, I could not deny the truth.
I had begun to care for her.
The realization was unsettling, yet I did not push it away. Instead, I let it settle within me like the slow burn of embers in a dying fire.
Because for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t just surviving.
I was living.
Chapter Five
Ava
As I watched Koha’vek squatting by the fireplace from my couch, I realized it had never occurred to me that aliens could cook. Koha’vek was actually good at it, even though I could tell by the delicious smell that it was another venison stew.
Spring had settled over the mountains, and Koha’vek had spent quite some time away that day, returning triumphant. He had found some root vegetables and herbs to add to our daily stew. Although I longed for a piece of bread or a biscuit, I didn’t complain. Koha’vek made sure I had a hot meal every day, and the meals were more than palatable.
The savory aroma made my stomach grumble, not enough for him to hear.
“You are hungry,” he said.
“Yes, and it smells wonderful.”
“I’m glad you approve.” He handed me a hand-carved wooden bowl and spoon. This is how he kept busy in the evenings, making woodcarvings with his knife. The stew fillingthe bowl was rich and thick. I should have waited to take the first bite because it was hotter than expected and burned my tongue. I waited for it to cool before I took the next spoonful, and I nearly moaned on the second because it was so good.
Koha’vek said nothing as he sat on a wooden bench by the far wall, eating from his own bowl. Even when I wasn’t looking, I could feel him watching me. Though I still wondered why he rescued me, I didn’t ask. I thought it was probably the same as I might have done for a wounded animal. As cold as the nights were in early spring, when there was often still snow on the ground, I would have died had he left me there.
There was a sadness about him, stranded on an alien planet alone, where many would just kill him without asking questions because of his race. From everything I had heard about the Mesaarkans, they were evil beings who killed humans for pleasure. I had not realized that they took prisoners and used them as sex slaves.
I watched him for a little longer, chewing a piece of meat from my stew. He looked alien, but not monstrous. Not now, after he had been so kind and caring. His face was harsh-looking, but not cruel or grotesque. His skin darkenedand patterned. His eyes were bright and intense; something was behind them, a sorrow I had glimpsed a few times before.
After we finished eating, Koha’vek cleared the bowls and checked the fire, methodical and quiet, just as he was in everything he did. I got up, using the crutch he had carved for me out of a thick, polished branch, and hobbled to the bathroom. My ankle still ached, but it was healing faster than I expected. I wondered if perhaps Koha’vek had used some alien tech to speed the healing. But I wasn’t complaining.
By the time I returned, the dishes and spoons lay on the sink’s drain board. I crossed the room and paused near the door, peering out the window beside it. I could see Dotty in the corral outside the barn across the yard. The sun was still shining, and the snow had all melted. That didn’t mean there wouldn’t be more in the morning, but it was getting warm enough during the days that it usually melted before sundown. Dotty looked good. She stood looking toward the house as though she knew I was watching her.
“Do you miss your world?” I asked suddenly as Koha’vek came to stand beside me.
He was quiet for a long time, and I didn’tthink he was going to answer.
