Page 69 of Alien Jeopardy
“I think there’s food in the tacklebox, but I’m not sure,” I tell him. I’m embarrassed to sniffle again, overcome with the rush of emotions from finding out my friends are okay. We’re okay, and this little game is going to be a shit ton more dangerous than we bargained for, but at least the imminent threat of death is off the table.
“You are a worthy partner. A worthy mate. I only hope I can be worthy of someone like you.”
My jaw drops, but he’s already carefully making his way to the tacklebox, not waiting for me to say anything in return.
He truly expects nothing from me when it comes to returning his feelings, especially now that I’m not in heat.
The surprising thing is, I’m finding it harder and harder to not return them.
Ka-Rexsh is a good partner. I know, deep inside, he would be a good mate, too.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
Ka-Rexsh
The first tray of the box is full of extremely rare, extremely expensive medication designed to help repair the integumentary and skeletal systems on a cellular level. They aren’t Draegon-made, but a product of Arco research, which Ellison apparently doesn’t have programmed into her translator.
As soon as I explain to her what it does, I immediately tear open a packet and drink the gel-like substance within.
It’s going to hurt, but I’d rather heal fast and painfully than not be able to fly or protect my mate.
The second tray is full of carrier knives, designed to deliver potent poisons.
The third tray held the comms tablet Ellison’s hugging to her chest, along with a charging device.
The bottom and largest section of the box contains an ancient-looking water purifier, a fire starter, a length of rope, and a length of thick-gauged wire.
“That looks like the stuff they’d give competitors on one of the off-grid shows,” Ellison says. “I don’t know how we’re supposed to use any of it with all this water.”
I don’t mention that I have other ways of starting a fire because this very well may be a wiser way to keep my woman warm and fed than to put all my cards on the table in front of an entity as unpredictable as Ken.
“I am sure we will find out, hyrulis,” I tell her. The name is perfect for her, and I don’t think I could stop using it even if she hated it. “Are you hurt?” I hold out a packet of the gel to her, but she shakes her head.
“Not even for the cut on your hand?” It was bleeding freely enough to have left a stain on the steering mechanism for the boat’s motor.
“It’s not that bad. I’d rather save it in case something worse happens,” she says slowly.
“Show me,” I demand.
Frowning, she holds her hand out to me, slowly uncurling her fingers. A gash runs across her palm, but she’s right—it’s not deep, and it’s not bleeding anymore.
I hate it all the same.
I hate that she mutilated herself to save me.
“I want you to take the medicine anyway.” I clear my throat, trying to cut the growl out of my voice. “To prevent infection.”
“That’s not a bad idea. But what if something worse happens? Like a compound fracture?”
My translator provides an image of a bone jutting through her delicate skin, and I snarl in response.
Ellison blinks.
“Congratulations, players,” Ken’s voice interrupts the apology I was about to form. “You have each conquered the firstrealchallenge ofMated and Afraid, though your completion didn’t come without a cost, did it? Looking at you, Selene!”
“Oh no,” Ellison says on an exhalation. “Poor Selene. I hope she’s okay.”
