Page 49 of Zalis
“First, you can’t make anyone love you,” Thalia said. “There’s no cheat code. That’s not how hearts work.”
Zalis wanted to disagree.
“There are cultural norms and expectations. If I fail to meet these, Gemma will reject me and return to Earth.” He hadn’t planned to admit the last part, but now that it had been spoken, he felt lighter.
“She does know you’re from different planets. I’m sure she’ll be understanding.”
“That is a risk I cannot take.”
“Just talk to her. Get to know her. Let her get to know you.”
“I found a list of questions for that purpose, but the list was… insufficient. They upset Gemma.”
“Oh my God, what kind of questions did you ask?” She waved a hand. “You know what, I don’t want to know. Just ask her about the things she likes. Books. Movies. Favorite food. Be basic about it. And don’t cheat by asking the internet for a crib sheet.”
Her advice was not far from his mother’s. “What type of movie should I enjoy? Please give me a list of appropriate movies.”
“I can’t tell you what movies you like—” Thalia rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. “Fine, but only because you’re my friend.”
She spun in the chair to her workstation, tore a sheet of paper off a pad and scribbled a list. She hesitated before handing it to Zalis. “This is a list of my favorite romantic movies and it’s just for cultural context.”
“I understand.” He reached for the list.
She jerked her hand back. “They are not documentaries or a how-to guide. They’re stories.”
“I understand the concept of fiction.”
“And a lot of behavior in these movies would be criminal in real life.”
“I will temper my actions accordingly.”
Thalia gave him a stern look before handing over the list.
“My thanks. With this, I cannot fail.”
GEMMA
Someone was in the room.
They had a grip on her hair. She couldn’t move her head. She couldn’t run. She could barely breathe?—
Gemma flailed on the bed. Her legs thrashed, desperate to flee but tangled in the sheets. Her hair was caught in her armpit, pinning her in place.
The lights snapped on.
Zalis stood in the doorway. “Your heartrate is elevated.”
Gemma sat up. Memories of being back in the cage, of being dragged into the cage, faded quickly. She rubbed behind her ear, the site throbbing from where she inadvertently pulled it.
Annoying hair.No one needed this much hair.
“Just a nightmare. No big deal,” she said.
“Incorrect. It is a very big deal if it prevents you from resting.”
“Bad news there, buddy. I haven’t slept well in days.” The lack of sleep and exhaustion clinging to her bones was the only reasonshe admitted that. She needed to sleep but didn’t think she could. Not now.
Zalis crouched down by the side of the bed. “I dislike that term. I am not your buddy. I am your mate.”
