Page 49 of Alien's Challenge
Well, that was something to think about.
“I knew at that moment that I would not rest until you were mine. Every moment since then has only confirmed that you were the best thing I have ever stolen because I love you,” he said.
Alice squeezed her eyes shut. This was too much, too raw. She liked him, sure, but love? Since Faris burst onto the train, guns literally ablaze, it had been a nonstop rollercoaster. Hardly the basis for a lifelong commitment.
“We barely know each other,” she said, pulling back.
His grip eased on her neck. “You make me feel alive.”
Huh. Not what she expected him to say.
“I’ve been surviving ever since I arrived on this rock. Only surviving. That’s a hard way to be. Now I feel something here.” He lightly tapped his twin hearts, one after the other. “Could be hope. Could be optimism. I want things no disreputable male should want, and I want them with you.”
“What sort of things?”
“A nest. Hatchlings if we are blessed. Justice.” He said the last part in a voice so quiet that it suggested what he asked for was outlandish.
Justice. On this planet? Stranger things have happened.
“I like you,” she whispered, as if telling him a secret. “I like that you try to be kind when this place does not tolerate kindness.”
“I am not kind,” he protested.
“Rescuing little orphans—”
“I had a job that required a small frame. It was not charity for Perrigaul.”
“Rescuing me when I’ve just caused a world of trouble for you.”
“The fever adversely influenced my decision -making ability.”
“And far too humble to admit that he’s not all kinds of wonderful.” Alice knew then that she didn’t want to leave this male. Earth was her past. The future was uncertain, but they would face it together. “I see who you are, Faris. You can’t hide that you’re fundamentally decent. So if you want a nest, we can do that. I still want to go to Earth and tell my mom that I’m alive, though.”
He sat in silence, as if stunned.
“We can do that,” he eventually said, his voice husky with emotion.
Faris
Alice nestled against him, sleeping. He counted the even, deep breaths.
His bonded mate.
He wanted forever, told her as much, but achieving that seemed less and less likely. The moment he fixed one problem, another appeared. The situation reminded him of the fable of the impatient fisherman who did not want to waste time repairing his boat. He saved time in the short run, but soon enough his boat sprang a leak. Then another. And another. He spent all his time plugging leaks, caught no fish, and nearly drowned.
That is how Faris felt: plugging leaks quickly, but never fast enough to get ahead.
Alice murmured in her sleep, the scarf around her neck coming undone.
He regretted nothing. She threw all his plans off course, but this was better.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the consequences of your actions,” a familiar voice said.
Faris’ quills went up in surprise. He had not heard any approaching footsteps. “Your stalking technique is much improved.”
Perrigaul stood outside the cell, grinning smugly from the other side of the force field barrier. He wore the bright blue uniform of the local guard and a helmet with a visor that covered the tophalf of his face.
“That looks terrible with your complexion,” Faris said.
