Page 57 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
Stupid. Why do I always have to open my big mouth? One would think that avoiding annoying the guy who’s currently giving you a pounding would be a no-brainer. Yet, here I am, throwing logic out the window right alongside my temper. Talk about a winning combination!
Walter cackles manically, like a villain straight from a comic book. What is wrong with this guy? “Oh, and your precious alien? It’s dead. I made sure of that just a few hours ago.”
Time seems to crawl to a halt at Walter’s words. Can he be telling the truth?
He leans down, his hot breath ghosting over my face. “No one is coming to save you.”
And, right on cue, the bone-chilling howling of a drolvden echoes through the distance, resonating deep within my core. The sound holds an undeniable finality to it.
Taccit is dead.
ChapterFifteen
ARIANA
The creak of the door and gentle patter of footsteps startle me from my slumber. I have no clue how long I’ve been sprawled out on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably until sleep mercifully took over. My body aches from lying on the floor for so long—I mean, who chose hardwood over plush carpeting?
Why, oh why, didn’t I just stay in the cave? But then again, would it have changed anything? Taccit would still be dead, and I’d be left twiddling my thumbs while waiting for him to return.
I’d never get to tell him that I loved him.
Walter’s words haunt me. He killed Taccit without breaking a sweat or shedding a tear. Taccit had a soul and emotions, and despite his alien anatomy, he felt more human to me than Walter ever could.
As the person entering the room comes closer, I hold myself still—partly out of fear, and partly because I just can’t be bothered. I just don’t have the energy to fight anymore, and boy, do I hate that. But seriously, what’s the point without Taccit by my side? I would give up everything to have him back, even my beloved dreams of being a farmer.
My mind craves the sweet release of oblivion, but I know deep down that I’m not one to just roll over and give up. I don’t just give up. Not for very long, at least. This damsel doesn’t stay in distress for long. I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse.
“Ariana. Oh, sweetheart.” Tender hands touch my shoulder, and caring fingers brush the hair from my eyes. I blink up at Maya’s tan complexion and chocolate-brown eyes, filled with concern.
It’s so good to see her again. I’ve missed her terribly—it felt like we hadn’t chatted or gossiped for a lifetime (okay, maybe it was just weeks, but sometimes that can feel like forever). There’s so much I need to tell her. She will help me. I know her.
I stare down at my legs, caked in dried blood and mud. They look worse than they feel. In fact, the more I think about it, I’m pretty sure they were in worse condition last night. It’s not possible that they have healed that fast… is it?
“We need to get you up. Get you clean and ready,” Maya’s hands do a quick reconnaissance of my battered body, searching for wounds. I wince as her fingers skim past the cuts and bruises decorating my legs. She rolls up my shirt and gasps, appalled by the patchwork of injuries that greet her.
My brain is still playing catch-up as I groggily process her words. “Ready? Ready for what?”
“Market day.” Maya says simply. “Mr. Sullivan said that he left you a dress—an actual dress—in the bedroom.”
A disbelieving laugh slips through my lips. The market? Really? Like I have any intention of going window shopping right now.
“Are you serious?” I manage to choke out, struggling to hold back tears that feel like they could flood the room.
Maya winces and tries to calm me down. Doesn’t my friend care for me at all? “Walter and James are outside. They are already waiting. They want to go to the markets.”
“Wait, they’re outside? Right now?”
Maya nods, an apologetic smile on her face.
“Did the… James mentioned you were captured. Did the beast?” Unable to fully voice her question, she stumbles over the words.
“His name was Taccit, and he was… kind. Sure, he had his flaws, but he always tried to work through them for me.” I don’t mention that his biggest flaw was his need for control when it came to my safety. But is it really his fault that he’s like that? He’s been alone for so many years, living in guilt because he couldn’t save someone he loved. That’s a pretty big trauma to work through.
“He was a real sweetheart.”, I say. “I fell in love with him, Maya. Really, fully in love with him. And now he’s... well, he’s...” I say, struggling to say the word. Nope, not ready to admit that Taccit is dead yet.
“Don’t listen to what the hunters say. He wasn’t a beast. None of the aliens here are. Taccit took care of me every day. He went out of his way to make me happy. That’s way better than that husband of yours. Did you know that jerk dragged me through a freaking mountain? That pompous, selfish...” I cut myself short.
“James is a huge idiot, and he’s not my husband anymore.”
