Page 16 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

“That was cold,” a voice said.

Emma’s eyes widened and she shot to her feet. “W-what?”

A Plutonian warrior stepped out of the shadows. Blue skin. Blue tail. Tattoos similar in style and shape to Korben’s. Even if she didn’t recognize the markings, his bruised face and tattered hair immediately set him apart from the other brawny blue aliens.

“Clavas,” she stuttered, “I didn’t know you were out here.”

“I could not go in. ” His smile was lopsided and weighed with sadness.

“I wouldn’t be able to either.”

His eyebrow nubs shot up.

She shrugged and leaned against the side of the cabin. “When you’re beating yourself up like that, no one else has to throw stones. You crush your head against them all by yourself.”

“You sound like one with experience.”

“Not me. My mother.”

He went quiet. She glanced over and saw his profile—the rugged jaw, the slope of his nose, the firm lips. Even weakened and bruised, he was still attractive.

For an alien.

Not that she was looking.

“I keep thinking of all the things I could have done differently,” he said quietly. “I keep thinking of all the ways I could have protected the Healer, my brother. Myspecies.They are all in danger because I was not strong enough to resist the Heronas torture.”

“You’re right.”

He glanced up, shock crossing his face again.

“Well, you want me to lie? Everything you said is true. You could have done things differently.”

“You are very blunt, Eema.”

“The truth is everyone can come up with great alternatives in hindsight, but the past is gone. It’s over. All you can do is make a better future.”

He smirked. “As rallying speeches go, it…”

“Sucked?”

“Was shaky at first.” He chuckled. “But it got better in the end.”

She shared a smile with Clavas. “It’s my charm.”

“Humans seem to be full of these charms.” He nodded at her. “Although they are rarely as brusque as you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Please do.” Clavas cleared his throat and set his eyes on the mountain peaks. “How did your training with Lans go today?”

“Oh, you know. He taught me how to throw punches and escape Heronas guards who nab me from behind.”

“Indeed?”

“What? You’re surprised he didn’t throw me into his zapten like all the rest of the guys here?”

“If you’d like,” Clavas hesitated, “you can use mine.”