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Granted they could’ve run through the wasp colony like they did yesterday, but that was a special circumstance. They were both lucky they hadn’t sprained an ankle on the steep rocky path or tumbled over the cliffs.

Whatever his issue was, it couldn’t be helped now. She continued down the path, wavering like the plant that protected her, the swarm parting in her wake.

Finally, they cleared the last of the wasp towers.

“Are you all right?” She glanced back at Payim.

“No, Elena. Don’t ever do that again!”

She thought he sounded scary when he first spoke with his growly voice, but the deep way he rumbled now, his obsidian eyes flashing angrily, was downright terrifying. Add that he towered over her, forcing her to look straight up just to make eye contact, and she heavily debated breaking into a run.

Don’t freak out. He’s just unnerved by the wasps,she reminded herself, recalling how gentle he’d been last night.

“I’m sorry but there was no other way. The wasp colonies prefer that elevation. There’s no way down from the cave without going through their territory. Today they were especially bad, but the wasp bombs worked. I imagine you know a lot about ships and space travel but I know about this planet, so you’re going to have to trust me,” she said calmly, hoping that would ease him.

Payim didn’t look pleased. He ran a hand through his long black hair, shoving it out of the way as he looked around the hellish planet. Finally, he looked back at her, sighed and nodded.

“Okay. When we get to the hot springs, follow my footsteps.” She pointed to the steaming plain farther ahead. “It may seem counterintuitive but the ground that has thick deep cracks is the safest. The smooth looking ground is often just a thin mineral crust.”

“Understood,” Payim curtly replied, still not happy about the circumstances he found himself flung into as they forged on.

I don’t blame you, big guy. This place sucks. But it does get worse.

The morose thought reminded her and she checked the horizon. The smoke spewing from the chain of volcanoes looked thicker today. Even at this distance she could see the magma trickling from the biggest one.

But the quakes haven’t started.That was a sure sign harder times were coming.

Last year the quakes had been so bad they rattled her cave. She didn’t know what she’d do if her cave collapsed.

Thank God, my mountain is dormant.She had a feeling that wasn’t always the case.

Her gaze slid toward the distant canyons. The air was too thick to see if the vile reptiles were active today.

Hopefully they didn’t see Payim crash yesterday.

Except it was pointless to hope for anything. She knew that. She’d have to be vigilant for signs of the reptiles just like she needed to watch the volcanoes for impending eruptions which could kill them just as surely as those scaly bastards.

Despite how the morning started, she soon found her mood lightening. It was nice having company, even if that company was in a foul mood. She would treasure it any way she could get it for as long as it lasted.

Maybe he’ll be willing to help me.

Her thoughts drifted to her sleeping friends.

But can he help all of us?That would be a lot to ask of anyone.

Her shoulders slumped. It had to be all of them or none of them. The realization was like a storm cloud descending on her sunny day.

Payim quo Desero

“We’re nearly there.” Elena broke the silence and tentatively smiled at him. “It would’ve been quicker to go through the geyser flats, but I didn’t feel like a morning run.” She nodded toward the explosive geysers they’d just bypassed.

He finished the piece of fruit she’d given him and merely nodded. It was better he didn’t speak while Elena led him safely across the turbulent landscape. He’d been nothing but terse all morning. It wasn’t her fault his inner beast insisted she was his mate, demanding he bite her to test the bond. He shouldn’t have been so harsh with her. Elena was right, she knew this planet the best. Except watching her risk herself forging through the swarm of insects had frightened him more than all the battles he’d experienced combined. Just thinking of what she’d been through on this planet to even learn how to traverse these dangers made him want to snarl and snatch her into his arms, but he knew where touching her would lead.

This is what it means to find your mate.He groaned under his breath.

This was why newly bonded males acted insane. He was jittery and on edge, ready to do battle, except there was no foe to ward off. Every sense was honed in on Elena as she walked a pace ahead. Gentling a female was difficult enough when she was your own race, let alone one who was foreign, frightened of you, and obviously innocent about male anatomy. Agister had been a good mentor, but sadly, gentling females was a subject the male didn’t teach, instead taking him to a welcoming widow when he was of age. He probably wouldn’t have paid attention even if the subject arose, because mating and having a clan of his own wasn’t a possibility. Family was a dream for other males. So he’d given it up before it even took root and threw himself into work, serving his people. Now the impossible was walking right in front of him, and it felt like his world had been upended.

I’m going to lose my mind.He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.