Page 18

Even through the charcoal, wasp bomb extract, and thick sulfur hanging in the air, he could scent Elena’s delicious perfume. Getting out of the enclosed cave made it bearable but not by much. His gaze traveled down her shapely body, recalling the way she felt in his arms. Despite struggling to survive on this planet, her hips, tailless behind, and breasts were still ample. His fingers clenched, remembering the way they sank into her lush curves. His gums itched from theconjugoserum filling his mouth, goading him to grip her long dark hair, tug her head back and sink his fangs into the gentle slope of her neck.

“Enough!” He was supposed to be rescuing her. His thoughts, no matter the reason, were entirely dishonorable.

He stomped his foot, sending mud spraying everywhere, splattering Elena’s back. Slowly Elena turned, her brows arched in surprise by his outburst. He instantly felt like a petulant youth.

“Apologies,” he grumbled, not really having a good excuse for his behavior, at least not one he could explain without making her nervous.

Elena panned him and a laugh instantly burst from her mouth. He glanced down to find he too was entirely covered in mud.

“I know, this place sucks. Cuss as much as you want. We’re reaching the swamp and it looks like the tide came in, so it’s probably going to get muddier,” she snorted, trying to rein in her laugh, but failing.

She wiped the dirt off her cheek as she smiled in amusement, but only managed to smear it worse than before. His foul mood instantly fled and he grinned at how utterly cute she was, mud and all. Instead of being daunted by his foul mood, she took it in stride along with everything else in this place.

“How do you handle all of this?” he asked, still smiling at her.

Her eyes widened as she considered him then shook her head.

“I don’t. There are days I make this hike to collect water or food and I’m just bawling like a baby,” she admitted.

His smile instantly dropped and his chest tightened. He’d seen his human friends cry and had seen tears in Elena’s eyes. The foreign emotion was distressing enough but the thought of Elena overcome by tears was like a stab in the gut. If he could cry, he would’ve.

“That’s over. I’ll get you off this planet,” he spoke past the lump in his throat, as he reached out to brush away the smear of mud on her cheek.

“No.” Elena shook her head and took a step back.

His hand dropped, shocked and confused.

“I don’t understand.” He frowned as he studied her defiant stance.

“Why did you come here?” she asked, her brown eyes boring into him.

“To rescue you.”

Elena’s gaze narrowed suspiciously on him.

“It is a long story but that is part of my mission,” he insisted, feeling slightly offended that she questioned his intent.

Don’t be so shocked. She ran from you and tied you up, remember. She has every reason to be wary after discovering herself stranded here.

“I’ve got time.” Elena continued hiking.

“I don’t wish to frighten you again. I know you aren’t familiar with races like my own.”

Elena glanced over her shoulder, one of her brows arched incredulously. “I’m familiar with a few races.”

His eyes widened at the acerbic reply.

“Apologies for my assumption. Most humans I have met don’t have much experience with foreign races, but you’ve undoubtedly experienced much since arriving here.”

Elena whirled around, her eyes as wide as the moons of Vontory. “You know other humans?”

“Aye. Some I consider good comrades.” He smiled and nodded.

“How?” Elena eagerly asked, stepping closer to him.

“That’s an even longer tale. How about I start with what I know about how you ended up here?”

She nodded, her deep brown eyes filled with curiosity and excitement as they started walking again.