Page 8

8

Not For You

*Jalen*

I eased the door closed, fighting the impulse to tear it back open for another glimpse of the blue-eyed beauty in my garden. The moment I’d spotted Ren, the universe shifted. My breath came hard and fast, my flesh alive as if awash with the invisible caress of dainty fingers. It was all I could do to stop myself from tearing the door off its hinges.

Not again! This isn’t happening.

Tearing through the cabin, I shut off the shower and threw on my clothes while attempting to bury the wave of attraction pulsing through my body. There was only one reason I’d merely look at a female and have such an intense reaction.

But I’d been fooled before. I wouldn’t go down that path again. Especially not with her .

Harlx’s bane! I couldn’t even go a few heartbeats without breaking the conditions my cousin had set for me. My hands shook as I recalled the heat of Ren’s arms beneath my palms. I’d barely touched her, all while assuming the worst had happened. Who could blame me when she showed up shorn, looking just like Cassidy?

Twins. It was just my rotten luck…

It didn’t matter. If I wanted my freedom back, I couldn’t touch her. She was off-limits.

I might’ve already ruined things. What if they were out there, reporting back to Rhelt? They could be telling him I grabbed one of them before we’d even been properly introduced.

No… I couldn’t think like that. Everything would be all right.

Get yourself together, Jalen. I had to show them my reaction was a solitary slip-up. That I could be trusted to lead them into the jungle, and I had no intention of repeating that stupid mistake—no matter how much I wanted to.

After donning my shorts and vest and stuffing my feet into boots, I headed for the door. She’s not for you. Remember that, you imbecile. I sucked in a deep breath, willing the thought to take root and flower. Then I stepped outside.

Ellios deliver me… Where were they? I stared at my garden with a frown. Had I dreamed the whole thing? Had the years of isolation finally driven me insane?

Muffled voices drew my attention to the side of the cabin. I followed the sound, keeping my steps light. Before long, two distinct voices became clear, both feminine, but only one made my loins tighten uncomfortably.

“What do you mean Arda’s not with you? She went to find you.” As my pulse kicked up, I knew that was her—Ren—even before I’d turned the corner.

A different female answered, “I bet she’s in the backyard. If she walked around the other side of the house, then she probably missed me coming back.”

I rounded the corner and grunted as a warm weight smashed into me. My hands fell instinctively to her hips as her cheek pressed flat to my bare chest, and a nervous breath ghosted across my skin. Shivers erupted and my fingers tightened.

Yes. My—

“Get off of me!” Ren squeaked.

A fragrant puff of some alien flower smacked me in the nose before she scrambled back. “My apologies.” I pulled my hands back, holding them up in surrender. “I heard voices.”

Our gazes clashed, her pale blues full of something I couldn’t name. My skin thrummed, that unwanted sensation tearing through me with renewed vengeance.

No… No, you can’t trust it. You’re wrong, just like last time.

I furiously buried the urge to tug her back against my chest as a voice cleared beside me.

I’d practically forgotten someone else was present. “You sure weren’t kidding, Ren.” A voluptuous dark-haired female sheathed in a purple one-piece outfit thrust out her hand and aimed a sultry smile at me. “I’m Karsen, but you can call me Kar.”

Did she want me to take her hand? Don’t do it. You’ve already groped one of them—twice.

Ren saved me from making a decision when she pushed between us with a scowl. “Finish the introductions after we find Capt.”

Karsen shrugged and retracted her hand, following Ren around the cabin’s perimeter. Both were practically jogging, paying no mind to the flowers they trampled. “Hey!” When Ren whipped around and aimed a glare at me, I wanted to wither, but stood firm. “Watch where you walk. Some of these took years to grow.”

“What’s with the plants?” Karsen slowed, taking more care with her steps. “We were all wondering.”

“Most are very rare. The blooms can be made into medicines, dyes, and other useful things. I harvested the seeds while traveling through the jungle to seldom-visited locations.”

Karsen grinned. “Huh. Guess that’s why they picked you to be our guide.”

“Not to brag—” I began.

Ren snorted.

“But I have more experience in the jungle than most.”

“That’s reassuring.” Karsen scanned me with an appreciative glint in her eyes. “You look like someone who’s always up for an adventure.”

I grinned. “I am. But there’s something I should warn you about before we leave. There’s this minor issue with—”

“Yeehaw!” a voice called from ahead.

That, along with Ren’s gasp as she approached the backyard, made the rest of my words die unsaid. My mouth snapped closed, and I hurried to her side. Then, blinking furiously, I tried to make sense of the scene we’d stumbled upon.

“What the fuck are you doing, Capt?” Ren planted her hands on her hips, staring incredulously at Arda, who had climbed my pilock tree and perched above our heads atop one of the gnarled black branches. She rocked on the thick branch, a silly grin painting her lips, while rolling her pelvis so much the golden leaves rustled around her madly.

What in the universe…

Laughter sliced through the garden. “What did I tell ya? I know how to ride ’em right.” She wobbled sideways and another manic chuckle slipped out of Arda’s mouth as she lifted one hand, swinging it in a circular motion. “I’m a rodeo queen!”

“Watch out,” I warned. “Those branches are slipper—”

Thump. Snap.

I winced, expecting the Terran to scream after she tumbled out of the tree and landed hard in the dirt. Especially once I spotted the puddle of blood pooling beneath Arda’s unnaturally bent ankle and realized the branch wasn’t what had snapped. Yet, somehow, she only stared with a stunned expression at the bone peeking out of her pink coveralls before laughing again.

“Arda! Stay still.” Karsen rushed forward, tugging her bag off her back.

“Why so bossy? Thought I was the boss?” More giggles spilled out of her lips.

Ren took a step forward, then turned aside, averting her eyes. “Fuck! Is she okay?” Her skin paled, and she sucked in a few deep breaths.

“Her leg is broken.” Karsen pulled out gauze, tubes covered in odd writing, and various other supplies from her pack. “And her pupils are enormous.”

“Goddamn horse threw me.” Arda glowered at the tree. “You said you’d make me look good!” Hardly a moment passed before more laughter erupted, spewing out of her so forcefully tears pooled at the corners of her eyes.

What is she talking about? I just stood there wearing an inane smile while the females took action. It was all so incredibly… strange, and honestly, kind of funny. But I suspected if I joined in with Arda’s laughter, it would not go well, so I choked down the urge.

Karsen spoke slowly and firmly. “Arda, I need you to call Lux. We have to get you back to the Verne so I can set the bone and put you in the med-bot.”

Arda covered her mouth, muffling her laughter. “I can’t call Lux. I’ll have to admit I was riding him .” She squinted at the tree. Then her face brightened, and she tugged Kar’s sleeve, waving frantically. “Wait… that’s what went wrong. It’s not a horse, it’s a camel! You can’t hump a hump!”

A sound somewhere between a chuckle and a scoff burst out of Ren’s throat. “Great. She’s high as a kite.”

Kar tugged her arm free. “Arda, please stay still. I need to stop the bleeding. This is gonna hurt.”

“Hurt? I feel amazing!” Arda eyed the tree with a goofy pout, even as Karsen poked and prodded at her wound. “Sorry I humped you, Steven. I just wanted to show them my bronco busting.”

“Who the fuck is Steven?”

With her back still turned, Ren missed the accusatory glare Arda threw her way when she answered. “The camel. Duh.”

Ren wrung her hands. “Did she hit her head, Kar?”

Arda gasped loudly. “You cheeky fucker!” Her eyes, the pupils so large and black you could barely see the blue ring of her irises, met mine as she jabbed a thumb toward the tree. “Did you hear what that perv said to me?”

“No visible head wounds,” Karsen replied while Arda continued arguing with the tree like it was talking back. Honestly, she sounded completely insane. And no, I didn’t miss the irony…

I strolled closer, my brow furrowing. It was clear from the distress on her friends’ faces, Arda’s behavior wasn’t normal. But what would make someone act delusional while also unaffected by pain? I racked my brain, but it wasn’t until I kneeled in front of her and spotted a shimmery spot on her nose that everything clicked. “She didn’t sniff a big yellow blossom near the gate, did she?”

Ren stiffened, her eyes widening. “Why?” It was pretty clear from her reaction that my guess was accurate.

My stomach sank. Two things. Rhelt had asked for two simple things, and I’d already dug myself a hole I wasn’t sure I’d be able to climb out of.

I forced a smile. “Looks like your friend just inhaled the strongest hallucinogen on Dionus.”