Page 11 of Surrendering Her Heart (Red Planet Fated Mates #10)

10

AVA

T he mountain looms before us, cutting across the horizon like a serrated blade. My legs, though still heavy, find new strength as we approach what I hope is our salvation but may very well be our last stand.

“There,” Zamis points to a dark crevice barely visible against the mountainside. “The entrance.”

“You're sure?” I ask, squinting to make out what he’s indicating.

He nods, face grim as he looks back to check the progress of the others. He stares past them, towards the horizon. I follow his gaze but don’t see anything out there. Does he see better at night than I do? Dan catches up to us, breathing hard.

“Everyone's accounted for. The last stragglers are just coming over the final dune now.”

“Good,” Captain Nyanna says, walking up from behind. “Get them inside quickly.”

“I don't trust this lull,” I say and Zamis grunts.

“None of us do,” Nyanna says. “All we can do is get inside and hope that they’re ready to fight.”

The mountain entrance narrows as we approach, revealing itself to be a natural fissure that someone has widened and reinforced. Shana stands at the entrance, counting people as they file in. Her face is grim with exhaustion, but her eyes are alert.

“Are they ready for this?” I ask Zamis under my breath.

“As they can be,” he replies, his voice equally low.

“That’s not very reassuring,” I say, looking up at him.

“No,” he agrees, doing nothing to calm my unease.

“You know what?”

“No?” he asks, genuine curiosity in his voice and on his face when he looks over.

“You suck at this,” I say with a huff, throwing my hands up in exasperation.

He’s silent for a few steps, then shakes his head.

“Should I lie to you?” he asks.

“No.”

“Then I should say the truth? Which I did… but I am not good at this?”

“Right.”

“Maybe I do not understand… what this you refer to?”

I roll my eyes, not that he can see it.

“Forget it.”

“I do not wish to forget, Ava. I do not want to forget anything about you. Ever. I will remember every breath. Every motion. And every word you utter for as long as I live.”

I stumble to a stop, eyes widening.

“Are you… you’re… you’re serious,” I say, studying his face.

“Of course.”

I blink, trying to wrap my head around all of this. Him. This is crazy. It makes no damn sense. He makes no sense.

“Gah,” I throw my hands up in frustration and resume walking.

As I step into the shadow of the mountain, the temperature drops significantly. The air smells of mineral and moisture in stark contrast to the desert. Two Zmaj and a human woman I don’t know are inside the entrance, welcoming everyone and directing us to carry further on.

Zamis stays close behind me, his bulk filling the narrow passage. I can feel the heat radiating from him, a constant reminder of his presence. After my impulsive kiss I've been hyperaware of him, though neither of us has mentioned it.

The rough, natural passage ends and we step into a smooth, well-lit tunnel. Our group stumbles in, wide-eyed and overwhelmed. We’re led through a series of tunnels into a large space with a lot of make-shift, half-built bunks. Tables line the far wall and those catch everyone’s attention the moment we walk in. A mass of bodies rushes forward.

Chaos engulfs the group as everyone tries to grab water and food, guzzling themselves but before anyone can impose order, it happens naturally. People stop the frenzy and help one another. As if the entire group realizes that what they’re doing is insane and that there is plenty to go around.

Zamis rumbles at my side. I look over, but he’s watching the humans. Water is being brought back to those who are too exhausted. The older ones, the kids, and the wounded have been placed on bunks and people are bringing them food and water. At the tables, mugs are being poured and passed back until everyone has at least some.

“Surprised?” I ask.

“Come,” he says, taking ahold of my arm.

He pulls me through the crowd, stopping when someone hands me my own glass of water and a piece of what looks like smoked meat.

“Here,” the man says, turning to go and get more.

I don’t know the man who does it, but Zamis puts his hand on the man’s shoulder and he jumps, looking fearful.

“What?” he asks, his voice quavering.

“Thank you,” Zamis says. “Truly.”

The man shakes his head then nods, clearly unsure what to say or do. I suppress a laugh both because it’s wildly inappropriate and because I’m too tired to let it go.

“Uhm, yeah. Of course.”

The man leaves. Despite the pressing crowd of bodies around us, it feels as if Zamis and I are the only ones here. His presence fills more space than his admittedly large body. I sip the water, as much from thirst as for a way to avoid eye contact.

“You need sleep,” he says.

“I’m fine,” I say, absently, looking over the last remnants of my race.

Haggard. Tired. Worn. Unprepared. All words that define what I see. Worse, what I feel.

“Ava,” he says, his voice deep and insistent, demanding my attention. I dart a glance in his direction, but the moment our eyes meet I’m trapped. I can’t look away. “It will begin soon. Sleep.” I open my mouth to protest, but before I can, he speaks again. “Please.”

I snap my mouth shut, blinking.

“Yeah,” I say. “You’re probably right.”

He nods, takes my hand and leads me through the rows of bunks, about half of which aren’t even built yet. He finds one against a wall that hasn’t been claimed. He pulls the rough blanket down, runs his hand over the thin mattress grumbling.

“It will have to do,” he mutters, looking over his shoulder at me.

He steps to one side and gestures towards it. I hesitate, feeling uncomfortable and uncertain. I clench my teeth then force myself to relax. Zamis stands silent and patient. Waiting without judging or pushing.

“What, you’re going to tuck me in?” I scoff at last.

“If you will allow me too,” he says, tilting his head to one side. “Then I will watch over you while you rest.”

“Watch over me?”

“Yes,” he agrees.

“Are you nuts? You need sleep too. The battle is coming. I don’t think I could sleep if I wanted to. How am I supposed to sleep knowing that those bastards, your former brothers are coming?”

He frowns, dropping his eyes.

“You are right,” he admits. “Many are the mistakes I have made. Regret is an empty ache in my soul, but I cannot change the past Ava. I can do something about the now and the future. I promise you this. I will not let them take you. As long as I have breath, you will be free.”

My eyes burn long before I realize that I have forgotten to blink. He doesn’t look up from the floor, as if he’s trying to glare his way through it. My heart is racing and my breath catches on every exhale.

“What are you saying?” I whisper.

“You know,” he murmurs. “In your heart. You know the same as I do.”

I blink, trying to ease the pressure building behind my eyes. Somehow my heart manages to beat even faster. It can’t possibly keep this pace. I open my mouth and my jaw clicks painfully. Words won’t come, but in the swirling silence of my head there is the racing beat of my heart. That rhythm carries the message. And though I try to deny it, I can’t. I know what it’s saying.

“Zamis—” I step forward, under his bowed head, looking up into his eyes, pressing my hand onto his chest. It’s cool to the touch but the echoed thundering of his hearts thump hard against my touch. “I… hear you.”

He covers my hand with his. The world narrows and all the voices fade until there is only the two of us. His hearts slow to a more sedate rhythm as we stand, silent, but together. I don’t need him. I can be absolutely fine on my own. But having him here, with me, this. This is… nice. Better than nice.

Because he’s right. I do know. In my heart. No matter that I don’t want to admit it, even to myself.