Page 9 of Survivor (A Space Pearl’s Treat #2)
Lucy
A jostle woke me. It wasn’t a sharp jolt but rather a gentle shake that reminded me of the way Nurse Jolie would wake me when it was time to take my medication.
I stretched, feeling the muscles in my body unfurl like a tightly wound spring, and for the first time, noticed the soft, furry blanket draped over me. I didn’t remember getting a blanket. Had Vraxxan placed it over me while I slept? The thought brought a smile to my face.
Since my abduction, I’d encountered a diverse array of aliens.
Some were downright turds, but many others—most of the ones I’d met—possessed a kind and gentle nature.
Vraxxan belonged in that second group, at the top of it, actually.
Despite only having known him for a few hours, I had to admit that I did trust him.
He’d protected me to his own detriment. I couldn’t say that about many I’d met in my life, even those on Earth.
I shifted on the bench, which made a rather comfortable bed, keeping the blanket tucked around my legs and drawing my feet up under me.
The lights were dim in the spaceship, but that meant diddly when trying to tell time.
How long had I slept? The last thing I remembered was getting to the part in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe , where Aslan gave himself up to the White Witch.
I so enjoyed telling Vraxxan the story. His bright teal eyes, like shimmering pools of the clearest ocean, watched me with unwavering attention.
He seemed to hang on my every word, each sentence weaving a spell that bound him to the tale.
.. and to me. I didn’t believe anyone had ever shown me that type of attention without the sharp prick of a needle piercing my skin.
It felt... nice.
I cast my gaze around the interior of the spaceship, searching for the male in question.
The sleek metallic surfaces gleamed like polished chrome under the soft, ambient glow of multicolored control panels, casting an ethereal, futuristic ambiance throughout the cabin.
Faint, rhythmic beeps, and clicks emanated from the cockpit, suggesting Vraxxan’s presence there.
Of course. We must be nearing our destination.
My gaze jumped to a nearby porthole, my eyes widening as my breath caught in my throat.
Instead of the expected star-studded blackness of space, a stunning view of lush foliage met my eyes.
Swathes of verdant blue and regal purple leaves swayed gently, interspersed with bright spots of blooming flora.
In the hospital, I would sit for hours watching the Travel Channel, my imagination swept away by visions of faraway locales.
The lush rainforests, white sandy beaches, bustling markets, and ancient temples all beckoned to me from the screen.
Now, I found myself visiting a location even more far off than I ever imagined.
“You’re awake.” Vraxxan strode in from the cockpit, instantly making my heart skip a beat.
His appearance was definitely alien, yet that only enhanced his allure.
His features were strikingly exotic, with chiseled cheekbones and eyes that gleamed like twin gems. The scales gave his skin a unique, iridescent quality that caught the light in mesmerizing patterns.
Every step he took exuded confidence and grace, and the air seemed to shimmer with a magnetic energy around him.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Vraxxan said, striding to the galley area, where he began pulling supplies from the cabinets. “I tried to make the landing as gentle as possible, but I needed to get us under the cover of the trees to camouflage our location.”
“How long was I asleep?” I stretched again, feeling my cheeks heat as a small yawn escaped.
“Almost ten hours.”
Based on the way Vraxxan’s lips twitched with amusement, I must have appeared shocked.
“You needed the rest. The incident with Seibring must have been taxing.” Vraxxan offered me an excuse, leaning against the galley counter and crossing his massive arms across an equally massive chest.
“This wasn’t my first abduction,” I reminded him. Although I got the distinct impression that it would have been far worse with Seibring than the cat aliens.
“So, what’s the name of this planet?” I inquired, rising to my feet and stretching. I was astonished that I had slept that long. Yet, instead of feeling sluggish, I felt invigorated and alert.
“It doesn’t have a name, only a designation.
Planet XZ1827R,” he replied, his gaze following me as I moved closer to the window.
The sprawling foliage beyond resembled images I’d seen of the Amazon rainforest. I wondered if it was as dangerous even though its beauty was undeniable.
A backdrop of blue, purple, and green, punctuated by the vibrant colors of blossoms exploding across the landscape.
“I don’t like that,” I sighed, wrinkling my nose slightly as the deep breath I took revealed nothing but the blandness of recycled air. “It’s too pretty for just a series of letters and numbers. I’m going to call it Eden.”
“Eden?” Vraxxan repeated, one eyebrow arching upwards.
I knew he understood my words through a translator implant, just as I did his. I wondered what meaning the translation conveyed to him.
“Eden is a paradise, a place of lush, natural beauty, perfect happiness, and harmony between people and nature,” I explained, deliberately avoiding the religious connotations. Explaining Christianity and the fall of man to an alien species was well above my pay grade.
“I like that,” Vraxxan grinned, his smile unveiling a striking handsomeness that momentarily took my breath away. “Eden.”
“Will we be staying on the shuttle?” I hoped not. I’d spent too many years trapped within the sterile white walls of a hospital room. I yearned to step out and explore this vibrant new world, to breathe in its fresh air and feel the dirt beneath my feet.
“No.” Vraxxan frowned for a brief moment, but a reassuring smile quickly replaced the shadow passing over his alien features.
“I don’t want to remain near the shuttle in case a planet scan reveals it.
The topographical map revealed some cave formations a few parsecs away.
We should find shelter in one of them.” His gaze softened, and his eyes held a gentle regret.
“I apologize for the roughness of the accommodation.”
“Don’t,” I replied, and a light-hearted giggle escaped my lips. “I’ve always wanted to go boondocking.” Memories of camping trips with my grandfather floated back to me, filled with the scent of pine and the crackling warmth of campfires, even if his RV was more akin to a hotel on wheels.
“Boondocking?” Vraxxan echoed, curiosity in his voice.
Again, I wondered about the translation.
“Camping in remote, wild areas in the middle of nowhere,” I explained, envisioning vast open spaces untouched by civilization where one could see the stars in all their glory.
“Then you will certainly be pleased,” Vraxxan declared with a smile and a warm, electric tingle seemed to dance across my skin
He turned to the nearby cabinetry, yanked out a couple of sturdy backpacks, and began methodically loading them with supplies from the galley.
A selection of alien crackers, packets filled with tiny, blue marble-like beads I recognized as a water purifier.
Protein bars followed, their foil wrappers crackling as he stuffed them into a bag.
Gah! If there was one thing I hated worse than packing peanuts and swamp water porridge, it was protein bars. It was like chewing a brick and tasted like a mix of sawdust and cardboard. Thankfully, he also grabbed several bottles of Verdesian ale.
Once he had packed the supplies into one of the bags, Vraxxan rifled through several other cabinets, outfitting himself with an array of sleek blades and the small compact blaster I’d aimed at his head earlier.
With his leather pants, shirtless, and wearing only a weapons harness over his muscular chest, he looked like the images I’d seen of elite soldiers on TV. Powerful, capable, and sexy as hell.
The backpack he prepared for me was notably lighter. It contained only a first aid kit, a few pouches of water, a coil of sturdy rope, and a few curious implements whose purpose eluded me at the moment.
“Ready?” Vraxxan inquired, his eyes meeting mine. I nodded, signaling him to hit the control that lowered the ramp with a soft whir.
The first thing that struck me as I stepped outside was the climate.
The air wasn’t overly warm, but the humidity felt oppressive, wrapping around me like a damp blanket.
I felt my hair rebelling into curls and a sheen of moisture settling on my skin.
Maybe boondocking wasn’t all it seemed cracked up to be.
I started to ask if there was a shower on the ship that we could come back and use from time to time, then I took my first step on alien soil and lost myself.