Page 38 of The Dreamer and the Deep Space Warrior (Xaal Alien Romance #1)

Isobel

Time passed, but she only knew because of how deep her hunger went.

It was enough to drive her mad, but not knowing anything and being held in a space that was smaller than her wardrobe also didn’t help.

To make matters worse, the collar around her throat dug into her skin until it was raw in areas, which made resting nearly impossible.

That was why, when the door slid open with a low hiss, she was too exhausted to react.

Until something large and wet pressed against her cheek, then into her hair, snuffling loudly. She pushed away from this new beast blindly until her eyes finally adjusted.

It was a dog. Or, rather, it was dog-like, but far larger than any hound her father or brother had ever owned.

Its front half barely fit into the space with her.

Its short coat was a deep black, and its eyes were crimson with gold specks so large and otherworldly that she wondered if there were actual gold pieces stuck within.

Two thick antennae sat between pointed ears, all of which were constantly twitching as if it was trying to sense every minor detail around it .

“Driskos,” a familiar voice said, causing the hound’s ears and antennae to perk up more, “ lucarg .”

The hound took precisely three steps back and then sat on its haunches. But its eyes never left Isobel. Saliva dripped from long, pointed canines as its mouth opened in a deep growl.

She looked from the fearsome beast to Andrix, who filled the entire doorway with his hulking form. It was unfortunate that Ved’s enemies were other Xaal. They were all tall and honed warriors she had no chance of defeating.

“Here,” Andrix said, holding something out to her with his palm down.

When she didn’t make any move to take the item, he dropped it, and she barely managed to catch it in her hands. It was a round, deep-pink thing, and on closer inspection, it looked like…

“Raka fruit,” Andrix said. “It will fill your stomach.”

She was so hungry, but after that drink she wasn’t sure she wanted to try any more of their food.

Driskos licked his chops loudly as Andrix explained, “You can eat the skin.”

Isobel brought the large fruit to her nose and inhaled.

It smelled of citrus yet was earthy at the same time, and her stomach grumbled noisily.

When she took a bite, flavor exploded in her mouth.

It was the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and so exceedingly juicy that her fingers were covered in moments. She’d never had anything like it.

Without another word, she ate the rest of it ravenously, uncaring that Andrix and Driskos watched her every move. It wasn’t until she was wiping her mouth with the back of her hand that she returned to some semblance of herself.

Isobel was interested to find that she didn’t feel embarrassed, though. He certainly wasn’t judging her for not being proper enough. Hell, she was locked in a lavatory in her dressing gown. It didn’t get any more improper than that.

“Thank you,” she murmured, “for your help.”

He grunted and stepped away from the threshold as if to leave again.

“Wait,” she said, her desperation a sudden and scary thing. Driskos made a deep whine, his ears flattening a moment before popping back up. “Please, I don’t know what’s happening.”

Andrix paused, his form stiff.

“Can you tell me anything? My family, were they hurt at all? Why was I taken? What’s going to happen to me?”

He sighed as if he already regretted the kindness of feeding her. “I wasn’t with the others when they took you, but I didn’t hear them say anything about anyone else. And they would have. As for your other questions, why do you think you were taken?”

“They think that Ved will come for me.”

“And you don’t think that is so?”

She peered into Andrix’s visor, contemplating if she wanted to answer honestly.

If Ved had already left, he wouldn’t know she was gone.

He could be halfway back to his planet for all she knew.

And if he had still been grounded, would he have sensed something amiss? She chewed on the inside of her cheek.

“You are wise not to trust me,” he said, startling her from her thoughts.

“But you aren’t like the others,” she offered.

“I am not,” he conceded, “but I am still Xaal. I may not participate in senseless torment, but standing by while it occurs does not an ally make. You should assume anyone who isn’t in the same armor as your qon is an enemy. For he certainly will. ”

It was good advice; she knew it to be true. But she couldn’t exactly be picky with her allies. It made her think, though. If Ved did come, would he kill Andrix? He’d said he would kill all of Clan Rax, but…

“You don’t wear the same armor as them,” she prompted.

“I do not,” was all he said, apparently unwilling to give any more information.

“We are approaching our destination. When they come for you, I suggest you cooperate. Regardless of the fight you put up, they’re going to keep you alive to use against Ved Qon Cleave, but that doesn’t mean they need to keep you in a single piece. ”

Suddenly, she hoped Ved didn’t take the bait—that he didn’t know she was even taken. He would destroy Clan Rax eventually, and if she could survive until then, maybe…

Driskos padded forward again, crowding into her space and sniffing loudly.

Without waiting for permission, he laved her hands with his huge tongue, his thick whip of a tail wagging.

She breathed a laugh and tried to shove him back, but the hound was all thick, immoveable muscle.

Wiping her slobber-drenched hands on her nightgown, she surrendered and scratched behind his ears instead.

Perhaps he wasn’t as frightening as she thought.

Andrix muttered something in Xaala and then, “Tell me one thing, earthling. In our world, there is no place for pairing with a non-Xaal. How is it exactly you came to be Ved Qon Cleave’s?”

A shiver ran through her. His.

Damn being careful with how she answered. Her heart raced as she said, “I’m not entirely certain when it happened. But it was like a divine force had orchestrated it. As though he burned across the skies just to get to me.”

Andrix stepped back, and Driskos followed. Clicking his tongue, he shook his head. “And you still think he won’t come for you?”