Page 40 of Primal Call

"W-will Zee be okay?"

"She's fast. They don't stand a chance of catching her."

"Good," Jasper said, relieved, and then he began shaking uncontrollably. In an instant, Kyral tugged Jasper into his arms.

Jasper's breath came in shallow gasps, his eyes wide with residual terror. "I... I thought..." His voice was barely a whisper, cracking with emotion. "I thought they were going to take me away from you."

The words hit Kyral like a punch to the gut. The raw fear in Jasper’s eyes stirred something deep within him — a mix of concern and protectiveness he hadn’t felt in a long time.

"They didn't," Kyral said firmly, his voice low but reassuring. "And they won't. You're safe with me."

Jasper's shaking didn't stop immediately, but he seemed to draw some strength from Kyral’s presence. Kyral pulled Jasper closer, his body acting as a shield against the world.

He stroked Jasper’s hair gently, feeling the soft strands slip through his fingers. “You're safe now,” he whispered fiercely, the intensity of his emotions surprising even him. “I won’t let anyone take you.”

Jasper's shivering lessened, but the haunted look in his eyes remained.

Kyral’s heart ached at the sight.

He knew what needed to be done — Jasper had to leave Vasz. This couldn't happen again. It was the only way to ensure his safety.

But every fiber of Kyral’s being screamed against it.

“I promise,” Kyral said, his voice rough with unspoken emotion, “that I’ll get you back to human space safely.” The words felt like shards of glass in his throat, each one cutting deeper.

Jasper's eyes widened, and he shook his head vehemently. “I don’t want to leave,” he blurted out.

Kyral frowned, trying to process what he’d just heard. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he whispered, more harshly than he intended. He softened his tone when he saw Jasper flinch. “Staying here could mean death for you.”

Jasper’s expression was a mix of defiance and fear, his blue eyes shining with emotion. “I don’t care,” he said quietly but firmly. “I’d rather stay here... with you.”

Kyral’s chest tightened. It was exactly what he wanted to hear — but what couldn't come true.

He fought to maintain his practicality. Emotions couldn’t dictate a course of action. “You don’t understand. This planet is dangerous for humans. For you.”

His practicality clashed violently with the emotions swirling inside him. He wanted nothing more than to keep Jasper close, to protect him from every danger Vasz had to offer.

But he knew that wanting and doing were two different things.

“You need to go back,” Kyral repeated. “It’s what’s best for you.”

Jasper looked utterly miserable, his shoulders slumped and eyes downcast. The sheer weight of his internal conflict was evident in every defeated line of his posture.

Kyral’s heart clenched at the sight of Jasper’s torment.

He didn’t know how to make this right.

“We need to keep moving,” Kyral said gruffly, masking his concern. “Before those two come back.”

Jasper nodded numbly. They cautiously made their way out of the crevice, each step taken with the utmost care. The tension in their movements was palpable; every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs made them flinch, wary glances exchanged frequently.

Kyral’s senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down — not now when they were so close to the treasure.

The treasure was within reach.

And when they found it, they would do what they had to do — go their separate ways.

Chapter seventeen

---