Page 78 of Treasured By the Alien Rogue

Xax just stood beside me, grinning. He knew. Somehow, he knew, and he’d brought me here not only to talk about his plan but to surprise me with another woman from my home planet.

“Vaness is . . .” Nevarn swallowed hard. “Formidable.”

Aizor snorted. “That she is. I adore her.”

“As you should,” Nevarn said with a growl.

Aizor just smacked the other male on the shoulder and the two gave each other foolish grins I had no way of interpreting.

There was another woman on Zuldrux?

My eyes stung, and I leaned into Xax’s side. I couldn’t wait until we were alone so I could thank him for bringing me here. Well, after I’d visited with Vanessa.

“Did you arrive here from Earth in a cylinder pod?” Aizor asked me. “That’s how Vanessa came into my life. The gods sent a sign, a crystal spear, telling me she would soon arrive.” His chest puffed, and he tapped the hilt of the crystal sword sticking up behind his neck. “She was quite receptive to my courtship.” His low laugh burst out. “That’s a joke.”

“You’re not teasing, right? I’m not the only one here?” I burst into tears.

Digaray had mentioned that she had something else to share with us, but that the gods had forbidden her from saying anything until we’d returned from our Indigan Clan visit. Did this relate to the women I’d seen on the ship? They could be here on Zuldrux.

Xax growled, though I didn’t know what he was snarling about. He tugged me into his arms and held me, stroking my back while I sobbed.

Needing to know more about this than I needed comfort, I tugged away and stared at Aizor. “Please tell me. Are there more women here?”

“As I said, Vanessa is my mate,” Aizor said. “But she—and now you—are not the only ones. There are others still sleeping in their pods on the godly island.” He grunted. “We tried to make the gods release them, but they refused. They have plans for each one, I suppose, and who can argue with deities when it comes to something like that?”

“If they’re trapped inside their pods, we need to free them,” I said. “Where are they?” I pulled my dagger again, prepared to fight for each and every one of them.

“We tried to convince them that the women should be free, and you’re welcome to do the same yourself, but I suspect the gods will refuse you also.” Aizor’s voice came out kind but firm.

We’d see about that.

“Come,” he said, striding past us and toward the crystal structure. “Let me introduce you to my mate. You’re welcome here at the Indigan Clan.” His sharp gaze met Xax’s. “All of you are. You know this. I’ve told you before.”

“Our home has always been with our own god and shrooms,” Xax said. “But . . .”

Aizor’s gaze met mine. “I respect this, but shrooms can be planted elsewhere.”

“Yes,” Xax said. “We have much to discuss.”

“Very well.”

“This is where we part, my friends,” Nevarn said, his heavy gaze still on me. “It is wonderful to meet you, Amanda. I wish you and Xax well.”

“Thank you.”

“We’ll see you another time?” Xax asked.

“The gods willing.” With that, Nevarn strode down the hill, taking the path we’d recently climbed.

“He’s traveling soon to visit with the Dastalon Clan,” Aizor said softly. “Now that he’s no longer banished, he said he’d like to establish a relationship with his former clan.”

“Will he move his clan back with them?” Xax asked.

Squinting down the hillside, Aizor grunted. “I don’t know. I believe he misses those he lived with but he loves the clan he’s formed in the valley.”

I slid my vine blade back in its sheath and walked with Xax behind Aizor.

We crossed the open area, approaching one of the crystal structures. A few Zuldruxians paused to watch us pass, whispering as they pointed at me.

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