Page 28 of An Alien for the Farm

“What do you mean?” Eleanor whispers.

“I will get the farm ready. The roofs, the outbuildings, the field, the crops, the main lodging, and the yard. I will do it all. No charge.”

The Saffion’s ears perk higher.

“What? No.” Eleanor is shaking her head. “Zynar, you barely know me. I couldn’t ask—”

“I’m offering.” Standing tall, I cross my arms, eyes on the Saffion. He works for one of those government departments. He won’t resist a deal like this. In fact, saving credits for his precious department to invest in other things will probably look good on his performance record. “The Raki may be cheap, but they are lesser skilled and slow workers. This will be no cost to your department and I will do a better job.” Arms still crossed, I flex my muscles just because. “Whatever she needs, I will do.”

Eleanor’s eyes bug out and she’s suddenly before me again. Her hand touches my chest and electricity sparks from the spot. When I shift my gaze to hers, there’s confusion warring with surprise in her eyes. But underneath all that, there’s a note of something I recognize. Hope. Maybe because I’m feeling it right now, bubbling inside me. Hope for something new.

“Are you insane?” she hisses underneath her breath.

I chuckle softly. “Never been more sane in my existence.”

Eleanor looks confused. “Don’t you have other jobs after mine? I can’t let you cancel them to work for free! That’s absurd! Plus, this will take weeks to complete. Maybe even months. Who knows if it will take a year. I—”

I grin down at her, uncrossing arms. With one claw, I cover the hand she still has pressed to my chest. “There’s a lot to do and I’m not finished here yet.”

“Yes, there’s the roof but…” I can see the spark of something in her eyes, but she’s fighting it. She’s shaking her head, a frown on her brow, and I could grin at her defiance. She’s stubborn. Got some fire in her. The only reason I don’t show my pleasure in her spark is the fact the Saffion is still here watching our exchange, and this, whatever it is, is new. Fragile. I need to tread with caution, though every click in the Little Bird’s presence feels like I’m steamrolling down a hill, doing things I usually wouldn’t do.

“What do you say, Saffion?” I tilt my focus to the other male.

Eleanor turns to look his way, too, eyes still wide.

“Is this Kari…” The Saffion pauses, watching me. “Is this Kari of threat to you, Eleanor? Just say the word and I will get the guards to remove him from your estate. Forcefully, if need be. They are known to be a persistent, obstinate species.”

My eyes narrow, but the male isn’t deterred. My respect for him goes up a little more even though he just told Eleanor I’m like a wild tilgran that needs chaining.

“No, Xarion, don’t do that. He’s no trouble. He’s been great. But that doesn’t change the fact that he can’t just work here for free. That doesn’t sit right with me.”

“How about I charge you a small fee?”

She looks up at me, brows slightly furrowed now. “A fee? Yes. How much?”

I have no clue where I’m going with this but as the clicks tick by, the more the plan forms in my mind. “Labor for sustenance and board.”

Eleanor’s brows dive. “I have no problem paying you, but that doesn’t sound like a fair trade.”

The Saffion seems surprised. “You would accept this Kari’s offer?”

Eleanor nods, facing the Saffion. “Yes. I would. An offer we can both agree on.”

The Saffion’s ears perk up and he hums a tone in his throat. “This would work well. The Kari are a displaced species like yourself.”

Eleanor spins to face me, those brilliant blues of hers searching mine. A myriad of emotions I cannot name swim within them. “You lost your home?”

I tilt my head slightly in affirmation and when her eyes widen in horror, I know she has the wrong idea. I can’t, however, explain now. This is all heading in the right direction, in my favor. If I open my mouth and tell her the truth, I might lose to the stupid Raki this Saffion will bring in to replace me. I’ll lose her. If I leave this farm now, what reason will I have to return that won’t come off as me pestering her. She might become afraid and ring the guards herself.

“Word of your partnership would be good news for the Initiative. This positive turn would increase funding to place more of your kind on estates like this.” I can tell the Saffion is thinking out loud. His words make Eleanor spin to face him again.

“Wait a minute there, Xarion. You’re telling me that if I allow Zynar to work here, you’ll put in a good word that I’m making ties with the local community? Is that what you’re saying? And that this will help more humans into homes here on this planet?”

The Saffion nods without hesitation. “Affirmative. My department is committed to the success of the Initiative. The more you integrate, the easier it will be for us to bring more refugees in.”

She stares at him for a few moments, her eyes still wide. It’s clear this is an important development for her. Without even asking, I can tell she cares about the others of her kind who have lost their homes as well. My Little Bird has a gentle soul.

After a few moments, she releases a breath. “Yes, Xarion. Of course. I’ll discuss payment with Zynar and arrange things privately, but yes. A thousand times, yes.”

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