Page 54 of Alien's Eternal Mate

Indeed, I dipped low in the sky just as we reached Starlost village. I landed on the outskirts and set my lifemate down on her feet.

I put my hand on her cheek and just gazed into her eyes for a long moment, savoring every sensation.

"I thought I'd lost you forever."

"Never. You'll never lose me, beloved."

She put her head on my chest and sighed.

"Not even death will separate us. I will find you, my love. I will find you in every lifetime until the stars lose their shine."

I didn't believe in reincarnation. But I did believe the truth in her words. At the very least, I knew she meant every word.

And that had to count for something.

THIRTEEN

CARTER

Peace Chief Zey greeted our returning party. The look etched onto his face filled me with worry. I did my best to focus on landing safely with Arael in my arms. I touched down light as a feather, though my heart felt heavy.

Zey approached me, his jaw set hard. War Chief Pageus landed beside me, and placed a hand on my shoulder in a show of support.

“Don’t worry, Lad. He’s just got to bluster and put on a show, no one’s in danger here.”

“Why must he bluster? It makes no sense.”

Pageus sighed.

“I sometimes forget that due to your memory loss, you are unfamiliar with the nuances of our culture.”

“And that is a good thing,” Arael interjected, thrusting her lower lip out in defiance.

The returning warriors landed around us, most of them hollering with triumph. The cacophony created lent a kind of private intimacy between myself and Peace Chief Zey.

“You have returned in triumph, I see.”

His tone and stoney visage belied his words.

“We were able to recover most of our kin. I have not done an official head count but Arael assures me everyone is accounted for.”

“Ah, good, the word of a woman. Excellent.” Zey glared over at Pageus. “I expected this sort of recklessness from a stripling, Pageus. Especially one who has lost his mind. But I thought you were a much wiser man.”

“I never claimed wisdom, Chief Zey. But this stripling, as you call him, had a sound plan. We lost but three warriors in the rescue.”

Zey snorted, face twisted up as if he’d just sampled a bitter venom.

“And how many more warriors will we lose when Jark sends a full army to Starlost Village? That is what he will do, you know.”

The words crashed and rolled over me like a storm-tossed ocean wave. It made sense. Jark, like any despotic ruler, relied upon the fear his reputation instilled in others to maintain his power.

If someone could defy Jark and live to tell the tale, it would weaken his hold on power. Of course, Jark would attack the village, and wipe out every last warrior. Raze every building.

In rescuing my lifemate, I had just condemned the rest of the village to death or slavery.

“I see from the look in your eyes that you understand the full weight of what you have done.” Zey shook his head. “This is why there should not be a War Chief. Warriors lack the wisdom to rule properly.”

“Don’t blame Pageus for this.” I stepped fully in between the war and peace chiefs. “Blame me, and me alone.”

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