Page 14 of Obsessed

Davrik moves at the same time, his large blue hand reaching for the device. Our fingers brush, and I feel a jolt of... something. Electricity? Static? Whatever it is, it sends a shiver up my arm and straight to my core.

I snatch my hand back, face flushing. "Sorry, I've got it," I stammer, scooping up the spectrometer and clutching it to my chest.

When I look up, Davrik is staring at his hand, flexing his fingers with a puzzled expression. His green eyes are wide, almost... panicked?

"You okay?" I ask, tilting my head.

He blinks rapidly, then shoves his hand into his pocket. "Fine," he grunts, but his voice sounds strained.

We resume walking, but the easy companionship from earlier has evaporated. Davrik's shoulders are tense, and he keeps glancing at me out of the corner of his eye.

"So, uh," I start, desperate to break the awkward silence, "those vines are pretty common around here. They're actually a form of mobile plant life. Fascinating, right?"

Davrik grunts noncommittally.

"They, um, move to follow the sun. Maximizes their photosynthesis," I continue, babbling now. "I've been tracking their migration patterns and?—"

"We should head back," Davrik interrupts abruptly.

I blink, taken aback. "Oh. Okay, sure. If you want."

As we turn around, I can't help but wonder what's gotten into him. Is he really that freaked out by a little accidental touch? Am I really that gross or weird to a Kaleidian? Or is it something else?

We walk in silence for a few minutes before I try again. "Hey, about earlier. I didn't mean to?—"

"It's fine," he cuts me off, his voice clipped.

"Right," I mutter, deflating. So much for breaking the ice.

When we reach the research station, Davrik mumbles something about checking on his ship and practically bolts.

I watch him go, confusion and a hint of hurt swirling in my chest. What just happened?

CHAPTER 8

DAVRIK

Ipace the small living area of Alice's research station, my mind racing faster than a quantum drive. The touch of her hand still lingers on my skin, sending jolts of electricity through my body. It can't be. Not here, not now. Not with a human.

But there's no denying it. Alice is my fated mate.

I run a hand through my hair, tugging at the dark strands in frustration. How could the universe be so cruel? To bring me my other half on this desolate rock, someone who can't possibly understand what this means?

"Everything okay?" Alice's voice drifts from the kitchen area. "You've been pacing for a while now."

I freeze, realizing I've been moving without thought. "Fine," I grunt, forcing myself to sit on the small couch. "Just... thinking about the ship."

"Oh." There's a pause, and I can practically feel her disappointment. "Well, if you need any help or just want to talk..."

"I'm good," I cut her off, perhaps too harshly. I soften my tone. "Thanks."

The silence stretches between us, thick and uncomfortable. I want to tell her. To explain why I've been acting so strangely. Buthow do you tell someone they're your cosmic soulmate without sounding like a complete lunatic?

Especially someone who isn't a Kaleidian. The existence of fated mates is rare enough in the Athenaverse, even with people like mine. Do humans even have such a concept? Doubtful. She'd probably think I caught some weird jungle virus and was having a fever dream.

I close my eyes, remembering the pirate attack that brought me here. At the time, it seemed like rotten luck. Now? It feels like fate had other plans.

"You know," Alice's voice breaks through my thoughts. "I've got some data to analyze if you'd like a distraction. It's probably boring to you, but..."

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