Page 38 of Cherished By the Alien Outlaw

The upper leaves of lush lavender trees swayed in the breeze, their dark fronds contrasting sharply with the dull sand. A good-sized pool of water glimmered in the center, its surface reflecting the deepening, dusky sky. Relief surged through me like a tidal wave, nearly bringing me to my knees. I tightened my hold on my mate and glanced down at her, worried about what I might find.

If she was unconscious, would I be able to rouse her? Heat and exhaustion could kill a person, and my mate was much more fragile than me.

“Firion,” she whispered, her voice drier than a husk as she took in the paradise ahead. “Is this real?”

Smiling down at her, I nodded, my relief making thewords catch in my throat. “Yes, precious one. It’s real.” Later, I could tell her about the wandering Browze Clan. Now was for refreshing ourselves, sleeping, and a chance to make a plan.

My words seemed to reignite something deep inside Talia. She struggled in my arms. “Put me down. I’m going to . . . walk there under my own speed.”

Again, pride filled me for my tiny mate. Like back at the mine, she held a core of determination that no one and nothing would ever break.

She would see this through or die trying.

Holding hands, we started down the hill, both of us giving in to a last burst of energy. The cool shadows of the oasis called us closer, promising rest, safety, and a chance to renew. Sand sprayed up behind us as we slipped and slid our way over the shifting grains, our exhaustion forgotten in the rush of excitement about what waited.

We slowed when we reached the first cluster of trees and walked among them with our heads tilted back and big grins on our faces. Like the forest where the Celedar Clan had made their home, it was cooler among the vegetation. Soothing air whispered across my skin in welcome.

When we reached the edge of the water, Talia dropped to her knees, dipping her hands into the pool. “Can we drink it?” she asked as she splashed her face and ran her wet hand across her neck and upper chest. “Please tell me we can drink it.”

“We can.”

The water rippled around her fingers, and she leaned forward, sucking it down greedily. After studying the area and seeing no movement, I did the same. I’d never tasted anything better than the crisp, cool liquid. It slaked the dryness in my throat, and for the first time since we’d escaped the mine, I felt my tension slide away.

It was going to be alright. We were going to make it.

When we couldn’t drink anymore, I moved around behind her, running my fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp. She moaned and leaned back into my touch, and I continued, rubbing down her back and easing around her shoulders. I didn’t stop there, and massaged her lower back. If she wasn’t kneeling, I’d work on her legs. Later.

Tipping her head back, she looked up at me, her eyes bright with disbelief. “We’re safe.”

For now.

“Yes.” I turned her and pulled her into my arms. “We’ll sleep here tonight and lounge in the shade tomorrow. We can start out again tomorrow night.”

“Do we dare stay here that long?”

“We’ll keep our movements as hidden as possible.” I couldn’t tell her they wouldn’t find us here. They’d seek out the oases, knowing we’d do the same.

But without this much-needed rest, she’d die. I knew this in my heart, and she was all that mattered.

“We can find a good place to hide. Mask our tracks near the pool. If they come, we’ll make sure they don’t find us.”

Safety felt almost too good to be true, but I’d suck it down and hold it close, because this wasn’t over yet.

Our journey across the desert had just begun.

Talia eased out of my arms and got to her feet. Her fingers teased on the hem of her tunic.

“Can we swim?”

I couldn’t imagine anything more refreshing. “We should.” We could wash off the sweat. Rinse our clothing and lay them out to dry. Then sleep with more comfort. “I’ll . . .” Should I turn away?

“Join me,” she said. “This can be like the baths we secretly took back in our cell . . . only better.”

No matter how exhausted a male might be, a few parts kept working. My cock surged, butting against the front of my pants. “You’re tired.”

Her smile rose. “Not that tired.” She ran a fingertip down the front of my tunic. “Unless you’d rather wait.”

Nothing and no one was going to keep me away from this woman, my precious mate.

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