Page 12 of Cherished By the Alien Outlaw

She placed the tray on the table, holding it steady until the surface stopped swaying. “I’m not eating anymore.” Her arms linked on her chest, squishing her two plump breasts that were very different than the flatter four of a Zuldruxian female. “And the next time they bring water, you’re drinking it, not me.”

“You had a fever. Water is the best treatment.” There was more in the corner, but I’d tasted it, and it had gone sour.

“I don’t have a fever any longer. Please eat.” She sounded sad. I couldn’t do anything but find a way to please her. Biting into the meat, I grimaced. But this was how fellahorns tasted. They ate refuse and probably shit. I hadn’t looked into it too closely. What they ate was reflected in their meat.

“Share it with me,” I said.

“I can’t. Sorry.” She rubbed her belly. “I’m much too full to eat anything else.”

Despite my urgings, showing her each piece of food and explaining what it was, she refused to take even one more bite.

She was right. I couldn’t protect her if I wasn’t healthy myself, so I finished the meal. But she was weak and the thought of her not having enough strength to survive what was coming was almost enough to make me lose my appetite.

After there was nothing left, I drank a bit of the waterfrom the bucket and slid the empty plate and tray under the door for collection.

“Hey,” Brax called out, and I stood, facing him. “Glad the youngling’s awake. They’ll work him hard tomorrow.”

Just as I thought.

“How free are we when we’re working?” I asked softly, peering around, though it didn’t appear anyone else was listening. You couldn’t be too careful in a place like this. There was no telling what someone might do to gain a guard’s favor. Squealing on someone planning an escape might be enough to gain better food. More freedom. Perhaps they’d even make sure that person didn’t die here.

“They don’t chain us, if that’s what you’re asking.” Brax shrugged. “No need to. They take us down to the mine and lock the doors behind us. Guards watch us at all times, and they’re armed too well to risk injury attacking them. We have quotas to meet, or they don’t feed us enough to make us strong enough to fight.” His gaze sought Talia, and I was grateful to see only sympathy there.

“I’ll make sure he meets his quota,” I said gruffly.

“I’ll help once I’ve met mine. Don’t be seen pushing yourself too hard or they’ll increase your quota. Nothing extra.”

I nodded, grateful for the advice.

“We’ll find a way to talk again,” he added in so low a voice I could barely hear him.

Turning, he strolled over and sat on the floor with hisback to the wall and his legs outstretched. His tail lay off to his side, lifting and smacking down on the floor, over and over. Tipping his head back, he closed his eyes and for all I knew, he slept. I needed to sleep myself.

I walked to the bunk and sat beside Talia. “I’ll sleep on the floor tonight.”

“The bunk doesn’t feel much softer,” she said, rubbing it with her hand.

No, but it had a blanket. It wasn’t damp stone. It got her up off the floor and away from whatever might crawl through the cell at night.

“We could share,” she said. “I . . .” She sucked in a breath and shoved it out. “If you were going to do something nasty, you would’ve tried already.” She held up her fists. “I’m no karate kid, but I’ll do my best to defend myself if you try.”

“Your protection is my role as your mate.”

“You still think we’re mates or something?”

“I know this in my heart.”

The lights snapped off overhead, leaving us in darkness.

Talia gasped.

“It’s alright,” I said, seeing her hand, squeezing it. Wishing I could reassure her. “You’re safe. I’m with you, and I won’t let anyone harm you.”

“Thank you, Firion.” Her voice shook just as much, and I hated that she was afraid and that I couldn’t do much to alleviate that beyond voicing platitudes I had no way of fulfilling. But I would make good on them as soon as I could. We weren’t staying here for long.

“I have to pee,” she whispered. “I should’ve done it while there was light.”

“I’ll help you to the excrement pot.”

---