Page 25 of Cherished By the Alien Outlaw

Famished, we ate quickly, barely taking time to savor the mounds of mixed grains, vegetables, and more of the pot-ate-o lumps that were surprisingly tasty covered with butter.

After eating, the lights flickered out and the hall and cell fell into deep shadows. Tension thickened the darkness, and my heart raced, focused on the hushed whispers in the hall beyond. The guards wouldn't return tonight.

It was time.

I placed my palm against the stone wall and hummed, trying to articulate my thoughts. The gods didn’t speak to us directly. All we could do was send them images or try to explain our need with a hum in varying tones. It took time to learn this language, such as it was, and it was quite limited. I’d never asked for something like this before, and I had to piece together what I needed.

When I’d finished explaining as best I could, I turned and grunted.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Talia said.

“I was explaining what we need to the stone gods.”

“Related to this situation?”

She was wise not to name it. I doubted anyone was listening, but we couldn’t be too careful.

“Yes.”

“And?”

“We’ll see.” Or not. This god may have been dormant for a very long time. Most of them were. It awakened when I arrived, perhaps because I was traedor of the Dastalon Clan, the clan protected by stone gods. But it may not be able to offer more than clothing, food, and the blade I still kept hidden. I’d asked it to communicate with a metal god, assuming such a thing existed. To see if they could help us. The stone god wouldn’t be able to tell me if it could fill our need. I’d have to watch for a sign.

“I guess we should sleep,” she said.

“There is one thing we can do before we rest.”

“What’s that?”

I spoke to the god once more, more confident it would understand this request.

Slowly, warmth began to pulse from the wall. Grinning, I laid my hand on my lap.

A large metal tub filled with steaming water slid through below the end of the bunk.

Talia stared, her eyes widening. “Is this real?”

Standing, I took her hand and urged her over to thetub. “I don't know if this resembles your hot tub, but I hope it's close.”

We traded glances, excitement flickering between us, but also the awareness of a need to be quick and how vital it was that we stay unnoticed.

“You go first.” I waved to the new clothing the stone god had also provided, outfits exactly like what we'd worn today, which would be less noticeable to the guards.

“I have a different suggestion,” she said.

I waited to hear.

“Let's bathe together.”

I couldn't breathe. I could barely think. “Together?” I croaked.

“Unless you don't want to,” she hurried to say. “I'm sorry. Maybe I'm reading this wrong. We barely know each other. Feelings can't grow that fast. You mentioned fated mate, and I'm afraid my mind ran with it. I keep picturing us . . . “

“Picturing us how?” I desperately needed to know.

“I like you a lot, Firion. Like a lot, a lot. More than I should.”

The shy hesitancy in her voice made my tension slide away. Holding her shoulders, I turned her to face me. The light might be dim, but my eyes had adjusted, and all I could see was how pretty she was, how her eyes glowed with anticipation tinged with worry. “I like you a lot too, Talia. And I'd love to bathe with you. Would you let me wash your hair?”

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