Page 46 of An Alien for Her Heart

I stand there as Eleanor tells Catherine of how we fought. Of how we lost. Of how the Tasqals destroyed our home world. Of how they captured us…did tests on us…of how we broke free and made it here. I can’t see how this will help Catherine warm to me, only how it will make her realize how broken I am. Unworthy of something as precious as she is.

As Eleanor recounts the horrors of our past, I stand there waiting. Waiting for the pity. The distance that will come as Catherine puts more space between us. But as the story continues, her gaze shifts to mine.

She looks at me,reallylooks at me, and in that moment, time stills. Zynar disappears…Eleanor…the festival. Catherine takes a step closer, her hand tightening on her little satchel as if shewants to reach out and touch me. “You’ve lost so much. I knew you did, but…” she whispers. “I suppose I didn’t realize just how much. Varek, I’m…I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be, sura.” In my periphery, Zynar jolts at the name I have given my female. I ignore him and I’m happy Catherine doesn’t seem to notice. “I am fine now. I am alive. I am here.”

Catherine nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her gaze travels over mine as if reading something in my eyes. “I’m glad.”

She holds my gaze for a long moment, and the air crackles between us. Just two simple words and it feels like she’s seeing into my very soul, acknowledging the pain I’ve endured and offering a quiet acceptance that soothes the ache within me. I want to reach out, pull her to me, let the world fade away, but then Eleanor clears her throat, breaking the spell.

“And that’s why we all deserve this. This festival is more than just celebrating abundance for our farms. It’s about celebratinglife.” She looks up at my siblingkin. “It’s about giving thanks for what we now have.”

Catherine nods and looks away, a faint warmth staining her cheeks. As Eleanor’s words hang in the air, I know she’s right, that this festival is a celebration of life and the blessings we have found here on Hudo III. And yet, as I watch Catherine, I can’t help but feel that the greatest blessing of all is standing right in front of me.

14

VAREK

“By the way,” Eleanor draws Catherine’s attention. “Isn’t Xarion supposed to be here tonight?”

As if she summoned the Saffion, I spot his tall white ears in the crowd.

“He’s there,” I say. Catherine’s gaze, instead of looking out into the crowd, shifts back to me instead. That small smile is still on her lips and there’s still that warmth in her cheeks.

“Xarion!” Eleanor shouts, beckoning the Saffion over. Catherine finally turns to look that way.

“I told you, brother.” Zynar leans in with a low whisper. “With these females, you do not have to hide.”

His words wash over me as I keep Catherine in my sights.

“Greetings.” The Saffion approaches, adjusting his thick outer garment before bowing before us all. Eleanor grips him in an embrace.

“Xarion! So good to see you!”

He nods to us all and does another bow to Catherine. She surprises me by releasing a soft laugh and dipping her body in a strange bow, too, legs crossed as she holds the hem of her garment. “Hello, Xarion.”

“I thought you were bringing another human with you,” Eleanor says. There’s a note of disappointment in her voice and my gaze shifts to Catherine. Is she disappointed as well? There’s no indication. Her eyes are unreadable once more.

Around us, I spot a few Kari. Zynar and I are not the only two of our species on this world. But for Catherine and mykahlesta, they are the only humans they know on this land.

She’s alone. But she doesn’t have to be. I want to be there for her.

I almost miss when the Saffion does a flourish and steps to the side, suddenly revealing another female who’d been hidden at his back. Both Catherine and Eleanor go still. Water swells in Eleanor’s eyes, and she rushes forward, pulling the new female into a tight embrace.

“Oh my Godddd,” the other female’s voice sounds strange, and when I catch a look at her face, I notice her eyes are filled with water too. They’re both leaking.

Alarm goes through me, and I glance at Zynar. He has a human mate. Surely he can shed some light. But he looks just as lost as I am.

“It’s so good to see you,” Eleanor sobs.

I glance at Zynar again. “Do you know this female?”

It’s Catherine who answers me. “No.” She shakes her head, a small smile on her face as she watches the emotional reunion. She takes a step forward, as if to join the embrace, but stops. “It’s just…she’s human.”

She says the words as if that’s all the explanation it needs. And I suppose that is right. Because the depth of her meaning transcends through me.

Catherine gives me a sad sort of smile, and I feel the urge to pull her into my arms again. But I made a promise I wouldn’t touch her unless she asked. A promise I’m regretting and one I’ve already broken. I clench my fists instead, watchingas Catherine maintains a slight distance from the other two females, her joy at seeing another human tempered by something that makes me ache inside.

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