Page 28 of Rescued By the Alien Acolyte

Finzar and I exchange amused glances. “It’s our new recipe,” I explain. “Roasted bogroot with spiced sand-pea puree.”

Zeth looks dubious. “Uh, I think I’ll pass. I’m suddenly not that hungry.”

As Zeth retreats, Finzar and I burst into laughter.

“More for us,” Finzar says with a grin, pulling me close and planting a quick kiss on my lips before we return to our culinary experiment.

Later that evening, I head to the balcony of our new hideout. As our crew has grown, we needed more space. So Leera and Kuran found us a repurposed old mining facility hidden deep in the canyons of Aridium. And this is the perfect spot for watching the suns set over the desert landscape. The once barren wasteland now shows signs of life, with patches of green sprouting up here and there thanks to the miraculous rain.

The crew has been busy in the past year, taking on jobs that not only line our pockets but also help those still struggling under the remnants of the Nexus’ rule. We’ve become something of a legend among the people. And at the heart of it all are Finzar and me, a couple who have beaten the odds and found love in the most unlikely of places.

As I gaze out at the horizon, my mind wanders to a recent mission we completed. We infiltrated a Dune Marauder outpost to liberate a group of enslaved workers. The plan had gone smoothly until one of the guards spotted us. In the chaos, we found ourselves cornered. Outnumbered and outgunned.

Just when it seemed we might not make it out, Finzar pulled me close and whispered, “Together or not at all, remember?” With renewed determination, we fought our way out, covering each other’s backs and moving in perfect sync. It was in thatmoment, amid the danger and adrenaline, that I realized how deep our bond had truly become.

I feel his strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close as he rests his chin on my shoulder. “Credit for your thoughts?” he murmurs, his voice low and rumbling.

“Just thinking about how far we’ve come,” I reply, turning my head to press a quick kiss to his lips. “It’s been quite the adventure, hasn’t it?”

He chuckles, the sound sending a pleasant shiver through me. His thumb traces absentminded circles on my hip, the gesture both affectionate and possessive. I lean into his touch, reveling in the safety and comfort his presence brings. “Indeed it has. And I would not have it any other way.”

I grin up at him, feeling the familiar warmth that spreads through my chest whenever he looks at me like that. “Neither would I.”

We stand there for a moment longer, watching as the twin suns dip below the horizon, casting the world in shades of orange and purple. As beautiful as the view is, I feel a sense of restlessness stirring within me.

“So,” I say, breaking away from Finzar’s embrace and turning to face him with a mischievous grin. “What do you say we go on a little adventure of our own?”

His eyebrows raise in surprise, but he quickly recovers, matching my grin with one of his own. “Oh? And what did you have in mind?”

“Well,” I drawl, stepping closer and running a finger down the front of his chest, “I thought we could start by taking one of the skimmers out for a spin. There’s a place I’ve been wanting to show you, somewhere no one else knows about.”

Finzar’s eyes gleam with curiosity and something else—something that sends a thrill through me. “Is that so? And where might this mysterious place be?”

I wink at him, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. “You’ll just have to trust me and follow my lead.”

We make our way down to our new garage, where our fleet of sand skimmers is parked. I hop onto one of the sleek vehicles, patting the seat behind me as an invitation for Finzar to join me. He climbs on, wrapping his arms around my waist as I rev the engine and take off into the night.

The wind whips through my hair as we speed across the desert, the moonlight casting long shadows on the dunes below. I can feel Finzar’s heart beating against my back, his grip tightening around me as we navigate the treacherous terrain at breakneck speeds. It’s exhilarating, the thrill of the ride combined with the knowledge that he’s there with me, holding on for dear life.

Finally, we arrive at our destination: a hidden oasis nestled between towering cliffs, its entrance obscured by a waterfall that cascades down from above. Just one of the wonders that taking down the Nexus has brought Aridium. I bring the skimmer to a stop near the edge of the pool, shutting off the engine and taking a deep breath of the cool, damp air.

Finzar dismounts, looking around in awe at the lush vegetation and crystal-clear water. “This is… incredible, Loelle. How did you find this place?”

I shrug, trying to play it cool despite the pride swelling inside me. “I have my ways. Besides, I figured we could both use a break from all the chaos, you know? Just the two of us, away from everything else.”

He steps closer, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. “You’re amazing, do you know that?”

I roll my eyes, feigning annoyance even as my cheeks flush with pleasure. “Oh, stop it. You’re only saying that because I brought you to this fancy watering hole.”

Finzar laughs, pulling me into his arms and lowering his head to capture my lips in a searing kiss. The world seems to meltaway around us, leaving only the sound of the waterfall and the feel of his body pressed against mine.

When we finally break apart, both breathless and flushed, his eyes darken with desire, but he manages to keep his voice level as he says “So, what do you say? Shall we take a dip?”

I shrug, giving him a sly smile. “I thought you’d never ask.”

I take his hand and lead him to the edge of the pool, our footsteps echoing softly on the stone. The moon is full, its pale light reflected on the surface of the water, bathing the oasis in a gentle glow.

We strip down to our undergarments, wading into the cool water together. The sensation of his skin against mine sends shivers through me.

---