Page 3 of Torn from the Alien Commander

Meeting another human like me! What will she be like?

Xandor has a scrunched expression with his eyes downcast, a rare look of uncertainty. “What’s wrong?” I ask, enjoying the soft glow of his golden eyes.

“After that, I’d hoped to return to Klendathor for a short time before taking you to Earth,” Xandor says, his tone hesitant.

Is he worried I’ll be upset with a brief delay?

“I don’t mind going to Klendathor first. But don’t forget, you promised me a perfectly cooked steak,” I remind him with a smile, almost tasting the deliciousness he promised.

Xandor laughs, “Oh, you’ll be eating only the best food from now on. Once we get off this ship, that is.” I could swear my mouth is salivating at just his words. Then his expression turns serious. “But on Klendathor, I want you...us to attempt the Mortakin-Tok,” he states the strange words like they carry the weight of the universe upon them.

I blink at my handsome Xandor, confused. “Mortakin-Tok.,” I repeat the odd phrase. “Is that like a food ritual or something?”Sounds delicious!

Xandor taunts, “Food ritual!” and I feel my face heat with mild embarrassment. “Well, maybe afterward,” he adds with a short laugh. “It’s a... bonding ceremony,” he finishes with a piercing gaze.

A voiding bonding ritual? Already?

My face heats even more and my heart hammers in my chest. I’m tempted to feign shocked denial at his bold request. But I’m excited, very voiding excited at the idea. From this day forward, I want to be true to myself, no hiding, no regrets.

“Think it over, by the—” Xandor starts.

“Okay,” I interrupt, beaming at him, “I’ll do it.”

“Really?” Xandor says, looking surprised before his expression shifts to one of happiness that sends fluttering through my chest. “I thought you might want to wait before deciding.” He lets out a feigned weary sign. “But because it’s me, it’s only natural you couldn’t resist.”

I chuckle at his fake arrogance. “We’ll, of course I agreed because it’s you, you big dummy,” I retort, folding my arms as I turn away from him, pretending to be annoyed.

Xandor pulls me back, his eyes twinkling with affection. “My beautiful, brave Tyrxie, you’ll not regret this, I promise,” hemurmurs, pressing his forehead against mine. A smile spreads across my face as warmth floods through me. Xandor rubs his nose against mine, making me giggle. “There’s a chance it won’t work. The Gods may not bless our bond. But I feel it in my heart—you are my bonded female,” he whispers.

Gods may not bless our bond?’ What the void have I agreed to!

“Um, Xandor, when you say ‘Gods,’ you mean some holy people speaking words and vows, right?” I ask, my mind racing with the possible madness I’ve stumbled into. “Like other coupling rituals where we confess our love before others?” I continue, my words tumbling out as I gaze into Xandor’s eyes, worried about his response.

“It’s nothing like those superficial events,” Xandor declares, waving a dismissive hand, crushing my vain hope.Of course, Xandor’s people would have some extreme, perhaps terrifying version.“No, the Gods themselves will judge us worthy through a vision in the grand temple of Lanaisor.”

“A vision... from your gods?” I repeat with incredulousness.

“Yep,” Xandor affirms with a casualness that borders on space madness. “Krogoth and Rocks did it. First in two hundred years, and the first Klendathian and non-Klendathian too. Thing is, though, Krogoth wouldn’t speak a word of the vision to me, no matter how drunk I got him,” Xandor says with a chuckle.

He can’t be serious. This must be some kind of joke?

“So, you have no idea if it’s dangerous or not?” I ask, growing more worried as I clutch the locket in my pants to soothe my nerves.

Xandor scratches his head. “No one’s been hurt afterwards,” he replies, rubbing his chin. “Except for the relationships of those that fail. They tend not to last, cursed by the Gods most likely.”

“Cursed by your gods... oh, good,” I say, my tone dripping with sarcasm. I’ve been cursed my whole life, until meeting Xandor, only then did it finally lift. Should I risk throwing that away?

Xandor wraps me in his massive arms again, his long green hair tickling my face. “Don’t fear, Tyrxie. The Gods will bless us. I feel it in my soul, and together we’ll ascend to new heights!” he exclaims, his joy overflowing. “Trust me,” he adds with a solemn tone.

I breathe a deep sigh, brushing my hands over his. “I do trust you... If you’re certain, then let’s do it,” I declare, resolved in my decision.

“I’ve never been more certain in my life,” Xandor replies, nuzzling against me and planting alluring kisses along my neck, sending tingles down my spine.

“Have you been to Earth? What’s it like?” I ask, my voice breathless from his eager attentions.

He halts to consider. “Not on the planet, but I viewed it from our ship. A planet of blue that sparkles in the void, framed by a golden sun. So much water, you see, unlike my home planet,” he answers with pauses, as if reliving the memory.

I gasp as joy overwhelms me, the closest I’ve been to my mysterious past. “Tell me, more Xandor. What’s the planet like and the people?” I ask in a rush, yearning to learn more—anything.

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