Page 54 of Torn from the Alien Commander

I feel lost and helpless, watching them, unable to comprehend as everything happens so fast. The two healers grunt with effort, trying to place Xandor onto the hovering surface. “Twin suns! He’s even heavier than he looks!” The Imperator’s face turns a deeper shade of blue as he strains, attempting to lift Xandor’s leg.

Sniffing back useless sobs, I stand eager to help. “No, lass. Let us look after him now. It’s the least we can do.” The Imperator stops me with a hand. “Oi! You lollygaggers!” he shouts with such force it stiffens my spine as he gestures to a group of idle Nebians. “Help us lift the Klendathian ambassador.”

Klendathian ambassador... such impersonal, small words for my Xandor.

Many finely dressed Nebians rush over to obey the Imperators’ stern command. I’m stunned with amazement asthey line up alongside Xandor, each one grabbing hold of him, straining with effort. They heave and puff until, finally; they lift him from the ground, placing him onto the healer’s hovering surface. “Ambassador, ready for extraction,” a healer says.

“His name is Xandor,” I whisper. “He’s my golden hero.”

A day has passed since the healers took Xandor to their medical lab, located in the palace. Despite the Imperators’ suggestion to leave his care to their specialist, I went with them. I wouldn’t take no for an answer. The thought of leaving my love in the hands of the people who tortured him so brutally twisted my mouth with anger.

Their robots performed the operation, and I winced with each ominous, wicked-looking instrument approaching him. Yet I remained strong, not averting my gaze, growing to trust the healers and their earnest, efficient efforts. Their labors and my trust paid off when the operation was declared a success, filling me with blissful relief.

I glance over to my right to see Xandor laying unconscious but stable. His breathing, while still raspy, lacks the gut-wrenching hiss from before. The sight of his massive limbs sticking out of the too-small hovering platform makes me smile. He’s going to have some issues navigating this apartment. The place makes me feel like a giantess.

He’s like a double giant here!

My gaze shifts back to the glowing blue holographic terminal, bathing the pristine peaceful room in a faint blue light. I rub my tired eyes, sore from overuse, as I’ve been greedily consuming as much knowledge about Earth as I can. Each new discoverylinks to another and another, creating a never-ending cascade of curiosity that I struggle to fill.

Every time I read about a different country; I order the apartment’s drone to bring me a sampling of their delicious food. My stomach bubbles with protest, stuffed to the brim, but I can’t stop eating these delicious foods, as if every bite brings me a step closer to standing in the busy streets of Earth, watching their strange noisy vehicles drive by.

Would Xandor like these fries? I can’t wait until he wakes up!

“Fries,” I mutter the strange word, which seems too short for such tastiness. I grab another handful of the savory, salty goodness and devour them as quickly as Xandor moves in battle. Pivoting on the low, form-fitting cushion seat, I peer out the window, seeing the numerous orbed vehicles zoom past, reflecting the blue-orange light of the twin suns. It’s so quiet here... well, apart from the occasional siren and thudding laser cannons—that I could do without.

However, I still find this level of comfort very relaxing. The thought that at any moment I can have a water shower and not worry about crew members barging in is a luxury I’d never dared hope for. Not to mention the delicious foods, the lack of back-breaking repair work in the cramped guts of the Mutalisk’s Hammer, or the tormenting attention from a jealous Hyanxa or Kaanus...

It’ll be tough to leave this behind.

But I can’t see Xandor wanting to stay here, not after everything that happened—too many bad memories. It makes sense, and I wouldn’t blame him. Looking around at the low ceilings and doors, it’s at complete odds with the Klendathians. The opposite of everything they are—big, hard and rough.

I inhale, enjoying the clean air, taking another handful of the fries to devour. Until I almost spit them out in shock, seeing the gleaming golden eye of Xandor staring at me with a smile.“You’re awake!” I splutter out in shocked elation. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Xandor laughs until it morphs into a wincing cough. “I was just admiring the beautiful sights,” he retorts, his voice a catching rasp. His gaze shifts to scan the room, and his body seems to relax, taking in the environment. “We really need to stop meeting like this,” he adds before sitting up, frowning at the healing device attached to his chest. “At least there isn’t pieces of me lying around this time.”

I rush over to stand before him, looking into his handsome smiling face, my heart swelling to bursting having him back safe and awake. Despite the impenetrable fortress, despite the Nebian army, despite everything, we pulled off the impossible. If not for him cupping my face in his massive gentle hand, I’d not believe it.

“You’re a goddess who keeps pulling me back from the brink,” he mutters, brushing my nose with his, before kissing me gently on the lips.

Gasping at his bold words, I feel his gentle caress simmering with brutal strength. “I missed you so much!” I exclaim, wrapping my arms around his immense shoulders, squeezing him tightly, never wanting to let go. My heart swells with love, feeling him in my arms, his breath grazing my neck and the pleasant heat of his body.

Our bond bridges, the feeling familiar now, filling me with warmth as the universe snaps to focus, every sensation sharpening, making a mockery of life without him. I can sense his golden love connecting the gaps roaring pure and fierce, a reflection of my own.

Xandor gasps, throwing his head back as his eye glows with a mixture of gold and green. It’s then I can sense the wound within him, his bruised ribs, and damaged lungs. A part of me seepsinto him, filling his injured flesh. I don’t know what it is I’m doing, compelled by an instinct like an itch being scratched.

He inhales a deep lungful of air, absent of coughing or rasping. “Oh, yes!” Xandor exclaims with a short laugh. “Even sweeter than the healing pods.” His voice is now strong and clear as he breaks our embrace to stare at me, his eye blazing. “I’m sorry Tyrxie.”

His words surprise me, prompting me to ask as I search his face. “For what?”

Xandor looks away. The simple action gives me a tinge of sadness, like a beautiful nebula passing from view. “For letting my weakness put you in danger. I should be protecting you, but I shame myself, needing you to keep healing me,” he mutters as he tries to loosen the straps to the healing device attached to his chest, struggling with his one hand. “Voiding thing!” he exclaims, extending his claws.

“Let me,” I interrupt with a stern voice, placing a reassuring hand on his wrist, worried by his anger and baffled by his words. “Xandor I’d heal you every day. Every second of every day, if I could. I only wish these strange powers could replace what those bastards took from you.” My deft hands brush over his hard chest as I reach to unclasp the straps. “You taught me about your war brothers, how you support each other like a big family.” I glance up with a smile, feeling grateful for all Xandor has done for me. “Well, you’re my family.”

Xandor expression shifts to a smile. “In every path you always say the right thing,” he says, his gaze meeting mine again, his face carrying sadness. “But your beautiful soul is too pure for a cripple who can’t even dress himself.”

He wants to leave me!

His words hit like a brutal gut punch, threatening to shatter my soul. Until I investigate his face, seeing the hurt and fear within, knowing he speaks out of undeserved shame. “Xandor,they took so much from you, but you’ve also gained so much. We both have. Who else but you could have done those crazy things?” I ask, recalling the unbelievable speed and precision Xandor moved with.

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