Page 84 of Stranded with the Alien

Thirty Eight

When her period came, Kara knew they’d been stranded on the planet for almost a month. She woke with cramps and when she drew back the fur covers, she saw blood on her thighs.

Vahn had already gone out hunting with Rocky so at least she didn’t have the embarrassment of dealing with her bodily functions in front of him. She swallowed some paracetamol and washed off in the river.

Then she took her shirt, which she barely wore anymore, and tore it into strips to use as makeshift sanitary pads.

When Vahn got back with two freshly caught birds, he was dismayed to find her curled into a ball in the tent.

“Kara, what is wrong?”

When she explained the monthly experience that most human women went through, he was amazed.

“Thisis how women in your world experience fertility?” he asked.

“Do you find it gross?”

“Of course not. I find it intriguing.” His eyes glinted with curiosity. “May I place my serpetriin your…”

“No you may not! It’s just blood. You know what blood tastes like.”

“But not blood from yourferesh.”

“You’re not going anywhere near myfereshright now. God, I hate having my period.”

“It does seem an uncomfortable way of facilitating reproduction.”

“You have no idea. The women in my world have all kinds of fun with their ovaries. We spend a lot of energy either trying to get them to work or trying tostopthem working. Annoyed when our period comes, worried when it doesn’t. Dealing with hormones and pain and mood swings. And when your childbearing days are over, there’s a whole host of other delightful symptoms. It’s a fucking minefield.”

Irritably, she kneaded the area above her left hip where the cramps were worst. The paracetamol had barely made a dent. Vahn watched her with concern.

“Let me get you some food. It will make you feel better.”

“I don’t want food,” she snapped. “I’m seriously thinking of mainlining some morphine.” She saw Vahn’s face and sighed. “The first day’s always bad for me. I’ll be okay in a few hours. I’m used to it.”

“Kara, if you think I am going to let you suffer then you do not know me. Come here.”

Ignoring her grumbles, he scooped her into his arms and put hisdendraon her abdomen.

“Hey, what are you doing?” she asked in alarm.

“I will apply a miniscule amount ofarak. In small doses it is an excellent painkiller.”

“And a deadly poison!”

“Trust me,kalesha,” he said calmly. “I will not harm you.”

Kara held very still as a her skin began to tingle. The sensation spread through her belly and over the small of her back, as warm and comforting as syrup. In the next instant, her menstrual cramps vanished.

Kara leaned against Vahn, feeling relaxed and – if she was being honest – a little high.

“Sweet Jesus. I didn’t know you could do that.”

“I do not think a Vraxian has ever knowingly alleviated human suffering before.”

“It’s awesome. Best painkiller ever.” She squinted up at him. “I’ve been thinking.”

“About what?”

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