Page 16 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

“Yes, I believe so.”

He gently claps my shoulder. “I am glad for you. Sage will make you a wonderful mate. She has not shared much of her past with me, but I sense there is something pushing her. I hope when she is ready, she will confide in you.”

A thread of emotion ripples through me and it takes me a moment to identify it. The healer and Sage have only ever appeared as friends, and yet the way he speaks of her feels like…more. Kyler is an honorable male, but I cannot help being envious of their relationship. There is no reason for this jealousy to be present and yet it is.

Someone slaps on the door, which is unusual.

“It’s Sage. Is it all right if I come in?”

A new emotion leaps inside my chest that she returned. Perhaps part of me had been wondering if she would.

“Yes, please, come in,” I say before Kyler can.

He chuckles at my eagerness. She steps inside and any fatigue I had suddenly disappears.

Chapter 8

Sage

A week has passed since the night Jodah and I began again. He has been improving slowly, and we’ve been taking short laps within the healer’s tent. I’m about to head there now, because Kyler has cleared him to return to his own dwelling.

“You’re awfully chipper today.” Zara chuckles as she sits on top of her pallet and slips on her shoes. “Does this have anything to do with a certain male getting released on good behavior?”

I glance over at her and snort. I’ve been dressed for at least ten minutes, but I’ve been putting the finishing touches on my lotion. “You make it sound like Jodah’s been in prison.”

“I’m sure for a guy who’s used to being active, it felt like it.”

She’s probably right. Except I’ve never once heard him complain. Okay, maybe a small grumble in the last few days, but I can’t blame him for being antsy. I’m just so glad he’s finally healed enough. “I told him I’d walk with him back to his tent when he was about to leave.”

“I’m really happy for you, Sage.” There’s a genuine tone in Zara’s voice, but it’s mixed with something else.

“It’s going to happen for you, too.” We all know she’s never been opposed to finding a mate.

She laughs and waves me off. “Meh. If it doesn’t, it probably isn’t the end of the world. I’ll just be the cool aunt who lets everyone’s kids come over for sleepovers and stay up as late as they want and feeds them all the bizeles and kokrra with shurup they can eat. Then I’ll send them home with a massive sugar high.”

“Do you really think we might have children together?” They aren’t something I’ve ever really thought about, but now she has me wondering if it’s even a possibility.

“I don’t see why not. Well aside from being completely different species and all that. But if Deeka is mating humans with Tavikhi, there has to be a reason. Propagating the next generation sounds like a pretty solid one to me,” Zara points out.

Of course, now I’m going to be thinking non-stop about it.

“I guess we’ll find out eventually. Now, change of subject.Try this.”I lean across the distance between our pallets with the clay jar I’ve stored my concoction in.

She stares down at it for a second and then lifts her gaze to me with her head tilted just off-center. “What am I trying?”

“The lotion I made.”

“Why am I your guinea pig?”

I roll my eyes. “I’ve already tried it. I just want a second opinion, and since you’re the only roommate I have left, you’re the lucky one who gets to try my invention first. When you see how incredible it is, the others are going to be so jealous.”

Zara laughs. “Wow, you’re really laying it on thick, aren’t you? Fine, but if I break out in some weird hives, I’m blaming you.”

She dips her finger in the jar and scoops out a small amount. I do the same and set the container down.

“Here goes.” She takesa deep breath before rubbing the lotion all over her hands.

The light floral scent of the nenuphar flowers rises up. I’d been worried about getting the fragrance right. I didn’t want anything too strong since I know some people are sensitive to scents. I stare at her expectantly while she takes forever to rub the stuff in, rhythmically running my fingers on my knees.

---