Page 2 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

“You are ready to leave?”

“Let me just put my mug away real quick.” I dart over to my tent and stash it just inside the entrance. I’ll wash it when I get back this afternoon.

When I join Rojtar again, he leads the way through the settlement. He’s either oblivious to, or just ignores, the blatant stares from everyone. I avoid eye contact and don’t release the tension in my neck and shoulders until we’re through the gates and they close behind us.

“How is your apprenticeship with Kyler going?” he asks as we cross through the field of ankle high yellow grass that leads into the forest of fiku trees that are nothing like the few remaining trees on Earth. The leaves are purple, like the Tavikhi, although they’re many shades darker, and the trunks and branches are coal black.

“I suppose it’s going well.”

Our settlement runs on a barter system, so everyone contributes in some way. I’d started out in the community garden, but quickly discovered I wasn’t any good at it.When the opportunity had presented itself to go to the Tavikhi village and learn from their healer, I snapped it up. It felt like the perfect chance to do something good. Maybe to make up for the terrible thing I’d done. If I could learn how to save lives, the guilt that threatens to consume me every single day for taking one might ease. Even a little.

As though unaccustomed to speaking with either a human or a female, Rojtar doesn’t make a lot of conversation, no matter how many times he escorts me on the twenty minute or so walk. It gives me time to study the planet I call home. At least until I’m taken from it.

The air within the dense forest of towering fiku trees is on the cooler side without the sun sneaking through the branches. They’re so full and in bloom that only a few rays of light manage to get by the covering of leaves. Yellow birds called mellenje roost in nests high up in several of the tallest branches. Scattered around the ground are flowering bushes about chest high.

More than once, I’ve nicked my arm on the sharp-edged eggplant-colored leaves of the trendafili bush. Something that dangerous shouldn’t be so beautiful. The smell of them reminds me of this sweet cactus blossom the florist near my condo imported from Baja, California. At least it’s a small reminder of home.

From beneath a blue flowering nenuphar bush a small rodent with a bushy striped tail darts out but makes a sharp u-turn as we walk by.

And while I can enjoy the sights around me, the near-silence is something else altogether. The quiet walk givesme time to think. Still, I don’t often engage Rojtar in conversation, because as much as I should get to know more about Tavikh and its people, I don’t want to love it here. It will only make it that much harder if I’m forced to leave.

I skate past the next thick tree trunk and a second open field is in front of me. The sun casts a bright sheen over it making the grass shimmer like molten gold. It’s such a beautiful sight and I haven’t gotten tired of it yet. Rojtar releases a call of a mellenje that’s echoed back to him. We step out of the forest, and I bask in the warmth of the sunshine. Up ahead is a second small copse of trees that hides the entrance to the Tavikhi village.

The first time I came to the village to study with Kyler, all the tribespeople had stared. To some of them, I’d been the first human they’d ever laid eyes on. I’d been a novelty. A curiosity. Now, I’m barely paid a passing glance. Rojtar stays at my side until we reach the healer’s tent. Other than the one that belongs to Zander—the village chief—it’s one of the biggest.

I turn to the warrior. “Thank you for the escort.”

He places his fist over his chest. “Send one of the kits for me when you are ready to return.”

With that, I swing back the hide flap that serves as the door. The herbal, earthy scent of the various plants used in various types of healing fills the inside of the large space. All three platforms with their layer of furs and which are used for the most seriously injured warriors are empty. Kyler, who’s standing at the high table litteredwith all his supplies, glances over at my arrival and turns to greet me.

“Blessed morning, Sage. You are well?”

“I am, thank you.”

“Come, I will show you how to make a tincture to ease an ache in someone’s head.”

I cross the distance to stand next to him. I’m ready to learn everything I can about healing in the hopes that by helping people, I somehow make things right for what I did.

Chapter 2

Present day

Sage

Cold season sucks. I hurry away from the river carrying my basket full of wet, but clean, furs toward the healer’s tent. At least some good has come fromthe Krijese assault on the human settlement nearly a month ago. After the attack, my four new best friends and I, along with several families with children, moved into the Tavikhi village for protection. Not just because it was safer to be here, but also because Zander, Shefir of the Tavikhi, wound up being the fated mate of one of my friends.

Up until a month ago, I wouldn’t have believed fated mates existed. But since then, I’ve witnessed not just Zander and London becoming mates, but also Remi and Zydon and Maeve and Benham. The minute one of the warriors touched their woman, mating marks appeared ontheir skin, something the Tavikhi say only happens when they meet their fated mate. And all of them are madly in love now. I keep waiting for my turn, but under Kyler’s tutelage, I’ve treated countless males—touched every single one of them in some way—and nothing’s ever happened. After six months on Tavikh, I suspect it won’t. Maybe it’s for the best.

Kyler’s inside when I step through the entrance.

“Greetings, Sage. I wondered if you were at the river.”

I lift the basket slightly. “Figured I should get these cleaned and drying in front of the fire since all your patients have been discharged.”

“They are your patients as well,” he reminds me.

I appreciate the fact he’s giving me some credit, but I don’t deserve it. Kyler’s the healer, and regardless of what little assistance I might fumble through, they are all fully and completely his patients. While he goes over the supplies, I set up the drying racks near the fire and hang the furs up to dry. I’ve just draped the last when harried voices come from outside. Kyler and I share a look and he goes to investigate.

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