Page 32 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

The door flap swings open bringing with it Jodah, who’s carrying two bowls, sunshine, and flecks of cold dust the wind has kicked up. His gaze lands on the Krijese standing close to me and he stiffens. As though sensing the tension, Kala moves away from me and strides over to Sorin’s bed.

My mate finally steps the rest of the way inside and another bout of heartburn lands in my chest. I’ve barely eaten my stew. Why is it affecting me already?

“I am glad you are awake and eating,” Jodah says softly as he crosses the distance between us.

His gaze never leaves mine as he hands one bowl to Kyler who, I observe in my periphery, takes it over to Kala.

“Thank you for bringing me food.”

“You have not eaten nearly enough while you have been in here.” He finally glances over at Sorin and back to me. “I remember.”

“Remember what?”

“When I was injured and dying, there was a sweet sound that invaded my mind. Always speaking to me. Guiding me to heal. Refusing to let me give up.” Jodah caresses the side of my face. “That was you.”

My cheeks heat at the intensity in his eyes. “I couldn’t let you die.”

“I finally understand now.”

I tilt my head slightly off-center. “Understand what?”

“What Deeka was trying to show me.”

Chapter 15

Jodah

There has still been a small part of me that has questioned Deeka. That I have not truly been worthy of a mate. Why else would my soul light remain dormant? But no longer.

“It has taken me until now to realize that I am a worthy mate for such a strong female as you. When Deeka came to me while I was injured, I questioned her and myself. I did not trust the path she was putting me on.” Guilt swarms over me. “I should have known she would not forsake me.”

Sage lays her hand over mine. Except there is a look on her face that I have seen before. While there is no wetness spilling from her eyes, they are filled with sorrow. “I’m not as strong as you seem to think I am. And of course you are worthy. More than anyone I know, in fact.”

She smiles but there is not a matching joy coming from her. I do not let my gaze leave her, because it feels as though something has changed. I cannot name what it is. Sage lowers her arm and steps away from me. I study her as she returns to eating her stew, but she does not appear to be enjoying it. Confusion fills me. I glance at Kyler who also studies her. The inner points of his brow bones have shifted downward. He turns his gaze to me and I can sense the same uncertainty in him.

There is a familiar silent tension within the tent that has not been present since those first moments when I had discovered Sage and I were mated. I cannot question her, because Sorin wakes up and she returns to his side like she has for the past two turns. The smile she gifts him is the one I know to be real. The two of them speak while I finish my stew. I take the bowl she set aside and my own and exit the tent.

“Jodah,” a voice calls out and I glance back as Kyler catches up with me. “You are the only one Sage has listened to the past few turns. She needs to sleep and eat more. It is not good for her to continue with this obsessive determination.”

We continue walking toward the central fire. “Was she the same with me?”

Kyler’s expression grows more serious, if that is even possible. “Worse. With Sorin it was only two turns and there were others present to assist. You were present to see that she ate and slept even if it was within the healing tent. But when you were the one lying on that bed of furs, it was seven turns of vigilantly watching over you and mostof the time it was only her. I tried to have her tribe sisters—including the shefira—as well as a few of the warriors not healed enough to return to hunting or sparring assist while I rested, but she refused their help.”

I bring up the image of Sage when I confessed to not feeling worthy of being her mate. That is when the atmosphere within the tent changed. Despite her assurance that I am worthy, could she have been speaking untruthfully? I discard the thought in an instant. She was too sincere in her words. Her gaze had been too intent on mine.

“There has to be a reason for her behavior. Something that pushes her.” I am Sage’s mate. The one person she can trust to speak of anything with. It is the same with me. There is nothing I would not share with her.

“I agree there is a force which is driving her.”

We reach the central fire and I discard the bowls with the rest. I turn to Kyler. “I will speak with her and discover what it is.”

He glances in the direction of the healing tent. “I do not believe it will be easy.”

The evening meal approaches when I enter the healer’s tent. I have spent the time since the midday meal working with Nene on something I hope Sage will like. The fire burns in the center and is surrounded by several torches to provide enough light to brighten the interior. She standsbeside Sorin who is finally on his feet. He holds onto her arm to steady himself as he takes a few steps. Kala hovers nearby, his gaze solely on his son, who has been weakened by sickness and a lack of food.

While the hills where Kala and he now make their home has plenty of game during warm season to feed their entire village, numbers are sparse during the cold season. Even our own hunters are having to travel farther away and returning with less. The Krijese number fewer than half of the Tavikhi, but their skill lies in warring, not hunting. They have had no need for quiet and stealth when they have attacked with brute force.

It is no wonder Sorin grew ill. As though finally sensing my presence, Sage turns her gaze in my direction. Whatever change occurred in her earlier is gone and she appears genuine in her obvious pleasure at seeing me. I return her smile and move toward Kala while she focuses back on the kit.

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