Page 44 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

“I didn’t think so. I’m not sure why I even asked.” Sage sets down her vessel of food. “What did the Njeri say when Zander said no?”

“He did not take it well.”

“Should we be worried?”

Again, I do not want to keep the truth from her. “I am unsure. It is possible.”

Sage remains silent and merely pushes her kokrra around in the vessel without eating. I reach over and lay my hand on her cheek. She lifts her gaze to meet mine.

“I will not let anything happen to you. On my honor, I will keep you safe.”

She covers my hand with hers and leans into my touch. “I know you will. I only want you to be careful. It wasn’t that long ago that I nearly lost you.”

“You will not lose me.”

Neither of us speak again for several beats of my heart until I coax her to finish her meal. “I do not want you falling ill.”

Sage nods and goes back to eating, but does so slowly. Once our vessels are empty, I take hers. “Come. I know you are anxious to check on Sorin.”

I help her to her feet and she picks up her discarded dhembe fur and wraps it around her shoulders. Together, we leave the tent and make a brief stop at the central fire to drop off the vessels. Most of the tribespeople have dispersed back to their dwellings, but a few linger to clean up. The shefir has gone as well. I take Sage’s hand and we walk to the healer’s tent.

Sorin is up and walking with his baba. They are the only ones present. The kit glances over at us and what I have determined is a smile splits his mouth. He heads in our direction. My mate releases her hold on me and meets him halfway.

“Healer Sage, I am glad you are here. I have barely coughed since last evening.”

She strokes his dark floks—what the Krijese call their hair—that are tied back off his face. Sorrow crosses hers. I know she not only worries about him but does not feel he is well enough to leave yet. “That makes me happy to hear. I’m glad the medicine is working.”

Kala approaches. “Your healer has said he will send some of it with us to our village when we leave tomorrow.”

My mate makes a small noise but cuts it off. It is clear she will not change the Krijese’s mind.

“Please take care of him,” she says instead.

“Of course.” Kala nods and draws Sorin to his side.

Sage’s mouth curls up, but I have come to recognize what are her genuine smiles and this is not one. “Since you’re in good hands with your father, I’ll let you continue with your walking. I just wanted to check on you. I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I’ll make sure to come see you again before you leave.”

The kit moves forward and to my shock wraps his arms around her waist. I would not have believed the Krijese to show this type of affection. “Thank you for helping me get well.”

She returns his embrace and rests her cheek on his floks. Tears are in her eyes, but they do not spill over. “You’re welcome. I’ll miss you.”

Sorin releases her and stares up. “Perhaps you can come visit our village when the cold season is gone.”

“I’d like that,” Sage tells him.

“Come, let us continue our walk,” Kala prompts and Sorin returns to his side.

As there is nothing more for my mate to do, I wrap my tail around her waist as the two Krijese turn away and resume their trek within the healer’s tent. She watches for another moment before she moves toward the door. We go outside and she loops her arm around mine like she always does when we walk together. I can feel her small body shake and she sniffs many times.

“Would you like to go back to your tent?” I do not want to presume she wishes to return to mine.

She shakes her head. “Will you take me back to yours?”

“Whatever my mate wishes.”

When we get inside, she tugs me down to the furs. She sits across my upper legs and buries her face against my chest while her tears spill. I hold her close and give her as much comfort as I am able. A powerful emotion swells within my chest and a remembered sensation glides over my skin. I felt this when Deeka came to me while I was injured and just as I knew then, I know now exactly what it is.

It is love.

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