Page 16 of Fated to the Alien Healer

Fuck no. I don’t want to relive that shit, but the image will continue to haunt me whether I talk about it or not. I’ve carriedso many burdens for twenty-eight years. It might be nice to share the load with someone.

“I was someplace that was pitch black, and this weird mist surrounded me. It was so real, I could feel the dampness on my skin. I could even smell it, like rain on a spring day.” The memory of the clean scent comes back. “But it was like I was locked inside four walls made of glass. With every breath I took, the walls moved closer together until I was forced to sit and try to make myself as small as possible.”

A shudder rushes through me as the sensation of them closing in on me returns.

“You are safe,keeshla.”

That wasn’t even the worst part. Now that I’ve started talking, I can’t stop. “Just when I thought the walls would crush me completely, wet droplets fell on me. I tipped my head back to look up and an eviscerated body was above me dripping blood everywhere.”

I turn to face Kyler. “It was me. The body was mine.”

That had been the most horrifying part. To see myself covered in blood and my own eyes staring blankly down at me.

Vomit churns in my stomach and I swallow it down.

“Here, drink this.” He passes me the skin of water and I take several sips until the queasiness settles.

A harsh breeze kicks up and the cold air nips at my skin. My arm aches, but I do my best to ignore it. I’m not sure I’ll be able to go back to sleep. Not after that. But knowing Kyler is here makes me feel better. I’ve had to rely on myself for more than half my life. Ever since Amelia left. Up until Bryce, I kept everyoneat arm’s length. Even with him, I never allowed myself to be completely vulnerable.

Watching my friends open themselves up entirely to their mate has been a learning experience. Tavikhi males are nothing like human males. Still, I surprise myself when I ask my question.

“Will you hold me? I don’t think I’m going to be able to get back to sleep.”

“It would be my honor,keeshla,” Kyler says.

Taking care with my arm, he lifts me onto his lap and cradles me against his chest. He’s so warm and solid beneath me and I rest my head on his shoulder. His sweet eucalyptus scent fills my nose and I breathe it more fully in. Like before, it’s a soothing fragrance that eases some of my tension.

I close my eyes and savor it, along with the heat that seeps into me. My muscles relax, and my breathing evens out.

“What made you decide to become a healer?”

“My nene became gravely ill when I was a kit. We all expected her and my baba to travel to the lands of the goddess,” he says. “I approached the healer and asked to apprentice with him, because I wanted to learn whatever I could to try and help Nene. He taught me everything he knew, and together we nursed her back to health. When he passed on, I took over as the village healer.”

“That must have been scary for a young boy. Watching his mom get sick like that.”

Although I can’t see it, I get the distinct impression he nods. “It was probably the first time in my life I had been truly terrified.But it was my nene who helped me see that death is nothing to be feared.”

I’m not sure I’d go that far, but I’m not one to shit on someone else’s beliefs. “I’m glad you were able to save her so you had more time with her and your dad. I take it you all were close? Your brother, too? What was his name?”

“Syler. I believe most Tavikhi families are extremely close, and ours was no exception. Even more so as fewer matings and births occurred,” Kyler points out. “Perhaps because we knew that we could soon see the end of our people.”

“You all don’t have to worry about the end of your people with us humans now, do you? Of course, one of us has to get pregnant first.” The minute I give voice to the idea, thoughts of just how to make a baby pop into my head and I’m acutely aware of where I’m sitting.

Kyler must also be distinctly aware, because he shifts beneath me as though suddenly uncomfortable. He clears his throat. “Yes, that does have to happen first.”

From what the girls have said, the Tavikhi warriors are virgins, since they don’t have casual affairs. As for me, there hasn’t been anyone since Bryce. Of course, after what he did there wasn’t a chance in hell I was trusting another guy. There also hadn’t been many opportunities for any action—even if I’d wanted to—since I left Earth for Tavikh less than two months after all the shit went down. I’d spent the whole time just trying to survive until the ship arrived.

I’m cursing the shit brain Njeri for not only kidnapping me, but for breaking my arm because as much as I’m feeling a little frisky, I’m not in any condition to do so. Certainly notwith an audience. My body has other plans anyway. I groan in annoyance.

“I’m going to need some help again.” Might as well get over the embarrassment now. “Please.”

Like the last time, Kyler helps me to my feet and since I can’t see two feet in front of me, he carefully guides me deeper into the forest. I don’t bother trying to undo my pants. Instead, I let him take care of it. Thankfully, I’ve regained enough of my strength I’m able to stand on my own from my squatting position once I’m done. He pulls my pants back up, and together we make our way back to camp.

Kyler pours water on his hands and my uninjured one, which will have to be enough, since we don’t have any of the berries that serve as soap.

“Come, let us try and get some more rest before the sun rises. We have a long day of travel ahead of us.”

As much as I’m not really tired, he’s right. I’m already a liability. The more sleep I get, hopefully the more strength I recover. I’ve held us up enough. I nod and take his hand so he can guide us back to the spot we vacated a few minutes ago. I hold onto him for support while I lower myself to the ground. Kyler doesn’t let me lean up against the tree though. Instead, he situates himself behind me and carefully tugs me so I’m lying against his chest. It’s like I have my own personal lounger.

---