Page 30 of Fated to the Alien Protector

Since this activity is not anything I have done with another female, I am unsure what she would like to see. Neither Benham nor Jodah explained that part of the walk date to me. “Have you been to the training arena?”

When I am not out hunting, it is where I spend a lot of my time. We must always be ready for a fight, especially with the Njeri. There has been no word of them after we defeated the warriors they sent at the beginning of the warm season. As if to remind me, the fresh scars that cover my body throb.

“Not yet. I’ve kind of been avoiding it,” Abby says. “It’s probably silly of me. I can’t explain why.”

“It is not silly.” Nothing about her is. “I believe there are some people who have a natural avoidance of violence and fighting. I have found them to be the ones with large hearts full of compassion and who are the kindest. I am not surprised to discover you most likely are one of those people.”

She snorts. “I don’t think that’s why, but I appreciate the fact you think so.”

I do not argue, but instead come up with an alternate destination. “I think there is another place we can walk to that I think you will enjoy instead.”

Abby cocks her head slightly as though weighing whether or not to trust me until finally she nods. “Lead the way.”

Joy fills me in the trust she is showing. Side-by-side, we travel through the village toward the hills behind it. There is still enough sunlight for us to be able to see what I wish to show her. I also hope this date will give us a chance to get to know more about each other. There are so many questions I have for her.

We pass many tribespeople who greet us, including several unmated males who cast glances of envy my way. Pride swells inside that after all these seasons, it is finally my turn to have found mykeeshla. I still ache for my tribe brothers and send a prayer to Deeka for their chance to come soon.

“Was it only you and Carter who came to Tavikh from Earth?” Abby has yet to speak of any other family.

“My father came as well, but he was killed in one of the Krijese attacks.”

“I am sorry for your loss.” Although they have been gone many seasons, there is still grief and pain from the loss of my own Baba and Nene. “It is not easy to lose our family.”

“He and I weren’t all that close.” Abby shrugs.

“That does not mean you cannot still grieve.”

“Honestly,” she pauses. “I’m more angry at him than anything. He was the one who dragged us here in the first place and then he gets killed, leaving Carter and me alone. I know it wasn’t his fault he died, but I still haven’t quite forgiven him for it.”

It is easy to understand why Abby would feel the way she does. We leave the border of the village and trek up into the hills along a dirt path that is narrow, but well-defined. The dirt has been packed down hard from the many feet that have traveled this way.

“What about your parents?” she asks. “Are they two of the elders who live near the rear of the village?”

“Sadly, not. My baba and nene have been gone for many seasons now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“While I miss them, I am also happy they are together in Deeka’s lands with the rest of my ancestors.” It is the way the mate bond works. Not even death can separate fated mates.

Abby is quiet as we climb the gently sloping hill. Halfway to the top, I divert us off the path into the trees that line it on both sides.

“Careful of the fallen limbs.” I reach a hand out to her and she takes it.

The sensations rock my body. My soul light flares bright while my mating marks darken in color. Tingles run across my flesh and travel up my arm, through my shoulders, and settle in the middle of my chest.

I help her over several large branches that lie on the forest floor until she has crossed the last one. To my delight, she does not instantly release her hold on me. Instead, her small fingers remain within my large ones. I will keep touching her for as long as she allows.

Soon, I spot the break in the trees ahead. Careful of anything else that might be blocking the way, Abby and I stride forward until we reach the perimeter of the large field in front of us. Beside me, she gasps and breathes out a heavy sound.

Spread out is a massive garden of flowers of nearly every color, shape, and size. Jodah explained what they are to me based on a color game he and Sage play. Every bloom is made up of a mix of blue, red, orange, yellow, and green.

“Oh my god, it’s so beautiful,” Abby exclaims and wanders forward, finally pulling her hand from mine.

I feel the loss of her touch, but I stride ahead and come alongside her. Even if we are not touching, I want to be close. “I have not traveled the entire planet, but of all the places I have been, there is nothing like this anywhere else.”

She glances over at me with wide eyes before returning her gaze to the sprawling section of flowers. Small paths wind their way through and Abby places careful steps along the way while she takes in all the sights. Every so often, she gently caresses a petal and envy flares inside me that she does not touch me the same way. I would give anything to know the sensation of her touch on my entire body.

I walk with her in silence and let her enjoy the garden. It has grown since my nene first showed it to me when I was barely older than Talek. It was one of the last things she and I did together before she and Baba went to be with Deeka. My heart beats with joy that I am able to share this with mykeeshla. I was sure she would enjoy it as much as I do.

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