Page 13 of Fated to the Alien Hero

“Yeah, I think there’s around eighty of us. Something like that,” Zara says while we walk. “I’ve never counted, but that’s what London has said. You met her last night, right?”

I nod. “Yes. Her and Sage.”

Three kids dart past us—one Tavikhi boy and a human boy and girl. I follow them with my gaze.

“That’s Talek, Cecily, and Carter.” She points in their direction. “Probably going to get into some kind of trouble.”

People dip their heads in greeting as we go by, although the Tavikhi appear slightly friendlier than the humans. They’re not rude by any means, but there’s a much more closed-off feeling to them. As we tour the village, Zara points out different places like the tanning tent, the food stores, weapon stores, storage, and the homes of several couples, including Zander and London’s.

“We’ll find you a place to stay once you’re healed enough,” Zara notes. “The Bohnari should be coming back in the next coupleweeks, so if you can get along until they get here, we can use their healing pod to fix you up. You’ll never even know you had a broken arm or busted up face when their healer is done with you.”

I’m so overwhelmed, I keep my mouth closed. She doesn’t appear to need an answer to anything, because she keeps talking.

“Over this way is the training arena. It’s where the warriors who aren’t out hunting spar.” In the distance, it sounds like some type of fighting going on. There are grunts and loud cracks like two objects colliding. “That’s where Evren is. He wanted to stay close to the village in case you needed him for anything.” Zara wiggles her eyebrows up and down and I can feel my face grow hot.

She seems to be forgetting the ‘minor complication’. We reach the top of the rise, and I stare down into the shallow valley below. Sure enough, there’s a marked area of dirt where humans and Tavikhi alike fight. Some use long wooden staffs, while others use capped swords. At least I assume they’re capped. It’s hard to tell from here.

Almost like a tether connects us, my gaze is immediately drawn to one of the warriors at the far end of the training arena. I can’t make out his features from here, but there’s something about the way he carries himself that tells me it’s Evren. He moves with an almost poetic fluidityIt’s violent and rough, but also graceful and smooth.

That fluttery sensation beats inside me again while I watch, my gaze focused in on the individual male. My pulse races a bit and my heart skips. I try to keep my breathing even, but I’m not completely successful.

“You’ve got it bad already, don’t you?” Zara asks.

I jerk, because I forgot she was standing next to me.

“You can’t look away from him, can you?”

Guilt rushes through me. I have no right to be looking at or feeling any kind of way about Evren. I’m not a free woman.I made a promise—a vow—in front of God and witnesses.

“Hey, you’ll get no judgment from me. Or from anyone else.”

“It’s still not right. I’m married.”

Zara shrugs. “Something that can be easily remedied if you ask the right person. Who, by the way, is on his way over. I’ll let him take it from here. Nice meeting you.”

Before I can get a word in, she walks off and leaves me standing there alone.

“Astrid, you are awake.” The masculine voice washes over me like a warm blanket.

I don’t need to turn to know it’s Evren, but I do anyway, because I want to see him. My breath nearly catches. I’d forgotten how big he is. How much taller he is than me. The smile that spreads across his face sends heat straight to my center and my core throbs in arousal. It also softens the hard look he has. He stops in front of me and dips his head.

“Is all well? You are quiet.”

I shake off the hold he has on me. “Sorry, yeah, I’m fine. And awake.”

“Are you feeling any better? I am sorry I was not there when you awoke,” Evren says. “Since I did not leave for a hunt, I needed to spar and train to keep my skills up.”

“You didn’t have to stay here for me. I mean, I’m not saying that’s why you did, but if itiswhy, I’m just saying you didn’t have to.” All the sentences rush together.

He palms my cheek and I suck in a sharp breath. “Peace, Astrid. I know I did not have to stay within the village and train. I chose to. I do not want to leave you here without me while you heal. Not that I do not trust everyone to see to your needs, but I should be close. In case.”

I shouldn’t love the way Evren’s hand feels against my skin. Except I do. He’s so gentle and warm. And there’s something about that light that glows within his eyes that comforts me. Even if it’s only a figment of my imagination.

“I’m glad you’re close by.” The confession is one I shouldn’t make.

“As am I.”

Chapter 7

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