Page 17 of Fated to the Alien Hero

“I wonder what he or she is saying?”

“Perhaps he is warning him not to fall in,” Evren says.

The little ketri tips forward like his head’s too heavy and dunks himself. He scrambles backward, dragging himself away from the water’s edge with an indignant screech. The two of them chitter loudly and rapidly back and forth while the baby shakes like a wet dog.

I burst out laughing and the delightful scene and all three ketri perk up, highly alert for danger before rushing back into thedarkness of the forest. My laughter grinds to a halt at their disappearance and disappointment replaces it.

“Dang it. I scared them away.”

“Not to worry. They will be back,keeshla.”

“I know, I’d just been hoping to enjoy them a little longer. I’m always so busy with chores and such that I never get time to do anything like sit, rest, and enjoy nature. Which probably makes me sound like a whiny baby who wants to be lazy all day.”

“Those do not sound like words that are coming from you but from someone else,” Evren notes without a hint of judgment.

I shrug a bit self-consciously. “Maybe.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything else or indicate in any way he’s disappointed I’m repeating something Grady has said countless times. I adjust my arm. It’s starting to ache within my sling, and I realize it’s been a while since I took any pain medicine. I probably should get some before the throbbing gets any worse.

“Do you think we could go back to the healer’s tent? My arm’s sore, and I’d like something to take the edge off.”

One would think I’d told Evren I was dying with the way he jumps to his feet and gapes at me with apologies spilling from his lips. “Please forgive me,keeshla. I should have made sure you were taken care of better before bringing you down here. Come, I will get you some burim root. Do I need to carry you?”

I stand with a burst of laughter. “Relax, Evren. I’m okay, and you have taken perfectly good care of me. Truly. I’m able to walk on my own, but I appreciate the offer.”

He doesn’t fully look like he believes me, but at least he’s slowly calming down and not appearing so frantic. The hand he places on my lower back burns through my shirt. I don’t just feel his touch in that one spot, either. It courses through my entire body in a way I’ve never felt until him. Once again that guilt rises up inside that I’m not doing more to discourage his interest. God, I’m such a tease and a hypocrite. Maybe Grady was right.

It isn’t long before Evren and I reach the healer’s tent. Another lavender alien is inside and glances up at our arrival.

“Greetings. You must be Astrid. I am Kyler, Zara’s mate, and one of the healers.” His voice holds a note of gentleness and kindness.

Of all the Tavikhi males I’ve seen so far, this guy is definitely the oldest. Much older than Zara. His skin has some soft gray patches, and his hair is a different shade of the yellowish gold than Evren and his friends. Still, this Kyler looks like he’d be able to take one of those lion things.

“Hi. Nice to meet you.”

“You as well.”

“Astrid needs something for her pain,” Evren says before I can.

“Of course.” Kyler gestures to my recently vacated bed. “If you would like to have a seat, I will get it.”

To my surprise, Evren helps me up onto the platform while the healer pours what I’m assuming is that bitter powder into a cup and adds water. He swirls it around and brings it over.

“My mate says it tastes like shit, but it really does work well for pain,” Kyler says.

I’d already brought it up to my mouth and nearly spit out the drink I just took trying not to laugh.“She’s certainly not wrong about its taste, but like you said, it does work.”

Doing my best to ignore the flavor, I swallow every last drop of water in the cup. I can’t hold back the grimace of disgust when I’m finished though. I pass it back to him. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome.” He glances at my arm. “Do you need your sling adjusted? It appears a bit loose.”

I look down. “Whatever you think.”

Carefully, Kyler fixes the sling.

“Oh, wow, that feels so much better.”

“That is good.” He nods and shifts his gaze to Evren. “I heard from Zedam that the Bohnari may be returning a little earlier than expected. Johnna misses Eloise, and Vornak is working to convince Alik they should visit us for a quick visit.”

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