Page 19 of Fated to the Alien Hero

We climb the slope leading to the village and make our way toward his previous dwelling before he and London set up a bigger one to prepare for the arrival of their kit. He grabs the torch from outside and we enter. Scented livando bundles still hang from the wooden supports above. They are a reminder of his nene and childhood home. The chests that contained his personal belongings have been removed as well as the bed of furs. Instead, several chairs have been placed around a table that sits just beyond the fire pit.

Zander stabs the torch upright in the ground to offer us light and gestures for me to take a seat. I choose one of the backless chairs next to the large chair designated for him as the shefir. He does the same in his own.

“I have spoken to Astrid about the male at the settlement who abused her. The one she says is her mate from Earth.” I explain, although he’s already been made aware of who the vile male is. “She said the only way for her to be my mate is if she and the other male…divorce.”

“How does one go about getting this thing?” Zander asks.

“That is the problem. Mykeeshlasaid according to Earth law, they are bound together until one of them dies or through this process. Except it requires the aid of several people who may not even belong to the human settlement. She says that if they did,a divorce still may not be possible because they are no longer on their own planet.”

Zander is quiet for some time before he finally speaks. “Could his attempt at ending her life have been because he no longer wants to be bound to her, as she no longer wants to be bound to him?”

“I do not know. According to her, he has been violent with her many times, including back on Earth. If he did not want to be her mate any longer before they came to Tavikh, why did he not get this divorce then? Why come all the way to another planet together?”

The shefir rests his elbows on the table and sets his chin on his clasped fingers. “Perhaps those are the questions you must get the answer to first. I do not understand the workings of humans or their laws, but if neither your mate nor the unworthy male want to remain bound to each other, then it may be possible that is all that is needed, since they no longer live on Earth.”

Could it be that easy? Merely a matter of both of them standing before the human leaders and declaring themselves no longer bound? If they are no longer on Earth, then can they not create new laws? Tavikh laws?

“Thank you, Shefir, for your counsel. I will speak with Astrid and go from there.” I pause. “I worry, though, what will happen if the human male is not agreeable to breaking their bond. What if he demands she return to the settlement?”

Once again, Zander does not immediately reply. Although I am impatient, I do not rush him. He is our shefir for a reason. He always does his best to think through every situation before committing to a response.

“While I understand that, according to Earth law, she is his mate, this is not Earth. When a female’s life could be in danger, protecting her is more important,” he says. “If your Astrid does not wish to return to this male, then she will not. Deeka has spoken, and she is yourkeeshla.Thatis the law I am bound by. If he chooses to challenge you for her, so be it. He will not win.”

I am grateful for Zander’s support. “Thank you, Shefir.”

“Congratulations on finding your mate, Evren. It is the most wondrous thing that can happen to any Tavikhi. I did not doubt for any amount of time that Deeka would deem you worthy. It was always going to happen. Your nene and baba would be proud.”

Emotions swell. They have been gone for many, many seasons, and it was Zander who saw after me when they ventured onto the land of the goddess. Even before he became shefir.

“I only wish they were still here to meet my Astrid. They would love her.”

“They will meet her when it is your time to join our ancestors,” he tells me.

I stand and salute him before exiting. Zander has given me much to think on. As much as I want to travel to the human settlement this very moment, I will wait until I have spoken to Astrid. This is her future. She must decide, and I cannot make the decision for her.

The midday meal is about to begin, and Astrid has been resting since right before the sun hit its zenith. Since no one has comesearching for me, I assume she is still within the healer’s tent. I make my way there and hope she is awake. When I reach it, I slap the door flap. Ever since Zara was injured, we have been instructed to always “knock” as the humans say, before entering.

“Enter.”

I step through the entrance and find Astrid awake, but still lying on the furs and Sage stands by the supply table organizing. At my mate’s smile, my soul light flares brighter. She blinks rapidly and her head jerks slightly making me pause. She cannot see that, can she?“Greetings,keeshla.” I close the distance between us. “Are you feeling rested?”

Astrid nods. “I am, thanks. Didyouget some rest? You were awake just as often as I was.”

“Tavikhi do not need as much sleep as humans.”

“Still, I don’t want you feeling tired, so that you’re distracted while out hunting and get hurt,” she says.

Warmth fills me at her words. I love that she cares what happens to me. I cradle the side of her head. “I will take care so that I do not get injured. You have my vow.”

“Thank you.” Astrid leans into my touch for a single beat of my heart, but then she draws slightly back. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, I drop my arm to my side.

“It is nearly time for the midday meal. If you are feeling up to it, I thought perhaps we could eat at the central fire with any other tribespeople who have remained inside the village.”

“I’m still going to be sore whether I keep laying in this bed or if I move around, so I might as well get up.”

“Would you like another dose of burim root before you head out?” Sage asks.

Astrid shakes her head. “If that’s the stuff that tastes like shit, I’ll pass, but thank you. The con of making me so sleepy outweighs the pain relief benefit at the moment. Maybe later, though, if that’s okay?”

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