Page 28 of Scorching the Alien Empire
“Wow, look at him go!” I squeal with delight, pride swelling as I watch his jaws efficiently saw through the tough, brick-likefood. “He wasn’t a traitor after all, just half-starved. Poor wee chug bug.”
“I don’t think even Dracoth could get through one of those things as fast,” Sandra marvels, narrowing her eyes at Todd. “One fills me up for days. No wonder he couldn’t stop pooping.”
I barely hear her, overwhelmed with relief that Todd has finally found something to eat. So random that it was the disgusting jelly sticks he liked.
But who am I to second-guess the whims of the beautiful?
With a gentle nudge, Todd scampers up my arm to his rightful home—my shoulder—still chomping loudly on his prize. My shoulders loosen as I notice Sandra sitting upright on her bed, her lips curled into a faint smile.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” I say warmly, my smile mirroring my friend’s.
“A bit. Thanks,” she mutters, entwining her fingers awkwardly. “You’re good at distracting me from my problems.”
“Rude,” I retort, feigning offense. Then, my voice softens, serious now. “Don’t worry about Jazzy. He won’t be bothering you anymore—not unless he wants to end up looking like a strawberry pancake.”
Sandra lets out a small laugh, but it quickly fades as she lowers her head. I brace myself for what’s coming next.
“But what if he’s right?” she says, her voice wavering. She gestures vaguely at the walls, her arms flopping like a wounded bird. “That I don’t belong here. You and the fellas were off fighting, and I couldn’t do anything but look after this guy.”
She reaches over to pet Todd, who shifts protectively over his remaining jelly stick, eyeing her with suspicion.
Dread wraps its icy fingers around my heart. She wants to leave. She’s going to abandon me. My only remaining friend—the onlyrealfriend I’ve ever had—gone, just like that.
“No, Sandra!” I exclaim, throwing myself dramatically across her legs like a child refusing bedtime. “Don’t leave! Don’t abandon me!”
Dracoth would be mortified to see his War Chieftainess reduced to this, but I couldn’t care less. The deep ache in my heart compels me to hold on.
“Stop. You’re being ridiculous, Lexie,” Sandra says, her tone a mix of shock and gentle concern. Her hand rubs soothing circles on my back. “I don’twantto leave. It’s just... maybe I’m getting in the way, you know?”
Her words—I don’t want to leave—fill me with the purest crystalline joy, like discovering a flawless new wardrobe just in time for the season.
“Hmm, rub higher,” I murmur, relief flooding through me as I cling to her tighter.
Sandra lets out a long-suffering sigh but obliges, kneading my shoulders with the finesse of someone baking concrete.
“Is this to your liking, Your Highness?” she mocks in an exaggerated posh accent.
“Jealousy—so sad.”
Her fingers become green knives of envy, digging into my shoulder.
“Ouch!” I yelp, jolting upright and swatting her stabby hands away. “Never would’ve guessed you had such murder fingers!” I wince, rubbing the ache she left behind.
We both share a smile in the dim purple light, but I owe her more for always being there for me.
“You’re not getting in anyone’s way, Sandra. Quite the opposite. I’d be lost without you.” I take her hands in mine, sincerity spilling from my expression. “Ineedyou here with me. You’re the only sane thing in this whole trash-fire insane asylum.”
My eyes shimmer, the raw emotion catching me off guard. I pull her into a fierce hug, squeezing her tight as if I could impress upon her just how much she means to me.
“Thank you, Sandra.”
“You’re making me blush,” she murmurs, a touch of embarrassment coloring her voice. “Besides, I haven’t done anything except... be here.”
“That’s enough,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion as I fight back tears.
I break our embrace with a heavy sigh, a weight lifting from my shoulders.
“Don’t worry. Once we get this Krogoth guy sorted, we’ll be living it up in obscene luxury—sunbathing while overlooking a beautiful alien vista, eating and drinking the finest cuisine the universe has to offer. And we’lltotallyfind you the most handsome, dashing alien man—one who’s not a rude prick this time.” My words tumble out in an excited rush. “Just like we promised,” I add, whispering, almost feeling the heat of some roaring, alien-red sun kissing and burning my skin—a sun like Dracoth...
