Page 79 of Tharn's Hunt
She trails off, glancing at Rok, whose growl rumbles low in his chest.
"If they don't get what they need, what?" I press.
"They'll take it," she finishes grimly. "By force if necessary."
Great. Just what we need—a water war. And not the fun kind.
For several long minutes, Rok is silent and still above us, and then his shoulders suddenly relax. When there’s finally movement at the cave mouth, my heart lurches. But it’s Tharn. His expression is grim, his glow pulsing erratically beneath his skin.
He's still in pain. Maybe even more so after that confrontation. But he's hiding it better now, his movements controlled and his face carefully blank. My palms itch to reach out and touch him.
"The water," Justine says out loud. "They think you're using too much of the water."
Tharn’s jaw ticks, his displeasure still clear.
“Could it be because of us?” My gaze shifts to Justine. “We drink more than they do. Maybe…”
She shakes her head. “Rok said we don’t drink enough to cause a problem.”
“So...” I continue, searching her face. "So why are their water sources drying up?"
Justine looks at Rok, even moving closer to him, though I don’t know if she’s even aware she’s doing it. The utter trust in her eyes. The peace…
I look at Tharn, who's still watching me with that intense, unreadable expression. Despite everything, despite the danger and the confusion and the fear, I find myself stepping closer to him, drawn by something I can't explain.
Maybe because these past few days I’ve been watching him, watching Rok, watching Justine…and Justine is happy. Like, actually happy. I can’t recall the last time I saw my sister without worry lines creasing her brow.
"Are you okay?" I ask softly, my eyes searching Tharn’s face for signs of the pain I know he's still feeling.
He nods once, a jerky motion that doesn't convince me at all.
I reach out and take his hand, my fingers wrapping around his much larger ones.
The contact sends a jolt through me, like static electricity but warmer, more pleasant. His skin is still hot, almost feverish, but soothing. Strangely soothing.
"Thank you," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "For protecting us."
His expression softens slightly, something flickering in those amber eyes that makes my heart beat faster. He squeezes my hand gently, careful of his claws, and nods again.
And despite everything—the danger, the confusion, the fear of what comes next—I believe him. Completely and without reservation.
Because one thing is becoming increasingly clear: on this alien world, with its rival clans and dangers lurking in every shadow, Tharn might be the only thing keeping me alive.
And I'm starting to think that I might be the only thing keeping him together.
Chapter 23
I WASN’T LOOKING FOR AN ALIEN HUSBAND. BUT HE’S LOOKING AT ME
JACQUI
Tharn is kneeling before me, his massive frame somehow less intimidating in this dream-space.
"Jah-kee," he rumbles, his voice both in my ears and inside my head, "let me share your water."
I don't question the words. Dream-logic makes them the only thing that has ever made sense. I nod, a wave of heat washing through me as his large hands slide up my thighs, his thumbs brushing the insides as he pushes the fabric of my clothes aside.
His touch is fire. I gasp as his claws skim over the sensitive flesh of my inner thighs. Teasing. Promising.
