Page 18 of Warrior
Reaching for Daisy’s hand, I moved us further into the tunnel. The white vein glowed like a winding, hissing serpent. As the path widened, we stepped into a vast chamber with jagged, black stone walls. A rough-hewn boulder sat to one side, the top smoothed for seating. My body involuntarily shuddered, as memories of a time long ago when I was trapped in a similar cave flooded back.
“What’s the matter?”
The concern in Daisy’s voice felt like fire on my skin.
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you shivering?”
I turned the lantern to gaze at her upturned face, the yellow light giving her skin a warm glow.
“It’s nothing,” I shrugged. “This just reminds me of the mine where I was enslaved.”
“I’m sorry. Her hand landed on my bicep, giving a gentle squeeze.
“It was a lifetime ago.”
"It still haunts you, though,” she said, her voice comforting. Her eyes searched mine conveying a depth ofunderstanding that made me uncomfortable. I held her gaze, afraid to break the connection yet desperate to flee.
“They took me and my best friend Enslak as prisoners of war.” The words tumbled from my lips, pulled by a compulsion I didn’t understand. Iwantedto tell her, as though Daisy hearing the story could absolve me of the guilt. “We were captured performing a recon mission during the Vaktaire-Romvesian skirmish. Warrior training was my background, but Enslak's education and strategic expertise didn't prepare him for enduring hardship and pain. I was among the largest and strongest, so they made me work harder than most. I still attempted to take care of those weaker, especially Enslak. He didn’t handle the dampness of the mines well. The guards hated me for it. They tried beating it out of me, but soon discovered that beating Enslak was a much better way to control me.”
The soft, warm pressure of her hand on my arm moved in circles as if she were stroking a pet. Her touch comforted me like no other, and the memories that weighed so heavily before suddenly seemed lighter.
"We were in a tunnel like this. The guards wanted a massive energy crystal removed in time for the next transport. I'd worked all night. Sometimes, they worked me for days without food or sleep. I’m strong, but even I have limits. The guards beat Enslak, trying to make me work harder. I finally managed to pull the crystal free, dislocating my shoulder in the process.” I rolled my shoulder, the pain of that moment no longer a memory in muscle and bone. "The guards took the crystal and left me and Enslak lying in the dirt. He died before I could get him to the healer.”
“I'm so sorry, Daicon.”
Her voice cracked as she spoke, and the lantern illuminated her face, drawing attention to the crystal jewelsstreaming down her cheeks. I had seen tears before on the faces of many rescued humans, but this was different.
These tears were for me. For my pain.
I turned to her, lifting the hand laid on my arm to press against my chest, over the heavy thud of my heart. When Daisy moved her other hand to lie on my chest, my heart felt scorched by flame.
I should not do this.
I should not place my other hand on her tiny waist and take the step that moved us only a breath apart. I should not lean forward, resting my forehead against hers as I closed my eyes, reveling in the comfort of her touch—her presence.
I definitely should not be thinking about Earth kisses.
Vaktaire do not kiss. Most species think the pressing together of mouths is unsanitary. I have seen kisses on earth videos, and while shocking, the exoticness of the gesture was not lost on me. Right now, I wanted to press my mouth against Daisy’s more than I wanted my next breath. Her face was upturned, the sweet warmth of her breath fanning my face. Her body is so soft, melding, and supple where we touch. It would be so easy just to….
“Kida!”
Daisy and I jumped apart, jerking toward the sound. The youngling that came running from the darkness was a Verdesian, basically humanoid in shape and size except with a long, tufted tail and small black horns sprouting from the reddish skin of his forehead.
Worry flowed off Daisy in thick, heated waves. “What’s the matter?”
The youngling halted in front of us, the ragged drag of his breath echoing against the stone.
"You must come quick, kida. Ewok is hurt."
Chapter 6
Daisy
My feet hammered against the dirt, but not as hard as my heart thrashed in panic. The young alien called Cuietsu didn't know how badly Ewok was hurt or what happened, only that George told him to fetch us quickly.
If I could fly, I wouldn't be able to get to Ewok fast enough. Then I was flying. At least it felt like flying. Without slowing, Daicon swept me up into his arms, pressing me close against his chest, his legs churning with a speed that whipped our hair back and forth as if we rode in a convertible.
