Page 36 of Healer
Agnes paused, her breath shuddering with release.
“Connor Buford.”
The words came so softly; it sounded like a sigh.
“Who is that?”
I knew she had a mate on Earth, but I remembered his name to be different.
“The first patient I ever lost.” Her voice held a mix of sadness and resignation. “I will never forget his name or his face. I couldn’t get out of bed for a solid week after he died. And as rough as it was to go through, losing him made me study harder… made me do better.”
I shifted, cupping Agnes’ precious face between my palms. “That’s why I vow to rid you of the sickness. I cannot lose another I…. “The words froze on my tongue, burning with desire to escape, but I dared not let myself utter them. With the sickness in her blood, Agnes would never survive the valakana. I couldn’t risk it.
“Someone I care for.”
The grey eyes lit up as though reflecting the sun. “I care about you too, Hakkar.” Her eyes shuttered. “I’m sorry you had to kill those guards to protect me. It must have been hard for you.”
My fingers trailed over the silk of her cheek. “I took a vow to protect life, but I took another vow, one I hold dearer. I would do anything to protect you.”
Agnes' full lips twitched upward, her gray eyes shimmering.
I pulled her close, dropping my lips to her, getting lost in the taste and silkiness of her tongue against mine. She wound her arms around my neck and, with a soft moan, gave herself over.
We wrapped ourselves together, touched by shards of sunlight flowing through the leafy canopy until the small clearing overflowed with the creatures Agnes calledchic-ens.Neither of us seemed to care. The only sustenance we needed was each other.
Chapter 14 – Agnes
The jungle was dense and humid. The air was so thick I found it a struggle to draw a deep breath, and hot, sticky sweat clung to my skin. Despite the discomfort, I’d never felt more alive and free. Hiding from the Aljani, on guard from dangerous predators, and exploring this new world with Hakkar was an adventure I’d relish for the rest of my life. A life that loomed longer and happier thanks to the man at my side.
Since the surgery, we’d spent every night—and any other moment we could find—wrapped in each other’s arms. It felt like I’d contracted another disease, some type of deficiency that made me crave Hakkar’s touch. I hadn’t wanted my own husband this badly… I’d never wanted anyone or anything this desperately.
Could I be falling in love with him?
The idea of being with Hakkar—of being his mate—filled me with a sense of excitement and longing. Vienda’s description of his mating ritual seemed less than pleasant, yet despite the risks involved, I was more than willing to take a chance at happiness with Hakkar.
The sun slowly descended behind the towering trees, casting a warm, orange glow across the jungle. The sounds of the wild grew louder and more primal as day faded into night. Seeking comfort and protection, I stepped closer to Hakkar. With natural ease, he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. Despite the fact that he stood close to seven feet tall, our bodies fit together perfectly, as if made for each other. A softsmile adorned his face, his golden eyes shining affectionately as he glanced down at me. Even amid this untamed alien wilderness, I’d never felt so safe… and adored.
Seriously… was I falling in love with Hakkar?
In just a few days, we would rendezvous with the Bardaga. My heart quickened at the thought of Hakkar freeing me from the ALS that plagued my body for so long. The only thing that made my heart happier was imaging a future with him... a future that seemed as vast as the endless expanse of stars in this foreign sky.
I wanted... no I needed to tell Hakkar how I felt. And despite my doubts and fears, I believed Hakkar felt the same for me. My heart pounded as I considered laying my heart on the line, knowing this would change everything between us.
But what if he couldn’t cure me?
I knew without a doubt that Hakkar would exhaust every alien medical technology available to overturn my death sentence. However, that small voice of doubt that had whispered negatively for decades asked one question….
What if even the advanced alien medical technology couldn’t conquer ALS?
It loomed over me like an ominous cloud, threatening to squash my hope. But I refused to let fear and doubt consume me, holding onto the glimmer of faith that perhaps there was still a chance for a miracle. A chance for happiness with Hakkar.
Even so, the thought stilled my confession. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in my heart. Even more than wanting to spend my life at his side, was the determination that I didn’t want him to feel a sense of obligation or duty if things took a turn for the worse. The idea alone made my heart ache with guilt and fear.
I loved Hakkar.
I loved him enough not to want him burdened with guilt or duty if he could not cure me. So, I would hold my secret until the future loomed as bright as the pale pink moon in the night sky.
My mind was so consumed with my musings that the sudden lack of towering trees came as a shock. We had come to the edge of the jungle, the small settlement on the horizon surpassing my expectations. Though appearing haphazard and makeshift, built with a patchwork of wood and metal, the buildings undeniably bustled with activity and a thriving population.
