Page 22 of Healer
Although I took myself off the market, my heart still skipped a beat at the sight of a handsome man. And while I held a deep abiding love for my celebrity boyfriend, Keanu Reeves, it was pure fantasy. Lusting after someone you could never have was one thing. But being up close and personal with someone that set your body on fire was a whole other ballgame.
Despite my efforts to deny it, Hakkar mesmerized me from the first moment our eyes met. It was like a fire burning inside of me, impossible to extinguish with every touch, every word, making the flame grow hotter.
For the first time in what felt like forever, hope settled into my heart. A future that wasn’t overshadowed by the constant fear of death lay before me, promising endless possibilities. And while it might not be a traditional life onEarth, the thought of living among the stars held a certain allure. But more than anything, I yearned for the simple warmth and family that Vienda, Talamus, and Irsay modeled—something I had been lacking for so long. The image of their cozy home and peaceful moments together filled me with a sense of longing and contentment. To have something like that with Hakkar....
I pulled myself out of the fantasy when Irsay climbed into my lap. The little girl might be covered in fur, but she proved as adorable as any child I’d ever known. She attempted to teach me the correct pronunciations for alien versions of corn, potatoes, turnips, and carrots. Her adorable grunts and growls translated into strange words had me laughing while attempting to pronounce them. Along with kindling a desire for a child of my own that caused a painful spasm in my soul.
As the sun descended, Hakkar and Talamus returned from the hunt, carrying two graceful creatures resembling deer that Talamus calledlatoppeen.They began dressing the animals with skilled hands to prepare for roasting and smoking. Irsay oversaw the task with an adorably keen eye. The smell of fresh meat mingled with fragrant smoke from the fire and bubbling stew, filled the air with an enticing aroma. I settled on one of the wooden benches, enjoying the subtle chill of the darkening night. I might be on an alien planet, but the scene proved reminiscent of every neighborhood barbecue I’d ever attended.
Irsay’s eyes sparkled with adoration as she gazed at Hakkar. His handsome features and kind smile seemed to captivate her. I knew the feeling. She spent every moment sitting by his side, soaking in his presence, or perched on his knee, hanging onto his every word. As I watched from across the fire, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy, a silliness I quickly dismissed. After all, who could blame her for being so smitten with such a handsome, charming, and charismatic man?
Vienda pulled the freshly baked bread from the coals just as the sun dipped below the horizon. The warm dough and toasted crust aroma filled the air, mingling with the savory scents of bubbling stew and roasting meat cooking over the outside fire. Despite the sweltering heat of the planet during the day, once the sun set, a cool breeze from the nearby river made it a perfect night to gather around a crackling campfire. The flames danced and flickered, casting shadows on the surrounding trees while sparks leaped into the starry sky above like fireworks.
Memories of med school flooded my brain. I remembered late nights spent huddled around a bonfire—laughter and chatter filling the air as we celebrated surviving another stressful test or lab. But instead of Boones Farm Strawberry Ripple or Maddog 2020, I sipped on Talamus’ homemade brew, which became more delicious with each mouthful. In place of hot dogs and chips, we ate roasted meat, bread, and stew, despite being alien, proved as delicious as anything on Earth.
A warm, hazy atmosphere surrounded the clearing, lulling me into a dreamy state that I willingly surrendered to. Talamus and Vienda sat close on a fur blanket, their bodies entwined in a cocoon of affection. Hakkar and I shared a small wooden bench, his arm draped casually around my shoulders as Irsay nestled contentedly in his lap. The air hung thick with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and delicious food accompanied by the distant sound of the rolling river.
I could get used to this.
Irsay seemed completely smitten, and Hakkar did too. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing as I imagined what it would be like to be mated to Hakkar. To know that we belonged to each other and see him holding our child in his powerful arms. My mind became consumed with wistful daydreams of our future together, in our own cozy hobbit hole, surrounded bychildren. The thought brought a warm flutter to my chest and a smile to my lips as I watched the scene play out before me.
Damn... this wine was potent stuff.
I pulled my mind from its wandering and back to the present, where I found Irsay slumbering peacefully in Hakkar’s embrace. He cradled her gently, rocking back and forth while humming a soft lullaby in a low, soothing tone. As if on cue, my body reacted, spasming as one of my ovaries exploded.
“I think my daughter likes you,” Talamus commented in a deep, rumbling voice, smiling at the sight of his child.
“I like her too,” Hakkar grinned
There went my other ovary.
“We need to put her to bed,” Vienda announced, rising to her feet, followed by Talamus.
Hakkar rose in a move so smooth and graceful that it stole my breath. He stepped forward, transferring the sleeping child into her father’s arms without a jostle.
Talamus carried his daughter to her bed while Vienda led us to a small cave carved into the hillside next to the main abode. From the outside, it looked like any other cave, but as we stepped through the entrance, soft fur-covered walls and a sturdy plank floor greeted us. The furniture—a cushioned chair and small table were artisanal and handmade, giving the space a cozy and rustic feel. The bed, a grand piece of craftsmanship that beckoned with its plush blankets and feather pillows, promised a peaceful and restful night’s sleep… or perhaps something else.
“If you need anything, let me know,” Vienda suggested with what I classified as a bawdy wink.
Hakkar followed her to the door while I moved further into the cave. My head felt fuzzy from the wine, and I collapsed onto the edge of the bed. The soft, plush mattress welcomed me with open arms as I leaned back against the cushions, willing the room to stop spinning.
Returning from seeing Vienda out, Hakkar stopped in the center of the room, his golden eyes studying me with a mix of interest and amusement.
Good heavens, he was pretty.
Towering above me with a muscular frame and tousled brown locks cascading over his broad shoulders, not to mention features that vaguely reminded me of a young Brad Pitt from thatLegends of the Fallmovie. The sight of him made me dizzy.
Visions of Hakkar slipping into bed with me consumed my thoughts, causing a wave of heat to spread throughout my body and color my cheeks.
“I will sleep on the floor,” Hakkar murmured, pulling a blanket and cushion off the chair.
I didn’t want that.
I yearned to feel his warm, solid presence next to me. My fingers twitched with the desire to run through his thick hair, and my skin tingled at the thought of his touch. I longed to feel his muscular arms wrap around me, and the thought of kissing him sent shivers down my spine and made my heart race faster. At that moment, I wanted nothing in the world more than to taste his lips.
“Don’t be silly.” I padded the mattress beside where I sat. “It’s a big bed… comfy too!”
Hakkar’s lips curled into an indulgent smile as his hands began removing weapons from his belt. As I watched him, a thought flickered through my mind... did he sleep in the nude? The idea sent a shiver of excitement down my spine, adding to the already charged atmosphere in the cave.
