Page 34 of Healer
Vienda and Talamus shared a glance.
“We are Kerzak,” Vienda shook her head sadly. “Despite my father’s hopes of peace, the universe sees us only as vicious warriors.”
“That’s because they don’t know you,” Agnes said, stepping to Vienda’s side and placing a hand on her arm. “Please think about it. It would break my heart if anything happened to you.”
Vienda’s thoughtful gaze passed over us.
“We will think about it.”
“We’ll miss you,” Anges moaned, throwing her arms around Vienda’s thick neck. The female Kerzak’s arms went around the human, hugging her tightly.
“We shall miss you as well,” Vienda muttered, blinking rapidly. Did Kerzak females cry like humans?
“You are an excellent warrior, Vaktaire,” Talamus said, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I am proud to count you as a friend.”
“As am I.” My hand reached out, and Talamus answered, sharing with me a forearm grasp reserved for brothers in arms. Before stepping away, I tousled Irsay’s hair, earning myself a delighted giggle.
“Don’t you go around getting shot anymore,” Agnes teased the child, going up on tiptoe to kiss the girl’s furry cheek.
“I won’t,” Irsay promised, returning the gesture with a loud smack.
It took a while to walk away. Agnes turned back to wave every few steps, only stopping when she didn’t want the small family to notice her tears.
Slowly, the ache of goodbye subsided as we moved further and further into the jungle. While I couldn’t help but feel bittersweet about leaving our new friends behind, I relished having Agnes all to myself. I stole kisses from her along the path, savoring the sweet sound of her laughter as I pulled her into my arms.
Mine.
The concept shocked me to my core. I was almost afraid to admit it, but deep in the depths of my soul, I knew it to be true. I belonged with Agnes. She was unlike any other female I had ever known, with her fierce determination and unwavering strength. Her piercing gaze held a thousand secrets I would gladly spend a lifetime learning, and her touch ignited a fire within me that I could not resist. Even now, as we walked along, it was all I could do to prevent myself from sweeping her into my arms.
She would need to remain by my side until I removed the disease from her DNA, but afterward? The Alliance had strict rules that prohibited humans altered by the Garoot Healer from returning to Earth. She might prefer the settlement on Tau Ceti, but perhaps, like her friend Emmy, she would choose to stay on the Bardaga instead. As much as I loved my life as a healer, I would willingly give it if it meant I could keep her by my side. The thought of losing Agnes caused an unbearable clench deep in my gut—a pain I hoped never to feel in entirety.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I turned to find her watching me, realizing I’d been staring at her as we walked.
“What is a penny?”
Shock flickered across Agnes’ beautiful face for a moment, then she laughed. The sound floated along the breeze like a gentle melody.
“A penny is a form of currency on Earth. You use it to buy things… well, not many things with a penny, but you get the gist.”
“Ah, it is like a credit.” I chuckled, reaching out to catch her hand.
“Okay then, credit for your thoughts.”
“You pay people for their thoughts on Earth?”
“Stop it,” Agnes giggled, playfully swatting my shoulder. “It’s a human way of asking what you’re thinking about.”
I decided to show instead of tell, letting my actions speak louder than words. I wrapped my arms around Agnes’ waist, lifting her until our faces were level and pressed my lips to hers. A soft moan escaped her throat as she responded with equal fervor, her arms wrapping around my neck and her legs locking around my waist. Her taste was intoxicating, a blend of sweetness and spice. The velvety texture of her lips and the way her tongue playfully danced with mine was pure bliss, and I lost myself to it. I could spend an eternity kissing her.
As the faint growl reached my ears, I responded with a low snarl of warning. Talamus assured me the larger predators didn’t frequent this part of the jumble. But then, I recognized the source of the sound. With a gentle chuckle, I broke our kiss and looked down at her, smiling at the adorable rumbling coming from her belly.
“Hungry?”
Her cheeks flushed a lovely deep pink as she smiled. “Very.”
Vienda had packed a week’s worth of dried meat and neita fruit for us, but my ears picked up something I thought Agnes might find more appetizing.
