Page 61 of Whisked Away By the Alien

After I light the helpercandle, I use it to light the six remaining wood slivers. My sweet Sten wraps his arms around me and we watch the tiny flames reflect against the glass base, warming the cold space in the warehouse. This has to be the most perfect Hannukah I’ve ever had.

“I have a gift for you, my Golda.”

“Another one?”

“You said it’s tradition to give a gift on the last night of the holiday, but I will be gone by then. If you come with me to Zyan, I can give it to you at the proper time. But—”

“But I haven’t said yes yet.” I look up into his eyes and watch the tiny flames reflected there. Enthusiasm fills his face and I feel like a heel. I’m so torn, I don’t know what to do.

He runs the backs of his fingers against my cheek. “Even if you don’t come with me, I wish for you to still think of me. This is why I am giving the present to you now. It will remind you of me.”

“Oh, Sten…”

Despite his efforts to mask it, I see the pain in his face. Everything’s happened so fast between us and I haven’t been able to wrap my head around the idea of leaving my family behind. But the alternative, Sten leaving without me… My heart tightens just thinking about it.

“Please don’t make me decide right now.”

He sets a small brown velvet pouch with silver cord cinching the top into my palm and kisses me. “Assuming the storm ends in time, I’m scheduled to launch at five p.m. two nights from now. Until then, we will enjoy one another and the holiday. Which is why I wish you to have the gift tonight.”

“Don’t go,” I plead.

“I have no choice, sholani. I’ve been ordered to return to Zyan.” His face lights up at the mention of his planet. He misses home.

“How long has it been since you’ve seen your family?”

“Seven years. I served on Tunzen before coming to Earth.”

I understand his sadness now, more than ever. And yet it drives home how much I’ll miss my family if I go with him.

“Open it,” he says with a smile that curls my toes.

I forgot about the present I’m holding. With a child’s excitement, I pull apart the silver tie and tilt the pouch upside down. Out spills a gold chain with a gold rose pendant made with rose gold. That’s a bit of a mind bender, as is my dilemma.

Sten looks so hopeful. I can’t destroy him. I can’t.

“It’s beautiful,” the words spill from my mouth. I love the gift. Even if it were the ugliest necklace on Earth, I’d still love it because Sten gave it to me. No one’s ever given me something so special. But what I really want is Sten.

“Your father helped me find a talented craftsman. I told him I wished to buy a golden rose for my Golda Rose.”

“I love it,” I say as he puts the necklace on me. That’s where he and my Dad were when I dropped by my parents this morning. Out looking for a present for me.Thatwas their top-secret mission.

How do I say no to Sten when my heart wants to say yes? I want the best of both worlds, but that’s like asking for a miracle. The irony doesn’t escape me. It’s Hannukah, a time to celebrate miracles. I’ve been given the best miracle of all. A man who loves me as much as I love him.

But loving him means losing my family. Despite how much my family drives me crazy, they have always been there for me, breaking the rules and risking their lives during the occupation to make sure I had everything possible, especially an education, a sense of worth… and love. I’ve always been surrounded by love.

Sten loves me as well. I see it in his eyes and I hear it in his words and the way he touches me. But how can I walk away from my family as if they don’t matter?

CHAPTERTWENTY

STENIKOV

My Golda shines when I give her the necklace. Then a sadness settles over her. I understand her dilemma, even though she doesn’t speak of it. She has family here. A family who loves her. Leaving Zyan was not easy for me, but I made the choice to be a warrior, knowing I might be assigned off Zyan and possibly never see my family again. Now I’m asking Golda to face that same choice, but she’s only had days to get used to the idea.

“Tell me your thoughts, sholani.”

She looks up at the row of windows high in the warehouse. The raging storm covers the windows with layers of snow and ice. “I’m hoping this blizzard lasts a few more days so you miss your flight to Zyan.”

“I have my own ship. Even if I am delayed, I am expected to be on Zyan on schedule.”

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