Page 31 of Fated for the Alien Fighter

“It will be alright. You’re safe with me,” he said, meaning every word.

Taryn’s species was compelled to protect their Lightmate above all else, even their own life. If the ship would fail them–it wouldn’t–Taryn would burn himself whole to protect Leah against the tempest raging outside.

“I have no other choice but to trust you,” Leah muttered, her breath ghosting across his skin and making his nerves crawl with need. Her gaze snapped to his, open and vulnerable. “Don’t I?”

“Yes,” he said, looking down at her as the ship steadied, swerving toward the solid ground.

Leah’s hold on his arms tightened. Only for a fraction, as if she wasn’t even aware of it. “Don’t make me regret it.”

Taryn’s Light swelled. “I won’t.”

Leah’s energy relaxed, for the tiniest bit. It no longer pulsed against his, frantic. It pleased him immensely that she trusted him, in this at least.

Perhaps there was a future for them. Somewhere, somehow–

The rest of Taryn’s pleasant, hopeful thoughts ground to a halt as the ship flipped upside down.

10

LEAH

The entire world tilted off its axis. While Leah and Taryn were in the middle of a goddamnexplodinghurricane ready to swallow them whole.

She held onto him with all her might, her screams stuck in her throat. As the ship tilted upside down, Taryn’s right arm tightened around her. Keeping her safe.

His other hand jutted out against the roof, steadying them both.

Against her better judgment, Leah did feel safe.

“Don’t worry, it’s only a flip,” Taryn muttered against her hair, warm breaths ghosting down the nape of her neck.

A flip? She was sitting upside down, hair hanging in the air, while the metal casket caging them barreled toward the ground.

“We’ll be okay,” Taryn went on, completely calm. In control. Goddammit, she was already attracted to him, and his whole composed-during-danger was not helping her ignore how tempting he was.

The ship spun out of control, in a nose-dive. A whimper escaped Leah’s lips.

Cold chills erupted down her spine.

No matter how soothing Taryn’s voice was, all her human instincts were roaring at her.

She was going to die.

She would never see Nana again.

No.

She was going to be fine. She was in Taryn’s arms.

Leah knew she shouldn’t be trusting this guy so hard and so fast, but he was so insanely calm right now. Something in that weird energy of his was soothing her.

This was more dangerous than ricocheting toward the ground.

Death, she could deal with; it would be over quickly. Having her soul crushed, then carrying that wound for the rest of her days?

She couldn’t bear that thought.

“Steady,” he muttered.

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