Alien Romance: RETURNED: An Alien Warrior Romance: (Acarnania Warriors Book 1) (7 page)

My heart hammered in my chest as he stalked closer. I shuffled back until I hit the wall. I didn't want another round with him after what he’d done to me, now that I knew for sure he wanted me dead. He'd given it a damn good shot in the sparring ring.

Sweat beaded across my brow and upper lip. Marat stopped inches away, stooping so his eyes were level with mine. I suddenly felt light-headed, even dizzy, as the gravity of my predicament rained down on me. He was here to kill me. He stared at me for what felt like endless minutes before whispering “Run,” and taking a step back.

The exit was clear. Could I trust him to let me pass? He probably wanted to enjoy the thrill of the chase. One thing was for sure, though: I couldn't stay here.

I darted past him and into the passageway, not knowing which way to run, letting my legs take me where they would. I soon found myself in the bowels of the ship, pausing to catch my breath, holding it when I heard a noise. I closed my eyes, trying to curb the panic that coursed through me. It didn't work. The panic won. Pushing away from the wall, I ran some more. I had no idea where I was running, my thoughts a jumbled mess of fear, so convoluted that the ship’s map kept flashing before my eyes, trying to show me the way, but unsure what I was asking for.

I barrelled down a corridor, no real idea where I was. I could hear my breath rasping out of my lungs, knew I needed to slow down and get myself under control. Suddenly, I was grabbed from the side and pulled into a room. A hand clamped over my mouth when I started to scream and a deep voice whispered in my ear, “Calm down. It's me. You're safe.”

Alrik. I stopped struggling and he released me, keeping one hand on my shoulder, steadying me.

“What are you doing here?”

“I'm in trouble.” My voice came out as a squeak.

“What sort of trouble?”

“It doesn't matter. You can't fix this. You can't fix any of it,” I said, throwing my hands up in frustration as tears burned my eyes. I clamped them shut tightly, willing myself to regain control. There was no telling if I'd be able pick up the pieces again.

“Sierra, trust me. Let me help you.”

I wanted to. I remembered Echo, how she'd touched him, the image of them holding hands burnt into my mind. My anger and jealousy returned.

“I don't need you,” I snapped, all false bravado. Wounded pride was a dangerous thing.

A look of hurt flashed across his face. “What's happened?”

“Why aren't you with Echo?” I could have bitten my tongue off. Where did that come from? I had no right to question him.

“Echo? Why would I be with Echo?” He looked truly puzzled.

“You were with her earlier. I saw you.” Why couldn't I shut up? Geez!

“You saw me doing what?” I could tell from his tone he was trying—and failing—to understand.

“She was touching you. You were holding hands.” This time I clapped my hand over my own mouth to stop any more words from falling out. My humiliation was complete. Tears burned my eyes, blurring him.

He was silent for a moment. Then, in a voice I'd never heard before, he asked, “Was I doing this?” His hands slid to the back of my neck, tightening in my hair. He lowered his lips to mine for a soft, exquisite kiss, a simple but blissful brush of his mouth against mine.

“No,” I whispered, unravelled and raw, confused, my mind a whirl. Tears spilled, trailing down my heated cheeks.

I heard him sigh, felt his thumb brush away a tear near my mouth. “You are a feisty little thing. This is not like you.”

“It's not,” I agreed, drawing a shaky breath and trying to compose myself. I was starting to feel embarrassed, because crying like—well, like a girl—was not my style.

“So to be clear, you were running all over the ship, terrified, because you saw me holding hands with Echo?”

“Pfft. No. Of course not.” I punched his shoulder. No, I hadn't run off in terror when I saw them. I'd curled up into a ball of abject misery and cried my eyes out instead.

But he didn't need to know that.

I sniffed, took a breath. “Marat paid me a visit. He doesn't like me,” I blurted out, then immediately regretted saying anything. I didn't want to create discord between Alrik and the rest of the crew. I'd be gone soon, it didn't matter. I just needed to stay alive until I got home. Easy.

“What did he do?”

“It doesn't matter. Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. It's okay.”

“Ah, silly human. He scared you. Scared you enough to send you into a panicked sprint around the ship.”

I bristled. He had me pegged, and I didn’t like it.

“Come.” He grasped my hand, his grip firm.

I allowed him to lead the way, suddenly tired. “Where are we going?”

“My quarters.”

“Oh.” His quarters. His room. His bed. Him.
Here I go again with the fantasies.

We didn't pass anyone on the way. The ship was quiet. I wasn't sure what I'd been expecting, but when I crossed the threshold, I was surprised to find his room the same as the rest of the ship. Understated. A bed sat in the middle of the room. A desk, a chair, and what looked like storage lockers were at the far end, with some open shelves that housed an assortment of colourful rocks.

The door closed behind us and my nerves kicked in. Damn it, I was so attracted to him, and feeling the heat of him so close to me was tempting beyond words. But I was equally terrified. Terrified of my own feelings, terrified that he'd find out the truth about me, and that when he did, he'd kill me, or stand by while his soldiers did. That was his law, and he’d shown himself to be a steadfast lawman.

“Sierra.”

His voice was a low growl. I turned and looked at him. The eyes that had once been so cold and hard now gazed at me with such softness that my heart skipped a beat. Their chocolate depths swirled, mesmerising, drawing me in. I could barely breathe. He cupped my cheek, his thumb tracing a whisper-light caress across my bottom lip.

My body instantly quickened with arousal, eager, so eager, for more of him. My nipples were hard, my stomach achy, my legs trembling.

“We have tonight.” His voice was thick with desire, hoarse and rumbling.

But that was the problem, wasn't it? I was falling for him, fast and hard, and it was terrifying because it would only lead to pain. Soon, I’d have to leave. I’d never see him again, and already my heart ached at the thought. Sorrow squeezed me, washing over me, dousing my passion. My emotions were so raw; I wasn't sure I could speak.

Sensing the change in me, he let his hand fall away. “Get some rest. I'll sleep on the floor.”

He was gone when I
woke in the morning. Which was to be expected, I supposed. Just because I had nothing to do on the journey to Earth didn't mean he didn't. He had a mission and responsibilities, and I reminded myself of that when I felt the urge to pout that he hadn't been by my side when I woke.

I used his cleaning unit and had just finished dressing when he walked in, a steaming cup in his hand.

“Morning.” He handed me the cup.

I took a sip. Keda tea, hot and soothing. “Morning. Thank you.”

“How did you sleep?”

The truth? Badly. I'd had nightmares all night long, and he knew it, since he'd woken me several times to calm me down. But each time I dozed off, I slipped right back into the nightmare, aliens possessing me, Alrik killing me.

“Okay, I guess.”

He frowned, watching me silently. Then, “Is there something you need to tell me, Sierra?”

“No, of course not.”

“Try again. I think you're lying to me.”

“What? Why would I lie to you?”
Oh. My. God.
He was on to me. Had I said something in my sleep?

“I'm going to ask you one more time. Is there something you need to tell me?”

I looked into his eyes for a long moment, then said, “No.”

He turned on his heel and left.

* * *

I spent the day playing games with Echo in the entertainment room. It had been awkward when she'd first joined me, my feelings still raw, unsure. Alrik hadn't explained his relationship with Echo, and I hadn't been brave enough to push, although his kiss had reassured me. Somewhat.

“You are tense today,” Echo observed.

“I didn't sleep well.”

Echo raised an eyebrow, absently moving a small cube on the board between us. “Oh?”

“Yeah.” I studied the board, this game was similar to checkers, Echo had blue cubes, I had red. Seeing an opening I moved my red piece to her side of the board, then sat back, waiting for her to make her move. “Silly nightmares about alien DNA and Alrik killing me.”

But Echo didn’t make her move. She studied me instead, game forgotten.  “Sometimes Acarnania soldiers have to follow orders they don't agree with.”

“I know.” That was exactly what I was worried about. So far, my alien DNA had remained dormant. Would it stay that way until I was returned safely to Earth? And if it did start to mutate, would Alrik kill me? Could he? Or would it be taken out of his hands altogether? If so, Marat might do it instead, with great delight.

Tired of my mind playing the alien scenario on repeat, I tried to think of other things, only to have my next favourite subject pop immediately into my thoughts: Alrik and Echo. Argh, I just wanted some peace!

“Is something else bothering you?” Echo asked.

Damn perceptive alien! I frowned at her. The trouble was, she was nice. I liked her. I didn't want to be jealous; I hated the way I was feeling.

“Can I ask you something?” I leaned over the table. “Something personal?”

She smiled at me. “Sure.”

“About you and Alrik ... “

“Yes?” Her expression hadn't changed. She hadn't suddenly gotten defensive or cagey or dreamy or ... anything.

“Are the two of you ... involved?”

“Involved? As in—are we having sex?”

Straight to the point, as usual. I nodded, glancing away, uncomfortable that I'd asked and afraid of the answer.

“No,” she said. “We are good friends. We've worked together for a long time, and were friends before I joined this crew. We grew up together. He thinks of me as his little sister.”

“You grew up together?”

“Yes. As children, we attended the same education facility. We lost touch after our education was complete, but when I had the opportunity to join this crew and saw Alrik's name, I jumped at the chance to work with him.”

Right. Childhood friends. I'd never considered that Alrik might have friends; he seemed so aloof.

“Why do you ask?” Echo prodded.

“I saw you last night. Touching his face. Holding his hand. The two of you looked very much involved.”

She smiled at me. “It bothers you that he may have feelings for someone?”

“No.” Instantly defensive. “He can do what he likes, with whomever he likes.” Which wasn't true. I cared a lot, but again, stubborn pride wouldn't let me admit it. My thoughts drifted to last night, the kiss, the tenderness and passion behind it. He wouldn't have kissed me like that if he didn't feel something for me, would he?

The worry niggled at me all day. Echo could see that I was distracted and lost in my own thoughts, so she eventually left me to it.

Alrik caught up with me that evening in the dining room.

“How has your day been with no training?” He grinned, sliding into the seat next to me, his plate piled high.

“Frustrating. Boring.” I smiled back, pushing my food around the plate, not hungry. I watched him while he ate, his deep dark eyes speculative whenever they caught mine. Oh, I was going to miss this handsome warrior. Which was a dangerous thought. Don't miss him. Don't have feelings for him. Definitely don't fall for him. Nothing good will come of it. Nothing.

Too late.

I spent the night in his room again. I was torn. I knew he was closing in on my secret, that distance would have been the smarter choice. My fear of Marat was greater, though, so I relented, guilty that he slept on the floor, but unable to bring myself to offer him the bed, and all that it meant. I wondered if I'd jump his bones if it weren't for my alien DNA dilemma.

“You are quiet,” he said. “Distracted.”

“I'm worried about my mum. How she's coping without me.” It was partly true.

“I think you've got other things to worry about, things you aren't telling me, don't you?” Geez, he was relentless.

“There are bigger forces at play,” I admitted.

He cupped my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“Is there something you need to tell me?”

Yes,
I wanted to say.
I'm infected with alien DNA and I'm scared shitless that any day now it's going to mutate and you're going to kill me.

Instead, I said, “No.”

He watched me intently for a second longer before lowering his head and capturing my mouth, his tongue stroking inside and igniting fires I feared would never go out. I melted. His touch, his taste, overwhelmed me until I was consumed by him. His hand caressed from my shoulder to waist, skimming over my breast, a trail of fire burning in its wake. I gasped when his fingers slid beneath my top and touched bare skin, his touch electric. That jolt was enough to bring me to my senses. I tensed, raising my hands to push against his shoulders but he was already moving away.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered, unable to meet his eyes. I didn’t want to be a tease and lead him on. Along with passion heating my cheeks, a wave of guilt added to my heightened colour.

“I would never force you Sierra.” His voice gruff he moved to his makeshift bed on the floor. “Get some sleep.” The room plunged into darkness and within minutes I could hear the even sound of his breathing. How could he fall asleep so easily while I was a mass of pent up passion, doubt and anxiety? It wasn’t fair!

I slept badly again. The same nightmare plagued me. In the end, Alrik held me in his arms, propped up against the headboard, and for some reason, it worked. I finally dozed off, the dreams at bay.

He was in the cleansing unit when I woke up. I lay in bed, listening to him moving about and dressing. Then I felt him stop by the side of the bed, but kept my eyes closed.

“We are in Earth's orbit.”

My eyes flew open, but he'd gone. I jumped up and used the cleansing unit too, noticing as I ran my fingers through my curly red hair how much it had grown while I'd been in space. Several inches, which was amazing, since I'd only been gone for two to three weeks.

Home. So close to home. But this meant leaving Alrik. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

“There is some interference that is stopping us from getting the coordinates set, but the tech team are working on it. They think it will take another hour, but we need to go to the transporter room now.” Alrik stood in the doorway, holding out a cup of Keda tea to me. My eyes grew misty that he'd taken the time to get my favourite drink for me.

Clearing my throat, I nodded, taking the tea from him. Yes. Right. I had to return to Earth. There was no other choice. Put on a brave face, kiss him goodbye, remember him fondly.

With my hand clasped in his, he led me to the transporter room. Echo was waiting. She looked sad as she stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug.

“I'm going to miss you, funny human,” she murmured.

“I'm going to miss you too, alien! Thanks for healing me. More than once.” We exchanged a melancholy smile.

“Now, when you return to Earth, you may experience fatigue and nausea,” Echo said. “This is due to the difference in atmosphere between Earth and space. Your body is re-adjusting and it is normal. Just rest, drink plenty of fluids, and it'll pass in a day or so.”

“Chief?” One of the techs spoke to Alrik from behind a console.

“What's the problem?”

“We aren't able to get a lock on the exact coordinates, Chief.” The tech frowned, his fingers moving fast across his console. “And none of our communications have been acknowledged or answered.”

Alrik went to stand next to him, leaning over his shoulder to read the console. “Something's blocking the signal?”

The tech shrugged. “There's some sort of shield in place. I've found a weak spot that is some distance from the coordinates the human provided. We just need to wait for the next fluctuation to get her through.”

“How short a distance? Is the area populated?”

“Negative. It appears to be unpopulated, with vegetation.”

“Sounds like you're talking about the woods a few kilometres from my house.” I interjected.

“Possibly,” the tech said impatiently “I am not familiar with your terms of measurement.”

“It's the Redmeadows Woods, about a half-day hike from my house. I can do it easily.”

“Wait here,” Alrik said to me, then turned to the tech. “Do not send her through yet.”

“We only have a small window of opportunity, Chief. We have to send her on the next fluctuation, or it will be hours before we can try again. Draven does not want us in Earth's orbit too long.”

“Understood.” Alrik rushed out as another tech entered. The look the new tech gave me was identical to Marat’s—hatred. Why were these aliens so prejudiced? I'd done nothing to them, yet they hated me with a passion, hated me enough to try and kill me.

“Shift's over, Rao. I'll take over.”

“I'm happy to stay and see this one through, Sarek.”

“Negative. Move.”

Rao reluctantly rose, giving his replacement a clipped briefing on where he was in the process. Sarek nodded in acknowledgement, but I wasn't convinced he'd been paying attention. What if he tried to teleport me to Earth at the wrong time? When the shield thing was blocking them. Would I disintegrate into a million pieces? Or bounce back to the ship? I didn't care to find out.

“Couple of minutes and we're good to go.” Sarek's voice was cold and emotionless.

Where was Alrik? He was going to miss my departure.

Sarek instructed me to stand on a glass platform in front of his console. It had three sets of foot imprints marked on the floor. Instructed to stand in the centre position, I placed my booted feet on the markers.

Then the door slid open and a black bag was flying through the air at me. “Catch!” Alrik yelled. I did. I clutched the backpack to my chest, careful not to overbalance and move from the spot I'd been instructed to stand.

“We can't send her through.” Alrik went to the console, his face urgent. “Earth’s—”

And then I wasn't on the ship anymore. In the blink of an eye, I stood in Redmeadows Woods, the black bag clutched to my chest. There had been no sense of movement, no noise—one second I was on the ship, the next second I was here. On Earth. Home.