Page 52 of Alien Guardian's Vow
The Trelleth backed away, uncertain. I advanced, my markings pulsing brighter, broadcasting a threat display I barely understood myself but somehow knew would frighten these creatures.
"It's working," Varek murmured, moving beside me with his bloodied spear still ready.
The wounded leader snarled once more but turned away, retreating into the underbrush. Its packmates followed, disappearing into the rain-soaked forest.
As soon as they vanished, Varek collapsed to one knee, the adrenaline that had carried him through the fight draining away. His lifelines flickered weakly, and sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool rain.
"Varek!" I rushed to his side, supporting him before he could fall completely.
"I'm fine," he insisted, though his voice lacked conviction.
"Sure you are." I helped him to a relatively dry spot beneath a rocky overhang. "Let me see those burns."
He didn't resist this time as I examined his injuries. The steam burn on his leg looked painful but not life-threatening. His shoulder, however, worried me. The wound had reopened, and heat radiated from it in a way that suggested infection.
"We need to find shelter," I said. "Somewhere you can rest properly."
"No time." He tried to stand but swayed dangerously. "Hammond?—"
"Hammond will still be there tomorrow." I pushed him gently back down. "You're no good to anyone if you collapse from fever."
"The settlement?—"
"Is counting on us to succeed, not die heroically." I softened my voice. "Please, Varek. Let me help you."
He regarded me for a long moment, his expression unreadable, then finally gave a sharp nod. "A short rest only."
I sighed in relief. "I'll scout ahead, see if I can find somewhere more protected."
"No." His hand caught my wrist. "Stay together."
The intensity in his eyes surprised me. This wasn't just about protection or duty—there was something more personal in his insistence.
"Okay." I settled beside him under the overhang. "Together."
The rain continued to fall, but lighter now, pattering against the leaves and rocks around us. Despite everything—the pain, the danger, the uncertainty—I found myself drawing comfort from Varek's presence beside me. Somehow, in the midst of all this chaos, we'd formed a connection I hadn't expected but couldn't deny.
I glanced at his profile, strong even in exhaustion, and wondered what would happen when this was all over—if we survived to see it through. The thought of returning to separate lives seemed suddenly, inexplicably wrong.
Varek's eyes closed as he leaned against the rock wall, conserving his strength. His breathing steadied, though pain still etched lines around his mouth. Even injured and pushed to his limits, he radiated a quiet strength that I'd come to respect.
"Rest," I told him softly. "I'll keep watch."
His hand found mine in the shadows between us, his fingers curling around mine. The touch sent a ripple of gold and silver light dancing across our skin where we connected—a visible manifestation of something I was only beginning to understand.
VAREK
The small cave Rivera found sheltered us from the worst of the elements. A shallow depression beneath a rocky overhang, it provided just enough space for the two of us and the small fire she insisted on building despite my protests.
"The heat will help your body fight the infection," she explained, carefully arranging stones to shield the flames from view. "And we need to purify water."
I slumped against the smooth rock wall, my strength draining faster than I cared to admit. The pain from my wound pulsed in time with my heartbeat, a steady throb that made thinking difficult. Rivera moved with efficient purpose, gathering what we needed, checking the perimeter. Always in motion.
The twin moons rose, casting their eerie light across the landscape. Their glow filtered into our shelter, painting Rivera's skin with an otherworldly luminescence that made her silver markings seem to float just above her flesh.
She knelt beside me, her fingers cool against my forehead. "Your fever's getting worse."
"I will endure." The words came out rougher than intended, my throat parched.
