I smirked at that. I was almost convinced that I had convinced myself.
ALICE
Astrionis wasn't at allwhat I had expected. EvenTatooineoffered more tech than Astrionis did. Xyrek's spaceship was the only thing that screamed advanced technologically.
Don't get me wrong, the planet was breathtaking in its own right. Beautiful beyond anything I had ever seen before. Gnarly, humongous root-like branches arched out of the ground and rose up high into the sky. People were coming and going out of them, making me wonder if they lived inside them. Grass, taller than Xyrek, surrounded the spot where we had landed.
A tall man with metallic shimmering skin stood a few feet away from the gangway we used to disembark. Next to him stood a human woman, and I couldn't help but gape at her. She was beautiful, dressed in shimmering clothes that had a medieval quality to them. What struck me more, though, was how she leaned into the alien man, how he had his arm around her, and how much they obviously loved each other. A pang of regret and envy ricocheted through my heart, constricting my chest. I risked a quick glimpse at Xyrek as he approached the couple. In a few hours, I would never see him again.
Somehow, I had gotten used to his abrasive nature and asshole-ish ways, and the thought of never seeing or talking to him again hurt. I tried to tell myself that it was only the familiarity that I would miss, that I wasn’t attached, but deep down, I knew that wasn't true.
"Good to see you, Space Guardian…" the metallic man offered his hand to Xyrek.
"Xyrek," Xyrek said, taking the man's arm by the elbow and gripping it, just like the other did to him. "Lord Protector Garth, I presume."
"That's me, and this is my mate, Lady Silla." The other alien introduced the woman by his side. I still wasn't over how good the two of them looked together, like a perfect power couple. Besides the strange skin, he was a very handsome man, especially with that long, black hair with highlights that shimmered in the same tones as his skin. "I see you brought us more refugees."
"As requested," Xyrek agreed, nodding at Lady Silla, who sent a sweet smile at him, which caused a strange resentment to grow in my stomach.
"Well, I'm glad one of you is still fulfilling the emperor's orders," Garth sounded a bit bitter.
"I heard there were some disruptions," Xyrek allowed.
"So you haven't found your Soulweb Glyph mate yet?" Lady Silla asked, almost looking sad.
"Soulweb, what?" Xyrek asked, his eyes paused on me as I made my way down the gangway with the others.
"The mating marks? You haven't gotten them yet?"
Xyrek stiffened, then pulled up his sleeve. "These?"
"Oh," Silla clapped her hands together. "Yes. Who is she? Where is she?"
I tried to melt into the group of the others, supporting Ava, but Xyrek called for me, "Alice."
With a sigh, I smiled apologetically at Ava, who looked surprised but nodded as I walked over to where Xyrek stood.
"Show them," he instructed.
My hackles rose at his command, but I figured this wasn't the time to cause a scene about his bossiness or lack of manners, and I rolled up my sleeve enough so that Silla could see some of the strange markings.
"Oh," Silla exclaimed again, clapping her hands before pulling me into her embrace. "Another sister. Isn't that wonderful, Garth?"
"I'm delighted," Garth replied dryly. "Does that mean you're no longer going to work on the rescue mission either?"
"Oh, leave him alone. Daryus will just have to take it up with the Ohrurs and hire more Space Guardians." Silla said, and it didn't escape me how easily she used the name Daryus while referring to the Emperor of the Pandraxian Empire, who I’d learned from Xyrex was one of the most powerful men in the universe.
"I'm so happy for you two."
From the corner of my eye, I noticed others approaching my group. Pandraxians and humans alike. None looked as bedraggled as our group. They looked healthy and well taken care of. Garth's eyes moved over our group for the first time, and his brows creased. "Where did you get Pandraxians? Don't tell me from the Ohrurs?"
Xyrek startled. "In a way. Some are from Morrakbarr, others from the Cryons."
Garth ran a hand through his hair, and Silla grabbed his arm, sending athis is bad lookat me.
"We need to talk," Garth pressed out.
"I need to take care of the refugees," Silla looked torn between her stated duty and the need to stay close to her husband. "Are you alright?"
