Saving Verakko: The Clecanian Series Book 3

by Victoria Aveline

  Lily raised her brows, not sure how to answer. “I haven’t tried many.”

  The doctor gave her a disappointed look, then finished righting his office and returned to his chair. “Well, you’re very lucky. Verakko told me you vomited and convulsed the whole time he ran.”

  Lily’s stomach gave a flutter, and she ignored it. “He ran the whole way?” He’d saved her life? Had she even thanked him?

  “He did.” The doctor’s scowl returned. “Ran all the way to my door and demanded I heal you, then destroyed my office while I did as he asked.”

  “Thank you for helping me, and I’m sorry about your office.” Lily didn’t know what else to say. Part of her clung to the image of Verakko as her hero, running through the scorching desert and passionately crumpling metal in his worry for her. But the other part continued to remind her she was out of her depth. He’d lied repeatedly, and she couldn’t help but feel he’d allowed her to be ignorant of other important things, as well.

  How much did she really know about these people and this city? How much of what he’d told her could she even trust?

  The doctor released a sigh. “I’ll survive. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.” He shrugged and lifted the corner of his mouth. “I mean if you really are…someone he cares for, I can see why he’d be upset.”

  Lily clenched her jaw and tried to rise from the bed. Vague memories of him whispering to her while pain sliced through her body came to her. Echoed words she thought she’d imagined replayed in her mind, and she pushed them away. “What’s your name again? Desy?” she asked, wobbling on her feet but feeling no noticeable areas of pain.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Desy. I’m Lily. Mind if I ask you a few questions?”

  ***

  “This isn’t working. Please take it off.”

  Lily sighed and lifted the bulky helmet off her head.

  “I need to go for a few minutes,” my ass. For the last hour, Desy had been running test after test for something he referred to as an off-worlder health clearance. She’d learned she had an allergy to something called Ripsli and that besides being understandably underweight, she was perfectly healthy.

  After many reassurances, annoyed arguing, and a failed sway, which she’d promptly scolded him for, Desy had convinced her to get back into the glass tube. Once in, he’d given her the elixir. Lily’s heart had clenched, recalling Verakko’s story of his father and how he’d refused the treatment.

  Whatever it was, the elixir had certainly worked to revitalize her. For a moment, she’d felt like she was at her physical peak. Toned, tight skin, clear mind, and not an ache or pain to be found. The immediate urge to tell Verakko about her renewed vitality had hit her, then her mood had darkened once again.

  A scan meant to identify her taste and scent preferences had been next, but every time an image or scent flashed through the large helmet, Desy would grunt and remind her to keep her thoughts clear and neutral.

  Image of a pink fruit. Verakko. Smell of cooking meat. Hougap with Verakko. Bright, minty scent. Lying near a campfire wrapped in Verakko’s arms. An unfamiliar image of a group of orbs that could’ve been made of some type of jelly hadn’t even distracted her. Though she’d never seen or tasted the food before, her mind immediately wondered if Verakko enjoyed them.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, handing the helmet to Desy and peering at the floor gloomily.

  “We can try again another time,” he said, giving her a rare sympathetic look. “For the time being, you’ll just have to taste it all and find out what you like in a more natural, time-consuming way.”

  “Will do, doc. Now tell me more about Ziritha.”

  Desy groaned and replaced the helmet in a hidden compartment positioned low on the far wall. “I’ve told you, it’s not my place.”

  Lily clenched her jaw. Finally she had someone else to get her information from, yet he refused to answer her questions. His eyes kept darting whenever she asked anything, making her believe he was choosing to withhold information for some reason. “Then tell me about how someone gets out of a contract.”

  “They don’t,” he said flatly. His brows drew together. “Unless…”

  Lily held her breath.

  “They don’t,” he repeated more firmly.

  “Unless what?” she wanted to shout, but kept her tone even.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to take that antiquated device out?” Desy asked while pretending to straighten an impeccably organized cart.

  “For the last time, no,” Lily snapped. Ever since noticing her IUD during a scan, he’d been urging her to let him remove it. But when she’d asked about what replacement would work with human anatomy and what the side effects of their birth control might be, he couldn’t give her an answer. Just because everyone else on this planet wanted to get pregnant didn’t mean she wanted to.

  He grunted and mumbled to himself about how it was unfair the Tremantians were keeping the humans to themselves and how he wasn’t able to properly do his job without adequate data.

  The door suddenly whizzed open, and Lily had to quell the warmth that spread through her chest at the sight of Verakko. She forced herself to remember their argument, and the answering spike of hollow pain in her gut helped to keep her emotions in check.

  In. Out.

  His bright-green gaze remained glued to hers. “I’m sorry it took so long,” he said, ignoring Desy completely. He held up a long bag, then draped it over a chair.

  Lily bit her lip, her body and mind in a sort of heightened emotional stasis, like a shaken bottle of soda waiting to explode. Everything she’d been feeling from before being stung was still there. Her shoulders seemed permanently tensed. Her breaths wouldn’t remain even without constant focus, and the urge to either smack Verakko or kiss him still itched.

  “Leave, Desy,” Verakko hissed, still not looking in the doctor’s direction.

  Annoyance flaring, Lily planted her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at Verakko. “Both of you leave.” She shot an apologetic glance at Desy. “Please. I’m capable of changing by myself.” She lowered her voice and addressed Verakko in an admonishing tone. “Are you always so rude to people who help you?”

  “Yes,” Desy grumbled as he left the room.

  A muscle twitched in Verakko’s jaw.

  “Not here,” Lily said quietly when it looked like he’d argue. She didn’t want to fight here. She wanted to get to a quiet private area and then…she didn’t know.

  A clear look of hurt and frustration flashed over his features, but he nodded and retreated through the door yet again.

  Chapter 19

  Lily opened the oddly warm garment bag and let out an annoyed sigh at the gorgeous frock Verakko had picked for her. Of course he has great taste. Why am I not surprised?

  Bright orange fabric the color of a sunset and rich maroon fabric slid through her hands. Lily studied it, enchanted and perplexed. The style of the beautiful garment was so odd that she couldn’t figure out how exactly she was supposed to wear it.

  After a few minutes of studying and toying with the golden clasps placed randomly throughout the garment, Lily attempted to slide into what she now believed to be a jumpsuit. The whole outfit began on her upper arms, baring her shoulders. The orange fabric shimmered and bunched behind her back, forming a sort of cape, while the maroon portions dipped low between her breasts and cinched at her waist. Beautiful curling patterns, the same color as the orange of her odd cape, twisted along the bodice.

  Slits ran all the way from the hem of the pants to the cinch at her waist, revealing a good deal of leg and hip and leaving her feeling exposed. If it wasn’t for the thin gold chains holding the slits together just above her knees, she’d worry the fabric would billow and give anyone watching a show.

  Although it wasn’t the most comfortable or modest thing she’d ever worn, Lily had a small, vain idea that she looked great in it. She took a few steps around the room, searchin
g for a mirror, and cursed, halting. It was incredibly difficult to walk, the cinched cape restricting her movements and making her believe she’d tear something at any moment.

  Lily stared hard at the door. Should she take the whole frock off and try again or suck it up and ask Verakko for help? After spending a few petulant moments arguing with herself, she carefully padded to the door and knocked twice.

  As if he’d been waiting only a breath away, the door whizzed open. Verakko allowed his gaze to roam over her body hungrily. Dammit, Lily thought as her cheeks and chest grew hot.

  It appeared he’d taken the downtime to change as well. His iridescent black shirt was short-sleeved and dipped low on his broad chest. It was held together in the front by thick leather laces. Loose black pants sat low on his hips and were stuffed into the tops of his well-worn boots. Lily hated how incredible he looked.

  His heated gaze paused at her waist and was replaced with a look of confusion, confirming she had in fact put her outfit on incorrectly.

  “I’ve never worn anything like this,” she said defensively, pursing her lips.

  Verakko gave her a lopsided grin, and she stifled a curse. God, she loved that smile.

  He walked toward her, and Lily forced herself to remain still and impassive. It became harder and harder to do, though, as Verakko continued moving closer. He stopped right in front of her, only a few inches away. Heart thrumming furiously in her chest, she focused her eyes on the floor.

  Although she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes, she could feel his insistent gaze boring into her. Then, without a word, he slid his hands around her waist. Her breath caught at the sensation of his palms on her back, and she had to stop herself from ardently wishing he’d pull her in close. He fiddled with something as she held her arms out stiffly.

  He’s just a guy. You met him a week ago. He’s a liar. Burning cedar hit her senses, and she barely contained a sigh.

  A small click sounded, and suddenly the restrictive tightness of the jumpsuit lessened. Lily peered down and saw Verakko’s hands emerge from behind her, holding two sides of a gold clasp attached to either side of her cape. He pulled the clasp under her elbows and locked it around her waist. Rather than trailing down her back as it did before, the orange fabric now draped over the side of her body and, to her relief, partially shielded the bare skin of her thighs.

  Verakko remained in place, one hand still resting at her waist. She refused to look up at him. “Thank you,” she said, stepping away. He let her.

  “I brought you a mokti too,” Verakko said, retrieving a small box from the chair.

  “A what?”

  “It’s an accessory that many females wear. It covers your neck.”

  “Why?” Lily eyed the small golden item in his hand and waited breathlessly as he stepped behind her.

  “Fashion, I suppose. Lift your hair.” Lily piled her hair on her head and waited. The heat from Verakko’s body seeped into her back, and his breath on her neck made goosebumps break out over her bare shoulders. “A long time ago, moktis were used to completely cover the neck for modesty’s sake, but now they’ve become more of a fashion statement and highlight the neck rather than hide it.”

  “Is that why Desy kept looking at my neck?” Lily asked, embarrassment flaring. “Do I look naked or something without a mokti on?”

  A low growl tore from Verakko, but he quickly stifled it. “Most females choose to wear one, but some don’t. Either way, he shouldn’t have been looking.” He wrapped something large around her neck. The mokti must’ve been made of metal because when it touched her skin it was cold, and she hopped backward, surprised.

  Lily hit Verakko’s chest and like lightning, his arms shot down and wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him. A rattling purr immediately started in his chest and vibrated against her back. He dipped his head to her neck and inhaled deeply, squeezing her waist.

  Her throat grew tight. She wanted to relax and accept Verakko’s touch, but she couldn’t. She felt so far away from him yet so close at the same time. Without saying a word, she attempted to step forward, showing him she wanted to be let go.

  His purr stuttered out, and he slowly released her. He laid the cool metal over her neck again, and she felt a tug in her hair near the base of her skull as if he’d clipped something there. The mokti was like an over-large choker or a turtleneck of sorts.

  Verakko smoothed the metal and let a longer piece drape down her front and between her cleavage. She examined it and found the metal formed small delicate golden flowers that grew progressively smaller as they trailed in between her breasts. The rest of the metal flared out and followed the curve of her shoulders.

  She moved away and faced him.

  “You look beautiful,” Verakko said in a hushed tone.

  Mental exhaustion suddenly overtook her. She was still so confused. He’d said his marriage was over because his eyes had changed and she was his mate. But he’d also said that mates stayed together for life. How could he just assume she’d agree to that? Was he so sure she wanted to be with him that she’d simply forget he’d been lying about being engaged this whole time?

  “Let’s go,” he said, motioning to the door.

  “Go where?” she asked weakly, following him out of the medbay and into a narrow hallway.

  “To my home. You need food and sleep.”

  Lily’s immediate reaction was happiness, her heart fluttering to think he wanted her to stay in his home with him, but she forced herself to ignore it. If they were going to have any shot at all, she needed to start thinking with her head instead of her heart. “No.” She forced the words out. “I need you to take me to the government housing you mentioned so I can be on my own for a while. I want you to explain yourself to me on the way, and then I want to spend some time alone to think.”

  He licked a fang and narrowed his eyes on her. “No,” he said simply. He peered down the hallway, then abruptly changed direction.

  When she finally hurried after him, she found herself stopped in front of a double-wide metal door. “No? You don’t have the right to tell me no, Verakko. I’m going to live wherever I want to live.”

  Verakko shot her a nervous glance and removed a small black device from his pocket. “There are things I need to explain to you first. I’m taking us on a roundabout route so we can talk without anyone listening.”

  Lily balled her fists. “Can’t take a chance that your betrothed will hear about us?”

  “She’s no longer my betrothed.” Verakko grimaced and pulled the two edges of the small square he held apart until a holographic screen flickered to life in the center. Then he placed the screen on the door and typed on it using symbols she’d never seen before.

  Her brows shot up in question. “Does she know that? Or are you still technically engaged?” He remained silent, giving Lily her answer. “That’s what I thought. I don’t even know where to start. There are other things you kept from me, aren’t there?” Lily ground her teeth and poked Verakko in the shoulder when he didn’t answer.

  She glared at his back. How could I have just ignored all my instincts that told me he was keeping something from me? Lily thought back to her first few days with him in the woods and recalled thinking he’d been explaining around something. How could she have ignored that?

  A low pinging sounded, and she tensed. The noise was awfully similar to an alarm, yet Verakko seemed unperturbed. “Are we supposed to be here?”

  “No,” he said simply. “The alarm’s new. Just give me a second.”

  Lily glanced up and down the pale blue hallway and took an instinctive step closer to Verakko. She realized then that although she was beyond angry with him, she still trusted him to keep her safe. Lily couldn’t recall ever trusting anyone else as much as she did Verakko. Maybe that was why his betrayal hurt so deeply.

  The pinging stopped, and the doors whizzed apart just as Verakko removed the screen and slid the device closed. “Let’s go,” he said, motioning into
a small room as wide and deep as the doors themselves.

  “Go where?” Lily peered into the dark room, unable to see any outlet.

  “It’s a service lift. We’re going to travel through the storage floors.”

  Lily tentatively stepped inside, only to have Verakko move in beside her, too close for comfort.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  Before she could question him, the floor beneath their feet moved, propelling them upward. Lily squeaked and gripped Verakko’s hand without thinking. The rattling sound of a purr and a squeeze of his fingers brought her back to the present.

  She peered up to find his gaze fixed on her. The hope and warmth in his eyes as he beamed down at her and gently ran his thumb over her hand tore at her chest. She quickly tugged her hand out of his and looked away. “You could’ve warned me,” Lily grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest to prevent herself from reaching out to him again.

  The platform stopped, and a new set of doors hissed open to reveal the oddest-looking warehouse she’d ever seen. For one thing, the items stored in the expansive area were on the ceiling instead of the floor. Beds, shelving units, and all manners of furniture were positioned on floating stands hovering near the ceiling.

  Lily watched as a short table flew across the room and then disappeared through a dark opening in the ceiling. “How…?” She was lost for words. All she’d seen of this planet was the inside of a cell in a bunker and the forest. It was only now hitting her that she was on an advanced planet full of wonders she couldn’t even begin to imagine. A sudden wave of excitement rolled through her. What did the city really look like? Where was all the furniture going? Were there floors like this in between every floor of the building? When would she be able to explore out in the open?

  “Lily,” Verakko said gently, rousing her from her transfixed stare. His fingers fidgeted as he spoke. “I went to see my mother while you were unconscious, and she refused my request to be your guardian.”