by Alison Aimes
Sure, he’d been the first one to show her pleasure, to insist she could strive for more than pain and grim hard work, but his definition of where and how to seize such pleasure had been limited to sex. She’d had to show him right back that he was allowed the same opportunity—and that sex wasn’t the only way to achieve it. Frankly, she was still working on that. He was proving far more stubborn than she.
It had taken all her coaxing to get him to relax even a little the first time they’d come to the Oasis. He’d watched the surrounding terrain like a hawk, spear in hand, while she ran around, too excited to stay in one place long, examining actual thriving, healthy plants, taking fertile soil samples, and living the dream that no Earth botanist in over a hundred of years had ever thought would be possible again. Of course, she’d gained his attention when she stripped off her clothes and waded into the lake. It had been a lovely way to end an extraordinary day.
Since then, they’d returned to the Oasis five more times. Each exploration as wonderful as the last. She never wanted this time to end.
But it had to—and soon.
Her skin grew cold, her smile disappearing. Despite her best efforts, she still hadn’t had any brilliant insights into how to convince Command Council to allow a condemned criminal on that rescue shuttle. Detailing Caine’s heroism and the way he’d saved Winthrop’s life might earn him a few less years or some better rations, but she knew Caine was right. It might not even get him that. And it definitely wouldn’t gain him a pardon. She needed more.
“If you want to have time to explore the outer rim of the Oasis, we should get going.” His tone, once again alert, cut into her thoughts. Like her, he’d been ignoring the fact that their time together was reaching its end. At least when it came to making plans for her to return to her crew’s camp. On the other hand, he’d been fucking her like he intended to make up for a lifetime of missed opportunities.
She wasn’t complaining. She felt equally as desperate for his touch.
She only wished he’d kissed her on the mouth just one of those times. But apparently, that was a line he was unwilling to cross. And, truly, she understood. Already, she could barely comprehend how she was going to leave him behind if she couldn’t come up with a solution, even knowing what it would cost her family and everyone back on Earth.
“We need to be back at the cave before dusk,” he reminded, though he made no move to get up.
“Agreed.” Thanks to its two suns, a Dragath25 day was five hours longer than an Earth day, but the night was far shorter, lasting only three hours. Unfortunately, nocturnal predators on the planet made up for the short hunting time with their ferocity, amassing six or seven kills a night before slinking back to their underground lairs. She’d heard enough horrific shrieks and clawing sounds from the safety of Caine’s cave to know she wanted to be inside by the time dusk arrived. “Just give me two more minutes to recover and we’ll get started.”
“We can always come back tomorrow.” He squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.
She knew what he was doing. Ignoring the inevitable. Still…another day with Caine alone?
Joy rippled through her. Followed by a wave of guilt. She had no right to take such a risk when she needed to be near Winthrop when the rescue shuttle arrived. No right either to be so content while her brother and sister were in such a precarious position, while the survival of the approaching rescue crew was still in question, while Ava and Winthrop continued to struggle with Pogue at the scientist campsite.
But she couldn’t help it. Couldn’t help wanting just one more day together. Just the two of them.
And it wasn’t as if they were shirking their main responsibilities.
They spent the majority of their day working on the jammer. It wasn’t functional yet, but what Caine had managed to do already was nothing short of miraculous. Only when a break was needed did they train or visit the Oasis or, her personal favorite, make love. They separated only long enough for him to check on Ava.
Was it so wrong then to take one more day while she still could? Truly, she’d never felt so comfortable or content with another living soul in her life. The freedom and joy she’d found living with him was something she could never have imagined.
Sure, there were still issues she would have pushed if things had been less uncertain. Still times Caine’s gaze grew shadowed, his mood distant. When the wonder and the need vanished from his stare and he felt a million metrals away. Plus, he hadn’t mentioned the name Gwen again. Nor revealed anything about the actions that had branded him a criminal and landed him on Dragath25.
But he had told her other things. Like the fact that he’d graduated from the Academy and served as a pilot and a soldier—which had not surprised her at all. Or the fact that his parents had died when he was a baby and he’d lived on one of the last remaining farms with his uncle and aunt until blight destroyed that, too.
Like her, he’d lost a lot in his life.
Which was only one of a thousand reasons she wasn’t leaving him behind when they got that jammer working. No matter what he’d done before. No matter what he said about being unable to go back to Earth. He deserved the same second chance he’d given her.
She just didn’t know yet how she was going to do it—or how to convince him to trust she would.
“Okay, sleepy head. That’s way more than two minutes.” Caine’s hand clamped around her wrist, and suddenly, she was upright, swaying on two legs.
More surprised than outraged, she jerked her wrist from his grasp. “Stop manhandling me.”
“Funny, you weren’t complaining a few minutes ago.”
How could she be mad when he was making actual jokes? More and more each day. Plus, his assertion was true. “You’re right.” She stepped close, running her palms up each sculpted muscle. “I love the way you take charge when we’re fucking.”
His nostrils flared. She ducked before he could grab her close. Funny, but he really liked hearing that word on her lips. And she wasn’t above using it to her advantage when the mood struck. “Oh, no, you don’t,” she teased. “I’m under strict orders to get to work.”
He shook his head, but his eyes held no anger, only heat. “I didn’t realize you were so obedient.”
“I’m not.”
He stalked toward her. “We’ll see about that.”
Two hours and three amazing orgasms later, she was feeling downright docile as she finally got to work. Another hour later, she’d measured at least six more of the unfamiliar species of trees and flora and collected a couple of promising seed and soil samples to add to the assortment now sprouting in makeshift pots outside Caine’s cave. In the meantime, never more than a few steps behind, his spear in hand, Caine had managed to catch two Elkins, tiny creatures that bore a small resemblance to the rabbits that had once been equally abundant on Earth.
She wished the day never had to end.
Then something shiny off to the side caught her eye. Curious, she scurried over, dropping to her knees to sift through the soil. “Look at this.”
He peered over her shoulder. “I’ve seen plenty of them in the dirt, but never as big or intact as that one. What is it?”
“Some kind of mineral.” She ran her finger along the jagged edge. Shaped like large arrowhead, the piece was long and thin, but most interesting of all was the way it glimmered in the sun like a mirror. “I’m not sure, but it may be help explain why this soil, which seems like it would be so inhospitable to plant life, is able to sustain it. Unlike the rest of the soil, it’s cool to the touch, indicating it’s reflecting rather than absorbing the sun’s rays.” She slipped the precious piece into her pocket. “I’ll see if I can find more.”
“You’ve got three minutes. Then we need to head back.”
“Yes, sir.” She turned to find his mouth inches from her own. So close that, if she leaned back only a little, they’d be kissing.
He stood abruptly.
She tried not to care.
�
�I think I see another over there.” He pointed to something shiny in the dirt a few paces away, his tone deliberately offhand.
“Great.” She squeezed out a limp smile and told herself what they had was enough. That it was better if some lines weren’t crossed.
They worked in silence for a few more minutes.
She was almost grateful when the distant roar of a tigos echoed off the cliffs.
“Doesn’t sound too close.” She scratched at the dirt, extracting another interesting seed in her palms. She’d always been able to lose herself in work.
“Still, it’s nothing to ignore. Let’s go.”
“One more moment.” She scurried forward to collect another sample.
Only to be thwarted by Caine’s large boot in her path. “No. Now.”
She would have protested, but one look at his serious expression had her nodding instead. “Now is good.”
He didn’t smile.
“Stay on the path.” It was the first time he’d barked orders at her in days.
Marching single-file, she hurried to comply, only noticing now that the two suns were much lower in the sky than they’d been last time they started home from the Oasis.
Still, they made it out of the Oasis and onto to the narrow path that led to Caine’s home without incident.
She was already dreaming of a good meal and coaxing a few more smiles from Caine when a sudden hiss halted her in place.
“Did you hear that?” she whispered.
Caine’s spear was already out and poised to hurl. “Get behind me.”
Knowing it was futile to argue, she pressed against the rock and squeezed by him. His arm closed around her back, pulling her close. “Move when I move. And get ready to run if I tell you to.”
She nodded, her chin butting into his back.
It was times like these she wondered why they ever left the house. But without food, they’d starve. And she couldn’t stay huddled inside for the rest of her life. If Dragath25 was her future, she had to face it head on.
Slow and steady, they moved as one up the twisted path.
“Shit.” Caine’s muttered curse had her peeking around his shoulder.
“What is that?” Fear made her voice shriller than intended. A giant rust-colored, snake-like creature as thick as three wide tree trunks blocked the path to their home. Sharp, spiky teeth protruded from its long snout as it prodded at something beneath one of the rocks, its tail twitching back and forth.
“It’s a pythile.”
Seemed like there might be more he needed to say. “Is it dangerous?”
“Yes. They move fast. Faster than we can run. And those teeth are not for show, though their usual method is to wrap round their food and squeeze it to death before tearing it apart.”
Maybe he’d been right to try and only offer its name. “Let’s head back down the path.” She kept her voice low. “It hasn’t noticed us yet.”
“Thanks to the wind. It’s kicking up and, thankfully, sending our scent downwind.” He started backwards, his gaze locked on the creature. “We’ll wait in a nearby cave on the ridge. We can ride out the night there if we have to. Won’t be luxurious, but we’ll live.”
She was all for that.
They’d backtracked several metrals when a low snarl at her back raised goose bumps on her arms. Behind her, less than a shuttle’s length away, was a tigos. Worse, unlike the snake-like creature, this predator’s gaze was locked on her.
Chapter Seventeen
Caine’s low curse snapped Bella into action.
“Go,” she pushed him toward home.
He snatched her arm, pulling him with her. “Stay close.” He was sprinting so fast her boots barely touched the ground. Another snarl sounded even closer, as loud as thunder.
“Don’t look back,” he shouted. “When I tell you to drop, do it.”
“What are you going to do?”
But he was already swiveling around. “Drop!” He pushed her down, bounding over her, spear raised.
Her heart slammed into her throat.
It had been terrifying the first time he’d taken on a tigos. Now that she cared for him, it was excruciating.
She held her breath, her feet frozen to the ground, her hands outstretched as if she could hold him to her. The space was so narrow there was no way he could use the same killing technique he’d employed before. And still, man and beast ran at each other head on.
She opened her mouth to cry out his name—and then snapped it shut. He couldn’t afford the distraction. His name emerged as a whispered plea instead. Her hands dropped to her side.
In the next instant, Caine stunned her by running up the side of the cliff in a gravity-defying acrobatic move that she would have sworn was next to impossible. He hovered for a second above the creature. Then, before gravity could win, launched himself forward—her cry strangling in her throat—before flipping in midair to land on the animal’s back, his legs locking around its thick neck.
On instinct, her eyes slammed shut. Then she forced them wide, not wanting to take her eyes off him for an instant. As if the force of her stare alone could keep him safe.
The creature reared back, trying to shake him off.
With a roar, Caine drove his spear into its neck, but the hide was tougher than its belly. Blood trickled from the wound, but it didn’t go down. Enraged, the creature swung its head, raking its fang down Caine’s leg.
Nausea burned the back of her throat. Streaks of crimson appeared all too vivid against Caine’s flesh.
“No.” Shaking off her stupor, she ran toward them, the gourd clutched in her hand. It wasn’t much, but if she aimed it just right, it might buy Caine a few critical seconds.
“Stay back,” he shouted, burying his spear in the tigos’ thick neck a second time.
She wouldn’t have listened, but another sound—one that couldn’t be ignored—had her swiveling around.
From the other direction, closing in fast, was the pythile, drawn by the scent of blood. Its body so wide it rubbed against both sides of the canyon path, its eyes glittering with hunger as it locked on the bleeding man and creature.
Her mouth went dry.
Caine was in trouble. Her, too.
Everything seemed to slow. The hammer of her heart against her ribs. The shallow rasp of her breath. Even the undulating slither of the pythile as it thundered toward her.
She knew what she had to do.
Leaping frantically at the canyon wall, she searched for a handhold. A crack. Anything she could use to heave herself up. Her nails ripped. Sharp points tore at the pads of her fingers. But thanks to Caine’s training, she’d grown tougher. Stronger. Her shoulder still might burn, the old ache from the crash suddenly coming back to haunt her, but it wasn’t enough to stop her. She kept searching.
Almost screaming with relief when her fingers found a crevice and she pulled herself upward. Her feet pedaled furiously against the rock wall as she reached for another handhold. And another. And another. Refusing to look down, refusing to contemplate failure.
Until the snake-like beast streaked passed, a rush of wind against her calves, not even giving her perch a second look. Success!
The second it was past, she let go. Exactly as planned.
Only instead of landing gracefully on her feet, she scraped along the wall as she went down, each sharp rock taking its pound of flesh, crash landing on one foot while the other buckled. An agonizing pain shot through her ankle.
“No! What are you doing?” roared Caine. “Get back up there.”
She really wished he’d worry for himself.
Hopping on her one good leg, she dug for the gourd in her pocket, took a deep breath to steady herself, and hurled it as hard as she could at the pythile’s retreating form.
The gourd pinged against the creature’s hide. But there was no sound. No gash. Not even a damn scrape. Turn, you bastard, turn!
As if hearing her prayers, the animal swung its head around. Its nost
rils twitching, keen to determine if what had happened signaled a threat.
Wasting no time, she pulled the reflective arrowhead from her pocket. She only had seconds before the pythile lost interest and continued following the scent of blood straight to Caine.
Hands shaking, she tilted the mineral this way and that, muttering to herself until—thankfully—it worked. The sun glinted off the mineral, shining right into the creature’s slitted eyes.
It hissed and shook its head, a forked tongue the length of a human leg flickering out.
“That’s right, big guy.” Voice trembling, she shook the mineral back and forth as she limped backward up the trail. “Don’t you want to follow me? Don’t you want to know what this is?”
Hissing, flicking its tongue, the pythile rippled after her. Its narrow red eyes blinked rapidly as it tried to dodge the light.
Below her on the path, she could hear Caine shouting, but she couldn’t hear what. She had every confidence, though, that with the pythile out of his way, he’d be able to finish off the tigos in no time flat. In fact, she was counting on it.
She’d gone a good twenty steps when she realized her distraction tactic was coming to an end.
The hair at the back of her neck prickled. The pythile was growing bored. Or maybe it had simply adjusted to the light. Whatever the case, its pupils, which had been big and wide at the start, had narrowed to pinpricks, making its eyes an even creepier red. At the same time, its tail twitched faster and faster.
She didn’t have to be a pythile expert to conclude it was shifting back into hunt mode.
With a shout, she took off running, her ankle protesting with every frantic stride. Sweat dripped down the curve of her back. Stung her eyes. Still, she didn’t stop. And she didn’t look back.
The cave was a shining beacon of hope less than fifty paces away.
Caine had another spear placed right inside the door. If she could get it, there was a chance she could stab the beast and help Caine. Or she would die fighting.
Either way, she wanted the chance to try.
The ground shook beneath her boots, proof the pythile was closing the gap.