I strain against the vines with everything I’ve got, but it’s useless—they’re too strong, wrapped too tightly around me. I can’t even wiggle my fingers. A scream of frustration and terror tears from my throat as the reality of my situation sinks in.
Then, like an avenging sea god, Krakenos is there. His black eyes burn with a fiery intensity, and before I can even process what’s happening, he’s drawn a wicked-looking blade from his belt and starts hacking at my bonds.
I watch in stunned amazement as he cuts through the vines like they’re made of paper. Each strike is precise and powerful, his alien muscles rippling beneath that blue skin.
It’s… impressive, to say the least. A small part of me hates needing to be rescued, but there’s no denying the truth—without him, I would’ve been dead in minutes.
The moment the last vine falls away, Krakenos scoops me up like I weigh nothing and moves forward. With a startled yelp, I instinctively try to push away, but it’s like trying to move a mountain. Heat floods my cheeks as I’m pressed against the solid wall of his chest, my heart racing for reasons I don’t want to examine too closely.
“You don’t have to carry me,” I mutter, hating how my voice wavers. “I can walk.”
He doesn’t even acknowledge my weak objection, just keeps moving through the swamp with infuriating ease.
I want to be angry, I really do, but exhaustion is creeping in, and the warmth radiating from his body is like a comforting blanket.
Despite everything, my muscles relax as I sink into his hold. It’s maddening how safe I feel, cradled against his chest like this. I shouldn’t trust him, not for a second, but right now, with pain and fatigue clouding my thoughts, I can’t help but take in this fleeting moment of peace.
After what feels like both an eternity and no time at all, Krakenos stops in a small clearing. He lowers me onto a patch of soft moss with surprising gentleness, his touch almost reverent. It throws me off-balance, this unexpected tenderness from someone so imposing.
I try to sit up, but white-hot pain lances through my thigh, and a strangled gasp escapes me as I collapse back onto the moss. My stomach churns at the thought of looking at the wound. The throbbing ache is taking over my entire leg, and I feel blood, warm and sticky, against my bare skin.
Krakenos kneels beside me, his alien features set in an expression I can’t quite read. Those impossibly black eyes of his scan my injury, giving nothing away. I search his face desperately for any hint, any clue about how bad it might be, but he’s maddeningly impassive.
Without a word, he begins gathering leaves and moss from around us. His large hands work with surprising dexterity, crushing the vegetation into a thick, green paste.
I watch, mesmerized despite myself, as he carefully applies the makeshift medicine to my wound. His touch is feather-light, almost clinical in its precision. The coolness of the paste does wonders on the angry heat of the gash, and I watch Krakenos in silence, my heart racing.
This massive warrior, tending to me with unexpected tenderness, seems at odds with his fearsome reputation.
Tears prick at my eyes, not from pain, but from a sudden wave of guilt and shame.
I’ve judged him so harshly, never looking beyond the surface. He isn’t some mindless beast, but an intelligent, compassionate being caring for me despite my constant rejection.
Studying his face, I see beyond the alien features, making note of the faint lines around his eyes and mouth, the slight furrow in his brow. They speak of a lifetime of hardship and responsibility, and I wonder about the burdens placed on him.
As he works, I notice how carefully he handles me, as if I’m something precious. The realization sends a shiver through me, intensifying my awareness of his cool, smooth fingers against my feverish skin.
My face heats up as I become increasingly aware of his eyes on me, taking in every inch of my exposed skin. His gaze feels like a physical caress, and I squirm under the intensity of it. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to cover as much as I can, suddenly feeling exposed.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Mia.” His deep voice rumbles, and I shiver at the sound. It’s like distant thunder, powerful and commanding, yet somehow soothing. “You are beautiful.”
I scoff, unable to keep the skepticism from my voice. “You can’t really mean that…” I’ve heard those words before, empty compliments from men who just wanted something from me. But coming from Krakenos, they feel different, weighted with sincerity.
Krakenos’s eyes, unreadable and intense, hold mine. “I do. You’re… captivating.”
Captivating.
The word echoes in my mind, and I think back to all the times I’ve felt self-conscious about my curves, my softness. I’ve always thought of myself as too much, too big, too overwhelming. I’ve spent years trying to shrink myself, to take up less space, to be less… me.
I glance away, struggling to process Krakenos’s words. The intensity of his gaze is too much, sending a confusing mix of fear and excitement coursing through me. My cheeks burn as I stammer, “I-I just want to get through this and go home.”
“I understand,” he says, his voice surprisingly gentle. “And I will help you. But first, we must ensure your safety.”
“And what does that entail, exactly?”
“You’re injured, and more vulnerable than ever. I believe the end of this biome is near, so I’d like to escort you the rest of the way.”
I scoff, old doubts creeping back in. “And then what? You’ll just let me go, no strings attached? Or am I supposed to ride off into the sunset with you just because you saved me one time?”
A flicker of hurt crosses his alien features before he looks away. “I know you don’t trust me, Mia. But I swear, I’m not your enemy.”
I chew my lower lip, torn between my ingrained wariness and an unfamiliar warmth spreading through my body. It’s a feeling I can’t quite name, one that seems to grow stronger the longer Krakenos is near me.
After a long, tense moment, he stands and extends his hand. “Please.”
I hesitate, staring at his outstretched palm. But against my better judgment, I place my hand in his, marveling at how his skin feels like warm silk against mine. A ghost of a smile touches his lips as he helps me to my feet.
As we set off again, Krakenos taking the lead, I feel like something has shifted between us.
I try to shake off these confusing thoughts, reminding myself to stay alert and focused on survival. But as I trudge through the murky swamp, my eyes keep darting to Krakenos’s broad back. The way he moves, all fluid grace and raw power, is mesmerizing. I catch myself wondering what it would be like to trace the intricate patterns on his skin, to feel the strength beneath…
No. I can’t go there. I clench my fists, willing myself to concentrate on the mud beneath my feet and the eerie calls of unseen creatures in the distance.
Anything but the hulky alien walking ahead of me, who’s shown me more kindness than I’ve known in years.
Chapter 8
