Chapter Nineteen

 

Savich’s thoughts raced. His loyalties had shifted without his realization. Where before he would have been loyal to Kumar and distantly to the Krinar race, he now placed Tabby at the forefront. His loyalty to the defenseless yet brave woman demanded he reap vengeance on her behalf. Only three dead men would do. But that same loyalty required she stay by his side at all costs.

His soul tore from the inside out. Every tear she cried, every drop of blood she spilled at their hands, cried out to him to murder the bastards. He knew he could track them with ease. The wilds of this British Columbia were nothing compared to Kavelt. It was child’s play. But he couldn’t risk her.

As she melted into his arms, and the sounds of the forest chattered and rippled around them, he closed his eyes to think.

If he knew she could be safe, just for the amount of time it would take to track them down—it could work.

He held her tight. Inhaled the aroma that was uniquely Tabby—sweet and fruity and sexy. He never thought he would find a female who would agree to be with him. And now? Tabby could be his forever.

What if he abandoned the Resistance and Kumar? The Council already hated him. What if he took her back to Kavelt? He could protect her there. Even as he thought it, he knew it would never do. What kind of a life could he give his delicate, smart beauty? She would forever be in peril on Kavelt.

He groaned, and felt her arms tighten around his chest.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

“I don’t know what to do with you,” he answered. “I’m torn between my duty and my need for revenge.”

She didn’t reply, but her hold on him remained tight.

“We will find the Resistance,” he said. “After that, I don’t know.”

“You’re still thinking about going after them.”

“I am.”

Silence again. And then: “What if I come with you?”

Agony pierced his chest. “If we were anywhere else in the universe, I would fuck you right now Tabby.”

She laughed a little breathlessly. “What makes you say that?”

“Your bravery surpasses most anyone I know.”

“Um, so that’s a turn-on?” She smiled up at his face.

“Turn-on?”

“I forget sometimes, you’re an alien and English is not your first language. It’s slang for aroused.”

“Ah,” he spared a smile. “Is it your bravery? Your spirit? Or the smell of your delicious pussy that wafts up to my nose?”

She slapped his arm.

“You cannot smell that!”

He growled at her. “I can, and it drives me to want you every second.”

“Oh.”

“Tell me my restraint impresses you,” he said.

“Are you making a joke, Savich?” She pulled away to see his eyes.

He grinned.

“Oh my God, you are!” She hit his arm, and it was about as effective as a gnat. “Okay, yes. I’m duly impressed by your restraint.”

He sniffed and tucked her into his side as they began walking again. “Good.”

They walked a few steps.

“What do you think you will do?”

He sighed. “We will retrieve my craft. Reconnoiter the Kwadacha and try to find the Resistance.”

“Maybe I can help you.”

He looked down at her, admiring her slightly crooked nose. Would the sight of her scars always send him into a rage? Not if they were dead. “How is that?
 

“Duh! I worked for the forestry service. I know these forests like the back of my hand.” She squeezed his bicep. “Well, as much as anyone can know a wilderness as vast as this one. I know where all the animal preserves are, the cave systems, the waterfalls, the touristy things…”

“The cave systems?”

“Of course.” She smiled at him, and he pulled her to himself in a tight hug.

“The Resistance are quartered in a cave system. We’ll find them by the end of the day.”

“Okay, good!” She seemed genuinely happy. “And then the rest of our life can begin.”

His heart stopped. Could it be that easy? He doubted it. Seven hundred fifty years taught him nothing was easy. Ever.