CHAPTER THREE

 

Once again, Xar woke with his head pounding. He leaped up, swaying slightly as he got his bearings. Madison wasn’t in the room with him. None of the other women were. He could smell her and followed her scent through the cave. He could also smell one of the creatures. He thought he’d killed them all. The fact that one lived had his claws elongating, glinting in the light.

The humans were all clustered around the creature. “Move,” he growled.

The others scattered, making noises of distress and shock. Madison, however, stood in front of the creature, her arms spread, protecting it. Xar growled louder, preparing to move her aside so that he could deal with the creature.

“Xar, no! Stop, you have to listen to me. Don’t make me knock you out again.”

He saw that his mate was holding the shock stick. Rather than making him angry, realizing that it had been she who had put him down made him chuckle softly. His mate was fierce and brave. He was a lucky man.

“That thing must die. Move aside.”

“No. We need him. Please, Xar, you can’t kill him. We don’t know how to fly this ship. He’s the only way we’re going to survive.”

“I will protect you.”

Madison shook her head frantically. She tentatively reached for his wrist. When their skin touched, it felt like a spark had ignited. Xar resisted the urge to pull her to him.

“Please, come sit with me? We need to talk.”

He could deny her nothing. Not wanting to let the creature out of his site, he allowed her to lead him only to the edge of the room. He saw that it was bound with the bloody clothes of its companions. Fitting.

The others had slipped out. That they were afraid of him didn’t bother Xar. It was only Madison who mattered.

“Do you know about space?”

“Space?” He gestured about the room. “There is space there, between that rock and the wall, and more between us and the ceiling. This is what you mean?”

“No. Gosh, how do I explain this? Ok, how about this. From your home, if you look into the sky at night, can you see the stars?”

“Of course.” Xar frowned worriedly at his mate. Had she hit her head? Or did they not have stars where she came from?

“That’s where we are now. We’re among the stars, far from your home or mine.”

The thought was mind-boggling. “How do you know this?”

“My people study space—that’s what this place is called, the space between the stars. What we’re in now is a ship. It’s all that’s keeping us alive. If the ship is too damaged, we’ll be sucked out into space and die.”

She paused to make sure he was following. Xar wasn’t sure he was. “A ship?”

“It’s like a metal box. We’re inside it.”

This, he understood. “I see. We should get out of this metal box, then.”

“Yes, but we can’t yet. If we get out while we’re in space, we’ll die. We need to be on Xenshar before we get off.”

Xar was excited to hear she knew the name of his home. “How do we get home?”

“That’s where he comes in.” Madison gestured to the yellow creature. “None of knows how to fly the ship. If we stay here, it will run out of air, and we’ll die. We need him to fly the ship to Xenshar so that we can get off safely.”

Xar was struggling to wrap his mind around all this. He’d never imagined it possible to be among the stars. “How do we know he will not fly us to his home and cage us again?”

“He can’t. The ship is damaged. It can only make it to Xenshar.”

Xar wondered if the creature might be lying, but decided it didn’t matter. He would protect his mate, wherever they were.

“I understand. I must not kill him. I must not tunnel out of this cave. We will go home.”

Madison smiled sadly. “To your home. Ours is out of reach.”

“My home is your home, my mate.”

“Why do you keep saying that?”

“Mate? Because that’s who you are. You are my mate?”

Now, it was Madison struggling to understand. “Xar, with my people, when two people marry—mate, that is—it requires agreement between both of them. They talk about it beforehand. One person can’t just announce that they are mated.”

“But… but once you find your true mate, why would you not agree? It is a dream come true, to find one’s mate.”

“Yes, but it’s different for us.”

Xar wasn’t bothered by this. “I understand. We have a lot to learn about each other. We will have time enough once we are home.”

“What about the other women?”

“They will be welcome among us. Our clan hasn’t had new females for many turns of the sun. They will be joyful to welcome your friends.”

“Even if they don’t want to… mate?”

“Even if they don’t want to mate. We would never turn away strangers who need help.”

“Sounds nice.”

Madison was staring at him in a way that made his blood heat. Though they seemed to have established some basic trust, Xar knew that if he tried to kiss her, it could break the fragile connection they’d formed. He didn’t need to mate now. There were other things he needed to take care of. First, the creature.

Xar examined the ties holding him. Whoever had done it had been enthusiastic and thorough, but none too skilled at knots. He quickly redid the bindings. He didn’t want to have to worry about the thing escaping and roaming the cave. It grumbled at his rough touch but was wise not to struggle.

Once that was done, he turned to his mate. “Have you eaten?”

“I haven’t had time. We’d only just gotten him to set a course for Xenshar when you woke up.”

“Come, then, you must eat. Does this cave provide food and water?”

“It must have a kitchen somewhere, but I don’t know where.”

“No matter. Come.” His claws retracted as he took her hand in his. Madison started but didn’t pull away. Xar sniffed the air, searching for something edible. There was nothing strong, but he could smell a faint scent that might be food. They walked through the ship to yet another room. He could smell the maybe-food, but it was behind a gray wall.

His claws were out in an instant, and he pulled it away. To his disappointment, he saw only square packages, stacked on top of each other. He turned away, but Madison reached for one at once.

“This must be space rations. Could you open this for me?”

Bemused, he slit the top open with a claw. Madison pulled back a thin wrapping and took a bite of the square.

“Ugh. Doesn’t taste good, but it’s food.”

Deciding to take her word for it, Xar took a square for himself. She was right about it not tasting good. He hoped it was nourishing. Surely, the creatures would have brought food that would sustain them.

“I’ll go get the others. I bet they’re hungry too.”

She tried to leave, but Xar grabbed her wrist. “Not until you are sated. Eat. You need water, too.”

Madison tugged half-heartedly, but he didn’t let go. He could smell water in the corner, but ripping out the grab wall would likely cause it to spill.

“Water is here. How do I open it?”

Madison tentatively pushed at the wall. It didn’t move, but after a few tries, she got the right spot. A spout appeared, along with tall cups. Madison held one under the spout. When it was filled with water, she gulped it down. She offered the next cup to Xar, but he insisted she drink her fill before he had anything.

Once they were both sated, she tried to leave again. He kept his grip on her wrist.

“What now?”

“You are covered in the creature’s blood. Surely, you must want to wash it off?”

“Yes, of course, but the others…”

“Can wait. I will see to your needs, my mate.”

Madison sighed and turned her head, shouting down the passage. “Guys, there’s food here!”

That got their attention. The room was soon crowded. Xar tried to tug Madison out, but she insisted on introducing him to the others. They seemed reassured when she told them how his clan was going to take care of them on Xenshar.

“My mate, come, I will find a place for you to bathe.”

 

* * *

 

Xar was pushy but in a sweet way. Madison had never had anyone so intent on taking care of her. Apparently, he could smell water and was able to lead her to the bathroom. Once there, it took quite a bit of tinkering before she could figure out the shower, but when she stepped inside, it was worth it.

Madison sighed happily as the hot water cascaded over her. She scrubbed at the blood with a sponge that seemed to produce soap internally and ooze it onto her skin.

Xar was pacing unhappily outside. She’d kicked him out before she undressed, having spent ten minutes convincing him that she’d be fine. She’d taken plenty of showers before and didn’t need any supervision, no matter how much the thought of said supervision sent pleasurable shivers down her spine.

His people didn’t have running water, so he’d never seen a shower before. From what he’d described to her, it sounded like they bathed in rivers and lakes. He’d glared suspiciously at the water coming from the ceiling and insisted on standing in the shower himself, first, to ensure it was safe.

Madison giggled a little. He hadn’t even taken his clothes off, and now he was soaking wet. That just served to display his body as the wet cloth stuck to him. She wasn’t complaining.

By the time she was out and dressed, Xar had found sleeping quarters. The others were taking turns in the shower, while those who were already washed chose beds. There weren’t enough beds for everyone to have them. Xar growled fiercely at Scarlett, who scooted away, ceding the last bed to Madison.

“Be nice,” Madison reprimanded him, shooting a guilty look at Scarlett before she sank down onto the bed. She was just lying down when Kaylee came in, tugging at her arm.

“Madison, the pilot is saying he needs to use the bathroom.”

Madison groaned. She hadn’t thought that far ahead when tying him up. She also didn’t remember being elected leader of the group, but the others were all watching her expectantly. Since she was the only one Xar listened to, and they’d need his help to survive on his planet until they could fix the ship, it made sense, but she wasn’t happy about it. Leadership was nothing more than having to solve other people’s problems.

If that was the case, Xar was a leader in the making, because he jumped up. “I will take him. You stay here. Close the cave opening.”

“Are you sure?” Madison eyed him doubtfully, remembering how he’d brought her the heads of the others who had hurt her.

He gave her a tender look that had her heart melting. “Do not worry, my mate, I know I cannot kill him yet.”

“Yet?”

“Once he has outlived his usefulness, he will need to be put down like the animal he is.”

“Xar!”

“Would you prefer me to set him free to kidnap and destroy the lives of others?”

Well, when he put it like that…

“We’ll talk about it later. Let’s just keep him alive for now.”

Xar was true to his word. He didn’t kill Alien. Unfortunately, it turned out Madison hadn’t been specific enough. Alien came back bleeding in several places, and one of his shoulders looked like it was dislocated.

“What did you do?” she sighed as Xar tied him back to the chair.

“He insulted you.”

“So you beat him up?”

“Of course.”

He looked confused by the question. Madison didn’t know whether to feel flattered or alarmed. When was the last time anyone had fought for her honor? That was easy. Never.

Deciding not to argue, Madison supervised Alien being fed and given water, then finally fell into the bed Xar had won for her.

When she woke, Xar was in the bed with her.

She shrieked and flew out. Xar yelled in alarm, rolled out of the bed and hit the floor.

“What are you doing?” Madison demanded.

He gave her that bemused look she was getting used to. “Sleeping.”

“In my bed!”

“You are my mate.”

Madison just shook her head. Before they could discuss the subject further, the ship started to vibrate again, like it had when it had left Earth’s atmosphere.

She hurried through to the control room. Alien’s face was lined with worry.

“What’s wrong?”

“The ship’s landing gear has been damaged. It’s struggling to make the descent safely.”

“What do we—?”

Madison’s question was cut off when Xar grabbed her. He lifted her like she weighed nothing and ran with her back to the room with the cages, his four arms wrapping around her like an octopus. To her horror, he started stuffing her into the nearest one.

“What are you doing?” To her surprise, she found she wasn’t afraid. Confused, yes, but Xar had already proven that he put his safety above everything else.

Xar climbed into the cage with her, no small feat considering his bulk. He positioned himself so that his back was to the open door of the cage, his whole body covering hers.

“The creature said it was dangerous. I am protecting you.”

Actually, it wasn’t a bad idea. Even if the aliens did have places to strap in, there wouldn’t be enough for all the women. The bed situation had already proven that there were far fewer crew members than captives.

“Xar, let me up.”

“No. You are in danger.”

“Just to tell the other women to brace. I’ll be quick, I promise.”

He reluctantly let her go. Struggling to keep her balance, Madison ran through the ship shouting to the others.

“We’re crashing. Everyone back in the cages!”

Some of them shouted protests, but she didn’t have time to persuade her. Sensing the urgency of the situation, they followed.

“We need to brace, or we could get badly hurt. Everyone in a cage. Protect your head and middle. The cage doors are broken, so brace yourself against the edges so you don’t fall out. They’re small enough that this shouldn’t be a problem.”

She finally let Xar pull her back into the cage. When Sophi saw what they were doing, she grabbed one of the other women and pulled her into her cage. It was a good idea. Two people barely fit in the tiny cages. Squashed as they had to be to get in like that, at least no one would be flung out and bashed against the sides of the cave.

They’d acted not a moment too soon. Xar growled as the cave gave another lurch and started to tumble through the air.