Stranded by the Alien Bride Lottery: An Alien Sci Fi Romance (Khanavai Warrior Bride Games Book 11) by Margo Bond Collins

Author:Margo Bond Collins [Bond Collins, Margo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

AHRI

I glanced back at Twilah, still holding her hand as we moved through the Hordeship. The sight of Twilah’s silken hair, illuminated by the flickering emergency ship lights, sent a shiver down my spine.

Stop it, Ahri, I reprimanded myself. You cannot have her.

“Do you think we're getting close to the engine room?” Her soft voice broke through my thoughts, causing me to mentally shake myself.

“Should be around the next corner,” I said gruffly, trying to pay attention to our mission rather than the warmth emanating from her body as we moved cautiously forward, the feel of her hand enveloped in mine, the arousing scent that floated from her, momentarily blocking the disgusting smell of decaying Horde bodies.

Vulk. Why is she affecting me this way?

I had given up on finding a mate ages ago. My duty was to protect and serve, not become entangled in the messy web of emotions that accompanied such connections.

But as we ventured deeper into the heart of the Hordeship, I felt an almost magnetic pull toward the human female at my side. Her courage and resilience in the face of danger captivated me, and I found myself questioning everything I had always told myself about love and commitment.

“What are your thoughts on love?” Twilah asked suddenly, as if she could sense my inner turmoil.

“Love?” I echoed, thrown off guard by her question. “I do not know. It is... complicated.”

“Complicated how?” she pressed, curiosity glinting in her eyes.

“Being a warrior means putting the needs of others above our own. Love can cloud our judgment, make us weak. At least, that is what I have always believed.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue, and I realized that perhaps I did not believe them as much as I once did.

“Maybe,” she mused, “but isn't it possible that love can also give us strength? That having someone to fight for makes us even more determined to succeed?”

“Perhaps,” I conceded, but I could not shake the feeling that pursuing a relationship with Twilah would only bring us both pain.

“Other Khanavai males find love,” she said. “That’s the whole reason for the Bride Lottery, isn’t it?”

I closed my eyes briefly. She was right, and if I was honest with myself, I would have to admit that my ideas about what it meant to be a warrior were a protective armor that might not be serving me as well as they once had.

“I know we've been through a lot,” she continued, “and I don't want to make things more difficult for you. But I think I’m beginning to feel….” her voice trailed off as she glanced up and saw my expression.

My heart clenched in my chest as I looked into her eyes, seeing the vulnerability there. It took every ounce of willpower not to pull her into my arms and confess my own growing feelings for her.

“I...” The words caught in my throat, choked by fear and uncertainty.

“Never mind,” she said quickly, pulling her hand away. “I shouldn't have brought it up.

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