Hanna and the Hitman: A SciFi Alien Romance (Alien Abduction Book 8) Page 10

  At first the pace he set was too fast for her to do anything other than hurry along in his wake. Between the thick, warm air and the rapid journey, sweat was soon dripping down her body. Aidon’s shirt felt heavy and uncomfortable, and she even had a flash of nostalgia for Hothrest’s icy wastelands.

  But Tanor eventually slowed to the point where she was no longer gasping in his wake, and she could look around enough to appreciate her surroundings.

  Huge trees draped with vines rose all around them, but they were supplemented by an astonishing array of other plants. Just as she would have guessed from seeing the planet from space, the majority of the foliage was in shades of blue and green and gold, but from down here, she could also detect a surprising variety of partially hidden flowers. Everything from small red blooms no larger than her thumbnail to white flowers bigger than her head lurked among the greenery.

  There were some surprising resemblances to Earth plants, but others were completely alien. She watched in astonishment as a long blue vine reached out and snatched a small flying creature out of the air before burying it in its trunk as the creature squeaked hopelessly. She gulped and took a step closer to Tanor.

  Who was he? she wondered, and why had he been at the landing site? Had Aidon been coming to meet him? She studied him curiously. With his dark-green skin and long straight hair, he didn’t resemble Aidon in any way. Maybe he wasn’t even Pardorian.

  “Are you from here?” she asked and then immediately bit her lip. He hadn’t exactly been friendly, and she didn’t want to offend him. To her relief, he simply barked out a harsh laugh.

  “Never been anywhere else. Never wanted to go either.”

  She thought she detected a hint of strain in his voice and suspected that carrying Aidon’s weight was beginning to wear on him. The thought of suggesting they rest flitted through her mind, but one look at Aidon’s limp body changed her mind. He needed help and the sooner, the better.

  After they had walked for what she thought was perhaps a half hour, they emerged from the jungle into a wide clearing set along the bank of an enormous river. Emerald-green water swirled and tumbled, and she caught a brief glimpse of a vine snaking through the water. Remembering Aidon’s story, she moved as far away from the bank as possible.

  Instead of continuing along the path, Tanor turned and headed inland to the far edge of the clearing. Once again, the foliage looked impenetrable, and once again, he simply walked through it. He was halfway up a set of steps before she realized that they were even there. As she blinked and followed him, she suddenly understood that he was entering a house. A wide front porch framed by curving trunks was almost indistinguishable from the surrounding jungle, as were the walls woven from the native vines. He stalked through an almost invisible front door, across an open living room, and through another door before placing Aidon on a bed built into the wall. He straightened up with a sound too quiet to be called a sigh of relief.

  “What now?” she asked.

  “Now I get some food down this young idiot’s throat.” Tanor scowled at her. “May need you to help.”

  “Of course. Whatever he needs.”

  “Stay here. Don’t touch anything.”

  Tanor disappeared back into the main room, and she sank down on the mattress at Aidon’s side. He was so limp and still that her heart skipped a beat. She placed a gentle hand on his chest, relieved to feel the slow beat of his heart and the slight rhythm of his chest rising and falling with his breath.

  “We’re here, Aidon. You’re back on Pardor. You’re home.”

  Even though she hoped for a response, she didn’t really expect one, and she was shocked when his eyes flickered open. Dazed and cloudy, they cleared a little as he tried to focus on her face.

  “Not home,” he rasped.

  “Yes, you are. We’re on Pardor. You made it.”

  His hand moved, trying to reach for her, and she took it between her much smaller hands. The corner of his mouth lifted.

  “Home.”

  Relieved that he seemed to understand where he was at last, she smiled at him and lifted his hand to her lips, pressing a gentle kiss against the velvety skin. His hand tightened around hers, then he suddenly snarled. With unexpected strength, he yanked her down on the bed next to him.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked.

  He was gazing over her shoulder, his teeth bared, and she twisted around to find Tanor standing at the entrance to the room.

  “It’s all right, Aidon. This is Tanor. He’s going to help you.”

  “Never,” Aidon spat.

  Tanor sighed and entered the room. He was carrying a tray with a tall glass of red liquid and a bowl filled with multicolored cubes.

  “Of course I’m going to help you, boy. Don’t be so stubborn.”

  “I don’t trust you, Grandfather.”

  Grandfather? This alien male who looked so different and seemed so young was the one who had raised Aidon? She gave Tanor a shocked look, and he barked a laugh.

  “Yes, he’s mine. For my sins.”

  Aidon’s hand shook in hers, and she could tell that he was losing his strength, but that didn’t diminish his glare.

  “Don’t hurt her,” he gasped, and then his eyes fluttered closed.

  “Help him,” she pleaded as his entire body went limp. Even his normal swirl of colors was starting to fade into a single gray hue.

  “Damn fool left it for too long,” Tanor muttered, but she could hear the anxiety in his voice. “He needs to drink.”

  He sat down next to her and lifted up Aidon’s head, supporting him against his chest as he reached for the glass of liquid. He held it to Aidon’s lips, but they remained closed as the red liquid dribbled down his chin.

  “Dammit. Drink, boy.”

  There was no response, and Tanor looked at her, his eyes full of pain. “I can’t help him if he won’t drink.”

  “Let me try.” He had responded to her voice before; perhaps he would again. She leaned closer and whispered, “Please, Aidon. You have to drink.”

  His head moved a little at the sound of her voice, but his lips still didn’t part. Panic raced through her veins as she tried to think of some way to revive him. The first time he had been unconscious, he had responded to her kiss. Maybe he would this time as well.

  Ignoring his grandfather, she leaned even closer and brushed her mouth across his. Did it move beneath her touch? Praying with all her heart, she stroked her tongue across his lips, silently urging him to open. At first, nothing happened, but then they parted—only a fraction, but maybe it was enough. She dipped her finger in the red liquid and pressed it to the seam of his mouth. She almost sobbed with relief when his tongue touched her finger. After repeating the gesture until he was suckling eagerly, she finally pulled her hand away and placed the glass at his mouth. He choked on the first sip, but then he swallowed.

  His mouth closed again, and she had to repeat the process twice, using her finger to drip liquid into him before he would take a drink, but eventually he accepted the glass and drained the rest of the contents. As soon as it was empty, he slumped back against the pillows, but his skin was once again a velvety swirl of colors and his breathing was deep and even.

  “Is he better?” she asked anxiously.

  Tanor studied her face. He had been silent throughout the process, simply helping to support Aidon and making sure that the glass was ready whenever she reached for it.

  “It’s a good start. He should wake soon. When he does, he needs to eat the jinsar fruit.” He gestured at the bowl of colored cubes, and her stomach rumbled.

  She blushed and dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ve been too worried to eat.”

  Tanor studied her again, then nodded sharply. “You should eat some.”

  “I can’t do that. You said he needed them.”

  He shrugged. “The fruit is plentiful. It will only take a short time to prepare more. Go on,” he urged. “Try some.”

  The fruit did lo
ok tempting, especially after the hot walk, and she reached for a bright-pink cube that looked a little like watermelon. The heady scent wafting from the tempting morsel made her mouth water as she lifted it to her lips.

  Just as she was about to pop the piece of fruit in her mouth, a hand reached out and struck it away. Startled, she looked down to find Aidon’s eyes wide open and full of rage as he glared at his grandfather.

  “How could you, you bastard?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Aidon swam back to consciousness slowly, but for the first time in longer than he could remember, he didn’t feel weakness tugging at his veins. He could taste flovat juice on his lips and knew that he’d made it back just in time. He should have been relieved. Instead, all he felt was the weight of the chains binding him to this planet.

  Even before he opened his eyes, he caught Hanna’s lush scent and started to relax, knowing she was close by. He could tell that his grandfather was there as well, but no matter what his faults, he didn’t believe the old man would try and hurt his mate. But then he heard his grandfather offer Hanna something, and he opened his eyes in time to see her raising a piece of jinsar fruit to her mouth.

  Horrified, he struck it away and glared at his grandfather. How could he do such a thing?

  “I should have known I couldn’t trust you,” he said bitterly.

  His grandfather wore the public form, the one that all Pardorians assumed when dealing with outside races, but he looked the same as always. Arrogant and untouchable.

  “I was only doing what needed to be done,” the old man said.

  “I don’t understand.” Hanna looked between the two of them. “Was something wrong with the fruit?”

  “No, saachi. It simply has some…unpleasant side effects.”

  “Unpleasant?” His grandfather snorted. “Don’t you mean necessary? Life-giving?”

  “For a Pardorian,” he said firmly. “Not a human.”

  “For a mate,” his grandfather said, equally firmly.

  Aidon’s eyes flew to Hanna’s face. This was not the moment he would have chosen to make such an announcement, but to his relief, she merely looked confused.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I’ll explain it to you later,” he said, reaching for her hand. As soon as their skin touched, a wave of desire washed over him, and it took all his control not to snatch her into his arms. The shifting sickness still ran hot in his veins. He forced his gaze away from her and found his grandfather watching, a scowl on his face.

  “You don’t have to repeat all your father’s mistakes.”

  “Just shut up,” he said impatiently and started to sit up. “We’re leaving.”

  “Aidon, are you sure? Are you that much better?” Hanna’s big blue eyes were warm with concern.

  “I’m sure, saachi,” he said quickly even though he could still feel the lingering weakness.

  “At least eat the damn fruit, boy,” his grandfather growled.

  It galled him to take anything from the old man, but he needed to be alert and strong when he guided Hanna through the jungle. He reached reluctantly for the bowl of fruit.

  “It’s okay for you to eat that?” Hanna’s eyes followed him as he lifted the cube of jinsar to his mouth, and she licked her lips. Fuck. She was hungry. As much as he hated to do it, his pride was not as important as seeing that his mate was fed. He glared at his grandfather.

  “Will you bring her something to eat? Something safe?”

  His grandfather studied his face, then nodded, turning to leave the room. A muttered “fool” floated after him.

  “Aidon, what’s going on?” Hanna whispered. “Is he really your grandfather? And what was wrong with the fruit? Was he trying to hurt me?”

  “No,” he admitted reluctantly. “He may even have been trying to help, but as usual, he only sees things one way.”

  A way that he would never force on her. He tore his eyes away from her anxious ones and looked around. It had been many years since he had been here, but his room hadn’t changed at all.

  “How did I end up here?”

  “You were unconscious when we landed, and I didn’t know what to do.” Her hands twisted together in her lap. “There wasn’t anyone around, and you never told me what you needed once we got here. I tried opening the landing ramp, but that didn’t seem to make any difference. Then I thought maybe some water would help, so I went to collect some—”

  “You went into the jungle?” Horror filled him. “Don’t you know how dangerous that is?”

  “Well, no, not really. But I wasn’t going to go in,” she added hastily when he groaned. “I was just collecting some water off the leaves when your grandfather appeared. Although I didn’t know that’s who he was. He never said anything.”

  “He’s a secretive bastard.”

  Hanna’s brows drew together. “But he did help you, didn’t he? You seem so much better. Or is this like on the ship and you’re going to get worse again?”

  “Don’t worry, saachi. As long as I eat properly, I won’t get sick again.”

  “Thank God,” she sighed and gave him a watery smile. “I’ve been so worried.”

  “Everything is going to be fine now,” he assured her. At least, he was determined that it would be fine for her.

  She blinked away a tear, then leaned forward and pressed her mouth against his. A kiss, she called it. He remembered it from their time on the ship, and his control weakened. With a muffled groan, he drew her closer, forcing her soft lips apart and delving into the sweet temptation of her mouth. She melted against him, and he was lost. Just as he started to strip the clothes from her body, he heard a sound from the doorway.

  His predatory instincts erupted, and he pushed her behind him with a snarl, his claws extending, prepared to fight to the death to defend his mate.

  “I’m not going to hurt her, boy.” Only his grandfather stood in the doorway, but he still had to force his body to relax. Apparently unconcerned by the threat, his grandfather leaned casually against the doorframe, but Aidon saw his hand clench around the bowl he was carrying. A male in the grip of mating frenzy was always dangerous.

  “You’re scaring her,” the old man added.

  He looked over his shoulder and saw Hanna crouched behind him, her eyes wide.

  “I’m sorry, saachi. I was still having trouble controlling my instincts.”

  “I’m fine,” she said immediately. “I wasn’t scared of you—I’ve never been scared of you.”

  “Then you are a—” his grandfather started to say, and Aidon growled at him.

  “What did you bring her?”

  “Nalla porridge.”

  The dish consisted of a type of nut, ground and then cooked. It would do.

  “Very well,” he muttered.

  Hanna frowned at him as she reached for the bowl, then smiled at his grandfather.

  “Thank you, Tanor. I appreciate it.”

  She took a cautious bite, then smiled happily. “Oh, this is delicious.”

  She dove in enthusiastically, and Aidon nodded reluctantly at his grandfather.

  “Now eat, boy,” the old man said gruffly.

  Knowing that he needed to regain his strength, he obeyed. With each mouthful, he could feel the change in his body, feel his strength returning, feel his skin settling into place. But despite that, he was also conscious of a bone-deep exhaustion. He had been fighting the need to return Pardor for far too long, and he was paying the price. As soon as he finished the meal, he could feel fatigue sweeping over him. He had intended to leave as soon as he’d eaten, but it would be reckless to take Hanna out into the jungle until he was sure that his full capabilities had returned.

  He frowned at his grandfather. “We need to stay here tonight,” he said reluctantly, the words clogging his throat. When he had left at eighteen, he had vowed never to return.

  “Still your home,” the old man muttered.

  Waves of tiredness washed over him, but he fo
rced his eyes to remain open long enough to fix them on his grandfather. “Take care of her.”

  “She’ll be safe enough with me.”

  “No…more…tricks.”

  He heard the old man sigh.

  “No. I’ll let you make your own mistakes. Just like I always did.”

  Aidon’s lips started to curve, but then darkness overtook him, and he slipped into sleep.

  Hanna looked anxiously at Aidon’s grandfather as Aidon’s eyes closed again.

  “Are you sure he’s all right?”

  “He will be. He just needs to rest and eat lots of fresh fruit.”

  That reminded her of how angry Aidon had been that his grandfather had offered fruit to her. “Why can’t I have any?”

  Tanor opened his mouth, then closed it and shook his head. “Ask the boy when he wakes up. I suspect he would rather tell you himself.”

  Her stomach chose that moment to rumble again, and he frowned at her. “Are you still hungry?”

  “I’m sorry.” She was blushing again. “I really didn’t have much chance to eat on the ship. I was too worried.”

  “You don’t need to be worried anymore,” he said gruffly. “Come with me, and I will make you something else to eat.”

  Torn, she glanced from him to the bed. Aidon still seemed to be sleeping soundly, but should she leave him?

  “Leave the door open if you want,” Tanor snapped before turning and stalking out of the room.

  Had she offended him? Even though Aidon didn’t seem to get along with the older male, she didn’t want any bad blood between them because of her. With one last look at Aidon, she followed Tanor into the main room.

  She had been too anxious when they’d entered to pay much attention to her surroundings, but now she took an appreciative look around the large main room. Big windows openings were centered in each wall. There was no glass in the openings, and she could see that night had fallen outside. Tanor was closing the shutters across each of them when she entered.

  The floor was made from polished wood, and the few comfortable-looking pieces of furniture almost seemed to grow out of the flooring, their frames carved from twisted vines and their pillows in shades that matched the natural hues.