"You don't understand, little female. I am like a God to these people."
Elodie is lost. Literally.
After a massive adventure leads her to a strange planet with enormous alien men, she has few choices left.
On the run from an aggressive male determin...
(This chapter contains themes that may be disturbing to some readers. TW/ SA)
I can hardly see through the throng of tears flooding my eyes. The warmth of Barre's chest and the comfort of Soleil's words are my only security from the trauma threatening to suffocate me.
"Elodie, oh my gosh, are you okay?" My best friend demands, trying to pry at Barre's arms to get to me. He doesn't budge, instead he just glares at her. He hands grip his biceps, pulling and tugging to no avail.
I sob once, glancing over at Locanas as he manages to stand up, stumbling slightly as a guard grabs him by the elbow. His eyes find mine through the small crowd of people, and I want more than anything to disappear. I can't even look away. I'm frozen. Fright has made me it's home.
Locanas is staring at me with his blood drenched face.
His gaze is flooded with sorrow.
Barre forcibly turns my head to disconnect our connection, and I'm glad for it. I wrap my arms around his midsection tighter, blinking rapidly to dislodge my tears. I listen to his heart thudding evenly in his chest.
"Misha, matayunca. Frola." He murmurs to me, petting my hair with fingers that are soaked in drying purple blood, oddly enough.
He nearly killed my attacker. I don't know what to think. No one has ever done something like that for me.
I hiccup, trying my best to breathe in Barre's calming smell. I think of being curled up in his bed, safe in the little cabin in the woods. A roaring fire. A bowl of soup. No one but me and him.
I turn my face into his neck.
Something cold and wet nudges my arm, and I look up briefly to see Salsh. He licks the tears off my face before Barre pushes him away.
"Elodie, oh my gosh. What did he do to you? He didn't... he didn't..." The word rape is stuck in Soleil's throat, and I don't blame her. It's a difficult question to ask.
I shake my head adamantly.
"No he didn't rape me, but he... he did touch me." I whisper, remembering the rough hands grabbing at my breasts.
Tears sting my eyes once again as Barre growls furiously under me.
"Astasha furlenki es tunsa." He spits, his normally calm voice harsh, and Soleil's eyebrows furrow.
"What do you mean by that?" She asks him, and he responds quickly.
"Relinkas tes meneas. Elodie emsa meneas." He grouches. Soleil's mouth drops open in shock.
Confusion bubbles up inside me. He can understand her? He can understand us? I gulp, finally voicing my questions.
"He understands?" I ask, completely speechless when Barre nods. Somehow he got a translation chip while Locanas was holding me captive.
I've never known such fear in all my life. He carried me in here, held me down while he tore my shirt open. I screamed and fought and cried with all my might, but his strength was terrifying. I was completely powerless against him. I thought I was going to die.
Remembering it has me overwhelmed all over again, and my heart starts racing. Even with Barre's arms around me, terror courses through me. I start shaking, trying to make sense of it all.
"He says you're his? Have you been with him all this time?" Soleil asks gently, putting a hand on my back. I nod meekly, noticing the way Barre doesn't even look at her. He only has eyes for me as his hand gently caresses my face up and down with the back of his fingers.
Fear still has a hold on me, I can barely speak.
"Yes." I manage, glancing away from my rescuer. "I thought I was his mate, but he left me here. I'm not so sure."
He came back for me though, and told Soleil that I'm his apparently. That has to count for something.
"Misha." The endearment rolls off Barre's lips, and I turn my tear filled face to him. His mismatched eyes are so tender that my bottom lip trembles. "Shebsta les nera mes relinkas. Mesun ablant els cantrinas."
Locanas gasps, Soleil covers her mouth. I want to ask my best friend what Barre said, but as soon as I open my mouth, Fray steps forward, obvious anger on his face. I shy away, still filled with fright from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
"Shelesna tel Locanas mesta tas empeisantra." He says, and that makes my alien react, he stands, holding me tightly bridal style. I cling to him as I'm lifted 7 feet off the ground.
"He's taking us to the Emperor to figure out what to do about Locanas." Soleil whispers, and from this height I can't even see her. I gulp, feeling embarrassed about all of this. I don't want to make so much trouble.
Knowing full well that Barre can understand me now, I turn to look up at him. All his attention remains on me. His expression is chalk full of gentle concern, but there's a determined set to his jaw.
"Can't we just go back? To your home? I don't wanna be here anymore." I can't keep the pain out of my voice, or the tears from forming.
Barre's face hardens, and shakes his head. Disappointment blossoms in sadness.
"Mesa retreplin forsurntru can." He insists, I cringe at the harsh tone.
I turn my head in an awkward angle to peak down at Soleil, hating that she has to see me in such a mess.
"What did he say?"
Her brown eyes are wide.
"He said, 'First I'll make him pay.'." She enlightens me.
Oh.
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