Page 19 of Rock Hard Alien

“I got fewer injuries in the battle on Eos-9.”

She laughed and I soaked up the sound, committing it to memory. “You're such a drama queen!”

“I will have you know that I am neither royalty nor a female.”

“Figure of speech. Do you want another hot chocolate, seeing as you drank it all in one go?”

“Yes. Please. This time I shall watch how you drink it and learn from you.”

I thought that after observing humans for so long, I knew everything about them. Yet I'd still failed at something so simple. It would take more time to learn to live like them.

If I wanted to stay here, that was.

In my chat with Pam, she'd made it clear that she had a good relationship with the Intergalactic Authority. She'd been sure they would arrange for a passage back home if I wanted to return. It would solve a whole lot of problems. On Spiris, I wouldn't petrify if I spent time away from my mate. I'd have other gharrgoils around, people who spoke my language, looked like me, understood me. But my family was gone. My friends would have returned to the stone by now. We lived longer than humans, but not this long. My petrification had frozen my ageing process, at least physically. My mind felt ancient and tired. My body was still that of a young warrior desperate to prove himself. I had a feeling that at some point, this disconnect would give me trouble, but I had problems enough already.

“Is everything alright?” Georgie asked softly.

“Yes. Just... thinking.”

“Sometimes it helps to share your thoughts. It lightens the burden.”

“I am not sure you would understand. It is a strange situation.”

To my surprise, she burst out laughing. “Tell me about it. I have an alien gargoyle in my living room. I still haven't talked to my apprentice about how I suddenly disappeared into thin air. I don't know whether I'll go to work tomorrow. And I still know almost nothing about you!”

The last sentence burst from her lips with a strange desperation. We looked at each other. She seemed as surprised at the intensity of her emotions as I was.

Maybe she did feel the mate bond after all.

In the dating agency, Pam had taken me aside and explained that human women often took longer to recognise the signs of the bond. They weren't used to the concept and often rebelled against it. She'd made it very clear that I had to be patient with Georgie and let her decide the speed our relationship progressed.

But there was no doubt in my mind that it would progress. We were made for each other. My heart beat for hers. She had brought me back to life. And I couldn't bear the thought of being parted from her.

She was right about one thing, however. We barely knew each other.

“Let's change that. I want to know more about you as well. Would you like to play a game that we used to play back on Spiris? It might help.”

“A game?”

I didn't tell her it was a courtship game. She might refuse if she knew.

“It will help us get to know each other.”

Slowly, Georgie nodded. “Let me refill your mug and then we can get comfy on the sofa again.”

I did not find her furniture remotely comfortable - there was no space for my wings - but I did not tell her. There was no point. She could not create gharrgoil-approved furniture out of thin air. In time, if I stayed here with her...

Back on the sofa, I cradled my mug, careful not to burn myself this time.

“The game is called the Three Heights,” I explained. “There are three levels: the ground, the cliffs and the sky. The first player asks the other a question from one of the heights. The ground covers childhood, family, habits, memories. The cliffs represent fears, failures, regrets, but also difficulties overcome. And finally, the sky is about dreams, desires, hopes for the future. After the other player has answered, the first player must answer their own question. It's fairer that way.”

“And what if I don't want to answer a question because it's too private?”

I smiled at her. “Then you say 'The stone stays buried' and offer a fact of equal gravity and importance. We each ask one question from each height.”

“Is there a winner?”

“There is no winner. Gharrgoils do not compete with those they hope to understand.”