Page 18 of Mated to the Grumpy Alien

In my head, Cyg says, “She is correct. Humans on this planet will not domesticate grains for several more generations.”

I ignore his comment and answer her out loud. “This bread is made from a grain called gan’duhn from Perse.”

Her eyes widen and then she drops the walnut she was about to pop in her mouth and picks up the slice of bread, turning it over in her hands as she studies it. “Bread from Perse? Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Can I eat it? Is it safe for me?”

I pause before nodding, waiting for Cyg to chime in. When he doesn’t, I say out loud, “I believe so. Some of the people in the village have consumed it without ill effect.”

She tears off a corner and pops it into her mouth. “I’ll start with just one bite. Go slowly just to make sure.”

“Yes. Slowly is good,” I say, reaching over to brush a drop of tea from her chin, thinking of my plan to pursue her slowly. To give her all the time she needs to get used to the idea that she is my be’lahshuk.

I’m about to say more when Cyg interrupts. “There is a sensor out in sector seventeen.”

She jumps at the sound of his voice, looking around frantically.

“Who is that?” After a second, she blinks and stops looking for another person. “Some kind of computer? Like an AI or something?”

I clench my jaw then nod. “Cyg, introduce yourself.”

“Cressida of Austin, I am Cyg, half of the Historian pair, Cygnus. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Her gaze meets mine, narrowing as she sets down the food she’s been eating. “Cressida of Austin, huh? So, it’s been listening to everything we’ve said? What is it? Some kind of AI? Was it here when–”

She cuts herself off, blushing and I know she’s thinking of intimacies we’ve shared. It pleases me that she wants to keep those moments between us, but I don’t like this annoyed light in her eyes. Just when I was starting to win her over.

“Yes, Cyg is what I’d call an AI, but not as you understand the term. I was going to wait to explain about him until you’d had a little more time to adjust.”

I say it all out loud, but direct the last bit to Cyg, since he knew my intentions and purposefully disregarded them.

“I do not think concealing my presence longer would have made my existence any more palatable to Cressida of Austin. And the matter with the sensor is quite pressing.”

I sigh, giving her a hard look. I had not planned to leave her side until I was certain she was settled. Until she was fed and happy and I knew she had accepted her place by my side.

On the other hand, I don’t want to mess with the fortress’s security, not when Torvin was ready to burn her at the stake less than two days ago.

I stand. “Fine. I will go check on the sensor. Cyg, answer any questions she has.”

I look over at her and see apprehension flickering across her features, either at the thought of being left alone or because she too is thinking of Torvin.

I lean down to cup her jaw, just for a moment. “You will be safe here, Shuka.”

“Maybe I’m not worried about myself.”

I grin. “Drink more tea. Then try to sleep. I will return shortly.”

chapter

eleven

I watch Irick walk out, trying to calm my racing heart.

What does it say about me that I feel a burst of panic at the thought of him leaving me here alone? That I feel more comfortable in his presence than I do alone?

All of these things I’m feeling seem to have hit too fast and too hard. Like I’ve been swept up by something that’s beyond my control. Being with him feels amazing and terrifying all at the same time.