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Kian clasped my hand, his palm rough and warm. “You honor me, Kate.”
We sat in silence as the moons rose, hands entwined. In that moment, beneath the stars of his homeland, I felt closer to Kian than ever before. I sent up a prayer to his Surlon sun gods that we would come through the dark days ahead united in purpose and bonded by understanding. With Kian beside me, I feared no enemy.
I hesitated only a moment before leaning in to press my lips to Kian’s. His breath caught in surprise, but then he kissed me back, his strong arms encircling me. His lips were surprisingly soft, and I sank into the warmth of his embrace. For these few stolen moments, it was just the two of us beneath Surlon’s glittering night sky.
When we finally broke apart, I noticed Turok standing some distance away, glaring at us with undisguised disgust. I tensed, waiting for the inevitable confrontation, but the old Surlon just turned and strode off into the darkness without a word.
“Don’t let him ruin this,” Kian murmured, his fingers threading through my hair. “The opinions of others cannot sway my heart.”
My pulse quickened at his words. I searched his face, needing to know if he truly meant what I hoped. “And...what does your heart say?”
Kian drew me closer, his piercing gaze never leaving mine. “It says that you enrapture me, Kate. From the moment I pulled you from that wreckage, I felt an undeniable connection between us.”
Joy surged within me even as warning bells sounded in my mind. “But the elders will never approve,” I said uncertainly. “We come from such different worlds.”
“Let me worry about convincing them,” Kian replied with quiet confidence.
I studied his angular features, so alien yet so familiar, and knew then that I was falling for this stoic Surlon sheriff. Perhaps it was madness, but I didn’t care.
* * *
The next morning, I woke with a start, my heart pounding. The dream had seemed so real—rustlers attacking the village, stealing the siroccos, and setting fire to the dwellings. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. Just a nightmare, I told myself. The village was quiet and peaceful in the early dawn light.
I dressed and headed outside, hoping the cool morning air would clear the disturbing images from my mind. But when I reached the village center, I found Kian already awake, pacing with a stormy look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He turned to me, his jaw set. “A group of siroccos went missing from the western pasture overnight. I believe the rustlers are responsible.”
My dream suddenly felt like more than just a figment of my imagination. “They’re already here?”
Kian nodded grimly. “Their camp must be somewhere in the Badlands. I intend to track them down and take back what they stole.” He placed a hand on the whip coiled at his belt.
I thought back to what Kian had told me about his father’s murder at the hands of these outlaws. This was personal for him.
“I’m coming with you,” I said.
Kian’s eyes widened in surprise. “Absolutely not. It’s too perilous.”
“I’m coming with you,” I repeated firmly. “I may not have your Surlon abilities, but I’ve got plenty of my own skills that could help.”
Kian shook his head, his white hair whipping around his face. “It’s too risky, Kate. I cannot allow you to endanger yourself against the rustlers.”
“You’ve never seen me in action,” I said with a sly smile. “Tracking, stealth, survival—these things have kept me alive all across the galaxy. And I can handle myself in a fight, trust me. I crossed my arms and met Kian’s intense gaze. “You’re right, I was pretty helpless when I first got here. The crash must have rattled me more than I realized. But ever since that first ride out into the valley, I’ve been feeling more like myself again.”
Kian shook his head, unconvinced. “You almost fainted from the heat, and I had to pull that serpent off you before it sunk its fangs in.”
“Look, I was disoriented after the crash. I must have had a concussion that impaired my skills for a while. But I’m telling you, I can handle myself out there.” I tapped my temple. “Everything’s back up and running at full capacity now.”
Kian sighed, clearly still hesitant to believe me. “Kate, I understand you want to help, but this is too dangerous. The rustlers show no mercy, especially not to outsiders.”
I stepped closer, meeting his eyes earnestly. “You trusted me enough to teach me to ride. To open up about losing your father. If you really believe I don’t have what it takes, then don’t take me along. But I know what I’m capable of, Kian. Let me prove it to you.”
He was silent for a long moment. I could see the conflict on his face as he weighed his protective instincts against my insistence. Finally, he gave a short nod.
“All right. But you must follow my lead out there. No running off on your own.” He held up a hand before I could object. “That’s my condition if you’re joining me. Agreed?”
I nodded, trying not to seem overly eager. “Agreed.”
