BELOVED BY THE ALIEN BODYGUARD

THE NOVANS BOOK SIXTEEN

ASHLYN HAWKES

CONTENTS

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Other Books By Ashlyn Hawkes

About the Author

Special Author Note

Beloved by the Bodyguard © 2023 Ashlyn Hawkes

Cover Art © 2023 Ashlyn Hawkes

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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To those who look upon the stars with hope for the future.

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1

Nax

The best part about being a guard for the women from Earth is the chance to befriend them. I’ve always thought that, and I’ve relished the chance to guard over them and keep them safe. Not that we’ve had many issues at all, not now that we understand how different the Earthling women are from us. I’m a Novan. Our home planet of Nore had been destroyed by the hateful Grots. We licked our wounds and ran.

But we did not hide.

Instead, we developed the technology necessary to kill the Grots once and for all.

But the Grots not only destroyed Nore. They also killed off all of our women and the youngest Novans, seeking to annihilate our entire species.

As fate would have it, though, when we tracked down the Grots, they had been attacking another planet, Earth. By saving Earth and sparing the Earthlings from sharing our same fate, the governments on Earth agreed to send us women so that our kind would not die out.

We hadn’t known at first if a union between an Earthling and a Novan would create life, but now, we do. Novans have not relocated to Earth. Instead, we have taken to live on the planet Kuria, and the first Kurians—Earthling and Novan children—have already been born.

I beam at the female walking toward me. “Zoe! How are you?”

“I’ve been doing better,” she says.

Concerned, I frown as I look her over. “You look a little strange to me. Like you’re… It’s like you’re glowing.”

She laughs and then covers her mouth with her hand. After a moment, she lowers her hand and nods.

"What is wrong?" I ask. "Are you sick? I can call a doctor. Er, a driver. I can take you to the hospital to be examined—"

“Nax, thank you, but no. I’m not sick. Well, I am sick, but it’s not just in the morning. Who knew that morning sickness is a lie? It lasts all day for me. Not at night, though. Thank God! That would suck.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand. Morning sickness…”

“I’m pregnant,” she announces with a huge grin.

“You are? Congratulations!”

Zoe beams at me. Her brown eyes sparkle as she brushes back her red hair. “Thank you.”

“You and Drols must be so excited.”

“We are.” She shakes her head and laughs again. “Can you believe it? How far he and I have come. To think that he bartered for me… I didn’t know how to feel when I found out, but I think I was already in love with him. I didn’t really have a choice in the matter. I had to forgive him.”

“Had to?”

Zoe makes a face and wrinkles her nose. “Nax…”

Uh oh. I don’t like the sudden change in her demeanor or her tone.

“Yes, Zoe?”

“When are you going to try to find yourself a woman to love?”

I laugh. “I’m a guard, Zoe. I’m not—”

“There’s been at least one guard who has found love,” she insists. “Why shouldn’t you? You’ve been so true to us, always there for us, helping us with anything that we need.”

“Yes, but…” I rub the back of my neck.

“But what? It’s complicated.”

“It is.” I nod emphatically.

She rolls her eyes. “That’s why I had to forgive Drols. Love can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s no power on Earth or Kuria or any planet greater than love.”

“I’m sure that’s the case, but—”

“You take your job too seriously.”

“I do not,” I protest. “It’s a very important job. It took a long time for the breeders to accept the differences between our species.”

Zoe grunts and falls silent.

Novans are a very sexual species. When we lived on Nore, we would have sex openly and often with anyone and everyone. Once we found love, though, we only would have sex with that person for the rest of our lives.

While some Earthlings, from what I’ve gathered, will sleep around, it’s not to the extent that we would. Also, we had been so used to our Novan women who were as sexually driven as us that they would never turn down the chance to have sex that the thought that an Earthling woman would want to…

We don’t have a word for rape in our language, just like we don’t have a word for divorce. Cheating isn’t a concept we understood because if you weren’t married, you were available.

There had been very few instances in which a Novan didn't understand all of this and tried to force himself onto an Earthling woman. That is why there are guards now, to protect and watch over the women. It has not happened in the longest time, and the ones who had… I believe they were all killed.

Overlord Nestrol is a firm ruler, and he knows how much is at stake. We have some Kurian children already born, yes, but we need more and more so that the Kurians will survive.

I guess the Novans will die out eventually, but the Kurians will live on for us.

“Why do you look so sad?” she asks.

I grunt. “I’m not sad. I am thrilled for you.”

“You already said that,” she points out. “What if I want to be thrilled for you because you found love?”

“Then you will be waiting a very long time for that.”

“But why?” she whines.

I laugh and shake my head. “My duty—”

“Why can’t you do your duty and find love too?” she asks. “Love is important. It’s most important. Any and all Novans should be trying to find love. How else are there going to be enough babies?”

I swallow hard.

“Hasn’t your overlord disbanded the breeders so that all Novans can maybe find a woman?”

“Yes, but—”

“But nothing!”

I grunt again. “My duty is too important for that.”

She throws up her hands. “You’re so difficult,” she mutters. “Do you know what I had a dream about last night?”

“No, I don’t, but go ahead and tell me,” I tease.

“You were in it. You were married, and I was pregnant. Not with this baby.” She rubs her still mostly flat stomach. “A different baby. Maybe my third? But your wife was pregnant too1 And the only way that can come into play is if you get married!”

“Zoe, it was just a dream,” I tell her.

"The only way for an Earthling woman to get pregnant is if she and the Novan love each other and if she orgasms during sex."

“Yes, I know the drill,” I say dryly.

“Well, then, chop, chop! Get to it.” She claps.

I just shake my head. “I can’t believe that you think you can bully me into finding love.”

“I’m not bullying you!” She narrows her eyes.

“No, but… It’s not for me. It’s not meant to be my life.”

“I think you’re wrong,” she insists.

“The women need—”

“Why do we still need guards?” She crosses her arms.

“You never know what might happen, and there are animals here, and—”

“We are fine,” she says.

“My job is my job,” I inform her. “It’s very important to me.”

“And you can still be a guard even if you’re married.”

I just shake my head. I’m not sure I can make her understand, but I’m afraid to fall in love.

Because then I would worry about my wife and her safety first and foremost.

And that wouldn’t be right.

That wouldn’t be fair.

Zoe groans and gives me a look. “Fine,” she says. “You don’t have to fall in love, but you can at least be open to the idea of meeting someone special. There are plenty of women here who might interest you and make your life more fulfilling than just being a guard.”

I grunt but say nothing.

"You need to think about your personal happiness too,” Zoe says, her voice soft. “You deserve someone special. Maybe it won't be love right away, but don't you think that's a good start? I know there are plenty of women here who would give you the love and attention that you deserve! There's Ally, who's sweet and kind. Then there is Victoria, who is a bit of a daredevil. And if you're looking for someone serious and more mature then maybe Celeste is the one for you? She's gentle and caring but also knows how to take charge when she needs to. Or maybe you'd like someone who is more mysterious and playful like Maria or maybe Beth?"

I shake my head. "Ally has been making eyes at a soldier, I believe. Victoria, I thought, is already married."

"Not as far as I know!"

I shake my head. "A daredevil isn't for me," I say."

"Celeste then."

I hesitate.

"What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing is wrong with her. We spoke once or twice."

"And?" Zoe asks eagerly.

"It would be rude to say," I say stiffly.

Zoe looks crestfallen. "You think she's boring."

My mouth hangs open, but I fail to correct her because she's right.

"Maria or Beth?"

I just shake my head.

"None of them have caught your eye? Jane? Clara? Adele? Mina?"

I shrug and shake my head. "No, none of them," I admit. "It's not that they're not all great women. They are. It's just that... I don't know how to explain it."

"Maybe it's because you don't want to love someone and worry about their safety," Zoe suggests gently. 

I nod slowly, understanding her words and feeling comforted by them too. "Maybe," I reply softly. 

Zoe smiles encouragingly and takes my hand in hers. "Just remember that you have lots of time," she reminds me kindly. "And if you ever do find someone you want to try loving, they'll be safe." 

I laugh lightly. "You shouldn't be worrying about me. You have a baby to grow."

"Bah, I don't have to do anything. My body does that for me."

I smile at her. "It's still important to be healthy and happy. What do you want for your future? With the baby?"

Zoe sighs happily and looks off into the distance. "Drols and I will raise the baby in a safe, loving home," she says. "I want him or her to have a good education, to meet amazing people, and to experience all the wonders of this world. I hope he or she will be able to go to Earth, someday, and see where I came from. I want him or her to have a career that they're passionate about and create meaningful relationships with people who will love and support them." She pauses for a moment before continuing, her voice gaining an excited edge. "I also plan on teaching them about our culture and our traditions so that they can carry it forward with pride!"

The passion in Zoe's voice is infectious, and I find myself wanting those same things for myself too now, especially stability, purpose, and happiness.

Zoe is so excited about the little one she's carrying, and I can't help but feel a little bit jealous of the joy she has found already.

"I can't wait to see what color eyes the baby will have," she says. "Neon like you and the other Novans? Or more like mine? Drols is already talking about what he wants to do for the nursery and has been preparing for the baby's arrival even though it won't be for so very long. A pregnancy with a Kurian baby takes so much longer than one with an Earthling baby."

As she goes on and on, I just listen, absorbing all her enthusiasm as if it were a summer breeze coming in through an open window.

Then Zoe turns to me with a twinkle in her eye. "And what about you? What are your plans?"

I scratch my head, a little thrown off by this question. "I don't know exactly yet," I admit.

"Well, I'm sure you're going to have the best years of your life ahead of you," she says determinedly.

"I hope you're right."

"I should be off." She hugs me tightly and then walks away, refusing to let me accompany her.

I watch as she goes and then rub my forehead.

None of those women she mentioned caught my eye, no, but that doesn't mean that maybe a different one hadn't...

2

Julie

When I first agreed to come to Kuria, I didn’t know what to expect, but I don’t think that becoming a farmer would’ve been anywhere close to being something I thought I would ever look forward to, but here I am, trying to get the red rock to produce food for us.

I'm not the only woman to be a farmer. There are several Novans who are also farmers. It's not easy. Some of the plants that grow here aren't edible. Others that we brought over from Earth aren't growing, so we're trying some of the plants from Nore. If they don't work, we'll have to see if we can cross-pollinate some of the plants from Earth with the native species here to see if we can come up with something that'll grow here and be edible.

I'm digging into the soil with a spade when a shadow crosses over me. I look up to see a woman there with short black hair and gray eyes.

“Hi,” she says. “I’m Lydia Chambers.”

“Julie Lawrence,” I say, shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you. Are you a farmer too? I haven’t seen you around before.”

Lydia shrugs. “I haven’t figured out what exactly I want to do, so I’ve been working here and there, trying to determine what I should do.”

“Well, if you want to spend the day with me, that’s fine,” I say.

She shakes a spade. “I’ve been given the equipment, but honestly, I didn’t even garden back on Earth so…”

“Gardening is so much different from planting crops,” I tell her.

“Oh, I’m sure, but I think my thumbs are more black than green.”

“Then why even bother to test out being a farmer for the day?” I ask. “Not that I mind, but you seem to have your mind made up already.”

“Maybe I do.” Lydia shrugs. “I just… Ever since coming here, I’ve felt like this is a second chance, you know? And I want to do things right.”

“Of course.”

She lifts her chin. “Why did you come?”

“Oh. Ah…”

“Were you one of the lottery girls?” she asks sympathetically.

“No! I came because I, well, I wouldn’t say that I wanted to. I wasn’t like some of those girls.”

“The money?” Lydia asks.

I nod.

“No shame in that at all,” Lydia declares.

I lift my eyebrows. “Is that why you came?”

“Not really. I came to get off Earth, basically. The town I lived in… I lived in the worst part of it. Gangs, so much violence, a shooting or two every day… I was almost on the street before the Grots came, and I jumped at the chance for a different life. Anything had to be better than that, I figured, and so far, I do think I made the right choice.”

“Oh, wow. I’m so sorry.”

She waves her hand. “What’s your deal?”

"I needed money for the hospital to pay for my mom's medical bills. The military took her in to handle her cancer. Not that handle's the best word, but you can't really take care of cancer." I shrug.

"Oh, fuck." Her expression twists into sympathy. "How is she?"

“She’s in remission now,” I say with a smile.

“That’s wonderful!”

“Yes, and they got her a house and everything, and she’s happy.”

“Have you been able to go back and visit and see her?”

I wrinkle my nose and shake my head. “I haven’t asked, so maybe they would let me, but I kinda think they would be more open to that if…”

“If what?”

“If I was married,” I say bluntly.

“Ah, you’re in the same boat as me, huh? I haven’t found one of these hunky blue-skinned freaks of nature to want me and only me in their beds.” She rolls her eyes and laughs.

“Lydia!”

She winks at me. “Don’t look at me like that. They’re all handsome.”

“Yes, I suppose…”

“You prefer guys who don’t look like bodybuilders?” she asks.

I shrug. “I… I don’t know.”

“You aren’t a virgin, are you?”

“No. You’re a blunt one, aren’t you?”

“I had to always keep my mouth shut back on Earth, and now that I’m safe here, I feel like I can say whatever’s on my mind.” She wrinkles her nose. “If that offended you, I’m sorry. I’ll tell you about my virginity. I lost it when I was thirteen.”

“Lydia, you don’t have to—”

“I was starving. My parents died a few months before then, and I ran out of food. The bank came to collect the house, and they found the drugs my parents had. I didn’t ever do drugs, and I could’ve sold them… I sold my body instead.”

“Shit, Lydia!”

She shrugs. “What’s done is done. Now, I can have sex with different Novans. It’s fun, having sex for pleasure. I even orgasmed a few times. I just don’t love any of them.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Lydia makes a face. “Please don’t. I don’t mind talking about my past, but if it gets to be too depressing…”

“All right, fine. Ah…”

Her new friend laughs. “Don’t worry. I can change the subject easily.”

I groan. “You’re going to talk about sex now, aren’t you?”

“I don’t see why it should be so taboo, but… I’m just curious. You’ve been on Kuria from the beginning, I take it, right? Like me?”

I nod.

“Well, then… Have you ridden Novan cock yet?”

“Ah…”

"If this makes you too uncomfortable, we can talk about something else," she says. "I'm sorry. Maybe I've gotten too comfortable being blunt."

“You’re fine,” I assure her. “I just don’t normally talk about sex so openly, but… no. I haven’t.”

“Haven’t ridden Novan cock or haven’t had sex with a Novan at all?”

“Not at all.”

“Wow. Waiting until you find love, huh?”

“I…” I wrinkle my nose. “I was really nervous when I came over, and I think they saw that. I know that they didn’t really understand about consent back then… but none of them approached me.”

“Wow. They were so rabid back then. I swear they would’ve fucked holes in the walls.” She shrugs. “Do you know that if they get an erection, they have to get off? They have to come, or else they’ll lose a ball or something. It sounded like bullshit to me, but I walked in on a guy who was beating off, and I asked him why he didn’t just see if a woman was willing to let him go off in her, and he said that it was just the wind that caused it… In case you’re wondering, I did help him.”

I touch a hand to my cheek. “Ah…”

“Too much?” Lydia wrinkles her nose. “I’m sorry.”

“No! It’s fine. I… I was wondering. I kinda figured, but I didn’t want to assume… or ask…”

“Well, since you’re a Novan virgin, if you have any questions…”

“I wouldn’t even know where to ask.”

“So I can tell you if you want.” She sits down next to where I’m working.

I eye her and then shrug. “All right. Fine. Let’s talk about Novan cock instead of trying to get crops planted.”

She winces. “I can work—”

"I'm joking. One day to screw around isn't all that terrible, and besides, it'll force you to come back tomorrow to try out being a farm girl. Okay?"

"Deal. Okay, so…" Lydia leans toward me as I shift from kneeling to sitting beside her. "Their cocks are huge. Massive. You aren't a virgin, right?"

“I already told you I’m not.”

“That’s a good thing because I can’t imagine taking one of their massive cocks inside me to break my hymen. Seriously! Their cum is yellow.”

“Not white? Oh, wow. I hadn’t even thought that it would be different.”

“Yep. In my experience, it tastes better than cum on Earth, but I suppose that has got to be a matter of personal opinion. Let’s see… They have no horns, nothing like that. No tentacles, so they can’t double penetrate in any way other than what a guy on Earth can. Oh, and they can last a lot longer than guys on Earth, and they can go for hours and hours. All you have to do is get ‘em hard again, and you can keep on going.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

“Oh, it can be, but when it feels good, you don’t care. Just make sure you don’t forget to eat and drink. It can burn up a shit ton of calories.”

“If you had sex with one of them all night long for that many hours…”

“It was just fucking,” Lydia says. “It wasn’t lovemaking.”

“Have you been in love?” I ask.

"Yes. Or at least I thought I was. There was a guy who was in his early twenties. I was fifteen at the time. He was a businessman, the son of the CEO of some major corporation. I tried to catch his eye, and I did get him to notice me. I did everything he asked of me. He had me as an intern, and I'm sure you can guess how that went. When he would want to duck out of meetings, he would go to his office, and he would take me from behind on his desk. One time, when he was on a call, he unzipped his pants, started to play with himself, and then gestured for me to suck him off. Like I said, whatever he asked, I did it, and I wanted to, but I guess eventually he got tired of me because I went in for work and was approached by his secretary and given a severance package. I hadn't even gotten a paycheck yet. Worked there all of ten days before he was tired of me. I don't know what I did wrong other than being stupid enough to think that he would one day bring me home to meet his daddy."

She’s smirking, though, so I don’t apologize, but I am thinking feverishly.

“Did you… You did something to get back at him, didn’t you?” I guess.

Her smile is huge. “I did. Take a guess.”

“You didn’t go public about it. You could’ve, though, with you being a minor.”

“No, nothing like that. Think…” She runs her tongue along her teeth. “Think bigger.”

I’m not sure what to think, but then she puts her tongue into her cheek.

“Did you… You slept with his father, didn’t you?”

"I did! I slipped into a black tie event. I found a dress at a thrift shop, and I cut it up to make it all sexy but sophisticated, and I made sure to bump into Daddy CEO. I did it in such a way that his drink spilled onto me, and I kinda cornered him, and we left the room to go upstairs… I've gotten good at pickpocketing over the years, so I called Derrick on his father's phone, and he came into the room right as I finished sucking off his father. Derrick got a tongue lashing for walking in, and I smiled at Derrick as I licked my lips and then thanked his father and tucked him back inside his pants and zipped him up and almost got hired again, I think, but that was it. I washed my hands of them at that point, but the look on Derrick's face!"

“You’re crazy,” I marvel.

Lydia laughs. “When you have nothing to lose, you go for it, you know? You’re all in, and you? You should be all in. You came here for your mom, and I love you for that. That is so damn admirable. But that doesn’t mean you can’t eat cake too.”

I snort with laughter. “I can’t believe you said that I should eat cake instead of suck cock.”

“No. No sucking cock for you. Unless you want to, of course, but what you need is not fucking. Not even sex. You, my friend, need lovemaking.”

“Yeah, well…”

“Don’t worry.” She pats my hand. “I’ll help match you up with a Novan.”

Oh, God. Why does the thought of being set up with a Novan terrify me?

3

Nax

The women under my charge have all eaten dinner. Most of them have gone off to spend time with their boyfriends or husbands, and it feels my heart with joy that Overlord Nestrol’s plans are coming to fruition.

The Novans will not have to worry about the future. I'm sure of it.

A throat clears behind me, and I turn around to see another one of my women friends, Megan Reynolds.

“How are you, Nax?” she asks.

I grin at her. “I’m doing quite well, thank you.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

I narrow my eyes suspiciously. “Is something going on?”

“No,” she says almost too quickly.

I chuckle and would cross my arms if I could, but my arms are too muscular for that. “How about you try again?”

She laughs and shakes her head. “Nothing is going on!”

“I overheard some of you women telling another one… What was the phrasing? Something about protesting too much?”

Her eyes widen, and she lowers her jaw. “Really? You’re trying to quote Shakespeare to me?”

“Who is Shakespeare?” I ask curiously.

She laughs and shakes her head. "If it weren't for your blue skin... You're so easy to talk to, and I almost forget that you're an alien."

I snort. "This planet you're on is my planet," I tease. "You're the alien, not me."

"It's my planet too," she retorts playfully. "I live here, same as you."

"True, true. This Shakespeare. Does she live here?"

"She? No. Shakespeare isn't a woman, and he isn't alive either. His plays are well-renowned," she says, animated. "He wasn't just a playwright. He was also a poet, and maybe he was an actor too. I can't remember if he acted in any of the plays... but he wrote some of the most influential works of literature that are still studied today. Or at least it was until the Grots..." She trails off. "I would hope that everything is back to rights with schools."

I wince. Earth had been attacked before we arrived to finish off the Grots, but it has been some time since then, and I would hope that a lot of the Earth cities that had been destroyed had been rebuilt by now.

Megan shakes her head. "He wrote plays like Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet, and that's just a few of them. He also wrote a ton of love sonnets."

I listen intently as she speaks about him with such enthusiasm. I can tell she loves it.

"Which play or sonnet contained that protesting line?" I ask.

“'The lady doth protest too much, methinks' is the full quote. It's from Hamlet. It's actually my favorite of his plays, but it's basically to say that the woman is protesting too much and lying. It also says a lot about the one saying that quote because she's not as sincere as she would like others to believe."

"That sounds... a bit complicated," I admit.

"It isn't. I'm making a mess of explaining this, but trust me, Shakespeare is only one of the greatest writers of all time, and that is not protesting too much. That is the truth!"

I laugh. "I believe you."

"Good."

"But I also believe that there's something more to your happiness," I say pointedly.

Megan ducks her head. "Maybe..."

"What is it?"

"Can you tell me about Aivex?" she asks in a rush.

I nod, and a smile forms on my lips as I begin to suspect why she's asking about him. "Well, Aivex is a Novan, obviously. Before the Grots came to Nore, Aivex had been sent to various planets as an advance scout to do reconnaissance on other planets to gain allies for us. He's kind, intelligent, and brave. I'm proud to work alongside him."

"Wow," Megan says, her eyes wide with admiration. "He sounds incredible!"

Her cheeks are slightly pink, and I can tell that she has a crush on the Novan Aivex.

"He... I haven't talked to him a lot, but there's something about him..."

I chuckle to myself. She seems to be entranced already.

"He is rather courageous," I say.

"Strong, too, but then all of you are," she murmurs. "He... Is he kind? Intelligent?"

I nod. "Very much so."

She seems to care more about the latter emotions, which doesn't surprise me. Megan has always been more about the internal rather than the physical. I can't always say the same for Novans. We're so sexual that we sometimes have sex first and get to know the woman second. Now that we're with a species that is less sexually charged compared to our almost hyper-sexuality, it makes sense to get to know the woman first and then take her to bed.

It's obvious in the way she talks about him that she is hoping to get to know him, and I love him for her. She's sweet and intelligent, so it's no small wonder that she wants someone else who is smart. She really looks up to him and maybe even idolizes him a bit.

I smile knowingly at her as I say, "Aivex got entangled in a war between two planets, and he single-handedly saved hundreds of lives. He destroyed weapons on both sides of the war so that they couldn't be used against the other side. Then, he served as an impartial intermediary, and the result is a peace that still exists, so far as I know."

"That is... something," she murmurs, her cheeks dusted with pink.

I can't hold back. "You have a crush on him."

Megan looks away, embarrassed. "Do not."

"Do too," I tease. 

She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. "No, I don't!"

"So why are you so interested in hearing about him?" I ask knowingly.

Megan scowls, obviously reluctant to admit the truth, but eventually admits it with a sigh. "Okay, maybe I do like him a little bit."

I laugh and pat her shoulder encouragingly. "It's okay to like someone! That's nothing to be ashamed of." 

A hint of a smile appears on Megan’s face, and she glances down at her hands shyly before looking back up at me with determination in her eyes.

"What else would you like to know?"

"Oh, um," she stammers, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Well, what's he like? Does he have any hobbies? Is he close with his family? Oh, that's a rather stupid question. His mother... any sisters..."

The questions come out in a rapid-fire succession that clearly shows the level of interest she has in him.

I chuckle and answer each one of her questions to the best of my abilities.

"Aivex has a fondness for tinkering and restoring old items as well as hunting and flying. He is close to his family and kept in regular contact with them despite being away for so long. His mother... died in the attack with the Grots, naturally, and he has two brothers who still live and two others as well as a sister who died fighting the Grots. When that occurred, Aivex himself had been across the galaxies. He came back after he received word, and he helped with coming up with the technology that saw to their end."

Megan listens intently, hanging onto every word I say about him.

"Have you spoken to him yourself?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "Not... not much," she admits.

"Why not?"

She rubs the back of his neck. "Why would he want anything to do with me? My life is so boring compared to all of that. I have nothing of merit that I've done, nothing to interest him. I don't... I never just wanted to be a wife, to pump out babies. I know that must sound terrible to you when you need babies so much, but..."

"You want to be more than just a wife. I don't see anything wrong with that. Novan women all held jobs, but I wouldn't say that you are boring, Megan. Just because you haven't helped to end wars doesn't mean that you aren't important."

"I... I was a writer back on Earth," she says in a rush. "Novans don't have the same entertainment that we do, and I... When the world collapsed after the Grots came... There wasn't money, no banks... People didn't care about entertainment. My livelihood went down the toilet. I never went to college to learn how to do anything else. I mean, I made enough money writing thrillers that I lived in a huge house. I supported myself, and I loved it. Creating up mysteries, people in danger, trying to outsmart murderers or other criminals... But that no longer had a place in the world, and I didn't either. Even here, I feel like there's still no place for me."

"Why can't there be?" I ask. "Why can't you create stories for us?"

"What would you eat to read?" she asks dejectedly.

"I don't know. Is it possible for me to read one of your stories?"

"I suppose," she says slowly.

"Maybe you could let Aivex read one of them," I tease.

her eyes widen, and she shakes her head.

"No?" I laugh. "That's your greatest accomplishment! Why wouldn't you want him to be impressed by your merit?"

"I made a living creating characters and terrible circumstances for their lives. It's nothing... It's not that impressive."

"If you sold enough to live comfortably, then that is impressive. Why are you discounting your own efforts?" I tilt my head to the side. "You baffle me. Honestly, you do."

Megan takes a deep breath and looks away, her cheeks flushing. "I guess I just don't want to seem too braggart or fill him with false expectations," she finally whispers.

"It's okay to be proud of yourself," I say gently. "After all, you've created something unique and wonderful that clearly many people have enjoyed. That's not something everyone can do! Think about the stories Novans need right now, stories that will inspire us and make us smile in these difficult times. Stories of courage and strength, stories of hope and love, stories that will bring solace to those who feel alone." 

She smiles at me softly and then looks down at her hands resting in her lap before meeting my eyes again. "Maybe I could write stories like that? Maybe it's something I can do for Novans."

"You certainly could!" I encourage her. "Novans love myths about brave heroes, tales of friendship..."

Megan takes a deep breath and nods her head. "You're right," she says. "Maybe I can take some of the stories I wrote back on Earth, or create some new ones, and adapt them to our current life here on Novan. I love creating mysteries and suspenseful stories, so maybe I could write a murder mystery about an old Novan family with secrets that must be uncovered before their killer is brought to justice." 

The ideas just keep coming as we brainstorm other potential stories that Novans might like to read. There's the story of two best friends who team up to save their planet from a corrupt ruler, a sci-fi adventure set in outer space, and a thriller about a group of underdogs taking down an oppressive government.

"The struggle of living on a new planet, the danger of fighting off enemies, discovering new technology and ways to use it for the betterment of our society... That kind of thing," she murmurs.

"Yes, exactly."

She beams. "I'm excited!"

"Good, but maybe there could be a main character with yellow hair and blue eyes who falls in love with a blue-skinned man with neon pink eyes," I tease.

Megan narrows her eyes at me. "I am not going to write a story that has me as the main character!"

"It could be a subplot," I say innocently. "Just make sure there's a scene where the two of them get it on."

"Nax!"

I laugh as she swats at me and then hurries away, hopefully to write a story.

Or maybe to talk to Aivex.

I really hope that’s the case.

4

Julie

It’s scary how excited Lydia is about matching me up with one of the Novans. That glint in her eyes has me wanting to put a halt to all of this.

But I don’t. Maybe, deep down, I wouldn’t mind so much if I were able to find love. Yes, I did this for the money, but the Novans have been good to me. I’ve been fed and housed, and all they want in return is the possibility of my finding love so I could have a baby with the alien of my dreams. It’s really not too much to ask.

And if I don’t find love, well, that wouldn’t be any different from how things are now, right? Again, what’s the harm?

"Come on," Lydia says, standing and holding out her hand.

I take it warily. "What do you have in mind?"

"Do you know Brud?"

I shake my hand.

"I'm about to change that," she says eagerly. "I think he's perfect for you."

She starts to walk away, and I fall into step beside her.

"What makes you think he's such a good match for me?" I ask.

Lydia grins. "Brud is a Novan who knows what he wants and goes after it. He's the kind of man who loves to explore and experiment, which matches your wild side perfectly." She pauses to look at me with admiration in her eyes. "He's also quite charming, with a funny sense of humor that will make you laugh out loud."

I burst out laughing. "You don't know me at all if you think I have a wild side."

"Well, you need to know. Maybe you do, and the right guy has to unlock it." She shrugs. "You'll still meet him, right?"

"I guess, yeah."

Lydia gives me a mischievous smile. "He's tall, dark, and handsome. Smart too."

She practically drags me along to the housing where the Novans live. She walks with purpose, clearly knowing which one is his. Soon enough, we come to a stop in front of the house that must be his.

My heart flutters nervously in anticipation as Lydia knocks on the door. It opens just a little bit, and she shrugs at me before pushing it open all the way, and we step inside.

The room is enormous and filled with light from skylights above us. In its middle stands a Novan who must be Brud. Tall, dark-blue-skinned, just like she said. No shirts, but then again, none of the Novans ever do.

Brud beams at Lydia. "How are you, Lydia?"

"I'm good," she purrs. "I want you to meet my friend. This is Julie."

"Hello, Julie." Brud flashes his smile at me.

I smile weakly in return and force my gaze away from his bare chest. I'm always so awkward in these situations, even if Brud looks like someone who is easy to get along with.

We make small talk for a while, discussing the other Novans and our respective cultures. We laugh too, as he tells me about some of the more ridiculous customs on Novan. But no matter how much we talk or joke around, I just don't feel that connection with him that I know other people have when they meet their soul mates. He's nice enough, and I can tell he's trying his best to make conversation with me, but something's missing. It's almost as if I'm going through the motions without any real emotion behind it.

And yet, when we finally say goodbye after an hour or so of talking, there is a momentary pause where we look at each other with something else in our eyes. Respect perhaps?

"So, Brud's a no, huh," Lydia says as we leave his place.

"Was I that obvious?" I ask, wincing.

"Well, yeah. You didn't ask me to leave, and I had a feeling that if I had, you would've bolted right after me, but that's fine. No big deal. Let's go see... Avu. Do you know him already?"

"No. How many Novans do you know?"

"Oh, I like to make friends wherever I go," she says. "Friends are so much better than enemies."

"Uh..."

"I don't have any enemies here on Kuria," she assures me. "Back on Earth, though... all those gangs... you had to be careful who you allied yourself with, and being friendly with everyone didn't always play in my favor, but I did whatever I had to in order to survive."

Avu's house isn't that far away, and Lydia knocks again.

A Novan with no hair on his head instead of the usual dark blue most have locks opens the door. "Lydia," he says warmly.

I love that everyone is always so happy to see her, but I wish Didn't immediately wonder if she slept with them. Not that it matters. I'm sure every single Novan has slept with many other people before coming here. I'm not a virgin myself, so I'm not judging... I guess I'm just worried because the Novans are probably going to want to sleep together right away, and I'm used to being a little slower-paced than that.

"And you are..." Avu grins at me.

I try to smile back, but my heart is pounding in my chest and I'm not sure what to say. He seems nice enough, but there's no spark, no connection.

Inwardly, I sigh. I know that Lydia means well. Who knows? She might think this could be a match made in heaven for me, but she thought of Brud first, and it doesn't feel like either of them might be the one.

Still, we sit down and start talking about topics ranging from our interests to the state of the universe. Avu is just as good-looking as Brud, maybe even more so. His eyes seem kind and his skin flawless, yet I still feel nothing for him personally or romantically.

We don't spend nearly as much time there, though, and I wrinkle my nose at Lydia.

"I'm sorry."

"Why? Don't be. This is fun." She taps a finger to her cheek. "What exactly are you looking for in a guy?"

"Ah..." After some thought, I finally say, "I want someone who's passionate and ambitious, someone who can challenge me intellectually, someone who is creative and has a great sense of humor. I want a guy who is genuine, kindhearted, and respectful. Someone who loves adventure and exploring the world around them as much as they love being with me. Someone who I can be myself around, let my guard down, and just be silly with. I'm looking for someone to share life's moments with, both big and small, that will make us laugh until we cry, that will make us think deeper about difficult topics, that will encourage us to pursue our dreams fearlessly, that won't ever let us forget how beautiful life can truly be." I wrinkle my nose. "I want too much. That's why I'm single on a planet where guys are desperate to make a woman fall in love with them."

"Not at all," Lydia assures me. She smiles at me knowingly. "Sounds like you have a pretty clear idea of what you're looking for," she says. "Maybe Avu wasn't 'the one,' but don't give up hope just yet. Your soulmate is out there. I'm sure of it. Tell me more."

"More?"

She nods.

Lydia clearly isn't going to accept that I have nothing more to say, so I think longer and harder.

"Well, I guess someone who appreciates me for who I am and respects my boundaries. Someone who can make me laugh, but also understands when I'm serious. Someone strong yet gentle, reliable yet unpredictable, understanding yet firm, supportive yet independent, honest and trustworthy, loyal and caring."

Lydia gapes at me.

I burst out laughing. "I'm sorry. I had to. You should've seen your face!"

"How am I supposed to help you when you won't give me anything to work with?" she gripes, throwing up her hands as she tilts her head back to stare up at the sky.

"Fine," I murmur. "I want someone I can have an intellectual connection with, engage in lively debates about world affairs, or just sit quietly together in companionable silence watching the stars. Someone whose mere presence makes me feel at ease, but whose absence leaves me aching for his return. Someone who understands me, someone I can have a conversation with and laugh with, someone who likes to explore new places and tries new things. Someone who is kind and compassionate, but also strong and confident. Someone who can make me feel safe in the world we live in, but not stifle my independence."

Lydia smiles warmly. "That sounds like it could be hard to find," she admits, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up."

"Me neither," I whisper. I smile back, feeling a little more hopeful. "I know it won't be easy," I admit, "but I'm sure there's someone out there for me."

We start to head back toward the field in silence. Before we're even halfway back, though, Lydia halts.

"You know what? I think I may know someone who might fit all of your criteria perfectly," she says.

"Seriously?" I find that so hard to believe.

She nods. "Yeah, seriously. His name is Hazi, and I met him shortly after we came here.  I think you two would get along very well. He has all the qualities you're looking for—he's smart, ambitious, creative, loyal, kind, and funny. Plus, he loves to explore new places and experience different cultures. He's got that intellectual curiosity you were talking about, but he also loves to have fun. He has an adventurous spirit and is always trying something new."

She looks at me expectantly, as if silently asking me if I want to meet him.

My first response is hesitation. What if this guy isn't the one? What if Lydia is right? What if this Hazi could be my soulmate? Could Lydia have actually hooked me up with the perfect guy?  I can already feel my heart racing in anticipation. Could this be it?

"Do you want to meet him?" she asks excitedly. "I'm sure he'd love to meet you too!"

I take a deep breath before responding. "Yes," I say finally, with a nod of my head. "Let's do it."

Lydia beams at my answers and jumps up, clapping her hands in excitement. I love how she's so happy for me, but I'm trying not to be too delighted. I don't want to get my hopes up too high in case he's not the one.

We turn right back around, and she brings me to Hazi's house. I'm feeling more and more excited as we get nearer. As we approach his front door, butterflies start to flutter in my stomach. What if he doesn't like me? What if things are really awkward? I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

He's just exiting as we approach his house.

"Lydia! It's been a while," he says. "How are you? Married yet?"

"Nope," she says cheerfully. "Speaking of marriage..."

She turns to me, and I step forward.

"Hi," I say nervously. "I'm Julie."

"It's nice to meet you, Julie," he says. "Any friend of Lydia's is a friend of mine."

I try to think of something to talk about when the door behind him opens, and a woman comes out.

I glance at Lydia, who is glaring at Hazi.

"You're married?" she asks.

"We will be tomorrow," the woman says, beaming, coming up to her fiancé."

"That's great," I murmur. "Isn't that great, Lydia?"

"Terrific," she says.

Hazi doesn't seem to understand why we're no longer quite so happy. "Do you two want to come in? I would love to catch up with you, Lydia, and get to know you..."

"Julie," I mumble.

"I think we're going to get going, actually," Lydia says. "It's nice to meet you..."

"Crystal," his fiancée says with a laugh.

We wave to her and walk off, listening to the door shut behind us. We don't get very far when I glance over my shoulder. The house looks a bit too quiet. No lights are on in any of the windows, and I can't help but fight back a deep sense of disappointment.

In one of the windows, there's a faint glow in the darkness. There are two silhouetted figures standing side by side in front of the window. He's undressing her.

I glance away, not wanting to spy on their lovemaking.

Maybe one day I’ll meet my soulmate.

If I even have one.

5

Nax

The next day, I'm making the rounds. Now that the women have picked jobs, they all seem much happier here on Kuria, but it also means I have a far greater area to travel to guard over the women and make certain their needs are all provided for.

Well, not entirely provided for. I can't, after all, provide for their sexual needs.

On this day, I head over to the farming land. Kuria doesn't have much water at all above the surface. Our scientists, both Novan and Earthling, have been working together to purify the water. There have been geysers and such in certain areas. It's not really my area of expertise, but I try to stay abreast of what's going on everywhere on the planet.

For now, I merely head over toward the farm. It's early, very early, and I doubt that many will be out working, but there is a least one figure in the field.

I halt and watch enough to ensure that the person is a woman before approaching her.

She has blond hair and blue eyes, full lips, and a curvy body...

Those full lips curl into a small smile as she looks up at me. "Hi."

"Hello," I say.

"Are you..."

"I'm a guard. Nax."

"I'm—"

"Julie."

She blinks in surprise.

I rub the back of my neck and try not to be so self-conscious. "We, ah, we met before."

"Ah. I... It's nice to see you again, Nax." Her cheeks blush, and she returns to her work.

I grunt, watching her. Honestly, I haven't been able to get Julie out of my mind since I first met her, and I have dreamed about her, but clearly, I hadn't made a similar impression on her.

"What are you doing?" I ask after a few moments, blurting out the words before I can stop myself.

Julie looks up at me, her surprise obvious before she clears her throat and says, "I'm planting some new hybrid plants. We're trying to see if they'll take root and produce edible fruit in the red soil here on Kuria."

She gestures to the rows of small plants with long green leaves and bright yellow flowers already blooming in the field. 

"It's been difficult," she continues, "working with plants from two different planets, but we're trying to figure out what works. We're hoping that soon, we'll have a successful harvest, but it's too early to tell yet."

In spite of my initial embarrassment at being caught staring at her, I find myself fascinated by what she's saying. I don't know much about farming or plant life, but there is something very calming and meditative about watching Julie work in this way.

"Anything interesting?" I ask, curious despite myself.

Julie smiles and begins to tell me about the plants she has been experimenting with, some of which are native to Nore, provided by those of us who had plants in our fighter ships when we left our home planet in exile to flee the Grots, while others are from Earth. She talks about how she has been working on hybridizing and adapting them while also attempting to find ones that will bear edible fruit in order to supplement the food supply here on Kuria.

The passion in her voice is inspiring as she speaks of her work, and I can't help but be captivated by her enthusiasm for her experiments and research. The thought of her discovering something that could benefit us all fills me with a sense of pride for both Novans and Earthlings alike—for all of us who have decided to make this our home.

"That's incredible," I reply, genuinely impressed by her ingenuity. "What sort of plants were they? Have you had any success?"

Julie grins widely at me, proud of her work. "They're a mix of Earthling and Novan plants, adapted for our current situation here on Kuria. So far, it's been mostly trial and error. A lot of error." She laughs.

"But each attempt of cross-breeding the different species has to get you closer to potentially creating a new type of plant that will thrive."

"Oh, definitely. The animals who are here are mostly carnivorous. There are only a few plant eaters, but those plants, we can't eat, not Earthlings, not Novans, so it's... Eating only meat isn't ideal, but there at least is plenty of that here."

"It's amazing how important your work here is. I appreciate your efforts. Er, all of us Novans do."

She laughs again. "It's not the most glamorous of jobs."

"I think it's pretty impressive," I say, my voice a bit too low to hide my admiration.

I try to flirt with her, but it's awkward. She just smiles and continues her work. 

Bending over to tend the plants reveals the curves of her body beneath her clothing, and I have to fight down a sudden wave of arousal. She seems unaware of my gaze as she carefully inspects each plant, checking for any signs of disease or insects. It's mesmerizing watching her work, and I can't help but feel drawn to her at that moment—not just for her beauty, but for the knowledge that she is doing something important here on Kuria.

"It's important work," I insist. 

Julie smiles and looks away, a hint of shyness in her expression.

I take a step closer to her, crouch down, and brush my fingers against her arm. She looks up at me, wide-eyed, and my heart pounds in my chest.

"Can I help you with anything?" I whisper.

"I..." She glances away. "The others... the farmers... they should be up and ready to help soon. I didn't get much work done at all yesterday, so I got up early..."

I nod and straighten, trying to ignore the way my body is responding to hers so close by. 

"I should maybe..." She stands and brushes the dirt from her hands. "It's important work, yes. I just hope that one day soon this will all be worth it." 

My heart swells with admiration for her dedication and passion for what she does.

I hope I'm not going to make things awkward between us, and I reach out to push a stray strand of hair away from her face, but she turns away.

"Thank you," she said softly, her back to me, "for understanding why I'm doing this. I need to get more seeds."

And off she goes, her ass swaying as she hurries away, and I lose the fight. My cock hardens in seconds, and I grit my teeth.

Ovian. Why do Novans have to be so sexual? If I don't flamindulis, or masturbate as the Earthlings call it, I could lose one of my balls.

I glance around wildly and find a nearby tree that is thick enough that it should hide me from view from anyone who might come by. I rush over there and free my erection, my cock thick in my large hand.

My mind brings up the image of Julie in front of me, her curves beneath her clothing, and I start to stroke myself. I imagine pushing her against the tree and devouring her mouth with mine as my hands pull at her clothes. She moans into my mouth as I press my hardness against her to tease us both. My fingers move faster over my length as I imagine sliding into her tight heat, feeling every inch of her walls embrace me.

But then Julie pushes me away, giving me that small, shy smile of hers before she goes down onto her knees in front of me. I close my eyes and stroke myself faster as I imagine the softness of her skin beneath my fingers and the warmth of her mouth around me as she takes me in deeper and deeper.

My breath comes fast as my climax nears, and I can imagine Julie looking up at me through half-lidded eyes with a satisfied smirk on her face.

My other hand moves up and down, each movement causing pleasure to ripple through me. I imagine it's Julie's hands on me, her mouth, her body pressed against mine as we make love. My breathing speeds up, and I focus my mind entirely on the sensations of pleasure coursing through my body.

I continue to stroke myself faster and faster until that same urge from earlier returns, and I can't hold back any longer. A deep moan rumbles out from me as pleasure rocks through my body and I reach my climax, the warmth of it spilling onto the ground beneath me. I come with a loud moan that echoes off of the trees surrounding me. My hips jerk forward as the pleasure rips through my body, sending shockwaves down to my toes.

My legs shake from the force of my orgasm, and I slump against the tree, panting heavily and struggling to catch my breath. At that moment, all I could think about was how wonderful it would be to share all of myself with Julie, not just my cock but my mind too.

I rest for a few minutes before pulling myself together and walking back toward the farmland. Julie might not want me, but at least now I'm satisfied with a temporary distraction from my overwhelming desires for her.

I stand there for a moment more before gathering myself and heading back to the spot where Julie had been working on the plants just moments ago. Thankfully, she's gone now, but now so is some of that tension that was between us. With any luck, I can pull myself together so I can keep her safe because I spy some animals not too far off. They might be interested in the plants. Maybe I should talk to Drols and some of the builders about making a fence around the farmland.

And maybe I should think about putting up a fence between myself and Julie because if I'm not careful, I'm going to lose myself to her. She's shy, and I don't want to scare her off.

But I also need to ensure that all women are safe, not just her. I can't afford to risk falling for her.

Flamindulis is one thing, but I can't risk going further.

6

Julie

I can't help feeling a little unnerved that Nax knew my name. We clearly met already, like he said, because how else did he know my name? But I didn't remember him, and I feel so terrible about that.

I made an excuse to leave to try to recover my emotions, but I actually do grab some more seeds.

Lydia approaches me before I can return to my workstation.

"How did you sleep?" she asks.

I shrug one shoulder.

"You look far too wide awake," she grumbles. "Do all farmers get up ridiculously early?"

"I got up early today." I poke her shoulder. "Don't forget that you promised to actually farm today."

"Yeah, yeah," she says, waving her hand. "Lead the way."

I head back toward my station when Lydia grabs my arm.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Is that... Nax?"

I nod.

Her eyes widen, and she shakes me a little.

"What's going on?" I ask, laughing at her antics.

"Nax!" she shouts.

"What about him?"

"He's perfect! He's perfect for you."

I wrinkle my nose. "Why do you say that?"

Lydia grins and takes my arm. She leads me over to where Nax is standing, talking with a few other farmers nearby.

"Look," she says. "He's kind. He's got a good sense of humor. He's polite and hardworking... all things you love in a man." She smiles at me, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Do you know him already?"

I shrug and look away.

"You knew his name," she points out.

"Well, we spoke some this morning already," I admit.

"What did you think of him?" she asks eagerly.

I bite my lower lip and sigh heavily. "He knew my name. I... I don't remember when we met, though. He had to re-introduce himself to me."

I expect that to be a negative strike against me, but Lydia's grin only grows.

"That's a plus! He obviously knows you already. I mean, how else would he know your name? Just because you didn't remember him doesn't mean anything. You weren't looking for love then, right? But you made an impression on him. Clearly."

"Or that's his job," I point out. "He's a guard. He should know our names."

"Trust me. His remembering you... it means that there must be some sort of connection between the two of you." She then gives me an encouraging smile and a pat on the back.

"I don't know..."

"He's kind, he's smart, and he looks at you like the sun rises and sets just for you." 

I burst out laughing. "That's not true! He hasn't even looked this way once!"

"Ah, so you're paying that close attention to him to realize that?"

"Do you always lie to your friends?" I grumble.

"Trust me. He will look at you that way." She nods knowingly and smiles widely. "You should go for it! I know it feels scary, but believe me, if there's a chance of love, you should take it."

"Oh, so now it's love, huh? Yeah, I don't think so."

"It will be," Lydia sings.

"Like it was with Brud?"

"Don't you worry about him. I already think I know who else might be good for him."

I blink a few times.

Lydia leans against me playfully. "I want to be a matchmaker for more than just you," she says, "but don't you worry. Brud can wait until you're safely married. Still, I can just tell there's something going on between you two."

"There isn't," I protest.

"I can just tell," she says confidently. "He was looking at you differently than he did me. He likes you."

"When?"

"Just now, when you were looking at me and not him," she says triumphantly.

I glance over my shoulder at Nax. He's not looking this way.

And then he does, and he nods to me and smiles.

"He's normally stoic, but he's friendly," Lydia says. "Just the two of you earlier, huh? What did you talk about?"

"The plants."

She says nothing.

"Boring, right? He isn't going to want to continue to talk to me."

"Did he seem bored?" she asks, turning more serious.

"Well, no, but he was just being polite."

"I would say that Nax is friendly but not really polite. If he seemed interested, it's because he was. Either in plants... or with the lady talking to him."

She grins and nudges me with her elbow. I don't know what to think, if she's right or not, but I can feel my cheeks flush as I think about what it would be like to pursue a relationship with Nax. 

Lydia must see the look on my face because she squeezes my arm. "Go for it," she urges. "What do you have to lose? Nax is kind, thoughtful and obviously cares about you a lot already." 

She looks so excited that I almost can't help but smile back at her enthusiasm.

But then I remember my mom. I know she isn't sick at this moment, but I can't ever truly believe that her cancer won't ever come back, and the fear of losing her reignites within me. I love my mom more than anything. Ever since she had been first diagnosed, I've felt too terrified to think of entering into a relationship with a man while she battles cancer. I know I came here to try to start one, though, so maybe now is the time, but...

"I don't know," I admit. "My mom—"

Lydia immediately understands and wraps an arm around me in a comforting hug. "Your mom is strong," she says gently, "but you are stronger. You can do this. Isn't she doing better?"

"Yes," I admit.

"I know," she murmurs, hugging me. "You're afraid of losing her, and that's making you wary about relationships, right? I... I've been all over the place with my emotions and my thoughts on relationships. I never knew who to trust and who cared for me. I basically never really believed that anyone would love me, and I was certain everyone would end up leaving me in the end, just like my parents had. Did I tell you how they died?"

"No," I murmur.

"But you can guess, right?"

I hang my head. "Drugs?" I mumble.

She nods. "Yes, a drug overdose. Do you know that they tried to get me to take some of it? Hell, I don't even know all of what they had been on. So I know what it's like to be worried and to put up walls, but I'm in a better place mentally now, I think, especially since coming here. I might sleep around, and I might not have found love yet, but it'll happen one day. I know it will. It will happen to you too. When you're ready."

"What if... I need to, and I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

"What if I don't know what love is? Romantic love? The guys I had been with on Earth... They all cheated on me. I wasn't enough for them. The one guy said I didn't give him oral enough, and I sucked him off every night before we went to sleep. We had been together for six months before that started, and we did other things too... Another guy asked me about a threesome. I said no, so it turned out that he had one without me so..."

"Those guys are assholes," Lydia says firmly. "You're better off without them, and I can promise you that won't happen with Nax."

"Only if he loves me, right? Otherwise, all Novans are players."

She grimaces. "They have a different culture..."

"I know," I mumble. "I just... I have issues, I guess."

"Understandable so. If you aren't ready, you aren't ready, and that's fine. When you are ready, though, maybe give Nax a look?"

I consider this. Maybe she's right. Maybe I can do this, but it doesn't make it any easier for me to take the leap of faith needed to start a relationship with Nax. Even if he does like me, even if we hit it off and become close friends, there is still no guarantee that our relationship will last. I can readily admit that my mom's bout with cancer has made me scared to start a relationship with any man. I'm afraid of getting hurt or, worse, of having to go through the pain of watching someone I love suffer and die.

But Novans don't seem to get sick or have cancer. They're healthy. I won't have to worry about sickness as far as Nax or any other Novan is concerned.

"Just think about it," Lydia murmurs before she heads over to other farmers. "So, what do you need help with?" she asks.

I watch her go for a moment before turning back to watch Nax. The butterflies in my stomach start fluttering again, but I don't dare walk up to him and start chatting. I have work to do, for one thing, but I will admit to myself that talking to him had been easy. I appreciate that he genuinely seemed interested in what I had to say and about my work.

So I get to work, but I find myself looking over at him time and again. I can't help but admire his strong features. His neon yellow eyes seem to twinkle when he laughs, and a pit forms in my stomach. I've always tried to be more about a mental connection with a person than just a physical one. With the Novans, it seems to always be physical, though, all about the physical, and there's nothing wrong with sex. It's just... I don't know. I'm worried, and I'm not sure about Nax or any other Novan for that matter.

Taking a deep breath, I realize that I'm just too unsure right now to start anything with Nax. I sigh, the butterflies in my stomach settling down a little. It wouldn't be fair to me or him, and so I decide to put it off for the time being. I need to take my time and be sure that he is worth it, that we are worth it. Maybe one day, but not today. Maybe in a few months or even a year from now, I'll feel confident enough to give him a chance. Until then, though, I plan on focusing on myself and my work.

Although it does seem like I might be considering him and only him...

I sneak a peek back in his direction and admire him from afar.

Maybe I'm just fooling myself.

Maybe I’m making excuses.

The government made it clear to me that they would help my mom no matter what happened with me here on Kuria, but I maybe should reconsider Nax already.

But love can’t be forced, right? And am I supposed to believe that my soulmate has always been a Novan? What if the Grots never came? Would I have had to live my life without my soulmate?

Are soulmates even real?

I don’t know what to believe, but I do know that I shouldn’t be making any rash decisions. 

I sigh and shake my head, pushing those thoughts away for now pushing back all of my worries and uncertainty. I have to focus on the present and do what is best for me. Right now, that means staying far away from Nax and not letting myself get too attached. I know that if I come any closer to him, it would be too easy to fall into his arms and never look back. But then again, he may never feel the same about me, so it’s better to keep my distance for now.

It’s hard to overthink this when there’s so much else going on right now. Maybe once things settle down a bit, I can think more clearly about how I feel and make a decision based on that rather than the fear of getting hurt or being abandoned like my mom was by her husband once she got sick. For now, though, all I can do is take it one day at a time and trust in myself, no matter what happens with Nax.

Taking a deep breath, I turn away from Nax and continue with my work. I'm just not ready yet.

7

Nax

I take a deep breath and turn away, heading in the direction of the builders. Even though I'm still filled with desire for Julie, I know that one way or another, I must keep her safe.

And away from me. 

When I reach the builders and talk to them and Drols, they are excited to hear my proposal. With some creativity and collaboration, we come up with a plan to install a fence around the farmland meant to both protect the crops from any animals looking for an easy meal as well as keep Julie and any other workers safe from any potential harm.

Over the course of the next few hours, I gather the materials the project will require. I want to make sure that Julie and all of the other workers can stay safe while they're out here.

The work begins almost immediately, and by nightfall, we have erected several posts along the perimeter of the farmland. Soon enough, we have erected sturdy wooden posts connected by thick coils of wire that will keep animals out. We use sturdy logs and metal bolts to construct the fence, making sure it is tall enough to deter any animals and thick enough so they can't squeeze through any gaps or crevices. We even use special hinges on each post so that it can be opened if someone needs to make their way inside or out quickly. The end result is a fence that will not only deter animals but also give everyone peace of mind knowing they are safe and can do their work without fear.

Once the fence is complete, we turn our attention toward constructing animal-proof barriers around Julie's plants. We build raised platforms around each plant bed, using metal spikes and poles that are sunk deep into the ground to form a protective wall. Each platform is crafted carefully so that not only will animals be unable to reach the plants, but it will also keep them away from the farmers.

The fence might not be enough to keep my desires for her away, but at least it will ensure that she's safe from any harm or danger.

And that is my job as a guard, after all, to protect Julie, the other women, and all of us.

With the fence completed and all the animal-proof barriers in place, I step back and survey my work with a sense of accomplishment. From here, Julie can work without fear and I can look out for her from afar. It's a way to protect her from any potential harm or danger.

And, if nothing else, at least she won't be able to see me ache for her anymore.

Has she even any idea that I Lon for her? I shouldn't, though. It would be much better for us both if she doesn't. I can't risk letting her know about my feelings because she might develop some in return...

I fear I wouldn't be able to resist her anymore.

Even though I want Julie, I'm not going to let my feelings for her get in the way of keeping her safe. From now on, I will protect her and all of the other women on this farm with everything that I have.

* * *

The next morning, the fence is still standing strong. I take a few steps closer to get a better look and ensure it's still in working order, and that's when I hear a scurrying noise nearby.

I turn toward the sound and see a wild animal attempting to find its way past the fence. Already, my fears are put to the test. A loud thud sounds as the strange animal tries to scramble up the fence but is unable to find purchase. Despite its best efforts, however, it fails in breaking through. It takes one look at me, turns around, and scampers away into the distance. 

I smile in satisfaction knowing that this fence has done its job of keeping Julie safe from any potential harm or danger. And with that thought comes a newfound strength in my resolve to protect her from myself as well as from others.

It's a clear reminder of how effective this barrier is and why it must be maintained at all times. Even though Julie might not know my feelings for her, she can feel secure in knowing that she is safe because of the measures I'm taking to protect her.

As I take a few steps back to admire our hard work, I notice an Earthling farmer approaching from the distance. She smiles warmly, and with a hint of admiration in her eyes, she says, "I wish to thank you on behalf of all of us farmers. This fence... You did an amazing job with it."

She places a hand on my shoulder, and while it is clear that her appreciation is genuine, I aim to remain professional and courteous only in return. I can tell she's flirting with me, but my priority is to protect Julie and all of the other farmers on this farm, not to pursue any romantic interests. Instead of responding to her flirtations, I simply offer a polite nod and decline her advances, hopefully without making it too obvious as to why I'm not reciprocating them. My gaze strays over to where Julie is working, and if I am not too careful...

My feelings for Julie might soon grow to be too strong to ignore any longer if I am not careful.

"Your words are kind. It is the builders you should be thanking. Our primary goal is to keep everyone safe."

The woman smiles and nods in understanding. "Of course. Naturally. Yes. I'll see you around."

She walks away quickly without looking back, and I continue on with my rounds and silently thank my newfound strength for helping me resist the temptation. 

* * *

At the end of the day, I head over to the houses where the builders live. I can just see the farmland and the fence in the distance.

As the builders who helped me with the project gather around, I hold up a barrel of vitodrink.

"I just wanted to thank you all for helping me with the fence," I say.

They laugh and cheer me, and we all enjoy the drink to celebrate our hard work, and I can't help feeling relieved that another day has passed without any incidents or complications.

All in all, this fence was worth every bit of effort that went into it, both practical and emotional. It is a reminder to be strong and keep moving forward, no matter how difficult it may seem, and with that thought, I can't help but feel grateful for Julie's safety as well as my own. With this new addition in place, Julie can now work with peace of mind and I can look out for her from afar knowing that she is safe from any potential harm or danger.

As I sip my alcoholic beverage created from vitoarium, I reflect on how useful this fence is in keeping Julie safe, both physically and emotionally. It's a comforting thought as I prepare myself to face her tomorrow, knowing that it is now my responsibility to keep her out of harm's way both inside and outside of these walls.

And with that, I turn my gaze to the horizon beyond the fence, watching as the sun sets behind the distant mountains. A builder asks me if any of the farmers caught my eye. I take a moment to think and then mumble, "No."

It's not an entirely honest answer, and the builder grunts.

I don't think he believes me.

I can't blame him, obviously.

"Are you sure about that?" he asks. "You know other guards have been around to keep watch on the farmers. None of them suggested a fence."

"The animals—"

"Yes, of course. The animals." The builder grunts. His name is Unos. "You know, sometimes I think the Earthling women think we're the animals."

"Do you blame them? How we were in the beginning..."

Unos grunts. "Have you?"

"Have I what?"

"I wasn't a breeder ever. I've been a builder all of my life, Nore and then here."

"It's in your blood."

"You could say that, but... I know Drols has himself a wife, but I haven't..."

"Are you asking if I fucked one of the Earthling women?" I inquire.

He nods.

I drain the rest of my vitodrink. Alcohol doesn't affect Novans like it does Earthlings, I've learned.

Unos chuckles. "I take that as a no."

"Have you?" I turn around the question on him.

"No," he says sadly. "I think I'm going to flamindulis my cock off."

"Have you tried to see if any..."

"I haven't. I've thought about it, but not many of them are builders, and it's hard to see any, but you... you're around them all the time. Day and night. You should be rolling around in all of that glorious Earthling pussy."

I grunt.

"If I were you, I would," he says. "Go on. Find a woman. Fuck her brains out for me."

I grunt again. "I'm off to bed."

"Take one of them with you," he calls.

I just shake my head and ignore him.

* * *

Generally speaking, I don't have a house of my own. I sleep near whichever part of Kuria I have been assigned to, so I have a small tent-like structure near the farmland. I can see the small dwellings of the farmers on the other side of the fence, and I wonder which one is Julie's. Does she live alone? Does she have a roommate?

I try to push her from my mind as I lie down to go to sleep.

But it's hard. The image of her beautiful, ivory face pops into my head once again.

I sigh. I can't help it, really. 

The way she looks at me with those deep blue eyes and her perfect lips just makes my heart ache for her even more.

Her face is constantly dancing in my head, like a dream of what could be. I can almost feel her lips pressing against mine, her body pressed against me as our skin touches and we lay in an embrace of love and passion.

The night passes slowly, and I spend most of the time dreaming about Julie... her beautiful face, her soft hair, the curves of her figure, the twinkle in her eyes when she smiles. I imagine us walking hand-in-hand through the field together at sunset and cuddling up together under warm blankets after a long day. 

I can almost smell the sweet scent of Julie's perfume mixing with the fresh air as we sit on one of the many hills on Kuria to watch the sun set on one of our nights off together, talking about anything and everything that comes to mind until morning arrives too soon. 

The thought lifts my spirits and sends warmth radiating throughout every corner of my being. I wrap my arms around her and enjoy the warmth of her body and smell the sweet scent of her hair as we lay together in the dark. Her skin is so soft against mine, and our lips linger in a passionate kiss that sends electric sparks through my veins.

Somehow, Julie and I are now standing at the edge of an azure sea. We're so close that our bodies are touching, and she looks up at me with eyes filled with love and longing. She takes my hands in hers and then brings them to her lips for a gentle kiss before she lets go, embracing me in a deep hug that feels like home. As we stand there together, surrounded by nothing but stars and saltwater air, I can't help but be overwhelmed by how safe I feel within the warmth of her embrace.

Somehow, I know that she knows where I stand in our relationship. She knows that I want to be with her but only if we make sure to keep our distance for now. 

And yet, all the barriers I built between us are gone in an instant. We're now standing in a field beneath a night sky lit up by a billion stars and Julie's hands slide around my waist as she whispers into my ear, "Let yourself go."

My body melts against hers and I know that this night is going to be something special. Our kiss is passionate, full of longing and desire, and when we finally break away from each other, we stare deeply into one another's eyes and see love and acceptance there.

We lay down under the stars, and Julie takes me in her arms, resting her head against mine. She speaks softly, her voice like a whisper as she tells me of all the wonderful adventures we will be able to enjoy together. I can feel every single word she says, and I know that I can never let go of this moment. 

The night passes quickly, and soon enough, we are laying in one another's arms beneath the blanket of the night sky. We don't say a word as I slowly peel off Julie's clothes, my breathing growing heavier with each passing second. I can feel her body heat radiating off her skin in the dark night air as I trace my fingertips along her curves, exploring every inch of her.

My heart is pounding in my chest as our eyes are locked in an intense gaze that speaks volumes without a single word. Our lips come together, and I feel a surge of pleasure deep within me as I run my hands all over her body, exploring every inch of her and sending shivers through us both. We become lost in one another, forgetting the world outside our embrace, and the only thing that matters is this moment and the sensations coursing through our veins.

We start to move as one, our bodies intertwined in a beautiful dance of pleasure that feels more natural than anything else. We kiss and caress each other with pure love, taking turns exploring one another's bodies until finally, it feels like we can go no further. 

We make love to each other beneath the stars for what seems like hours, our bodies move in perfect synchronicity.

Every touch ignites something within us both, and my climax is explosive as I imagine myself inside her, feeling her warmth engulf me as we kiss one final time. From the ways her walls collapse against my cock, milking out every last drop of ejaculate from my aching cock, I know that she orgasmed too. As our bodies tingle with pleasure, I can't help but feel like I'm dreaming as I drift off into a peaceful sleep while still holding onto Julie tight. 

When I wake up, however, reality sets in when I realize that Julie isn't here with me anymore. Instead, all I have are wet sheets from where I ejaculated all over myself during my dreams. It's clear that my dream was more than just a figment of my imagination. It was real for me too!

As real as it could be.

And yet not real enough.

8

Julie

To say that I feel like I’m going a bit crazy with it all is an understatement. I spotted Rosemarie talking to Nax, and it was just a short conversation. I have no idea what they talked about, but when he smiled at her, I could feel my stomach twist.

Jealousy? Why? I have no reason to feel jealous. It can’t be jealousy.

And I don’t think it is. I think it’s more nerves than anything.

It's all Lydia's fault. I had been perfectly fine here, working on my plants, trying to help to improve the lives of all Earthlings and Novans here on Kuria.

And now, she’s gotten me back to thinking like I had when I first came here.

Thinking about spreading my legs for a Novan on the chance I might get pregnant.

Only now we know what exactly has to happen for an Earthling and a Novan to have a baby. She has to orgasm when he ejaculates inside her, and the two have to be in love.

And maybe that's a little bit of where some of my worries come from.

The guys I had been with back on Earth? Not once did I ever come with them.

If I can’t come when I have sex with a Novan, I’ll never become pregnant, even if I do love him.

I’m sure Lydia will think it’s not going to be hard at all for a Novan to get me to come, but honestly, learning that their cocks are so thick and long actually might me even more nervous.

Maybe I need to stop focusing so much on the sex part and more on the other part.

The love part.

Marriage.

Lydia actually did some farm work yesterday. She told me she would be back around soon to check in on me, but she’s off to work with the builders, I think. She had been eyeing them as they worked on the fence, and I think she liked watching their blue muscles glisten with sweat as they worked.

I’m not sure who exactly to talk to about being married, though. I don’t think many of the farmers are, if any, and I want to talk to a woman, not a Novan about it. That would just be weird.

“What’s going on, Julie?” Octavia asks. She’s another farmer.

“I… I think for my lunch I’m going to head out for a bit.”

“Go for it,” she says. “You’ve been working so hard, harder than anyone.”

I shrug. “I don’t really think so.”

“You’ve been working so hard on the seeds and planting too. Most only do one or the other.”

I laugh and feel more than a little embarrassed.

“Where do you think you’re going to go?” she asks.

“I’m not sure.”

“Anyone you want to talk to?” She smiles at me, not really teasing like Lydia would’ve.

“Maybe someone who is married,” I say in a rush.

She blinks a few times.

“To get their perspective,” I mumble.

“Ah,” she says, understanding coloring her tone. “I’ll have the guard call you a driver. I’m sure he could help you out with finding someone to talk to.”

“Thanks,” I say warmly.

It doesn’t take long for a driver to arrive in his centuricmobile. I walk over and smile at the Novan. I think he looks familiar.

“Hi, Julie,” he says.

My eyes open wide.

He chuckles. “Scal called me for you,” he says, touching near his ear.

The Novans all have chips that help them to communicate with one another. It’s also how they’ve been able to speak in English or Spanish or whichever language and understand us. It’s very convenient for them, and I’m pretty sure some of the women have had chips implanted into them too.

Not me, though.

“Where can I take you?” he asks once I climb in to sit next to him.

“Ah… This question is going to sound ridiculous…”

“Go ahead,” he says, smiling at me.

He seems so nice and friendly. I’m almost positive he has to be married. He’s a lighter blue than a lot of Novans, and he has neon pink eyes.

"Ah… Are you married? Not because I want to… I would like to talk to your wife if you are. Or any married woman who is married to a Novan." I wrinkle my nose, hating that I'm rambling, but I tend to do that when I'm nervous.

“I am married,” he says. “I’m Fynn. My wife is Rose. I’ll swing you to my place so you two can talk. Not a problem at all.”

Fynn is definitely an extrovert. He talks the entire short drive, but maybe he senses that I'm not a big talker, so he just handles the conversation mostly all by himself, which suits me just fine. I do listen to him. I'm not rude, but I'm nervous, like always.

He climbs down when we arrive, and he walks me up to the door, which opens before he can.

“Is everything all right?” the beautiful woman with golden skin, pink lips, dark green eyes, and wavy blond hair asks.

“Rose, this is Julie. She would like to talk to someone married to a Novan.”

Rose beams at me. “Hi, Rose. Come on in. Fynn, shoo.”

He laughs as she drags me inside.

“So…” Rose gestures for me to sit. “Do you want some wine or…”

“Wine?”

She nods. “Fynn managed to get some from Chrix. He’s a pilot. I can’t have any right now, and my friend Amber will be coming over soon, and she can’t have any either.”

“You both are pregnant?” I assume.

Rose beams. “Yes! So wine…”

“No, thanks but no. I don’t like to drink alone.”

“I can drink in spirit, but that’s fine. So… You have a Novan in mind, huh? But you’re nervous?”

“Basically… yes and no.” I make a face. “I’m nervous about even dating a Novan, and I… He’ll want sex right away, and I… That might be fine. Maybe not. I don’t know.” I cover my face with my hands.

“Just talk to him,” Rose says. “Now that they know that we aren’t like Novan women, for the most part, they’ve been very understanding, at least from what I hear. I’ve been out of the dating game for a while now.”

“It didn’t take you long to find him, huh?”

“Not too long.” She smiles dreamily. “I think most of us aren’t sure what to think when we first come.”

“I… I’ve been here since the beginning,” I admit.

“And there’s no reason to be worried that you haven’t found one already,” she assures me. “Love can take time.”

"I just… Do they know love? For real?"

“It might start out as lust, but lust can turn into love, and honestly, I think lust gets a bad rap. When you have love and lust together, it means magic in the bedroom. Believe me, you want lust in the bedroom.”

“In the marital bed, maybe,” I mumble.

Her soft features form a picture perfect version of sympathy. I don’t have to tell her that I’ve been cheated on. She can read between the lines.

“It can be hard to put yourself out there,” she says, “but if you find—”

A knock sounds at the door.

“Amber?” Rose calls.

“Yep!”

“Come on in.”

A woman with long blond hair whose curls bounce as she bounces inside beams at us, dimples appearing. She has a massive chest and is curvy, like me, her baby bump just visible.

“I didn’t realize you have another friend over,” Amber says. “Hi, I’m—”

“Amber,” I say, holding out my hand. “I’m Julie.”

“And my newest friend,” Rose says. “She’s been asking about what it’s like to be married to a Novan.”

“The sex life is incredible. Exhausting, yes, but incredible,” Amber says. “I’m one of the few to marry a breeder.”

“Oh, wow.”

Amber chuckles. "Damonik is… I just knew. I mean, I fought against it at first even though that's precisely why I came, but it took me some time to get used to the idea of him loving me. It's different between Earthlings and Novans. It tends to be very fast-paced."

“That’s what scares me,” I murmur. “That and…” I glance at Rose.

“If he loves you, he won’t cheat,” Rose assures me.

“Oh,” Amber says, nodding slowly. “Trust me when I say this, but he won’t.”

“If he loves me,” I murmur, “and if he doesn’t…”

“Talk to him,” Rose says. “You two can come to an understanding that while you two explore your feelings, he isn’t to be with anyone else. He’ll be willing.”

“And if he’s not willing, then he’s not the one,” Amber says bluntly.

I laugh. “I think you and Lydia would get alone.”

“Bring her around,” Amber says. “Rose, did you offer her wine?”

“She turned it down.”

“Maybe next time,” I say.

* * *

The three of us talk for hours. By the time I’m ready to leave, Fynn has another woman to pick up.

“I’ll take you to pick her up and then drop you off first,” Fynn offers. “If that’s all right with you.”

“Of course.”

We head over to an incredibly massive house. A woman with long spiral hair dressed in lingerie is waiting in front of the place.

“Shawnta?” I ask as she climbs in, forcing me to be closer to Fynn.

“Yes,” she says. “You’re… Julie, right? You came over when I did.”

I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

She hugs me, which surprises me. “Have you found yourself a Novan yet?”

“Ah, no, not quite.”

“You have been with one, haven’t you?”

“Ah… again, no.” I eye Fynn.

“Ignore him,” Shawnta says with a wave of her hand. “We ladies can talk, and he won’t judge, will you, Fynn?”

“All I hear is the whistling wind,” Fynn says.

I laugh, feeling a little less uneasy about talking about all of this in front of him.

“So you haven’t, hmm? Has any of them caught your eye at all?”

“I don’t know,” I mumble. “One of my friends thinks I should go after this one… Not Fynn. A different Novan. I just… I’m nervous and worried, and my past…”

“Trust me. We all have baggage,” Shawnta says. “You miss every shot you don’t take, and there’s no reason not to go for it. None.”

“But—”

“None,” she insists. “Trust me. Once you go blue, you never go back.”

9

Nax

I try to go back to sleep after cleaning up the mess I made on myself, but I'm not really able to. I'm so stuck on Julie, and maybe that's not fair to either of us.

No. I know it's not avian fair.

We only really had that one conversation together. We only met in passing the first time we had been introduced to one another. It's no small wonder that the occasion hadn't meant much to her.

But since the first moment I saw her, I couldn't get her out of my head. I can't say why, but I know that a real, true relationship that will last for the rest of my long life needs to be one that isn't just about sex.

And right now, I don't think I can honestly say that I love her. Yes, I love her body. Yes, I would love to touch her and get to know her carnally.

But I also want to talk to her more, get to know her move.

I don't just want this to be a random encounter, once and done.

I want more.

So much more.

Even though I shouldn't.

Still, when the workday begins for the farmers, I find myself walking over to the part of the fence nearest to her area.

She glances up at me, and our gazes lock.

It's like a magnet, pulling us both closer together, though we dare not try to breach the space between us. 

Her beauty is undeniable, but I can tell by the protective look in her eyes that she is unapproachable. 

So I just stand there and watch her, wishing that I could be with her without it being wrong, without it being too much or too little.

With it being just perfect.

But I know that if I do anything to make my feelings known, she will recoil from me in fear. How do I know this? I can see it in her eyes, and it makes me wonder if someone has hurt her before.

He had better be an Earthling because if a Novan did anything to hurt her...

We don't say anything, but I can feel the connection between us. We both know there's something there, or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part, but it's a spark that I don't know how much longer I can ignore.

Instead of risking everything for a chance at something real, I turn away and let the moment pass me by once more.

For now, though, I'll step back and turn away, realizing that this is a situation I shouldn't rush into. We both need time to explore what's happening between us before we do anything rash. I cannot become whole consumed byre and her alone. My work is far too important. The women must be protected, the Kurians, too, as they're born. They are our most precious treasure, our very future.

So I retreat, not wanting her to think that I'm trying to move too fast or pushing her toward something she isn't ready for. 

But as my heart aches with longing and desire, I know deep down inside that if she gave me the chance, I wouldn't hesitate to have her in my bed one day soon.

I'm weak, though, and it's not too much longer before I turn back to look at her.

Her eyes are so beautiful, so full of life. I feel something in my chest tighten as I look into them.

My heart skips a beat, and I'm filled with desire, but I know that all I can do is wish her a good day before turning and walking away.

But still, even as my feet carry me away from her, my heart yearns for her more and more each day. In some ways, it's almost as if she has become an addiction to me, one that is impossible to shake off no matter how hard I try. 

I push the thoughts aside and try to focus on my work, but every few moments, my gaze drifts back toward where she works the land. To look but not touch... to protect her yet not fall for her... it's all easier said than done. 

No matter how much it hurts, I force myself to continue this way until finally, the day comes when we do get the chance to talk again. I stand before her, drawn like always.

And, like always, it's a bit uncomfortable and awkward. Neither of us is sure what to say or do. I'm just standing there, staring at her. How can I not? The sun's rays are framing her in an ethereal glow. She takes a few steps closer and gives me a warm look of appreciation that sends my heart racing. "I feel much safer now knowing you've built this fence and that all the other women here can stay safe too." 

I nod in acknowledgment, unable to find the words to express my feelings toward her at that moment. "Ah, I did it for you."

Her eyebrows lift.

I clear my throat. "All of you, of course."

I need to stop being so awkward around her.

I clench and unclench my fists, needing something to do with my hands. "How have the plants been going?"

"We're making some progress. Would you like to see it?"

I go to say yes, but she says her head.

"I don't want to bore you."

"It's not boring," I protest. "I find your work fascinating."

"Enough to stop being a guard?"

"No," I say automatically.

She crosses her arms. "You didn't even think about it."

"I am a guard. It's what I am, who I am." I lift my chin. "Were you a farmer on Earth?"

"No."

"No? Are you happy being one here?"

"I am." She smiles. "I appreciate feeling useful, even if we haven't been able to produce edible fruit that's compatible with the soil and climate here. We're so close, though. I know we are."

"Your work is very important," I assure her. "Very useful. I understand wanting to take pride in one's work. That's how I feel about being a guard."

She nods, understanding. "It's not easy work, but it is fulfilling."

"Yes," I agree. "I love the feeling of being useful and protecting others from harm. Farm work is equally as important and rewarding. It requires dedication and hard work to bring life out of what was once barren land."

"We both have a purpose here," she says thoughtfully.

"The guard protects our lives, while the farmer provides nourishment so we can continue living." She tilts her head to the side. "What were you before?"

"On Nore?"

She nods.

"I was a guard there as well."

"You were?"

"Yes. I would keep us safe from predators, mostly. We didn't have many enemies except..."

"The Grots," she murmurs.

I nod and fall silent. The quietness isn't uncomfortable, not anymore, and I reflect on how similar we are. Both of us love working with our hands and feeling like we are part of something bigger than ourselves. At that moment I feel closer to her than ever before, but also understand how there might always be a barrier between us that can't be crossed with just one step.

"It is getting late," she murmurs. "I... I should probably be going."

"Of course."

She smiles at me and turns away, heading back out into the fields with one last wave of her hand over her shoulder.

I watch her go with a heavy heart and an ache in my chest that only grows stronger when I think about how much I want to be able to hold her close one day soon. 

And then I decide I can't take it anymore.

"Julie, wait!"

She turns around, and I hurry to her side but then wait, embarrassed.

Finally, I have the courage to say, "I'd like to get to know you better and maybe even spend some time with you outside of the farm."

Her expression changes from one of shock to one of relief and then joy.

Can it be? Can it be that she feels the same as me?

She finally breaks the silence. "Yes," she says simply, but her eyes say more than that.

A slow smile crosses my face.

"I'd like that very much," she adds, her voice gentle and inviting. "It's getting cold out here, why don't you come inside? I was just about to make dinner. I'd be glad if you would join me."

Her offer catches me off guard and I hesitate, only to be met with an encouraging smile.

"Please," she says, her smile shy, her eyes shining with hope.

My heart flutters in anticipation as I take her up on her offer. "Yes, of course. Thank you."

She holds out her hand and I take it without hesitation. The warmth of her touch reminds me of my daydreams... and that one dream in particular.

We walk together into her house, and she shows me around with pride. The warm light shining through the windows makes it look inviting, almost magical. Everything is neat and tidy, a true reflection of who she is—hardworking, kindhearted, and determined.

She insists on cooking the meat for us, shooing me away from the area that constitutes her kitchen. The smells emanating from there are heavenly, and my stomach growls louder than ever before in anticipation of the feast that awaits us. She smiles at me with amusement before gesturing for me to sit down at the small table in the corner of the room while she begins to prepare our meal. 

As I wait for Julie to finish cooking our dinner, I take in my surroundings and marvel at how much love is put into every little detail.

“Thank you,” I murmur as she hands me a plate filled with meat from two different animals.

“It’s not much,” she says.

“It’s perfect,” I say.

But what I really mean is you’re perfect.

I shouldn’t have come.

And yet, wild halicheros couldn't drag me away at this point.

10

Julie

It’s more than a little surreal to have Nax here, in my house. It’s not much, but it’s mine, and I’ve never had a Novan guest before.

We eat our meal, not in complete silence, but even the silence has grown more comfortable. Once we finish, I clear away the plates, and we wash our hands. I hand Novan a towel to dry off, and his fingertips lightly graze against my skin. 

My eyes widen in surprise, an electric spark passing through me as our gazes met. The air around us seemed to still as if time stopped at that moment. I’m not sure what to do at first. At least I don’t panic, and I don't move away immediately. I even manage to hold his gaze for a few more seconds before blushing and breaking away from him with a small smile.

I take a deep breath and let it out, closure settling in my heart. It's true that I'm scared to start a relationship after everything my family has faced with my mom's bout with cancer, but at the same time, I know that I need to take chances if I want to be happy, and if Nax is willing, why not give this a try?

And clearly, he is. He didn't have to touch me just then.

But he did. And I can tell by the look on his face that he felt that spark too.

Lydia's words from a few days ago make me realize that I can't let fear keep me from finding happiness.

Sometimes, you have to take risks in life and trust your instincts, so who knows what could happen? If nothing else,

Nax may not be perfect, but he is kind. He seems to understand me in a way that no one else does, and he makes me feel safe and secure when I'm around him. Although it may be scary at first, I know that if there is any chance at love, then it's worth taking the risk and seeing where it takes us.

Nax reaches out, gently taking my hands in his as he looks into my eyes. His gaze is intense and full of emotion, like he can see right through me. I feel like I'm caught in a trance.

And like nothing else matters. 

"Lydia," he begins softly, "I know you are scared to take a chance on us and that you don't want to get hurt again. But I promise you that I will never leave your side no matter what happens." He pauses for a moment and then continues, his voice thick with emotion. "I know we haven't known each other for very long, but from the moment I saw you, I knew there was something special between us. I've never felt this way before. And if you're willing to let go and trust me even just a little bit, then maybe we could have something really beautiful together." 

His words make my heart swell with emotion, and all the doubts that have been plaguing me start to fade away.

He takes a step closer to me and rubs my hand, his warm touch reassuring me that I can trust him. His gaze is tender, never pressuring or demanding, just sweet and tender. Does he know that I’m scared of letting loose and giving in to my desires?

I think he does, and I so appreciate that he doesn't push further. Maybe he understands that I need time to come to my own decisions. But as he continues to look into my eyes with such love and understanding in his own, the fear that has been holding me back starts to melt away until all I feel around him is warmth and safety. There’s no doubt in my mind now that this is right. It feels like an embrace from the universe itself telling me not to miss out on the chance for happiness.

I take a deep breath and let it go, finally allowing myself to let go of all of my worries and open up fully to Nax. Instead of shrinking away, I slowly move closer to him. He stares back at me with an intensity that’s hard to look away from. His eyes are full of tenderness and something else that I can’t quite put my finger on, but it’s enough to make my heart beat faster. 

He takes another step towards me, and before I know it, our bodies are flush against each other. His hands move to my waist as he pulls me closer and I feel my resistance melting away.

I feel so safe and secure in the warmth of his embrace that I don’t think twice before lifting up onto my toes and kissing him passionately. 

We stand there for what feels like an eternity, just basking in the moment until Nax finally pulls away with a mischievous smile on his face. 

He looks deep into my eyes before whispering words that take my breath away, "Let's make sweet, tender love."

Caught up in the moment and feeling like I'm flying, I don't hesitate to agree. 

Nax slowly undresses me. It's cold, and I shiver, crossing my arms to try to warm myself up.

"I'll take care of you," he murmurs.

He removes his pants, and I gasp, seeing his huge, thickly veined blue cock.

How is that going to fit inside me?

But I don't have time to think because he is already kissing me with a passionate intensity that takes me to a new level of pleasure. His lips are gentle and subtle as they brush against mine, but his tongue is masterful, exploring every inch of my mouth until I am breathless with delight. 

He slides his hands down my body, caressing me in all the right places as if he's memorizing me by touch. His fingers trace lightly across my breasts before finally slipping lower and inside of me.

His fingertips send shockwaves of pleasure through my entire body, and I moan out loud in rapture. Nax keeps working his magic on me until I'm lost in a dizzying spiral of passion that sends shivers down my spine.

I let go completely and surrender myself to him. At this moment, everything feels perfect and nothing else matters except for us two being together here and now, lost in each other's embrace.

He kisses my neck, and his hands move over my body slowly, exploring every inch of me. He takes extra time to explore my curves, caressing them with such passion and gentle reverence that I almost moan.

He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close so that I can feel the heat from his body. He kisses me, and his tongue entwines with mine as he lifts one of my legs, positioning himself between them. With his hands roaming all over my body, exploring every inch of me, I'm overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through my veins.

Nax's touch is gentle yet firm, and finally, I feel the tip of his cock pressing against my entrance. He pauses for a moment before slowly pushing further inside me. His cock is so large it hurts as he tries to enter me even though he’s going ever so slowly. I gasp, wincing, and he halts, not doing at all.

"Do you want me to stop?" he murmurs, his voice guttural. He's breathless and panting, and I know he doesn't want to stop.

I don't want to stop either.

"You can... Go ahead," I whisper, clinging to him.

He enters me a little deeper, slowly, almost too slowly, allowing my body to adjust and relax into each thrust. and the gradual stretch makes room for him. I bite my lip as the pleasure builds up inside me with every inch that he takes, until finally, we come together in a beautiful, perfect fit. The pain slowly subsides and gives way to a feeling of gratification as I adjust and accommodate his cock inside of me. He fills me completely. I gasp and clutch onto his back as he moves inside me slowly at first, creating a gentle, rocking motion that carries us away into a deep trance of pleasure.

We move together in perfect sync as if our bodies were made for each other, our desire for each other only growing stronger with every passing second. As our minds and hearts become entwined in the heat of passion, I can feel myself beginning to unravel as Nax takes me on an unforgettable journey of pure bliss

His thrusts become more powerful and intense as our arousal increases, Nax moving faster and with more urgency now.

His body moves with mine in perfect harmony as we move together, each thrust more passionate than the last. I can feel him reaching deep into my core, sending shockwaves of pleasure that make me tremble in anticipation. The sensation is so intense that I'm left breathless and trembling in his embrace. Nax holds me tightly against him and continues to move. All I can do is experience all of this. It's overwhelming. It's too much. I don't know if I can handle this.

"I... Nax..."

"What is it, Julie?" He's panting.

So am I.

"I've never... I've never come. Not during sex."

I close my eyes and try to hide my shame. If I do fall in love with Nax... if he one day loves me... we still might not be able to have a child together.

He stops his thrusts and looks me in the eyes. His gaze is so intense and passionate that I can feel my heart skip a beat.

"We don't have to rush this," he whispers as he clears my hair from my face, brushing it aside with his fingertips. "We can take our time."

He wraps his arms around me. He holds me close, and I can feel him trembling too.

"It's ok," he whispers into my ear, kissing my forehead tenderly. "We'll take it slow. Relax." 

He gently caresses my back in soothing circles as he slowly resumes his thrusts, allowing me to adjust to the sensation of him inside me at a comfortable pace. He continues to move with slow, gentle thrusts, and I can't help but start to become more comfortable and relaxed.

He moves slowly, caressing me with every movement of his body against mine. Every brush of skin against skin sends sparks of pleasure through my body, and I find myself melting into him as we make love. His gentle movements are like waves that flow around us both until I'm completely lost in the moment, all fear and doubt forgotten in an embrace of blissful passion. 

His movements are inviting, coaxing my body to open up and accept him without pain or fear. His passion is undeniable yet controlled, and I can tell he's doing this for me, taking care of me in the most intimate way possible. 

He moves slowly, caressing me with every movement of his body against mine. Every brush of skin against skin sends sparks of pleasure through my body, and I find myself melting into him as we make love. His gentle movements are like waves that flow around us both until I'm completely lost in the moment – all fear and doubt forgotten in an embrace of blissful passion. 

He takes his time as he continues to explore me with each gentle stroke, savoring each second of our mutual pleasure. I don't know how Nax has the restraint, and I'm not at all surprised that his thrusts gradually become more intense as I start to feel pleasure building up inside me again.

I let myself go and give in fully to our lovemaking as Nax continues to move within me slowly but surely, each thrust pleasing and satisfying like nothing else.

But then I feel his lips against mine, and he slows down his thrusts again. A burning need consumes me, but I'm not sure what precisely it is that I need.

He takes his time to explore my body, caressing my curves with such gentleness it almost brings tears to my eyes. His hands wander all over me, teasing me until I'm lost in a sea of pleasure. His touch is so tender and loving, it feels like he's worshipping every inch of me. 

He gazes into my eyes as if trying to read my soul. 

"I'm here for you Julie," he whispers, planting kisses on my neck as he continues to explore me with his hands. 

With each slow thrust of his hips, I can feel our connection intensifying.

He whispers sweet words of encouragement in my ear, and I'm filled with a sense of security as I relax into his embrace. 

He starts to increase the intensity of his movements, pushing me closer and closer to the edge until I can feel my body responding to him. 

He takes me on a rollercoaster exploration of pleasure and pain, guiding me through each moment until I'm in a state of complete bliss. 

I reach out for him, gasping for air as he brings me to new heights of pleasure with each thrust. He moves faster now, pushing deep within me as my whole body quivers with anticipation. 

My moans become louder and more intense as he intensifies his movements even further.

He reaches down and grabs hold of my hands, intertwining our fingers and pressing them against the bed as he moves within me. His eyes never leave mine, even as his thrusts become more urgent.

He's pushing me to the brink of pleasure, teasing and tantalizing me until I'm begging for more. 

Nax takes my hand and places it on his chest, guiding me to move my fingers in circles around his nipple. The sensation is exquisite. I don't know how, but it almost feels as if someone is touching my nipple too. He moans loudly with pleasure as I massage him. He guides my hands down to where we are connected and shows me how to rotate around him slowly while he continues to thrust.

The pleasure builds up inside me gradually until I'm sure I will burst into flames if it gets any more intense, until I can no longer contain it, and then I'm swept away in an overwhelming wave of ultimate satisfaction.

Soon enough I can feel it coming, wave after wave crashing over me as I reach my climax in a beautiful explosion of pleasure. My orgasm rocks through my body like a thunderstorm as pleasure radiates from every inch of me. I cry out in delight as waves of bliss crash over me one after another, leaving me feeling completely spent but utterly satisfied.

With every movement, I feel myself getting closer and closer to the edge until finally I'm screaming out his name in pure bliss and surrendering completely into a state of total euphoria. Finally, with one final push, Nax drives deep inside of me, and he cries out in blissful ecstasy as he finds his release. He ejaculates inside of me, his body going still, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man’s face twisted with so much joy ever before.

Nax pulls me close to him in an embrace that sends sparks through my skin. As our souls intertwine, I know that this moment will never be forgotten. He showers my face with kisses until the intensity subsides. When it's all said and done, he holds me close and whispers, “You amaze me.”

I’m too spent to say anything, but I nod and hope he knows that he amazes me too.

As we lay there entwined together in each other's arms, I can't help but marvel at how much our connection has grown. I'm still feeling weak from all the pleasure I just experienced and shaking with blissful exhaustion. Nax holds me close to him, stroking my hair affectionately as if trying to tell me without words that I’m okay.

This night isn’t over, though. We’ve started to embark on an intimate journey and we don’t stop now. We continue to explore each other's bodies with gentle touches and passionate kisses. As we move together in perfect harmony as one all over again, all of my worries melt away, and I'm left feeling empowered and content. In Nax's arms, I'm finally able to find the safety, security, and unconditional love that I've been searching for all along. 

The rest of the night is a blur of passion-filled bliss that leaves us both breathless by morning. Neither of us wants the night to end, and for now at least, everything is perfect.

I don’t want to part ways, but I’m somehow not scared that he’s going to have to walk out that door. No matter how far apart life takes us, a piece of me will always remain with him and his with me. 

My heart is so full as I realize that sometimes taking risks can actually lead you down the path to true happiness after all.

11

Nax

Making love to Julie all night long should leave me exhausted and spent.

I love everything about last night.

Holding her.

Kissing her.

Making sweet, tender love to her.

Making her come with my cock, my fingers, my tongue.

But now, as she slumbers in my arms, all I feel is shame and guilt.

Shame at how I had taken advantage of her innocence.

Shame for all the months we spent apart when we could have been enjoying each other.

Shame at how weak I am for giving in and touching when I shouldn't have.

Work should come first.

Always.

My job is too important.

The guilt was worse. Guilt that I had been so selfish, so blind to never see what I was missing out on until it was too late. Guilt that I had been too scared to make a move sooner, guilt that by the time I did, it may already be too late to make things right.

On top of all that, there was also the nagging feeling of responsibility for putting Julie in this situation in the first place. We should never have gone down that road in the first place, and now here we are, literally tangled in each other's arms when we most definitely shouldn't have ever given in to our desire.

She's beautiful, smart, and driven. There are Novan farmers. One of them should have been the one to love her and earn her love. Not me. A farmer would understand her far more than I ever could, but that is not meant to be my life.

I am a guard, a bodyguard, and that is all I ever am.

In fact, I should be guarding Julie's heart so that she might find love and never be harmed.

But that lover should not be me.

I can only sit there, dwelling on my own misery as Julie sleeps peacefully beside me, blissfully unaware of everything she has been dragged into because of me.

Like it or not, we did something wrong, something that could tear us apart, and I can't help but feel responsible.

I should have been stronger.

My feelings for her... They aren't enough. Not enough to turn me away from my duty.

All of the Earthling women are too precious for me to be consumed by one and one alone. It isn't far from the others.

I'm afraid I will become too consumed in Julie that I will forsake my duty, and what then? What if one of the women or, worse, one of the Kurian babies should become hurt because of my distraction?

It's a burden that weighs heavily on my conscience and it fills me with shame and regret. 

I thought only of myself when I hatched this plan with Julie, not realizing how much it would cost someone else down the line. 

The reality of what we've done sets in like an icy chill and I'm desperate to make amends. 

But I know it will never be enough. Nothing can make up for what we've done. 

All I can do is live with the consequences of my actions and try harder in the future to do right by Earthling women and Novans.

We shouldn't have done this.

Not before we were married.

The thought makes me jerk, and I sit upright.

Married.

Me and Julie.

That's ridiculous.

As much as I love her and as amazing as our lovemaking had been, how can I dare to even dream that we might have a future together?

I want to stay with her and enjoy every moment that we have together, but my conscience won't let me be. 

I must tell her what we did was wrong and that if anyone found out, it would damage both of us in many ways.

But then she smiles at me sweetly as she stirs in her sleep and my heart melts. 

She looks so innocent, so pure, and I know deep down I could never bring myself to let her go.

So instead of speaking up, I wrap my arms around her tightly, vowing to protect her with all my might. No matter what comes our way, I will always be by her side as long as there is breath in my body.

My guilt and shame don't stop me from wanting to have sex with Julie again. I can feel my heart racing just thinking about it, and I know that if I had the chance to do it again, I would in an instant.

But this time, it will be different. We will both be ready for a commitment, one that is rooted in love and respect instead of lust or selfishness. We won't rush into anything. Instead, we'll take our time and make sure everything is perfect before making any promises to each other.

And together, we will create something magical that no one can ever take away from us.

True and everlasting love.

Or maybe I'm just dreaming because the way Julie is looking at me with what I can only describe as bedroom eyes...

Maybe... As long as we keep ourselves in check, there's no reason not to enjoy each other's companionship and pleasure. I may feel guilty for what we've done, but I'm also grateful because it has brought us closer together. The feelings that develop as a result of our intimacy are unlike anything I've ever felt before, and I cherish them deeply. With Julie by my side, despite all the problems that may come our way, I know that I will never be alone in this world again.

Because that grief and shame will return and become my constant companions.

At this very moment, though, I feel more alive than ever. The thought of being so deeply connected to someone else gives me a kind of thrumming energy I never knew was possible.

I know this is not the right thing to do, but I can't help myself. When it comes to Julie, I am powerless and she has my heart.

As we make love once more, I vow to be better in the future, to keep her safe, and to cherish every moment with her. And even though life may throw us some bumps along the way, our love will always stay true no matter what comes our way.

If I’m right.

If she loves me.

If she doesn’t…

I don’t want to think about that as I cry out her name, my ejaculate spilling deep inside her. I’m not sure how many times I’ve orgasmed inside of her now. Last night had been a dream come true for me.

And I hope it had been for her.

“Nax!” she cries, clinging to me.

Her eyes open, and her full lips part. The look in her eyes…

There’s no doubting it.

Last night had been a dream come true for her too.

12

Julie

Honestly, waking up and immediately making love to Nax...

Is it making love? It certainly feels so very different from when I had sex before, back on Earth.

And I don't just mean because I'm finally coming during sex.

Just the way he looks at me.

The way he holds me.

Even the way he kisses me.

It's different.

How to explain how it's different, that I don't know if I can, but the way I feel... that's what truly matters.

And I feel comforted.

Treasured.

Adored.

And maybe more.

And it's also a little frightening because it's all happening so very fast.

"You made me dinner last night," Nax says. "Allow me to prepare us breakfast."

"You don't have to," I protest as I scramble out of bed. I grab my clothes from yesterday off the floor and cover my chest. Ridiculous, I know, and I force myself to lower my hands so that I'm not covered anymore.

His gaze roves over my body before snapping back to my face. My cheeks have to be bright red, but I'm surprised that I don't mind him looking first, and that he's maintaining eye contact now makes me feel like he's not treating me like a piece of meat.

I do want to talk to him about where this leaves us, especially for the future, but I also just want to talk about this, that, anything, everything.

Could it be? Might I be in love with him?

Already?

That's ridiculous.

What was that Shawnta said? Once you go blue, you never go back? I remember her from the beginning. She had been in her glory, loving the attention from the breeders. She wanted all of the Novan sex, and I always mentally applauded her for her. Too many times, women are ostracized for wanting to have sex as frequently as men do, especially if they have multiple partners. The double standard is disgusting. Just because I'm personally more prudish by nature doesn't mean that I'm not all for women taking ownership of their bodies.

But for me to fall for the first Novan I fall into bed with... is that realistic?

I think, maybe, yes, because, in all of the time here, I've never even really considered taking anyone else to bed.

There's just something about Nax.

Didn't he make a comment about how he felt drawn to me? Maybe I'm imagining that or even hoping that's the case because I definitely am feeling a connection between the two of us, a connection that I want to solidify.

Although... Nax has made it so very clear that he's a guard. That's who he is.

I don't know if he can see himself being both a guard and a husband.

But maybe if he could see himself as a husband, as my husband, we might be able to have a child after all.

After we both get dressed, we make our way to the kitchen, which is nothing more than a few shelves and a makeshift stovetop. I'm very lucky to have some coffee from Earth. Novans' technology isn't based on electricity, but my pot has been configured and hotwired so it can work here. I don't think many Novans drink it, so I set about getting a pot going for myself.

Nax heads out, and it doesn't take him long at all to turn with some animals to prepare. Living on Kuria means hunting is a necessity. Before, when the women first came, the Novans took care of all of that, but I'm so glad that we now have more freedom. I definitely think their overlord was acting in their best interests to allow the woman and Novans to work together as equals and hope that love would happen more naturally versus the women being introduced to the breeders only and hoping matches might happen. It was almost like an alien version of The Bachelor.

As Nax gets a fire going, the smell of sizzling meat wafts through the air, making my stomach growl hungrily. There aren't too many spices here, but the animals here are not like the ones on Earth, and honestly, I've grown accustomed to the meat being unseasoned. It doesn't need anything, not even salt, and that's saying something. I mean, I've been here for over a year now. I think getting used to the food on Kuria had to have happened for all of us by now.

I take a seat and watch as Nax moves about the kitchen with a confidence that I can't help but admire. The way he skins and handled the meat had been fun to watch, and now he's frying the meat.

As I sip my coffee, I don't want to think. I just want to enjoy the moment with him.

I shift my gaze to the window and watch as the sun rises in the horizon and paints the sky with its technicolor beauty.

I find myself suddenly feeling weak and sick to my stomach as he continues cooking.

I put down my cup and touch my throat then cover my mouth and then wipe my forehead. I'm not sure what's wrong, but I really don't feel well.

Nax glances over and does a double-take. If I weren't so ill, I would appreciate that he almost immediately noticed my sudden change.

Without a word, he douses the fire and ignores the meat. He quickly comes over to me and kneels down so he can look into my eyes. He places a hand on my forehead, and his gaze is full of concern as he asks, "What's wrong, Julie? What is it?" His voice is gentle and reassuring. "Do you feel all right?" 

While I'm not sure what's the cause of my feeling so under the weather, I am sure there isn't much he can do, but his presence is so comforting.

"I just... I need a moment, I think," I murmur.

"Are you sure?" he presses, his tone almost urgent now.

I'm touched by his worry but hate that I'm causing him to worry in the first place.

I nod weakly, too out of it to speak.

Nax helps me to stand up and leads me back to the bedroom. I can tell he's worried, but there isn't much he can do for me now. He tucks me in bed, gives my arm a gentle squeeze, and places his hand softly on my forehead.

"I'll be right back," he says.

I watch as he stands and goes through my stuff. I don't even care that he does. He returns once he finds a cloth, and he uses it to wipe away the sweat from my brow. He then takes off the blanket from my bed that we hadn't bothered to use last night and drapes it over me for warmth before wrapping his arms around me in an embrace, letting me rest against him.

"Is it something I did?" he murmurs, rubbing my back. "Did I hurt you?"

"No. I... I don't know. Maybe I need to eat, but..." I cover my mouth again. My stomach is all twisted, and I'm afraid I'm going to be sick all over him.

"Do you want to try to eat?" he asks.

"I... Maybe."

"If you vomit, I'll clean it up," he says. "If you don't want to eat, don't. But if you want to try..."

"Maybe? It might help. I don't know."

He hugs me and kisses my temple before getting up and heading back over to the kitchen. When he returns, he has some water for me and the meat that he just cooked. He sits at the edge of the bed, watching as I eat slowly, trying not to be sick.

As I eat, Nax talks, telling me stories about his childhood in Nore, but honestly, I'm trying to decide if I should take another bite each time I swallow, so I don't hear most of it. He's gently running his hand through my hair and rubbing my back, his presence comforting me more than I could ever say.

"Maybe... Maybe this is just because I'm tired from working such a long day yesterday and then last night..." I smile weakly at him.

"Do you regret—"

"Don't be ridiculous," I murmur and then side-eye him. "Do you?"

"You're the one being ridiculous now," he retorts, but his tone is as gentle as his hand on my back.

"Are you certain about that?" I tease, trying my best to sound light-hearted, but my voice is breathless.

"I can go and see about some herbs... medicinal ones. My mother had been a doctor and—"

I pat his hand. "I appreciate that. For now, let me sip some more water."

My stomach settles some, with the water, and I hope I can stand, but when I try, I'm so dizzy that I almost fall on top of Nax, who catches me.

"That's it," he says firmly. "I'm calling for a driver to take you to the hospital."

"Us," I murmur, looking up at him.

"Us," he repeats firmly, holding me closer to him.

Holding me like he never wants to let me go.

* * *

Chrix is the driver who takes us to the hospital. There are so many inside, which surprises me, both Earthlings and Novans. Back on Nore, from what I learned, all of their doctors had been female, so they had all been killed by the Grots.

Including Nax's mother.

When I spy an Earthling male, I'm shocked, all the more so when he approaches us.

"Hello," he says, smiling at me. "I'm Doctor Enrique Pinto. What brings you two here today?"

"She's sick," Nax says before I can say anything.

"Follow me." The doctor heads down the hall and directs us into a room. He follows us inside and shuts the door. "Can you tell me what your symptoms are and how long you've had them?"

I explain my symptoms and the feeling of dizziness and nausea, though I'm a bit embarrassed at Nax's presence. He looks pale and worried, like he can barely keep himself standing. I hate that my voice trembles from the effort of talking. Nax's hand is on my shoulder, and I'm both grateful for his presence but also wish he didn't look so concerned.

The doctor listens intently and makes notes on a clipboard. Then, Doctor Pinto takes out his stethoscope and listens to my heart rate and breathing. He checks my blood pressure and temperature before taking a few vials of blood for testing. After he's done, he turns to us with a serious face and asks me several questions. He leans back in his chair and studies us both before speaking again.

"Based on what you've told me, I believe it may be something minor, most likely related to your long hours at work or lack of sleep." He pauses and frowns. "But it could also be something more serious. I'd like to run some tests just to rule out any other possibilities." 

My stomach clenches at that thought. "What kind of tests?" 

"Nothing too invasive," the doctor assures me with a gentle smile before explaining what each test entails. It all sounds overwhelming, but if a test could help me figure out why my body has been acting strange so suddenly, then it's not worth arguing over.

"That sounds fine."

"Is all of that really necessary?" Nax asks.

"The doctor wouldn't want me to be subjected to everything if it wasn't," I tell him.

Nax nods.

I can't help feeling embarrassed. "Might it just be exhaustion?" I murmur. "My body telling me to rest?"

"It's possible," he says. "If that is the case and if you don't take care of yourself, then more serious conditions could develop. Without a doubt, I advise you to  get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, and avoid strenuous activity until I'm feeling better again, but let's get you started on those tests, okay?"

He gestures for me to come with him.

Nax moves to follow.

"I'm afraid you can't come," the doctor says apologetically.

"I'm coming," Nax growls.

I smile at him. "I'll be fine. You should go."

"Go?" He gapes at me.

"I don't know how long the tests will take, and... Your job," I mumble.

Nax glares at the doctor, nods to me, and stomps off without another word.

I wince and trail beside the doctor, declining a wheelchair.

As I walk, I keep telling myself that this is nothing serious.

But I'm afraid I'm lying to myself.

13

Nax

Leaving Julie behind in the hospital so that the Earthling doctor can run tests on her goes against everything in me as a guard.

But she asked me to go.

I hate that I listened.

I hate my job.

I can't deny how important it is, and yet...

This is exactly why I never sought to find love.

This is precisely why, despite my feeling a connection to Julie right from the start, I didn't pursue her then.

But seeing Zoe pregnant... talking to Megan and her living her best life, combining her dreams on Earth to provide entertainment for those of us on Kuria...

They sparked something within me.

And now I've tasted the forbidden fruit.

Julie is going to be my undoing, I fear.

This is why I felt shame and guilt after we made love all night long.

If it is just exhaustion, if I truly did all of this to her, I don't know if I can forgive myself.

But I know Julie well enough now to know she won't ever blame me.

Even though she should.

I almost turn around and walk right back into the hospital, but I don't.

I shouldn't.

She's right. I have work to do as a guard.

And yet...

Izo, a driver, eyes me. "Nax? Need a ride somewhere?"

I glare at him and then force myself to calm down. My smile is hardly genuine.

"Yes. To the farms."

The worst part of all is that I won't be the guard in charge of the farms for much longer.

Then what? What will I do? Slip away at night to see Julie? When she should be sleeping so she doesn't feel ill all of the time?

My heart aches for her, especially as I ponder these questions.

This Earthling doctor, Enrique Pinto, who will be taking care of Julie... it's hard to deny the worry I have that he will try and win her over, steal away my precious moments with her.

How can I compete when I'm a guard whose attention can never be fully on her and her well-being? And that of any children she might have? He could offer her so much more than I ever will be able to.

But I know what's in my heart is true. There is no one else who can compare to Julie and the bond we share. 

No matter how long it'll take or what battles we might have to fight, our love will survive everything the universe has planned for us.

Why is he even here? He won't ever be able to be with any of the Earthling women.

And yet, if he were to fall in love with one and her in return...

Julie and I have only started to see if we might be compatible, and while I truly believe that to be the case, what if she feels differently? I can see all too well that if she is truly sick and needs to spend a lot of time with the doctor... Who even knows what these tests he is running might consist of? What if he needs to see how active she can be? What if he needs to see how fast her heart can race and he suggests that they engage in sexual activity to test that...

I am practically seething with rage. After all, my own mother had been a doctor on Nore, and she and my father had met because she had nursed him back to health after his fighter pilot ship had been nearly blown to smithereens during a recon mission that shouldn't have ever seen enemy fire... The two of them met and had been instantly inseparable.

What if I am only fooling myself? What if she doesn't feel the same for me? Yes, I made her orgasm when we made love, but that doesn't necessarily mean she returns my feelings.

Feelings I shouldn't even have in the first place.

Maybe it's irrational for me to have this worry, but I can't help thinking that this doctor could a danger to both of us if Julie gets too close to him.

My heart aches when I think of them together and the potential they may have to be happy together in ways that we never can be in Kuria.

What does that say about my love, though? That I worry she will turn to another?

And that is when I realize it is not my love I am questioning.

But hers.

She hasn't said she loves me.

Maybe she doesn't.

Maybe she never has.

I can't.

I can't do this.

And I can't do that.

I can't ask her to wait for me.

But I'm also painfully aware of how quickly my heart has become attached to her.

I'm already imagining a future with Julie by my side.

Am I merely imagining that Doctor Enrique Pinto might have been friendlier than had been necessary? Had he flirted with her? Or had he been professional? I don't think I can be an honest, impartial judge on that front.

Right now, I don’t know if I can be impartial about anything.

Izo grunts as the vehicle comes to a stop. “We’re here.”

“Thank you.”

He chuckles. “Whoever she is…”

I blink and shake my head. “You misunderstand.”

“Do I?” Izo laughs some more. “I don’t think so. There’s someone on your mind.”

“Work,” I retort, my tone angrier than it needs to be.

But Izo only laughs that much harder. He waves to me as he drives off, and I shake my head at him and wave at his backside as he speeds away.

A part of me, a large part of me, is worried. I don’t like feeling this way, but I’m more worried about how my feelings for Julie will affect my frame of mind when it comes to my work.

I cannot, under any circumstances, allow Julie or the other women to become hurt. It will not happen.

I never should have taken her into my arms.

Or kissed her.

Or sunk my cock into her slick opening…

A fake-sounding cough from behind me has me turning around.

“Lydia,” I say. “I didn’t think you would be here.”

"Yeah, me neither. Don't worry. Farming isn't for me, but I thought I would stop on by to see Julie. I can't find her. Do you, by any chance, know where she is?"

Lydia looks so utterly pleased. I have no idea why.

“Yes, actually,” I mumble. “I do.”

Her eyebrows lift, and her eyes brighten. “You do? Tell me, is she too sore to work—”

I stiffen. “She’s at the hospital.”

Instantly, Lydia goes from teasing to horrified. “Why? What happened? What did you do to her?”

“I didn’t… I mean… It wasn’t… She didn’t sleep last night, and she—”

“Because you two…”

I flare my nostrils. “She didn’t sleep, so she felt weak. As a precaution, I took her to the hospital. Doctor Enrique Pinto is running some tests… Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Why do you look like you want to kill Doctor Enrique Pinto?" she asks, eyeing me suspiciously. "Why didn't Julie sleep? Is it because of a fun reason? Like the two of you…"

“I would rather not—”

“You can tell me, or I can go get myself a driver and head to the hospital and find out for myself from the horse’s lips.”

I blink a few times. “Julie is not a horse.”

“I know.” She waves a hand and starts to reach toward her ear.

Clearly, she has a chip implanted.

I hesitate.

Lydia narrows her eyes. “Do you want me to go to the hospital? Oh, I see. You and Julie did stay up all night having sex. She’s worn out from it. She’s probably just dehydrated and has low blood sugar. Some food and rest and she’ll be good to go, if you know what I mean.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“The doctor is keeping her to run some tests,” I grumble.

"Ah, so it's jealousy. Do you really think Julie would go from one guy to another when you're the first Novan she's slept with? You're being ridiculous."

I try to protest, but I almost forgot how much Lydia likes to talk. We've been friends since the first moment we met, a long time ago.

She steps closer to me and puts a hand on my arm. "Look, I know Julie better than you do. She's not the type of woman who sleeps around or jumps from man to man. She's loyal and honest and would never intentionally hurt anyone. So trust her, and trust yourself. Everything is going to be okay. There is no need to worry so much. And if you are still so worried, why don't you just join me and head on over to the hospital? That way, you can make sure she's doing okay with your own eyes, instead of just worrying yourself sick until she returns home."

At her words, I feel some of the tension in my shoulders start to ease away a bit. Maybe Lydia is right. Maybe I have been worried over nothing at all. After all, Julie is a strong woman. She can handle herself in any situation, even if it means being alone at a hospital.

Only she isn't alone. That doctor is there, and he's young. What if Julie doesn't truly want to be with a Novan? Yes, I feel that connection between us, but what if it's one-sided?

Lydia looks at me with a comforting and understanding gaze. “Let me tell you something, my friend. Women are resilient and much stronger than we give them credit for. Julie will be just fine. I promise you that. Those tests the doctor is running are probably just to check her vitals and make sure she isn’t dehydrated or anything like that. The fact that she spent the night with you means something, which is why you need to stop worrying about it and trust that if Julie had wanted another man, she would have gone for him in the first place. She chose you for a reason. Don’t forget that."

"I..." I'm at a loss.

It feels like my life has come to this, a crossroads of sorts, and my heart and my entire life are in Julie's hands. It's utterly terrifying.

Being a guard means I have a lot of say and power and control.

But that's not the case here. Julie has all of the control.

"I can see in your eyes how worried you are. It's written all over your face, but there is no need for concern!"

"If that's the case, why do you want to go to the hospital to see her?" I ask.

Lydia throws back her head and laughs. "I just want to tap to her."

"About?" I demand.

"About how hot the doctor is." Lydia rolls her eyes. "About last night and what happened between you two. I want details!"

I blink a few times. "Earthling women talk to one another about their sexual activities?"

"Some do. Why does that surprise you?"

"Ah..." I rub the back of my neck.

"Look at you, so uncomfortable!" She snorts. "I mean it. You're worrying over nothing. Julie's a tough woman, and she'll be just fine. She probably just needs a bit of rest and some good food to get back in shape. That's all! And besides, if anything else were wrong with her, Doctor Enrique Pinto must be a good doctor, or he wouldn't be here. He'll take care of her immediately."

Lydia bites her lower lip, looking a bit mischievously, but then she shakes her head and becomes more serious.

"I know you care for Julie deeply. It shows on your face every time you look at her. But don't go letting fear take over your heart. You have enough responsibility and stress on your plate as it is without adding unnecessary drama."

"Speaking of responsibilities..."

"So you aren't going to check on her?" she calls as I start to walk away.

"I shouldn't," I call over my shoulder.

I shouldn't.

For so many reasons.

14

Julie

After the initial tests are done, the doctor brings me back to my room.

"We'll wait for the results. In the meantime, you just wait here. I'll go and get you something to eat and drink."

Doctor Enrique Pinto heads toward the door.

"Wait," I blurt out.

He turns back to me. "Yes, Julie?"

I rub my arms. "I... My mom has cancer. Had. She's in remission. I..."

Dr. Pinto takes a seat across from me and rubs his chin. He looks at me with an expression that tells me he understands what I'm trying to say.

"I understand your concern," he says in a gentle voice, "but we won't know anything until the results come back. It could be something minor or it could be nothing at all." His face softens even more, and he looks at me thoughtfully. "We will do everything we can to make sure that your condition is nothing serious. The tests will tell us more."

"Do you... Should you order other tests to see..."

"The blood work already ordered should provide answers. If there is something like cancer going on, the blood work will reveal it to the extent that we would then order more tests."

"Understood," I mumble.

He smiles then and pulls out a pack of mints from his pocket, offering it to me with a kind gesture.

I try to smile, but I'm sure it doesn't look all that real or wide. "Is that your subtle way of saying that my breath stinks?"

He laughs gently. "Not at all. Mint, especially peppermint, can help with soothing an upset stomach."

"My stomach is in knots. It's more emotional now, I think, rather than earlier."

"Still, the mint can't hurt any. I'll even take one myself to prove that it's not because of bad breath."

My smile now is almost a real one. "Or maybe we both have bad breath."

He makes a show of frowning. "Would you be honest enough to tell me if it did smell?"

I wipe my nose and glance away.

The doctor laughs. "I see. Thank you."

I laugh. "Thank you," I murmur.

"I try to help all of my patients however they need me to, and I firmly believe that befriending them always helps. I want each of my patients to feel comfortable with me."

"That's not really required, though."

"Maybe not, but why shouldn't I make my patients feel at ease with me?"

"The Novans..."

"Their injuries are generally physical. Getting hurt, broken bones, that sort of thing, but we're all here together, and I have befriended many of them. I don't tend to help much with labor and delivery and pregnancies, but just because we're on Kuria doesn't mean that the women here can't still get sick or..." He trails off and makes a face. "I'm suffering from a case of open-mouth, insert-footitis."

I laugh some more. "Thank you, Doctor Pinto."

"Oh, please. Don't be so formal. Call me Enrique."

"And I'm Julie." I go to hold out my hand and wince. "You already knew that."

"No worries," he says, his eyes kind. He stands up and puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Let's not jump to conclusions, all right? We'll wait and see. Now, why don't you try and rest? That's all you can do for now."

I nod, relieved. I need a break from worrying about what might happen next.

He smiles sympathetically before leaving the room.

Alone in the quiet room, I sit in front of the window and stare outside at the passing clouds. I can almost hear my mom's voice telling me everything will be okay. No matter what happens, she always says that things have a way of working out for the best if you stay positive and enjoy life while you can.

But I'm afraid my symptoms are from cancer, like it was with her. Even though I had been told that her cancer shouldn't be hereditary, there's a chance they were wrong, or maybe they didn't want me to be any more freaked out than I already had been. Let's just say that I didn't handle the news about my mom having cancer very well.

And then my dad leaving a month later...

I don't want to believe that I might have a cancer diagnosis of my own.

And if I do have cancer, what should I do? Should I stay here on Kuria? Or should I return to Earth to be with the Earthling doctors who helped my mom reach remission?

My mind is filled with so many questions and doubts. All I can do is wait for Doctor Pinto to return with answers. In this moment of uncertainty, though, I wish Nax were here.

I take a deep breath and try to stay positive, but I can't help but feel nervous. My mind runs through all of the worst possible scenarios, my body shaking as I imagine what life would be like if this is cancer. The thought makes my heart race faster, and I find myself struggling to steady my breath as tears prick at the corners of my eyes. 

It doesn't take long for the doctor to return with some dry toast and water and tea.

"I know dry toast isn't the most appealing," he says regretfully, "but if you can keep this down, we can try some soup soon."

"Thank you," I say gratefully.

He leaves again, and although I try my best to relax, I'm afraid my symptoms are from cancer. My nausea won't go away, no matter how much water or tea I drink or what type of food I eat. My body aches all over when I go to stand, so I sit back down again.

After a few minutes, the tears begin to flow. Even though I'm on Kuria, far away from Earth, my mind can't help but drift back to when my dad left. He couldn't handle my mother's cancer. He had tried so hard, but in the end, it hadn't been enough. I remember how his face was as he said goodbye to me and my mom, the way his voice shook as he asked us both to be strong and take care of each other. The look in his eyes when I asked him why he was leaving, it was one of sadness mixed with guilt.

I still don't understand why it had been so hard for him. Why couldn't he cope with my mom's cancer? She was the one fighting for her life! And he couldn't stick around and support her?

He had been a different man before her diagnosis. In the few days leading up to his eventual departure from our lives, he became troubled and distant. It was like nothing could bring him joy or give him peace of mind anymore. It almost felt like he died.

I suppose it might be understandable to some small degree. No one should have to watch someone they love suffer through something like cancer. I thought I put all of this behind me, but even now, I can't help but feel betrayed by his abandonment in what had been an incredibly difficult time for our family. In those moments of sorrow and fear, we needed each other more than anything else and yet there he went, leaving us behind like a coward.

As I cry into my hands, I realize that no matter what happens with this illness, I'm much stronger than before. Whatever this is or isn't, cancer or something else, at least I know that if need be, I'll be able to face it alone if I have to. Maybe the glimmer of hope is enough for now.

I let out a deep breath and close my eyes, trying to be thankful for what I have instead of dwelling on the past, but no matter how hard I try to think positively, my anxiety won't leave me alone. All I can do is wait until Enrique returns with answers.

I never truly considered getting the chip that all Novans have, the one that allows them to make phone calls to one another and so many other things, but if I could, I would call my mom.

Not to tell her about my possibly having cancer.

To tell her about what?

There's a knock at the door, and a woman pops her head in. "Oh, good. You ate all of the most. Are you still hungry? I can get you some soup. The doctor made it himself."

"Ah, yes, please. I think I can keep it down, but actually... Could I possibly make a phone call to Earth?"

"I don't see why not. Come with me."

I follow her out of the room, down the hall, and to another room. She patches me through to someone down on Earth who is able to track down my mom, and soon, her voice fills the room.

"Julie? Is something wrong?"

I'm so happy to hear her voice that my laugh is genuine. "I try totally to you once a month, and every time, you act like I'm only calling because I'm dying."

I wince, grateful this isn't a holographic call and she can't see me.

"I'm your mom. I'm allowed to be worried. I love you."

"Love you too."

"Any reason behind your call? Or do you just want to chat?"

I hesitate.

"Julie? Are you still there?"

"Yes, Mom." I bite my lower lip and sink into the chair. "I thought maybe you would want to hear about a friend I made."

"Of course."

"His name is Nax, and he's from Nore, of course. He's a guard, and we've started to talk lately. He's very proud of his job, and he's amazing at it."

"A guard, huh?"

"Yes."

"Is it necessary for you to have guards? Is it dangerous there?"

"Not really. It's more of a precaution, I think, but he takes it very seriously, and he's kind. He's always so positive and upbeat. Even though he's busy, he still takes time to listen to me and be there for me. I trust him completely."

The words just tumble out, and I'm almost surprised by what I said.

And how true they are.

And the fact that talking about Nax makes me completely at peace despite my inner turmoil from just a few moments ago.

My mom sighs in relief on the other end of the line. "That sounds like a good friend to have right now." 

I smile, feeling thankful for having this moment with her. "I think so too."

"Do you think he might be interested in getting to know you better?" my mom asks.

I cough and pause, unsure how much more to say, but part of me wants her opinion, so I continue although I basically ignore her question, "He's kind and smart and so sweet with everyone around him. He hunts animals, of course, for meat, like we all do here, but I... I don't know. I just get the impression that if he ever visits Earth, he'll make some furry friends."

"I see," my mom says in a tone that I definitely don't want to encourage.

"He has an eye for detail, which is good, considering his job. His eyes light up when he... Have you seen pictures of Novans? You have, right? They all have neon eyes."

"Yes, honey." My mom laughs. "Bright neon eyes, huh?"

"Yes."

"Tell me about his laugh."

"Mom!"

"Is it infectious?" she continues.

"Mom, please."

"Go on. I'm hanging on the edge of my seat."

"You're impossible," I grumble.

"I'll be quiet and listen."

There's a pause. She really is being quiet.

I sigh. "He's a guard, yes, but he seems to just be helpful overall. He'll go out of his way to assist those in need."

"Is that all?"

I hesitate. "I can also tell he's gone through some tough times too. I mean, all Novans have with the Grots and what they did, but... I think Nax could use a friend."

"And?" my mom prompts.

"And I hope that maybe one day soon, we can be more than just friends," I say in a rush. "Okay, bye!"

"Don't you dare hang up!" she cries.

And I laugh and we continue to talk, her trying to pry more out of me, me not giving her much more, but all in all, I feel so much better mentally by the time we say goodbye for real.

But physically? Physically, I'm starting to feel worse again.

15

Nax

The farmland I'm in charge of protecting is vast and sprawling, and I can't leave it unattended for long, even though it's honestly the last thing I want to be doing right now and despite the fence I constructed around it.

Maybe it's just as well that I've returned to my duties because it doesn't take me long to realize that a pack of carnivores native to Kuria is roaming near the farmland. I have to drive them away before they hurt the crops or the farmers, and I need to be back in my post as soon as possible. Julie would want me to stay vigilant and protect what's important. I know she would.

Just because she might have become the most important person on Kuria shouldn't matter.

Yet it does.

Driving back the pack is a task that I take seriously and with pride, knowing that my actions will help keep the farmers safe and secure. 

Tonight, I'll go out on patrol around the perimeter of the farm, keeping an eye out for any sign of danger or predators. I'll make sure that all the fences are intact and that there is no way for any animals to get inside without notice.

The task of forcing away the carnivores isn't easy. In fact, it's arduous but necessary, and it helps keep my mind off other things - like Julie and her doctor. 

But as much as I try to stay focused on my job, there's still a nagging feeling in my heart that won't go away, and I know it won't stop nagging me until she returns home safely. For today, though, I'll focus on pushing those carnivores back into their territory where they belong.

The thought of Julie sends warmth through me, along with determination not just to protect her but also to protect everyone here on Kuria.

That is my mission.

That is what I choose to accept.

And I will not go back on that.

The beasts are massive, with fur that shines in the sunlight like liquid gold. They are an apex predator on this planet, with sharp claws and vicious teeth that can tear through flesh in seconds.

I take a deep breath as I draw closer, gathering my courage for what I must do. I know that if I don't take action soon, these creatures could wipe out all of the crops in only a few days. 

I raise my voice and call out a loud challenge, hoping that they will be intimidated enough by my presence to go elsewhere. But they snarl back at me angrily and refuse to budge. So much for intimidation tactics! 

It looks like it's going to come down to discipline then. Steeling myself, I reach into my pocket and pull out a small bag of dried herbs. The smell of the herbs is pungent, and it's enough to make the carnivores pause for a moment. They take a few steps backward, their eyes wide with confusion. Slowly but surely, they start to turn away from me and retreat back into the forest.

But then, without warning, one of them takes a step forward toward me, eyes blazing with hostility.

I throw the pack of herbs at this creature. Unsurprisingly, this one is the largest out of the pack, and it snarls angrily before lunging forward. I manage to dodge and duck out of the way, and I hear a loud thud when its body hits the ground. The other animals, drawn back by the commotion of the fighting, look on in surprise. 

I take advantage of their hesitation by picking up and throwing large rocks and chunks of red soil at the onlookers, sending them scattering away in fear.

The largest one attacks me again, but I manage to bring it down in submission with a few swift kicks and punches, using my strength and agility to drive it away. The others take note, and soon, they all run away in fear back into their territory. I watch as they disappear into the trees, my heart heavy with sadness over how close I had come to being hurt by them, but then I feel relief washing through me, relief that despite all of the danger I faced today, everyone has been kept safe and sound inside of the farmlands and beyond.

I gather my courage and check to make sure that none of them stayed behind for an ambush. They hadn't.

Relieved, I return to my post feeling proud of myself for handling the situation and having to resort to minimal violence. Maybe this is why Julie trusts me so much because she knows that I will always choose the path of least resistance when faced with danger or chaos. Whether it's protecting her from harm or protecting others from harm, I'll always do whatever is necessary to get us through safely.

Her heart and my own, however...

I let out a deep breath and survey the area before me. I had done what was necessary, driving away these creatures from this place and protecting both the farmers and their crops from danger. Now that I have secured the safety of those here on Kuria, all I want to do is to abandon my work and go check on Julie and make sure she's okay.

But I cannot.

I should not.

While my heart aches with worry and longing, there are more pressing matters that require my attention right now.

But maybe Lydia is right. Julie will be just fine. Maybe she'll even find someone else who can take care of her while she recovers, someone who is better than me, even an Earthling doctor with good intentions...

The thought of her with another man, though, makes me seethe.

No. I'm the only one who can make sure that she is safe, and I refuse to be replaced by anyone else.

Could I be more conflicted? My head and my heart are at war.

I had to remind myself that this is not the time to be petty. I am here for a reason, and right now, it's to guard over the farmland and the farmers. 

I take another deep breath and shake my head. I can't let my emotions get in the way of the task that I must accomplish here.

With a determined heart, I remind myself of my duties and refocus on my current task at hand, to guard over the farmland and the farmers and keep them safe from harm. 

But no matter how long or hard I try to focus on this task, Julie's face always lingers in my mind's eye. I simply cannot stop thinking about her. Everything we shared... and then her falling ill and my wanting to do everything I could for her.

I still do.

But what if the best thing I can do for her is to let her go?

She might not even want that. We willingly made love to each other all night long and this morning too. She wanted me as much as I wanted her.

She still might want me.

Maybe it would be better for me if she were to fall for the doctor, as much as it would pain me, because her happiness is all that truly matters.

And if I am the only one to bring her happiness, what then?

I don't know.

As much as it pains me to be apart from her, I know that if there is anything that I can do for her now, it is this—protect Kuria and its people with all of my strength in her stead until we are reunited again.

I take a few steps forward, my gaze sharp and focused. I can no longer see Julie in my mind's eye, but still, I can't help but feel her presence with me as if she's guiding me from some distant place. The thought gives me strength, and courage courses through my veins like wildfire.

Yes, I will keep them safe. For Julie's sake.

For hours, I tend to my duties, but whenever there is a quiet moment, I still remember every inch of her beautiful face... her bright blue eyes full of life and kindness... her warm smile that could light up any room... her soft lips that were as sweet as honey against mine… She is so strong and brave despite her circumstances, yet still she manages to find joy in even the smallest things.

I can't help but admire Julie. She is everything I could have hoped for.

And far more than I deserve.

Suddenly, I sense a presence beside me, and when I turn to see who it is, I find a farmer standing behind me. She looks at me with an expression of both admiration and appreciation in her eyes. 

"Guard," she begins in a voice that's soft but strong, "you have done all you can for our village. The creatures are gone, and the safety of our crops has been restored. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, but if there is anything else that we can do for you in return, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask."

"There is nothing I need," I tell her.

Even though it's a lie.

I need Julie.

I scowl.

The farmer makes a face. She thinks the scowl is directed toward her, and she hurries away without another word.

Not too much later, when I am debating whether or not to take a break for lunch, another female farmer walks briskly toward me. She looks exhausted and her clothes are torn from long hours of work on the land. When she reaches me, she takes off her hat and bows slightly in my direction.

"I'm so glad you're here," she says breathlessly. "We need your help. The other farmers and I have been trying to tend to the crops, but every night, there are holes. We think some animals have been trying to dig their way beneath the fence to reach the crops. We aren't sure how best to handle this." She sounds more determined than scared. "We need to stop them."

"Naturally," I say. "You've spoken with the other farmers about this?"

She nods.

"And Julie, what did she have to say about this?"

"She's been working with the seeds so much lately that I don't think she is as concerned about this as the rest of us are. Not that she thinks this isn't a big deal, just that..."

"Her focus is elsewhere," I supply.

The farmer nods. "Can you help us?" she asks. "If the animals are eating the crops, they are herbivores."

"Or omnivores," I muse, stroking my chin. "Maybe if I can capture one of them, I can see which animal it is and if they eat meat. Then, I can learn where they have their nest and either try to move them out closer to the animals they eat or else maybe move their prey closer to them."

"Either way, that should help," she breathes. "Thank you!"

"Don't thank me yet," I remind her.

“That you are willing to help us means everything,” she assures me.

And I set about getting ready to handle this newest challenge.

16

Julie

As I make my way back to my room in the hospital, I can't help but feel a bit of optimism. My mom is clearly doing so well. She has a job at the military base she's staying, and she's even started to take some courses so she can become a nurse. She sounds so delighted and excited about it. Before the Grots, she had been a beautician, and while I'm sure she still loves to do hair and nails, I haven't heard her this ecstatic about work ever before.

Talking about Nax, though, made me think about his laugh and the way he seems to understand me and wants to support me and be there for me...

I just don't know about our future, though, because I think I know Nax well enough to know that he's going to be torn between me and his job.

A woman pops her head out of her room, and she smiles at me. "Hi."

I halt in front of her. "Hi."

"Do you have a minute?" she asks.

"Oh, I'm not a nurse or doctor."

"Not looking for one," she says. "I'm lonely and wanted someone to talk to, but if you're busy..."

"I can talk." A fresh wave of dizziness washes over me, and I put my hand on the wall. "Can we sit in your room?"

"Of course."

Once we're settled, she beams at me.

"I'm Tara," she says. "I came from Earth not too long ago."

"Oh, yeah? I'm Julie. I've been here from the start."

"Can I ask you a question?"

I nod.

"How long did it take you to adjust to your new home here?"

"I'm still adjusting, I think," I admit.

"Yeah, I get that." She glances away.

"What's wrong?" I ask gently.

"It's just... I've been in here most of the time since I arrived. I'm not sure how or what even happened, but my spine... I've been having chronic pain, and it's been almost impossible to get under control. It's been really difficult to stay positive."

"I'm so sorry to hear this."

She makes a face. "I've been told I might have to go back to Earth for treatment or even back surgery, and the thought terrifies me."

"I know the doctors here are great, but if they aren't used to performing surgery..."

"I don't want surgery. I just..."

"Why did you come to Kuria?" I ask gently.

"I wanted to see if they would teach me how to fly. I want to explore all of the different worlds and meet other humans, but... I don't know if they even want that, if it's allowed. With my... condition for lack of a better word... I feel less pain if I stand versus sitting, but..."

"What can I do?"

"There's nothing you can do."

"Well, I can listen."

"I was talking to a Novan when I first came. His name is Hano. He was talking to me about this planet called Merepura. I want to go there so badly! It sounds beautiful with pink grass and black water, and the sky is supposed to be green and orange. Two suns and three moons."

"How does Hano know so much about Merepura?"

"His wife had been from there." Tara wrinkles her nose. "They were on Nore when the Grots came so she was killed along with the other women. There's no way he'll ever want to go back there, so..."

"Why don't you see if Hano can come here and tap to you some more about the plane? Maybe he'll surprise you and want to go."

"Yeah, but..."

"There's the deep sleep," I point out. "So long as he's the one flying, you can sleep on the ride to Merepura."

"I don't know," she murmurs.

I can't help but wonder if she has feelings for Hano. She talks about him with so much enthusiasm and affection, and it sounds like she wants to share an experience with him so that they both could make special memories. At the same time, I can sense sadness in her when she speaks about him. If she would ask him about going. on the trip with her, she might not want to opt for the deep sleep to spend time with him on the trek. But Hano seeing the race that his wife had been might be hard on him, especially if he saw her parents and any siblings.

"How often have you smiled since coming here?" I ask.

She narrows her eyes and tilts her head to the side. "Why do you ask?"

I shrug and then can't help smiling a little. "Am I right?"

"Right in what?"

"Thinking that Hano is the only one who has been able to make you smile since you arrived here."

She blinks a few times, but there is a pink tinge to her cheeks that hadn't been there before.

"Your eyes soften when you talked about him and Merepura. I can see hope in them, hope that one day, you'll be able to go there together and explore it. Am I right?"

She grunts and then winces.

Should I say anything? Make it obvious that I notice?

She watches me warily, but when I say and do nothing, she visibly relaxes. "Can I be honest with you?" she asks.

"Of course."

"Wait. You're here. Are you sick? Contagious?"

"I don't think so," I mutter.

"Ah, it's fine." She waves her hand and blows out a breath. "From the start... I felt an inexplicable pull toward him. Does that make any sense? I would love to go to Merepura with him, but I'm scared to ask him because of his wife's death. I keep telling myself that it would be wrong to even ask him, but deep down inside, I just somehow know it would be a beautiful thing if we go there together."

An inexplicable pull.

Yes, that might be accurate. That might be what's happening between me and Nax.

Has that happened with other women and Novans?

My mind races, and Tara seems to be lost in thought too. I try to push aside everything between myself and Nax out of my mind and focus on her and her Novan. It weighs heavily on me as my mind races between different scenarios. Maybe Hano won't agree to the trip if she ever gets the courage to ask him. Maybe he'll feel guilty about going to his wife's home planet without her. Maybe Tara will never get a chance to visit that mysterious land of Merepura no matter how much she wants it. Maybe she'll never be able to fly anywhere or be able to explore other planets with someone else as the pilot.

"Who is he?" she asks me suddenly.

I gape at her. "Excuse me?"

"You didn't question me at all. You nodded when I mentioned the inexplicable pull. You've felt it too, haven't you? If that's the case, why are you here alone? Or is he the one who's a patient? Did he get hurt?"

"No. Ah, there's nothing like that. Nothing at all."

"Right. Sure." She makes a face.

I laugh and shake my head. "It's..."

"Complicated? More so than everything between me and Hano?"

"There are different degrees of complicatedness. Is that even a word?"

"I'll allow it." She smiles and then flinches and blows out a breath.

"I want the both of you to get what you deserve."

"Oh, yeah? And what's that?"

"A chance to let go of the pain and just be happy."

"My pain is more physical, but his... Yes. Well, who knows? The Novans haven't been able to help me."

"Maybe those on Merepura can. Or if not them, maybe you can planet hop and find a doctor who can."

"I really do love that idea, but what about you and—"

"There you are, Julie. I've been looking all over for you." Enrique smiles at me, but I notice how it doesn't reach his eyes like his previous smiles.

My stomach churns a bit. "We'll talk later, okay, Tara?"

"Of course. Take care!"

Feeling a bit like I'm walking to my grave, I follow the doctor back to my room. He shuts the door behind him.

Never a good sign. Or maybe I'm reading into this, and it's normal procedure. I just can so easily recall the sound of the door shutting before the doctor turned to my parents and me and dropped the bomb that she had cancer.

"Some test results have come back," he starts.

"Only some? Not all?"

"Correct."

I hold up a hand. "I... Can you wait until all of the test results are back? I don't think I want to hear this without a friend here."

"If that's what you want, that's perfectly fine."

"Can I..." I look around the room and realize there's soup waiting for me. "I'll let you know when I'm ready."

"Of course. It shouldn't take too much longer for the last results to come back."

He leaves the room, and I eat the soup. It's spicy and delicious, and I find myself scraping the bowl. I'm a little surprised that they would give someone who had an upset stomach spicy food, but I seem to be handling it all right so far.

Then, I leave the room. While I could have Tara with me, I want Nax here. I've been wishing Nax could've been here all along even though I know how important his job is to him.

And how important it is period.

I'm not ignorant about the holes we haven't been digging, the ones that might be from animals trying to reach our plants. Maybe I should've brought the holes up to Nax earlier. The fence will keep out the animals that might pose an issue to us farmers, but that might only serve to make the animals burrowing in the red soil to come that much more. They'll be less likely to feel afraid of their predators now.

So it's selfish of me to want him here, so maybe I should try to find Lydia. I do have other friends among the farmers, naturally, but Lydia and I have become so close. I'm just not sure where she is right now.

Well, since I'm aiming for Lydia, there's no point in calling. I'm not sure if she has the chip or not.

I leave the hospital and secure a ride from one of the drivers out front. I try to feel happy as I make my escape as I set out to find Nax or Lydia, whichever one I can find first, but deep down, I know what this really is.

A way to delay the inevitable.

17

Nax

All in all, it has been several grueling hours of work. I should feel fulfilled and maybe even happy that I've been so useful to the farmers.

Even now, all I want, though, is to be useful to Julie.

Just then, a centuricmobile pulls up. I look over, hoping the one to come out will be the object of my desire, but that is not the case.

Lydia hurries over to me. "Nax!"

I take in her wide eyes and heaving chest and am instantly on high alert. "What's wrong?"

"I went to the hospital to check in on Julie and see how she's doing."

"And?" That she looks so distraught can only mean something terrible has happened to Julie.

"She's gone. They aren't sure where she is."

"She left the hospital?" I'm dumbfounded.

Lydia nods. "I'm going to look for her."

"Me too."

"But..."

I'm already walking away from her. As I head to Julie's house, I call different guards until one of them is willing to come over and take over the farmland for me.

I almost barge down the door as I end the call. The scent of sex still lingers in the air. We didn't make the bed, the blanket all strewn about, and I can call how Julie felt in my arms...

What if she dies? what if she is dying?

I don't want to think about it. I have to find her. 

I yell, banging a fist against the wall. I must find her no matter how long it takes.

The sun is setting, and I am determined to do everything in my power to find Julie before the night descends upon us.

I rush back to the farmland and ask everyone there if they've seen her, if they know where she's gone, and if they can help me in any way.

But no one can tell me anything useful. It's as if she's vanished into thin air.

I'm sure that'll be the case at the hospital, but if someone saw her leave... if they knew the name of the driver... What if she didn't get into a centuricmobile and is just walking around?

How am I ever going to find her?

It feels like I'm never going to find her as time slowly ticks away.

I move away from the farmland, trying to widen my area of search. Should I notify the overlord? That seems like a bit of a reach. I'm a guard. I should be able to track down a woman, but I am starting to wonder if I can convince a driver to let me use a centuricmobile so I can get around quicker.

Yes, that's exactly what I do, and I call up Chrix.

"Are you busy right now?" I ask him.

"Not anymore."

He sounds a bit breathless.

"Are you sure?" I ask.

"What do you need? A ride somewhere? I'm off for the night—"

"That's perfect. I don't need you. I need your centuricmobile."

"For what?"

"My... A farmer is missing."

"Oh! Do you want me to help look for her?"

"I... If you want."

"Who is it?"

"Her name is Julie Lawrence. She has blond hair and blue eyes, and she's sick. She must be found."

"Sick? I'll call around and organize a search party for her."

"First, I need that centuricmobile."

"Of course. I'll drive out to you right now."

It isn't easy for me to wait the twenty minutes for Chrix to arrive, but when he does, he places a hand on my shoulder.

"I drove you over to the hospital with her," he states.

I blink a few times. "Ah, yes, Yes, you did. I'm sorry. My mind... I can hardly think straight."

"That happens," he murmurs.

"When?" I gape at him. My mind is racing, and I can hardly focus on anything at all.

"When you fall in love."

I wince. "I need to go."

He nods to me.

I think I might nod back, but I'm already zooming away. I've driven before but never this recklessly.

I'm being pulled into a frantic search by an invisible force. I stop every time I see a person, Novan or Earthling, asking the same questions and getting the same answers. No one knows where she is. My heart sinks with despair as I go from one place to the next, but I can't give up hope. 

But no matter where I go, I can't find her. The planet is not nearly as big as Earth is, and I can't shake the feeling that I should have found her by now. It's as if Julie has disappeared into its depths. Every second that passes feels like an eternity. I am consumed by worry and fear about what happened to her and my inability to find her.

But still, I keep searching, hoping that somehow, somewhere, she will be waiting for me yet again with that bright smile on her face.

And that she will not be sick anymore.

And that we might be able to find a way to be together despite everything.

Because this search of mine has not been fruitful as far as locating her, but it has been fruitful in another venture.

I know how much she means to me.

Every building I pass, I pause and go inside. I don't think she'll be in any of them, but I will not leave a single red stone unturned. I take to the streets, searching for any sign of her. I stop absolutely everywhere, and I ask people if they've seen her, if they know where she went, but no one can tell me anything useful.

My only hope is that she left a clue behind somewhere, so I head to the hospital, but even going there is a fruitless venture.

I do talk to that Earthling doctor of hers, though. Doctor Enrique Pinto. It wasn’t easy, that conversation. I had to bite my tongue several times so I wouldn’t say something that might spark a war between Novans and Earthlings. I’m not that far gone that I would do something to undermine everything.

“She’s not going to die,” the doctor said. “She left to find someone so that she could hear the news about her health without being alone.”

My heart ached to hear this.

I never should’ve left her.

My job means so much to me. It always has.

But she means more to me. There’s no questioning that.

“Why didn’t she call me?” I demanded.

“I don’t know.”

“She didn’t say anything about where she was going, who she wanted with her?”

“I’m afraid not. I thought she would make a phone call, but… Did you talk to the drivers?”

I blew out a breath. Chrix said he would handle that, didn’t he?

I don’t know what to do, and I hate that I feel so utterly helpless. I drive around in circles just in case I miss something. If only I could find her before the sun sets completely...

My search becomes more despondent as each hour passes by without any leads to Julie's whereabouts. No matter where I go, it's like she's been erased from existence. There's no trace of her anywhere, not even a whisper or a hint of her passing through anywhere. The worry starts to consume me until all that remains is an utter and complete desperation to find her before it's too late.

I don't think I can handle one more blank stare or expression of confusion. They only add to the worry that threatens to overwhelm me.

The night deepens into darkness and I can feel my hope fading away. No matter where I go, I can't find her. My heart is heavy, and my mind is tortured by the thought that she might be gone for good. Tears start streaming down my face as the reality of the situation sinks in. Julie is gone and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

Then, suddenly I hear it. A howl from a nearby animal causes me even more distress. I don't know if it's an omen or a sign of hope.

An omen. Certainly.

I'm consumed with fear and desperation, and I can't help but think the worst as I search for her in the darkness. Despite my fear, I keep pushing forward, determined to find her. After all, she's out there somewhere, and if I look hard enough...I might just be able to save her yet.

Despite all odds, despite the darkness and the uncertainty of it all, I keep going on because if I don't find her, who will?

I drive faster towards the noise, hoping beyond hope that she will not be there, not be in danger from the animals. My heart pounds as I approach, almost as if it knows what might lay ahead.

I grip the steering wheel tightly and prepare for whatever lies ahead as I come to a stop. As I get closer, I can make out the shapes of several animals standing in the middle of a clearing. All I find is an angry pack of gavias and literix snarling and growling at me as if to say "Go away! She's not here!"

My heart sinks, yet, despite my fear and sadness, I can't help but feel a spark of courage within me. Despite their threatening stance and menacing grins, they are no match for my strength or determination. 

The animals are more agitated than usual tonight, restless and ready to attack anything that comes near them. Even though there is no sign of Julie, their presence makes me uneasy. 

Although my heart aches in sorrow and worry over where Julie might be, I stand tall and brave against the animals. They are far too close to the outskirts of the builders' home. A guard should be nearby, but I don't wait for him to arrive. I jump down from the centuricmobile and cautiously approach them, ready to fight them and resume my duties as a guard. I know they can sense my fear and apprehension as they start to circle me menacingly. But even at that moment, I'm determined not to give up hope and turn back now. I won't stop until I find her and bring her home safe and sound.

My hands trembling but my spirit still strong, I take a step forward hoping that these animals won't attack me for going too close. They lunge forward, teeth bared and ready to attack, and my fists clench tightly. A few well-timed jabs and kicks, combined with a healthy dose of courage, serve me well, and I fight them off until they finally retreat back into the darkness from whence they came, leaving behind an eerie silence that echoes through the darkness like a reminder of all the unanswered questions yet.

As I drive away, I hope that somehow, someway I'll be able to find her and bring her back safely. I can almost feel her presence, and it fuels me with a newfound strength to keep searching. 

A beep sounds, and I grit my teeth. Who is calling me now?

And then I recall that Chrix said he would organize a search party. Could they have found her?

It's stupid, but at first, I wish they haven't because I want to be the one to save her, find her, hold her, but that's ridiculous. So long as she is safe, that is all that matters.

"Hello?" I say to answer the call.

"Nax, have you found her yet?" Chrix asks.

"Ovian," I mutter. "You haven't either."

"Don't worry," Chrix says. "We'll find her."

"Where the ovian is she?"

"We'll find her," he repeats.

What else can he say?

"If she's hurt..." I can't continue on.

"Julie is strong—"

"How can you say that," I spit out in a wild rage. "You drove her to the hospital! You know she's sick!"

"They wouldn't have let her leave if—"

"I'm going to kill that doctor!" I roar.

"Don't," Chrix pleads. "You can't. He wouldn't have let her leave if she was too sick, don't you think?"

I can barely breathe.

“I can’t lose her.”

“You won’t.”

I disconnect the call. I wish I could believe him.

But I don’t.

And what bothers me the most is that I don’t know where Julie would turn to.

Would she have asked around to find my house? I don’t think so.

What if she has a certain place that she goes to when she feels afraid or upset? Might she have gone there?

I don’t know her well enough.

And that bothers me all the more.

18

Julie

I'm not sure where I am. My eyes are closed, and I... I'm not in bed. I'm not sure where I am.

Slowly, I face my eyes open, and I realize I'm in someone's arms.

Nax's.

He's bent over me, and his lips are moving, but I can't make out what he's saying, not at first.

And then I can. He's only saying one word over and over again.

My name.

My arm feels so heavy, but I lift it and touch his cheek.

His wet cheek.

He's crying.

"Why..." I clear my throat. "Why are you crying?"

"Julie!" The Novan guard almost crushes me to him. "You're okay! You're ovian alive!"

"Yes," I murmur, "but if you squeeze me that tightly, I might not be alive for much longer."

He laughs and stands, still holding me as he spins around. "You're all right."

"Nax, you're scaring me," I murmur.

"Me? I'm scaring you? Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you? We all have been. You just disappeared!"

"A search party?"

"What happened after you left the hospital?" he asks.

I furrow my brow, trying to remember. "My mind's a little hazy," I murmur. "I left... in a vehicle. I wanted to find you. You or Lydia. Enrique... the doctor had the results back for some of the tests but not all of them, and I... I didn't want to hear the results without you there. You or Lydia, so I set out to find you. I planned to go back with one of you."

"The ride," he says.

"Oh, yes. I asked the driver to head to the farm, but then I changed my mind and asked him to let me out... Where was it? I don't remember. I went to your house, though, but you weren't there."

"How did you know which house was mine?" he asks curiously.

"I... I'm not sure. I think I asked someone, but... It was a woman. Callie. She and her husband... Her husband is a guard."

"A guard..."

"Adir, I think is his name. Callie told me where to go. You weren't there, obviously, so after that... I just went off walking, hoping to find the farmland... to find you, but you found me."

I cling to him. He's shaking, and the tears... He's stopped crying, but he's been through so much.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I'm so sorry for putting you through this."

He holds me even tighter. "It's okay," he whispers back, his voice husky and thick with emotion. "You're safe now. You're here with me, and that's all that matters."

And suddenly, it is all that matters. His arms are around me, and his warmth spread to heat my body. He keeps me safe and secure. I'm home in a way I've never been before, a home away from home, as if Nax has become my own personal haven of safety and love.

He pulls away to look at my face with tear-filled eyes, and then he kisses my forehead tenderly before resting his head on mine again. I can feel the tears rolling down his cheeks onto mine as we cling to each other in silence, both of us feeling incredibly blessed to have found one another after so much time apart, so much fear and uncertainty between us.

"I'm so glad you found me," I whisper.

He holds me tightly and nods, his own relief evident in his embrace. He's thrilled to have found me, and I'm touched and sorry I put him through so much. 

He takes a deep breath and pulls away but only enough to look into my face. His eyes are bright with unshed tears, but they shimmer with pure happiness as he leans forward to press his lips against mine in a heartfelt kiss. 

It's short but sweet, a moment of intense emotion that speaks volumes about how we feel for each other. When he pulls back, there's an unspoken understanding between us. No matter what the future might bring, we will always be here for each other.

I can feel the emotions radiating from him.

"Julie," he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so glad you're safe." 

I hold onto him tightly, not wanting to let go even when the feeling of security starts to overwhelm me. A warmth settles in my chest, chasing away the fear that had been threatening to take over ever since I left the hospital and set out to find him.

I cup his face. "You should probably call off the search party."

"Hmm? Yes. Yes, of course. You're right."

He holds me close as he calls Chrix. I can only hear his side of the conversation, of course, but it's short and sweet.

"I should get you to the hospital," he murmurs.

"Soon." I grab his arm.

"Soon? But, Julie..."

"I know. I don't know if I passed out, if I was too tired... what happened... but you're here now. That's all I need."

"We need to know what's going on with you." There's an undercurrent of nervous anxiety in his voice.

I pat his cheek. "Nax, please."

"What is it you... want?" he asks.

I smile, so appreciating that he hadn't asked what I need.

"I just want a few moments with you," I whisper, "before..."

"What are you afraid of?" he asks.

"What might be wrong with me," I admit. "My mom had cancer."

His eyes widen.

"Do you know what cancer is?"

"I wish Earthlings weren't so susceptible to sicknesses," he mutters. Then, he stiffens. "Had cancer?"

I smile. "She's very much alive," I murmur. "She's in remission. Her cancer has gone away. Is it possible it might return? Yes, but hopefully it won't."

He holds me tightly. "If you do have cancer, you should turn to Earth so you can be treated by the same doctors."

"I want a few more minutes of not having to worry about any of that," I murmur. "I just want to be here with you."

"Julie..."

He kisses my forehead and wraps his arms around me. We just stay there, holding each other in the middle of the wilderness of Kuria, not speaking a word but speaking volumes with our embrace. I'm scared, but I feel safe here with him. I'm fearful of what might come next, but also secure in the knowledge that wherever we go from here, we will be together.

At least, that's my hope.

Maybe he senses my unease because he kisses the top of my head and holds me even tighter. He doesn't have to say a word, but I can feel his love and concern radiating off him.

He pulls me in for another hug, tight enough to make me feel like he's never going to let go. He places another gentle kiss on my forehead and holds me close, as if he's trying to protect me from all the terrors of the unknown.

"I'm scared," I whisper into his chest.

"Me too," he murmurs back, his voice trembling with emotion, "but I promise you that whatever happens, I'll be here for you. You're not alone."

He pulls away and wipes away my tears with his thumb before cupping my face gently in his hands and pressing a sweet kiss against my lips. His touch is so loving and tender that it takes away some of the fear, allowing a spark of hope to ignite in its place.

He looks deep into my eyes, never breaking eye contact as he leans in closer and whispers softly against my lips, "We'll get through this together."

I close my eyes and just hold him, allowing his warmth to envelope me and give me strength. He pulls away, ever so slightly and I smile up at him.

"Thank you," I breathe. 

He smiles back and takes my hand in his. "Of course," he says softly. "No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you. You will never have to go through this alone."

No matter how much doubt I may feel my heart is filled with a warmth that makes me believe him. No matter what the future holds, I know that Nax will always be there to support me. He'll guide me through this journey, no matter where it leads.

But what about his job?

I force a shaky smile, taking in what he said. I know that no matter what happens, Nax will always be there for me. He's my rock, the one person who will never let me down and always have my back. No matter how tough things get or how scared I am, I know that if Nax is by my side, nothing can ever bring me down. 

Still, I can't help worrying that his job will cause me to have to face the potential of cancer by myself.

He smiles and holds me close again, his warmth radiating through my body and giving me just that bit of extra reassurance I need to take on the unknown.

"What's wrong?" he murmurs.

I duck my head, my smile turning more genuine. He can so easily read me already.

"It's just..." My voice falters.

"Just what?" he prompts gently.

I really don't want to voice my concern, and I look away.

"You're worried about my job," he says.

"How did you know?"

"Because I've been afraid that's what you're worried about."

I wrinkle my nose as I meet his gaze. "Your job means so much to you, and I would never dream of taking you away from it, but you can't guard over only one woman."

"I don't care," he says stubbornly. "Despite my being a guard here on Kuria and having duties to uphold, I promise you that I will always be there for you, no matter what happens."

With this promise and his strong arms around me, I feel invincible even in the face of uncertainty.

"No matter what lies ahead, I will be with you. I'll help you through it. We can handle it together. Please know," he says earnestly, "that I will always choose you. My job is important, but so are you. You mean more to me than anything else in the universe, and if it means I have to give up my guard duties for us to be together, then I'm willing to do that without a second thought."

He smiles down at me, his neon eyes filled with such love, and I can't help melting into him. His promise fills me with hope and joy.

But also sorrow.

"Nax, the last thing I want is for you to stop being a guard," I protest.

He nuzzles me. "I'll never be too far away from you," he whispers. "No matter how much distance is between us or whatever other responsibilities I have, I will find a way to make it work so that we can still be together. I love you, and nothing will ever change that."

A wave of affection and admiration washes over me, and I can't help but smile. I wrap my arms around his neck, wanting to hold him close forever.

Still, the worry lingers in the back of my mind, so I take a deep breath and pull away slightly. "You don't have to give up your guard duties. I know you don't want to, and I would never ask that."

"I can talk to the overlord," he says.

"About what?"

"I can also talk to Adir." Nax hangs his head. "I don't know how I hadn't realized that another guard was married. If he can make it work, I can too."

"I don't think that Adir was as... stringent about his career as you are," I say.

"What do you mean?" Nax asks curiously.

"Well, maybe stringent isn't the best word." I fight back a yawn. "I just think, based on what Callie told me, that Adir isn't as career-oriented as you are, but I know how much your job means to you. You need to remain a guard. Your loyalty, your drive, your desire to keep us all safe... that's what I love about you."

He beams at me and wraps his arms around me again, pulling me close. "I can't get enough of you," he murmurs.

I stare up into his neon eyes. He doesn't mean sexually. He means me personally, all of me.

"Earthlings make a vow to be together for life," I murmur. "In sickness and in health. It doesn't always work out that way, though. My dad... He couldn't handle my mom's sickness."

"So what did he do? I don't understand. He couldn't handle it? What does that mean?"

"He left. They got a divorce."

"When your mother was fighting cancer. I understand it can be very hard, incredibly hard, and the treatment almost sounds worse." He gapes at me. "Your mother would've needed him even more then than ever before, and he just left?"

I nod.

Nax opens and shuts his mouth. "If I ever meet him," he mutters.

"You would what?" I ask, amused.

"I would kill him."

I laugh until I realize by his facial expression that he's not joking. I gape at him and shake my head. "You aren't ever going to meet him, so we really don't need to worry about that."

"Does it Bothe you that I would kill someone who hurt you and your mother?"

I hesitate. "It probably should, but... no," I whisper.

"I will take care of you always," he says. "Physically and mentally and emotionally."

"I know," I murmur.

"And right now, I think that I need to physically first and foremost. Let me carry you to the centuricmobile. It's time to go to the hospital."

19

Nax

The thought of Julie having cancer is almost enough to paralyze me, but I'm somehow able to gather myself and drive us to the hospital. I want to carry her inside, but she refuses. We walk down the hall to her room and get comfortable, her sitting in a chair, me standing right beside her, holding her hand.

She looks up at me. "I wouldn't be surprised if we won't find out until tomorrow."

"You can rest here," I say. "I'll find you a blanket, and you can get comfortable."

"Or maybe we could just leave and come back in the morning. I wouldn't mind sleeping in my bed tonight." She looks up at me shyly. "Or maybe your bed."

I'm trying to think about how I want to answer that as the room falls silent. From other rooms, there is the sound of beeping from machines.

Before I can settle on an answer, the doctor walks into the room. As Julie stands, I squeeze Julie's hand, wanting to project strength and unity despite my heart dropping as I wait for him to deliver the news. He looks serious, but he's wearing a faint smile on his lips.

"All of the test results have come back," Doctor Enrique Pinto announces in a cheerful tone. "Good news. It's not cancer."

Julie and I exhale in relief. A wave of relief washes over me, and Julie almost collapses into my arms but I hold her tight until she finds her balance again. Her expression transitions from worry to surprise and then relief.

I look down at Julie in disbelief, relieved beyond words. ears fill my eyes as I wrap her in a warm embrace of gratitude and joy.

I'm overwhelmed with happiness that it isn't cancer, but I can tell by the look on the doctor's face that something else might be wrong. 

"We did some tests and it turns out that you are severely lacking essential vitamins," he continues, "including iron which explains why you've been feeling so tired lately."

I'm amazed at how quickly Julie's face brightens up. Tears of joy fill her eyes as she hugs me tightly.

"Thank you, Enrique," she says. "And thank you, Nax. I just need to take vitamins?"

"Vitamins and supplements, yes," the doctor says.

"And that's all?" I press.

He nods. "That's all. It will take some time for your body to adjust and for you to feel better, but we can handle this here."

"I don't need to go to Earth?" she asks.

I blink a few times. The thought of her leaving for Earth... it's almost devastating.

"How did this happen to her?" I ask the doctor. "So this doesn't happen again.

"Well, a number of things could have contributed to this. Stress, malnutrition which I don't think is the case here, lack of sleep... They are common symptoms of too much work or worry for someone so young like yourself, Julie. I also think it's important that you take better care of yourself if you want to live a long and healthy life."

"Of course," she murmurs.

"Malnutrition?" I repeat. "No, that's not possible." I turn to her. "Is it?"

"There have been a few times when I've forgotten to pause to eat lunch," she admits. "I'll get caught up in work, and I sometimes forget to eat."

"You forget to eat," I echo, horrified. "You don't get hungry?"

"Not when I'm in the zone."

"In the..." I blink a few times. "In the zone."

"I just put my work first."

"Not anymore. You need to come first, Julie. Your health is too important. Please."

"It won't happen again," she vows.

I grunt. "How can you be so sure about that?"

"You won't let me," she says lightly.

"Of course not," I say, my tone firm. "Would you consider..."

"Consider what?"

I hesitate, hating that I'm not sure what she would think of my suggestion.

"Consider getting the chip?" she asks.

I nod. That's precisely what I had been thinking.

Enrique clears his throat. "I'll just go and get the vitamins for you," he says before ducking out of the room.

Julie smiles at me. "I really do think that the chip is a smart idea," she says. "With you remaining a guard, it will be one way for us to keep in constant contact with one another, and—"

"I plan on asking Overlord Nestrol if I can stay on as a guard for the farmers always and not be moved around from place to place," I blurt out.

Her jaw drops, and then, she yawns. She's utterly adorable.

Enrique returned to the room shortly after with a bottle of vitamins. He handed them over to Julie.

"Thank you so much," she murmurs, also accepting a glass.

As she took the medicine, he explained, "There's iron, vitamin B12, folate, magnesium, and more. Here's a list of food that you can eat that are rich in these essential nutrients so that you can continue to take care of yourself even after the course of vitamins was completed. Some of them are from Earth, but you can come here to the hospital so we can provide you with them."

"Thank you."

"Have you decided about the chip?" he asks. "I don't mean to pry, but the procedure is done here in the hospital. It's late, rather late, but it can be done in the morning."

"Yes, please," she says, reaching out to take my hand again now that she has taken her medicine. "In the morning sounds great."

"Good. Now if you don't mind, I have a few more questions for you. What kind of food do you eat? How much sleep do you get every night? When was the last time you exercised?"

Julie's cheeks turn pink. "I last exercised shortly before I started to feel unwell enough to come here," she admits.

I cough into my fist when I realize she's referring to us sleeping together.

"Exercise might tire you out at first until the vitamins have a chance to start to correct your levels, but if you feel like you safely can exercise, I highly recommend it."

"Understood," she murmurs, looking at me and then away.

The two of them talk a little longer. Enrique then has us follow him to another room that has a bed.

"If you need a second bed or would prefer a different room or if you aren't staying the night," he says to me.

"I'll be right here with Julie," I say firmly. "No second bed required."

Enrique grins at me. "I thought so, but I didn't wish to presume. Let me know if you need anything, and I will see you in the morning."

I point to my ear, and he nods before leaving the room. He has a chip. If Julie requires anything, I can call him.

I have Julie lie down first. She has a soft smile on her face, and she looks up at me with tired eyes.

"Come to bed with me," she murmurs, patting beside her.

"You should sleep," I say.

"You don't need to guard over me as I sleep, and you need to rest too."

"All right." I press my lips to her forehead and then climb into the bed beside her. "Whatever you want," I whisper, my heart full of love for this woman who has become an integral part of my life in such a short amount of time.

She falls asleep soon enough, still in my arms, and I can't help but smile knowing that she is safe now.

* * *

When I wake in the morning, Julie is still sleeping. I sit up but do not dare get out of bed, not wishing to disturb my love as she slumbers.

Still, I have my duty to attend to, and I use my chip to call the most important Novan of all.

"Overlord Nestrol."

"Nax, I trust this is important to wake me."

"I apologize for waking you."

"Is this about that woman you couldn't find? Has she been found?"

"Yes, she has. I didn't realize you knew about it."

"You could have told me about it directly. I am glad she's been found, though. Is she safe?"

I look over at her. She looks so peaceful and content.

"She is," I say.

"Ah, I can hear it in your voice. You love her."

"I do."

"And you seek to marry her."

"Ah, well, perhaps one day. We only just... I'm calling for another reason."

"And that is?"

"She's a farmer, and I wish to be assigned to guard over the farmland permanently," I say in a rush.

"Done."

I blink a few times. "You... agree?"

The overlord laughs. "Isn't that what you want?"

"Yes, but..."

"You were expecting a fight." He sounds amused.

I laugh. "Yes, I suppose so," I admit. "Thank you, Overlord Nestrol."

He chuckles again. "Nax, you have my loyalty, and if this is what you want to do, then of course I will assign you to guard over the farmland."

"Thank you," I breathe, feeling relief wash over me.

"I trust you to do the right thing for her and your people."

"Of course. Thank you again."

The overlord says his goodbyes and wishes us luck before the conversation ends, and I look back at Julie, who has yet to wake up. I smile at her and kiss her forehead before lying back down in bed. Julie does not realize it just yet, but my life with her is about to begin in earnest.

Julie stirs, moving closer to me until our noses brush together. 

She looks up at me with sleepy eyes, and I gently brush a few strands of hair from her face. 

"Good morning," she murmurs. 

I smile down at her. "Good morning," I whisper. "I spoke with Overlord Nestrol. He has granted my wish. I've been assigned to guard the farmland permanently."

Her face lights up in happiness. She sits up excitedly and throws her arms around me tightly in a hug of gratitude. 

"You did this for me?" she asks against my chest. 

"Of course," I say softly, holding her close. "Anything for you."

"Thank you for taking such good care of me."

I embrace her that much tighter. We both know that this is only the beginning of our journey together, but for now, it's enough for us to be together on Novan lands and live our lives as we please.

20

Julie

It takes a few weeks for me to start feeling better. Through it all, Nax has been absolutely amazing. As much as we both want to do more than just say we love each other, he won't let us make love all night long. Oh, we still make love. Don't get me wrong. He just doesn't want to overdo it. How sweet he is with me, how tender, how loving...

Some of the latest plants I've cultivated are finally bearing fruit. Now, we need vegetables, and I can't help but wonder if I should talk to the scientists, both Earthling and Novans, to see what they think about trying to let the plants take over here on Kuria in the world. It would mean introducing them to the animals here, which would have ramifications on the entire food chain here. That's why I want to ask first, but it's all so very exciting.

I grab one of the huge purple growing fruit and yank it from the bush. It doesn't need to be washed, just brushed off. We don't use any kind of chemicals here.

Nax approaches. He's never too far away. "Those rodiants haven't been causing any more issues, have they?"

"Not that I can tell," I assure him.

"Good." He seems pleased.

"Hey, I was thinking..."

"Go on."

"Maybe we head over to the plateau today?"

"And do what?"

"Just sit and relax. Take in the view."

He looks all around.

"I think the farmers will be all right for an hour or so," I murmur.

After a moment, he nods, and I climb over the fence to join him.

The trek isn't that long. I've been sure to exercise nearly every day. At first, it was just going for walks, almost always with Nax, but while the Novans don't have weights here like we do back in gyms on Earth, I've been using rocks to try to do some strength training. Honestly, farmers are probably stronger than many would think. Pulling up plants by the roots isn't always easy and can require a good bit of strength.

Soon, we stand at the edge of a cliff, looking out onto the horizon, and feel closer than ever before.

I lay my head on his arm. he's too tall for me to put it on his shoulder.

He pulls me in for a tight hug. "I have something I want to talk to you about," he says.

My heart starts to speed up. "There's something I want to talk to you about you, but you go first."

"Now that you're healthy again," he says, "I think I can arrange for us to go to Earth. We can get married on your home planet and then come back."

I blink a few times.

"You don't like that idea?" he asks, looking crestfallen.

I hang my head and laugh, covering one side of my face. My cheek is warm. I'm feeling bashful and shy all over again.

He still makes my stomach feel like there are butterflies inside it, and I never want that feeling to go away.

"Actually," I murmur, "why do you think I asked you to come here?"

"The thing you wanted to talk to me about..."

"I wanted to ask you to go to Earth with me for us to get married, but you beat me to the punch!" I bite my lower lip. "My only worry... What about your duties? You can't just take off and go."

"Yes, I can," he says, his smile widening. "Don't worry. I'll talk to the overlord and explain the situation and he'll understand."

Nax looks into my eyes. His fingers trace my face lovingly from my forehead down to my chin. He touches my lips lightly with his thumb before pressing them against mine in a gentle kiss.

When we break apart, he stares into my eyes for a few more moments before adding, "I want you to have your mom there when we get married." 

My heart swells with emotion. "I can't tell you how much it means to me that you would want this for me."

"I know and understand you, Julie," he says softly. "I know that it would mean far more to you if we get married on Earth rather than Kuria."

I hug him tightly, and we make love right then and there, unable to deny our love for each other. His hands are strong and sure as they move against my body, erasing any doubt that he is the man for me. It doesn't matter that he's a Novan and I'm an Earthling. Somehow, I think the universe always intended for us to be together. Despite the pain he's suffered at the hands of the Grots, despite the horror that cancer played in my life with my mom, everything has worked out for the best.

We kiss tenderly, exploring every inch of one another with burning passion. The sun slowly descends below the horizon, painting the sky with a beautiful pink hue as we lay down on the red soil under a blanket of stars. We become lost in each other's embrace until the night is over and morning has come.

As I hold him close, I realize that nothing else matters except this moment here with him. No borders or limits can keep us apart any longer. Together, with our kisses, with this physical act of love, we make promises to each other that will last a lifetime, solidifying our bond through our shared love for one another. 

We stare into each other's eyes for what feels like an eternity before shifting to look above us. The sky has a purple-pink hue which makes it look dreamy and surreal. We take in the beauty of the moment, never wanting this perfect moment to end.

I can feel the heat of his stare, and Nax rolls on top of me, taking me into his arms once again, moving with me in a slow rhythm. It has been so long, far too long, since we made love like this, since that first night together, and I relish all of this.

All of him.

I can feel his every breath against my skin, and he whispers sweet words that make my heart flutter even more than before. I am overwhelmed with joy and contentment knowing that I have found someone who loves me unconditionally no matter what species we are from or the planet we live on.

I feel my heart bursting with joy as the moment grows more and more intense. His hands run over my body tenderly, his touch gentle yet passionate, and I can see in his eyes that he feels the same way.

Our lovemaking is a beautiful show of connection between two hearts from different worlds, one that will always be kept alive no matter how different we may seem to others. We may come from opposite sides of space, but together we will bridge the gap and create a bond that transcends all boundaries.

As we lay there together afterward, I whisper to him softly, "I love you."

He kisses me on the forehead, our emotions overflowing with blissful happiness. "I love you more."

I laugh and shake my head. My eyelids start to flutter, but he reaches over for the fruit I brought with me.

"Eat some," he says, and he feeds me, and I feed him, and I know that whatever comes, we'll always take care of one another.

And I can't wait for the next phase of our life to begin.

* * *

Overlord Nestrol grants Nax two full weeks on Earth, and when we arrive, my mom is waiting for us to disembark from the spaceship. She is wearing a bright yellow dress, and her eyes are filled with warmth as she hugs me tightly. Nax walks up to her, and I can feel the love emanating between them as they exchange greetings. While they haven't spoken until now, I've told them both so much about each other that I'm not surprised at all that they are so comfortable with one another. In fact, my mom beams with pride and gives him a hug to welcome him into our family.

The best part about that is that my mom isn't a hugger. She used to be, before my dad left.

I can't help but smile as Mom gazes upon her future son-in-law in awe. She always hoped that my significant other would be someone truly special, and she can already see how much Nax loves me.

Mom takes his hand in hers, looking at him with admiration and understanding. "It's so good to finally meet you, Nax," she says softly.

The two of them start to talk, and after a few minutes of conversation, there is joy visible on both of their faces. Her face has light up, and when Nax talks about me, his voice cracks with emotions, especially when he mentions how much I mean to him.

I'm not sure who is more touched, my mom or me.

My mom leads us to her centuricar, and she drives us to her house on the base. She has tea and cookies waiting for us, and then she shows us around the place with pride before we settle back down in the living room, all three of us sitting on her couch.

"Tell me about how you want the wedding to be," she says.

We go over the details, and I love how involved my mom wants to be. She's clearly fascinated by the idea that two people from such different worlds could find love and happiness together even though we aren't the first Novan-Earthling couple, not by far, and we certainly won't be the last.

* * *

The wedding is held in the largest hall on the military base, filled with elegant decorations and a central stage for us. I'm wearing a beautiful white gown that sparkles when the light hits it, and Nax is dashing in his suit. Yes, he's wearing a traditional suit like Earthling grooms wear. We stand side-by-side, our hands clasped tightly together, looking out at our many guests from both planets who have come to celebrate with us. I hadn't expected many Novans to come, but even the overlord and his wife and their babies are here, as is Lydia and several farmers and even other Novan-Earthling couples we've befriended. I truly had no idea any of them would come, and the outpouring of support touches me more than words can say.

My mom stands by my side, tears in her eyes as she smiles proudly. She gives me a gentle kiss on the forehead before walking away to take her seat.

The ceremony is beautiful and filled with love, and when it comes time to exchange vows, Nax and I look into each other's eyes. As we speak to one another, our hearts swell with emotion and joy radiates through the room like sunshine. 

"I will always protect you," Nax says. "I will be your guard, and your heart will always be protected. In sickness and in health, no matter what we might face on either planet, I will be there for you however you need me."

"I will guard you in return," I say, "and I will provide for all of your needs, whether physical or..."

I blush as I realize how that could be construed.

"With food!" I blurt out, and there are a few chuckles from the audience. "Your heart and body and mind will all be taken care of."

Nax squeezes my hand and grins at me.

The officiant pronounces us married, and we kiss. We step outside into the warm sunlight where fireworks are bursting even though it's not nighttime yet. It's like a dream come true, and I thank my lucky stars that I am here with Nax today.

We return back inside to where the reception is. Next comes the dancing, which is an explosion of color and music as we spin around on the dance floor together while friends from both sides of space.

As the sun sets on our special day, we walk hand-in-hand away from the crowd toward our future together. We'll return to Novan soon, and I hope that the next time my husband and I return to visit my mom, we will have a baby or even two in tow. My life has started anew and all because I'm beloved by my alien guard.

* * *

Thank you for reading Beloved by the Alien Bodyguard! I love the Novans so much. Don’t you?

Please consider writing a review. Thank you!

Next up is Claimed by the Alien Chef! They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but in this case, maybe that’ll hold try for the heroine!

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~Ashlyn

OTHER BOOKS BY ASHLYN HAWKES

The Novans

Chosen by the Alien Commander

Selected by the Alien Scientist

Bought by the Alien Breeder

Picked by the Alien Pilot

Ordered by the Alien Overlord

Captured by the Alien Captain

Overseen by the Alien Officer

Dominated by the Alien Driver

Solicited by the Alien Scout

Bartered by the Alien Builder

Grabbed by the Alien Guard

Smitten by the Alien Soldier

Wooed by the Alien Warrior

Honored by the Alien Hunter

Prized by the Alien Pirate

Beloved by the Alien Bodyguard

Claimed by the Alien Chef

Hired by the Alien Hunter

Possessed by the Alien Player

Adored by the Alien Ambassador

The Kurians

Ravished by the Alien Raider

Taken by the Alien Traveler

Detained by the Alien Discoverer

Enchanted by the Alien Explorer

Dazzled by the Alien Daredevil

Mesmerized by the Alien Mercenary

Wanted by the Alien Wanderer

Visited by the Alien Voyager

Needed by the Alien Nomad

Hypnotized by the Alien Hero

The Alien Captors

Kidnapped by the Alien

Stolen by the Alien

Taken by the Alien

Captured by the Alien

Whisked Away by the Alien

Imprisoned by the Alien

Seized by the Alien

Carried Off by the Alien

Abducted by the Alien

Detained by the Alien

Aliens on Earth

The Monster Alien

The Cowboy Alien

The Police Officer Alien

The Fireman Alien

The Mafia Boss Alien

The Dragon Alien

The Teacher Alien

The Biker Alien

The Christmas Alien

The Bully Alien

Alien Pretenders

My Alien Boss

My Alien Best Friend

My Alien Enemy

My Alien Mob Boss

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashlyn Hawkes has always been fascinated by the stars, so it’s no wonder that when she started to write romances, she gravitated to big, strong, muscular heroes… with blue skin. Aliens. They need love to, right? And she plans to play matchmaker with as many aliens as possible. Who wouldn’t want to be chosen and claimed by a handsome brute of an alien?

Email Ashlyn at ashlynhawkes@gmail.com. She loves to hear from her readers! Happy reading!

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SPECIAL AUTHOR NOTE

Hi, readers! I noticed that a few of my reviews mention editing and proofreading errors. I do have an editor and proofreaders (yes, two!), but it seems things are falling through the cracks.

That’s where you come in.

If you email me at ashlynhawkes@gmail.com with errors from any of my books (honest typos and not style choices), you’ll be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card! As long as there’s one entry, there will be a gift card given. Not only that, there will be one per book each month!

Thank you in advance for your help!

Oh, and when you email me, if you feel that any of the characters deserves their own story, please let me know in the email too!

Finally, if you would like to join my beta reader team or my ARC team, let me know!

Until next book,

~Ashlyn