Shadow's Chosen (Dark World Mates Book 3) Page 15

  He might be an alien to her, but he was still a man, she realized, who still had wants and desires. She remembered all the slightly vulgar—if not flirty—remarks he'd made when they first met. She figured they were only meant to rile her up. They definitely had but she never wondered if they might hold any weight to them.

  It probably meant nothing, she thought. And it's not like I would ever consider...

  She cleared her throat and took another long drink. "Let's play a game," she said, thinking to change the subject.

  "A game?" He looked intrigued.

  "It's called 'never have I ever.'"

  "Never have I ever...?" he repeated.

  "It's a little juvenile, admittedly, but we get to use this," she lifted the canteen, "to play."

  His eyes glanced to the bottle then back to her. "All right."

  "It works like this," she began. "I say something I have never done before. If you have done that thing, then you take a drink."

  "That's it?"

  "For the most part. Oh, also I might be lying about never having done something, but I don't have to tell you unless you take a drink. If you do, then I have to drink as well. For example," Elise thought for a moment then said, "never have I ever taken a straight punch to the face." She handed him the canteen, and Nezka took it, gave her a 'seriously?' sort of look, and drank. She took it back and had a sip herself. "See?"

  "Seems simple enough," he said.

  "Okay, I'll go first." Elise thought for a moment. "Never have I ever...driven a ship."

  Nezka took the can and drank. "You really never have?" he asked after.

  Elise shook her head. "Jerico and Tom pilot at take-off, then the ships usually just sail on their own till we get to our destination. Sometimes they have to land too."

  "So, no human has ever owned their own ship?"

  "Some of the richer ones might, but most ships are military or company owned," Elise said. "Do you have your own?"

  "Yes, many."

  "Really? So, you can just go wherever you like?"

  "Within reason," Nezka said.

  "Must be nice."

  "It has its advantages." Nezka swirled the canteen around in his hand. "I have never shot off any weapon by accident or hit someone I didn't intend to hit.”

  Elise made a face and snatched up the can, taking a drink. "I was ten, and it was my uncle's foot. But from what I know, there hasn't been another incident since. Dad made sure of it."

  "Your father trained you?" Nezka asked.

  "When I was a kid, yes. Me and my sister at first then..." She looked into the fire and frowned. "Then just me until my step-brothers came around."

  "Step?" Nezka asked.

  "Not related by blood," Elise said.

  "Ah." Nezka seemed to hesitate, then he took the can from her and drank.

  Elise smiled. "Ha! I knew it."

  Nezka smirked. "I was young too. Don't know how many cycles. I was trying to impress a girl."

  "Oh, god, tell me you didn't hit her," Elise said, leaning forward.

  "No. But her animal companion had to have an ear removed."

  Elise covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to laugh. "That's awful."

  "Yes. We didn't talk much after that."

  Elise laughed softly. "Never have I ever broken a bone."

  "That's a lie," Nezka said.

  "It's true...but I have sprained both my legs and an arm," Elise confessed. "Thick bones, I guess. You?"

  "Several."

  "I had a feeling."

  Nezka took a drink then looked around before glancing back at her, giving her a wicked smile. "I have never fainted."

  Elise grimaced. "That's not fair." She took another sip and could feel her mind going fuzzy. She should probably stop while she was ahead before she made a fool of herself, but she was starting to get curious and figured she could take a few more shots. She eyed Nezka for a long moment then said, "Never have I ever been to prison."

  Nezka's smile didn't fade, but some shadow passed over his eyes as he took a drink.

  "How long?"

  "Not very," he said. "And it was to find a...bounty."

  "That sounds like an interesting story..." Elise murmured.

  "For another time maybe," Nezka said. "I have never stolen something personal from someone."

  "That's a total lie!"

  Nezka's eyes narrowed. "Even so..."

  Elise huffed. She looked around at everything but him then sighed and took a drink. "It was from my friend's brother. A toy lizard he loved, but they were moving away, and I wanted something to remember him by. I still regret it to this day. I was a kid and didn't know better."

  Nezka tapped at his knee as if wondering whether to believe her, then he took his shot.

  Elise studied him again for a short time then blurted, "Never have I ever drank someone's blood."

  Nezka stared at her. She waited for him to drink, but he didn't.

  "Just making sure you don't have any weird dietary needs," Elise stated.

  "Not of that variety," Nezka replied. His hand clenched and unclenched on his lap. "Never have I ever been with another kind other than my own."

  Elise stared back at him. He waited, and when she didn't drink, he took another sip, his eyes never leaving hers. Well, it wasn't like she hadn't figured that after what he said about especially liking sex. And since he mentioned he'd never seen another of his kind, it only made sense.

  "Pity," he said. "Do your kind not care to explore others, or is it a moral dilemma?"

  Elise shifted in her seat. The liquor was starting to have a dizzying effect, making her insides warm. "I don't know," she said, determined to not let him make her feel uncomfortable. "We only have one other race in our system, the gyda, and I've only heard rumors..." Elise could feel her skin turning hot, but she wasn't sure if it was the drink or their talk. "There was also this scientist who, as the story goes, ran away with an—a non-human partner. She hasn't been seen since, but those who saw them leave swore they were...intimate." Elise shrugged, hoping her play of indifference convinced him. "I’m guessing out there in the bigger systems it's not so shocking."

  "Not at all," said Nezka, just as indifferent. "In fact, I feel sorry that your kind hasn't had the chance nor the pleasure to gain more experience. Although some would find that enticing enough, seeing how new you are."

  She had it in her to believe he was deliberately trying to embarrass her, and whether she saw it as a challenge or it was just the liquor affecting her brain, she was inclined to outshock him.

  She leaned forward and gave him a sultry stare. "Well, maybe if the right type comes along, I'll let them have a taste." She said it in the most sensual voice she could muster.

  A dark shadow passed over Nezka's eyes, and his mouth curled ever so slightly. "Yes," he said in a low voice. "When the right type comes, you might just be surprised at what you're missing." He leaned back in his chair, observing her with sharp eyes. "I'm willing to bet your men don't know as much as they like to think. But there are those who could...enlighten."

  "Like yourself," Elise said, trying to ignore the heat that was beginning to simmer low in her stomach, hoping her face hadn't given anything away.

  Nezka grinned, showing off his twin fangs, and Elise felt herself shiver.

  "I'd like to think I'm knowledgeable enough," he said slowly. "And can teach in more than just fighting..."

  Elise licked her lips, not daring to let her eyes fall from his. Her heart did a sort of jolt in her chest. Dark images fluttered in her mind again, and she brushed them aside. She forced a smile to try to hide her thoughts. His gaze said enough, but she didn't know what to make of him; she was still uncertain whether he was serious or just badly messing with her.

  Elise finally broke from his gaze. Weary of this game already, she shifted in her seat. "Never have I ever swam in the ocean."

  His smile lessened, and the fiery glint in his eyes faded. He tilted his head, studying her briefly.
He did not drink, and Elise took the canteen from him and pressed the top to her lips, taking her final sip.

  "You really have never swam in the ocean?" she asked.

  His gaze was quizzical, as if he were confused. He blinked and made a gesture at his throat. "No. I have never been."

  "Seriously? Even with all the worlds you've likely been to?"

  "I never had the chance," he said.

  "I used to go all the time," Elise said. "Back before my active service. It's one of the most beautiful things, especially when the sun is setting, all the oranges and reds." She met his eyes and noticed how they shined like liquid fire.

  Nezka’s expression softened. "You look tired."

  "It's the drink." Elise passed a hand over her face and laughed. "I'm going to regret this in the morning."

  "Likely so." Nezka rose and took the can from her, placing it back in the bag. Elise got up to move from the chair to the longseat. She stumbled as her head spun, falling against the seat. She laughed softly, embarrassed, wishing she hadn't drunk so much. She laid out on her side with her knees bent. Either the liquor was stronger than she thought, or it had been a long while since she drank.

  "If I get sick, I'm sorry in advance," Elise said and groaned. She looked up to find Nezka setting the canteen beside her. "No more."

  "It's water," he said and turned away. "I will be close by. Sleep."

  Elise watched him through half-lidded eyes. She wasn't really that tired in truth, but the alcohol made her sluggish enough to think she was. Better to lie there and sleep it off than make a fool of herself.

  She watched him rekindle the fire one last time and set the bag aside to search around. The flame's light made him nothing more than a shadow in the darkness.

  Elise closed her lids fully. She thought of her sister then of her team, hoping they would be alive, and she would make it in time to save them. She thought of home, of the ocean. She thought of Nezka swimming in it beside her.

  Or maybe that was just a dream.

  Thirteen

  Two days passed before Elise was able to walk properly without limping. Her wounds were already scabbing over, some even peeling, the effects of the salve working quicker than they both anticipated. Elise was proud to say she also managed to rest for the majority of it, only walking around briefly to stretch her legs or relieve herself. By the third day, however, her patience had all but faded. Feeling infinitely better, she waved off Nezka's remarks about overexerting herself and went to walk the grounds. In truth, she had a feeling he was relieved to have her up and about. The last couple days had been nothing but sitting around and talking; more than she'd probably talked to anyone in a long time. He had asked about her homeworld, and she asked about his. She learned more about his homeworld and the other planets in its system; about the city he lived in and his travels. He didn't get into much detail about certain things, maybe because they were too personal, but she found she didn't mind telling him more than he likely needed to know. It was strange how comfortable she felt talking with him. Maybe because he was never overly critical. Elise guessed that, being a part of such a huge galactic empire inhabited by so many other people and cultures, one needed to have a very open mind.

  The things he spoke of from his world, the advancements in tech and social structure, fascinated her. She never admitted it out loud, but she found herself wishing she could see it for herself. She hoped that once her people were returned safely home, they could start to communicate with those of his territory. He hadn't seemed especially enthusiastic about this idea, but he didn't reject it either.

  So, as the third day was spent just walking the grounds, gauging her ability to climb stairs and run across rooms, Elise was confident by the fourth day she could start her training.

  Of course, Nezka had other ideas.

  "Before I teach you anything, you have to show me you can truly exert all your energy without any issue," he said as they stood by the edge of the stairs. "Take laps around each level."

  Elise gave him an exasperated look but decided not to argue. She did as ordered, and when she returned, she was in a full sweat, knowing she probably stunk something awful, but Nezka didn't seem to care.

  "That was a warm-up," he said. "Follow me."

  They went down to the very bottom, and from there, he had her trying different sets of exercises to gauge her strength, stamina, and dexterity. When he was finally satisfied, he took her to a long inner courtyard situated to one side of the building. Most of the ground was cleared away, leaving only soft black sandy dirt. What the area had been used for, she couldn't guess, but it worked for their benefit.

  The rest of the day was spent reforming her fighting stance, learning to move in a manner that was quick and effortless, maximizing her energy for swift blows. Nezka tapped at her hips, arms, and legs to correct her, explaining each technique.

  "Don't think, react," he said. "When I move, you should always move in some other way. Don't stand and wait for me to come at you or to attack and have me dodge you. Read my body—every little movement can be used to determine where I will step, how I will strike, notice the tension in my legs and arms. If you concentrate, you can predict what I plan to do. It is the same for others."

  Elise watched him closely, circling around him with her fists raised. It was difficult, but after some time, she could see the slightest tension building in his muscles before he struck, giving her a good read on how to block and dodge. She kept herself ready for every move he made, reacting accordingly.

  Despite her efforts, she ended up on the ground more than once. She didn't let it faze her and was always up and ready to go once more. His strikes were so powerful, so quick, even when he slowed for her benefit, but Elise was determined to learn and stay humble. After all, he wasn't human. He fought like a fierce predator.

  "When you strike, release your energy right before the blow. A quick but powerful strike in the right place or even right angle can damage an enemy significantly." He showed her the most vulnerable spots, some she didn't even know or think of. And the ones she did know, he showed her how to strike in a different way for a more effective hit. "Use the sharp angle of your knuckles or the connectors in your bent fingers." He showed her, taking her hand and molding her fist so that her fingers were bent outward, almost like a paw. "Jab them in the neck." He took her hand and placed it to his throat. "Or between their cheekbone." He lifted her hand to his face. "Or eyes." He aimed her hand accordingly then let it drop. "Uppercuts are especially effective also. Aim up into the center of their jaw."

  The remainder of the day was spent in the courtyard until the natural light was lost to them and only the artificial remained. Elise went to bed that night sore and aching but deeply satisfied.

  "We will make tomorrow our last training day here," Nezka said. "I think it's time we planned to move on."

  Elise couldn't agree more. Even if she was happy to be back to her healthier self, she was anxious to leave.

  ***

  Early the next day, they started practicing once again in the courtyard. Elise practiced her sets, and Nezka watched and corrected when needed. They lightly sparred, and Elise was pleased to find she could better determine his moves, even if they were slowed down. She blocked and spun, always making sure her feet were moving, her back and knees bent slightly. Nezka moved with her, circling. After watching him, Elise thought she could read him well enough. As he swung an arm toward her, she dodged then kicked out her leg toward his chest. He slid back, and Elise took the chance, lunging at him. He blocked her blows, but she didn't let up. When he went to strike at her again, Elise ducked then swung her leg out once more, this time catching him in the lower stomach. Nezka backed away, pupils widening, mouth stretching into an odd smile. Elise dropped her guard and grinned.

  "Looks like I'm catching up," she said, breathless.

  Nezka dropped his stance and turned from her. "You're learning, and that's good. Let's take a rest."

  "Oh, I'm not that t
ired yet. Let's just go one more," Elise said, walking toward him. She frowned when she saw him bend forward then drop casually to one knee. "Are you all right?" she asked.

  He laughed quietly as he wrapped an arm around himself. He side-eyed her, and she thought for a moment he actually looked pained. His face seemed to darken as if flushed. "It seems I've let my guard down a little too much."

  She glanced downward and saw him clutching his stomach just above his...

  "Oh." Apparently, she'd hit a little lower than she thought. "Sorry!" She stepped closer as if to help him, and he put out a hand to halt her.