Saving Verakko: The Clecanian Series Book 3 by Victoria Aveline (books to read for teens TXT) 📕

His glowing green eyes remained intent on her actions. “No. Our marriages don’t last that long. A typical contract would last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on what the females have negotiated.”

Lily set the bow drill aside and gently transferred the small burning coal she’d created to her tinder nest, then softly blew, feeding the small ember with oxygen. Before long, a flame crackled to life within the bundle. Gathering kindling from her bag along with the logs Verakko had collected, she built the fire.

When she was done and the flames snapped and sizzled happily, she sat back, thinking. “I have to say, from an outside alien perspective with no real right to comment on the customs of another culture, that sounds…unpleasant.”

A low, rumbling chuckle emanated from him, causing goosebumps to break out over her forearms. “I suppose to a human it may seem that way.”

“What about being mated? You said Alice was. Does that mean she’s with that guy for only a few months?”

Verakko’s lips thinned, and he stared at her as if he were trying to decide something. “No, mating is forever. It’s different than marriage. Marriage is a contract. Mating is what would be considered a love pairing. Something unbreakable. They’ll be together forever.”

“Forever?” Lily asked, unease bubbling under her skin at the finality in his words. “What if she wants to leave him later?”

“That isn’t how mating works. Our people view it as sacred. Marriage is more of a duty.”

“No offense, but neither sounds very appealing to me. It’s either a business arrangement or promise your life to someone without any kind of safety net. I’m surprised Alice agreed to that. I don’t know her well, but…no chance of divorce? Yikes.”

Verakko stared at the flames and rested his elbows on his knees.

Shit, did I offend him again? Gotta stop doing that. Keep your opinions to yourself, Lily!

“Must mean you’re a good cook, though,” she said brightly, trying to lighten the mood. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the last two red fruits and tossed one to him. “Think you can do anything with these?”

“Alas, my skills lie in a real kitchen with appliances and seasoning.”

“Hmm.” Lily crossed to the other side of the fire and sat with her back against a broad purple rock. “Can I ask you a serious question without you biting my head off?” she said, nibbling at the tart fruit she’d once loved but had grown to despise.

“Odd choice of words for the alien you thought ate human flesh.” A spark of humor twinkled in his eyes, and she stifled a grin.

“If you were raised in what I can only assume is a female-run society, and trained on how to make a wife happy, then why have you been so bossy with me?”

The glint in his gaze faded. He opened his mouth to speak then closed it again. Finally, he said, “You aren’t my wife.”

Lily took a gulp of water, choosing not to tug at the thread of disappointment that statement made her feel. Instead, she held the water canteen out to him and frowned when he refused it. “You have to eat and drink. I did my best to clean that wound while you were unconscious, but your body needs calories and water to fight off an infection.”

“You forget. I’m not human. I don’t need as much as you.”

“Fine, but you need to drink soon.” A wave of exhaustion hit her, dissolving her urge to argue. “We’ll gather more supplies tomorrow.” Stifling a yawn, she continued, “I only have one full canteen of water left, and these were the last two pieces of fruit. All that’s left are those nuts, and I still don’t know if I can eat them.”

“They’re a common food, guren. You can eat them.” Verakko gathered the pile of wood and dragged it closer. “Sleep. You barely got any rest last night. I’ll keep the fire fed. Tomorrow I’ll hunt and find us some real food.”

She narrowed her eyes at him but stretched out on the ground anyway. “How do you know whether I slept or not?”

“Do you really think I was able to rest with you teetering on a branch like you were? I spent the night making sure I was prepared in case you fell.”

Lily’s brief flare of annoyance at his distrust of her judgment was quickly quelled. The image of an aggravated Verakko, pacing under her tree and wringing his hands, made warmth spread through her chest and shoot all the way down to her toes.

“No sneaking up and cuddling with me while I’m asleep,” she commanded out of good sense, ignoring the larger part of her that wanted to use the big guy as a blanket.

He settled onto a large boulder. “Males and females don’t often cuddle on this planet.”

She forced her lids to remain open. Was it smart to be defenseless in front of this stranger? Why was she having so much trouble staying awake anyway? Every other night, she’d been exhausted around this time, yet still alert. Lily’s ears suddenly pricked and she listened to the sounds around her, but it was oddly quiet.

The gentle buzzing of the fuzzy insects could still be heard, but the scratching and snuffling of the animals that nosed around her camp each night were gone.

Lily studied Verakko and wondered if he had something to do with it. Did the creatures of the forest recognize that a threat had joined her? Were they keeping their distance from him? A flutter started in her stomach, and she nibbled her lip. Why did that possibility only make her feel safe and not terrified? If she had any sense, she’d be scared of what other animals were scared of, after all.

“I