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

will be changing very soon. Wars may start. Our people will call for the humans to be gathered. Our laws and our traditions are sacred, Verakko. And they need to remain so. I cannot break them for anyone.”

Nausea roiled in his stomach, and he had to quell the answering snarl that rose in his throat. He shot his gaze to the ground. We have to leave.

His mother continued, raising her voice above what must be his obvious anger. “In three days, I’ll be announcing the existence of the humans and their unique traits to our people. If you can make your eyes change or your marks appear before then, you will have legal cause to break your contract.”

Verakko’s eyes shot up, not trusting his own ears. His gaze darted between the two females before him, and he saw a gentle smile curving Ziritha’s lips.

“Hear me, son.” Verakko blinked as his mother’s sway demanded entry. He looked at her, breath caught in his throat. “I cannot make you her guardian, so in public, you’ll treat her as a betrothed male would any female who wasn’t his future wife. If it’s reported to me that you’re in violation of the exclusivity clause in your contract, I’ll have no choice but to send you off-world. Do you hear me? I will not have the public’s respect for Ziritha or myself affected because of this, not now when we need their support and loyalty more than ever.”

Verakko grinned, nodding. “I understand. Thank you. Thank you both.”

“And if you don’t recognize her—”

“I’ll honor the terms of our contract,” Verakko finished for her.

His mother peered at him for a moment longer. Before spinning and walking away, she said, “Return in three days.”

When she was out of sight, Verakko glanced nervously at Ziritha.

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” She reached out and gripped his shoulder. “I’d hate to see you throw your future away on a female who may not deserve you.”

“I think it’s more likely I don’t deserve her.” Verakko’s brows furrowed. “I’m sorry, Ziritha. I see now I don’t deserve you, either. You should be angry with me. I’ve dishonored you, yet you seem so willing to violate our laws to help me.”

“It’s Ziri.” Ziritha smiled and gave a delicate shrug. “What can I say? If you have even the slightest chance to find a real mate, I’m not going to take that away from you.” She leaned in close and whispered seriously, “Don’t mess it up.”

Ziritha strode away through the same door his mother had.

Verakko’s smile drooped lower and lower until it wasn’t a smile at all. Three days?

Fuck, I’m gonna mess it up.

Chapter 18

Lily was floating. No, that didn’t make sense. Her head was floating? She laughed. Yeah, that was it. Her head was cloudy, lighter than air.

“She’s waking up,” a melodic voice said from near her elbow.

Lily stretched, reveling in the satisfying zing of pleasure that coursed through her with the movement. Suddenly, hands were gripping the sides of her face.

“Lily, are you alright? Talk to me.”

A solid train of thought was hard to hold on to at the moment, but she noticed the sway tickling her senses and pushed it away. “Stop that,” she slurred, swiping clumsily at the hands holding her cheeks. “Verakkoooo’s the only one can do that.” She giggled as her own droopy voice played in her ears. “The. Only. One. Who. Can. Do. That,” she amended, pausing on each word to ensure she had in fact included them all this time.

“Oh, thank the Goddess.” The hands moved from around her cheeks and gently glided over her forehead. “It’s me, love. It’s Verakko. I’m here. Will you look at me?”

“Verakko!” she said excitedly, forcing her eyes open.

Verakko’s face, a paler shade of teal than she’d ever seen it, loomed above her.

“Hey!” she exclaimed, grinning like a fool. Whatever drugs they’d given her were most certainly working. Lily tilted her head, examining her alien’s beautiful worried face, and pouted. “I never wanna go outside again.”

A toothy grin transformed his features. “Then we won’t.”

Memories returned to her slowly, and the haze began to lift. “Wait a minute,” Lily said, furrowing her brows. “I’m supposed to be mad at you.” Her mind was still feeling a little goofy, but the argument they’d gotten into before she’d been attacked by that flower thing replayed in her ears.

Verakko’s grin faded, and he licked his lips.

Lily shook her head, trying to clear the fog a little faster. She pushed at his hands and struggled to sit up. “What happened?” She scanned the room and found another man settled in a corner glowering in Verakko’s direction.

“You were stung by a vonilace,” Verakko choked out.

Lily stared around the small white room. A metal object that may have once been a couch or maybe a cot lay mangled in a corner. A large glass tube along a wall caught her attention, and she wordlessly pointed at it. A coffin—she remembered being in a coffin.

She looked back at Verakko. The lightness had worn off, and now her mind was too full. Fear and anger, hurt and betrayal all roared to the forefront until the tight lump in her throat choked her. He’d lied to her. He was getting married.

Verakko reached for her, but she pulled away. Her eyes landed on the man in the corner again, and she clamped her mouth shut. They really needed to finish this argument in private.

He let out a small, pained exhalation as if someone had punched him in the stomach.

“Is there somewhere we can go?” she whispered.

“Yes. I wanted to be here when you woke up, but I need to go for a few minutes to get you some clothes before we can leave. Then I can take you somewhere else. You’ll be safe in