Savage Seed by Ivy Sparks

23

Leslie

Outside our tent,Kade set the radio down on a small table to charge in the light. From there, we both walked inside and faced each other. He took only a moment to study my expression, seeming to confirm for himself how upset I was. Without any further hesitation, he strode over to me and cupped my face in his hands. He bent down, looking deep into my eyes.

“Leslie—” he started.

“What the hell was that, Kade?”

“My father,” he started. “He’s—”

“A dick?” I interrupted again. I was bordering on manic, fluttering between tearing up and the urge to go back to his father’s tent and tackle him the way I had Dina. “A colossal dickhead who can’t spare the slightest care about his son’s—” I stopped myself before I said “mate.” Were we even mates to begin with?

Kade flinched back a bit, his translator probably working overtime. I regretted what I’d said almost instantly. If someone were to call my father a dick, no matter how much I might agree with them, my natural tendency would be to defend him. I didn’t want to force Kade into that spot or start a fight with him.

“I’m sorry, Kade,” I said, doing everything I could to slow myself down. “I’m letting my anger get the best of me again. Being able to talk to my dad again must’ve stirred up some emotions.”

He nodded once, briskly, but said nothing.

“But… What did he mean? My kind? That we aren’t ‘meant’ to survive here?”

“Humans, Leslie,” Kade said. “Your kind is human. And none here, myself included, has a very high opinion of humans, or any outsiders who plunder our lands. That’s all he meant.”

My eyes started tearing up.

“But he doesn’t know you,” Kade continued, his emerald eyes now firmly locked on mine. “He doesn’t know your strength. Only the weaknesses of your people.”

“And you agree with him,” I said, careful not to get worked up again.

“No! No, of course—”

“But you just said—”

“Leslie,” Kade said, his voice showing the slightest hint of annoyance. “Let me speak.”

I swallowed hard, and for a brief moment, I saw Kade the way I first had, when he’d come leaping out of the dunes and onto the back of a sand beast. I saw him as a fierce, intimidating warrior. If I was anyone else, I doubt he would have been as patient.

Beyond that, we had been slowly building a bond. Maybe even a relationship. And good communication—as well as basic politeness—were crucial to any successful relationship.

I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. “I’m sorry, Kade. Go ahead.”

He half smiled. “I’m not sure I’m ready to change my mind about your entire species. But you’re definitely not… You’re not what I expected. And if there’s even one human like you, then maybe there’s hope for the whole lot of you.”

“Well, thanks,” I said, smiling and giving him the cutest eyes I could muster. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head, softly, sweetly. Then, with his hands still on my cheeks, kissed me on top of my nose, his eyes never leaving mine. He leaned in further, a mischievous grin now on his face, his hot lips just next to mine.

“But Kade,” I said, hating myself for interrupting the kiss that was about to happen. “My people. My father. I really…”

I trailed off, yet one more internal debate on whether to let myself finish the thought. I felt my shoulders slump as the words came out of my mouth. “I need to get back. I need to go home.”

He took a step back from me, letting his hands fall to his sides. “Yes. That was the other news my father gave me, that I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet. The sand beasts have finished with the wreckage. The way through the desert—back to the star port—is now clear.”

I gasped. There it was. All the hypotheticals were over. The way was clear. It was time to go.

“So you could take me back… now?”

He nodded. “Yes. As soon as you’re ready.”

I couldn’t believe it. All the thoughts about returning home had started to seem like a dream. Like a fantasy. On top of that, I had integrated into their society. Had made real, actual friends. Maybe even started to feel comfortable.

But Kade’s father had given me a dose of reality. I didn’t belong here.

“Well…” I started, and without much enthusiasm, I finished, “I guess we should go.”

Kade simply nodded, giving me no indication if my decision upset him or not. He began moving about the tent, gathering various things into his rucksack.

“We should leave soon, then. There is still plenty of daylight, and the journey will take several days.”

He stopped, turning toward me. “But the sand tiger is still out there, Leslie. And despite how you might feel about her, she is still a dangerous, deadly creature. It would be wise for us to bring a small hunting party with us.”

“Of… Of course.”

“Good,” he said, continuing his preparations. I watched him a moment longer in silence, before finally half-heartedly joining him.

The decision felt like it was made, as much as I wanted to take it back. I was leaving, and my time here was over.

And I had never felt so much regret in my life.