Kringl (Rescued by the Alien)

Chapter 12

Chapter

Twelve

J oy's heart raced as the commotion outside grew louder. Her mind whirled with possibilities, each more worrying than the last. Had Tami been caught? Had they discovered Kringl's escape? Or worse, had they captured the alien’s crew and ship?

Taking a deep breath, Joy realized that no one but Tami knew she'd gone to the alien ship. No one in the village knew she’d helped rescue Kringl. No one knew she’d brought him to her house. No one knew she had any connection to the aliens.

It might be best to maintain that illusion of normalcy and make an appearance. Cautiously, she poked her head out the door, scanning the street.

“What’s happening?” Joy called out to a woman hurrying by, her face etched with worry.

The woman hesitated, her gaze darting around before she spoke. "That ship with the visitors? It’s gone.”

Joy’s stomach dropped. "Gone?"

The woman nodded. "Took off just a little while ago. Velsnickel says it's for the best, but he looks furious.”

Mumbling her thanks, Joy retreated inside, her mind reeling. Was this true? How could she tell Kringl? She turned to find him standing behind her with Snowball tucked in the crook of his arm.

"Is it my ship?" he asked, his voice tight. "Have they taken my crew?"

Joy took a breath for courage as she shook her head. "Your ship left."

Shock flashed across Kringl's face, but it was quickly followed by resolve. "If they are gone, it's because that was the only option. I ordered them to go if there was a threat the ship might be taken. They will be back for me—for us."

She’d seen enough of his first officer and crew to believe him, but when would they be able to return with help? It could be a while, and that presented a more immediate problem. "Until then, we have to hide you. Velsnickel will think you escaped and left with your ship, but we can't let him get even a whiff of your presence in the village."

Kringl’s head nearly brushed the ceiling as he nodded his agreement, making Joy acutely aware of how small her home was compared to the huge alien. "If we must share this house, I will not take your bed any longer."

Joy hadn’t even thought about that. How were they going to live together in this tiny space with only one bed? And for how long? Could she let a prince sleep on the floor? But the thought of sharing a bed with Kringl—even platonically—made her pulse spike and her mouth go dry.

"I do not mind sleeping on the floor.”

It was as if he’d read her thoughts, but she frowned. “You’re a prince. You can’t take the floor.”

“I am a prince who is also a warrior. I assure you that I have slept in much more sparse conditions.”

She doubted that even a warrior prince had spent many nights sleeping on a hardwood floor., but she wouldn’t argue with him about it. At least not right then. “Let’s hope your ship returns quickly.”

Grateful for something to do, Joy took their empty bowls and moved to the sink behind him. The cool water—they never had any that was warm or hot—helped calm the heat that had pulsed through her body at the thought of Kringl sharing her bed.

As she scrubbed the bowls, Snowball leapt from Kringl’s arms and jumped onto the counter beside her, chittering away as he swung his head toward the alien. Joy could almost swear the snow squirrel could sense her inner turmoil. At least he couldn’t talk and blow everything.

"I know, buddy," she murmured, pretty sure that Snowball was telling her in squirrel speak that she was playing a dangerous game in more ways than one.

Kringl joined her, picking up a dish towel and drying the bowls. How was it that the big, blue alien looked as comfortable by her side doing dishes as he did on the bridge of his ship? The sight of him, so alien yet somehow fitting into her world, sent a flutter through her stomach. But this was no time for fantasies that could never come true. They were in real danger, and she needed to focus on keeping them safe and hidden.

Joy turned on Kringl. “We'll need to be careful. There are eyes everywhere. The elves patrol regularly."

Kringl looked alarmed. “Eyes everywhere?”

Joy couldn’t suppress a giggle at his horrified expression. “It’s a human expression, but it means that we have to assume the village is being watched, especially if they suspect human involvement in your escape.” Then she thought of her friend. “I wish I knew that Tami was safe.”

Kringl put his large hand over hers. “I am sure she got away. She was very fast.”

A shaky laugh escaped her lips even as warmth spread up her hand. “True.” She tipped her head back to peer at him, her throat closing at the intensity of his gold eyes.

No, no, no. She needed to be thinking about Tami and the ship and how to keep Kringl hidden, not about how soft his lips looked or how much she wanted to run her hands over his blue skin.

She snatched her hand away and took a step back. “I’ll need to go out occasionally to avoid suspicion, but you'll have to stay here. And we won’t be able to talk loudly. My neighbors aren’t used to hearing me talk to anyone but Snowball—and he doesn’t talk back.”

Snowball took the opportunity to soar from the counter to Kringl's shoulder, wrapping himself around the prince’s neck with his bushy, white tail. The sight of her fierce little protector so easily accepting the alien prince made Joy smile despite her worries.

"It seems Snowball agrees with your plan,” Kringl said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he gently scratched the snow squirrel's head.

Joy rolled her eyes "Well, that's one vote of confidence, I suppose."

Kringl laughed, the sound deep and warm, as he walked to one of the stuffed chairs and sank into it. He stretched his legs out long and leaned his head back as if preparing for sleep.

Joy opened her mouth to protests again but the alien prince swiveled his head, locking his gaze on hers.

“I am fine here.” He smiled as Snowball nuzzled his neck. “We will all be fine. I promise.”

Then he turned his head and closed his eyes, leaving Joy speechless. How was it possible that his simple statement had filled her with a sudden rush of calm. He was sure they would be okay, and his certainty blanketed her in the same certainty. They were going to escape—all of them. Then she was going to send help for the rest of the village.

She stared at the alien prince dozing in her chair and almost laughed again. She had dreamed of escape for so long, but this wasn't quite how she'd imagined it. Still, as she looked at Kringl—this unexpected ally who had quite literally dropped into her world—a fizzy sensation bubbled in her chest. They were going to find a way out.

“As long as you stay focused,” she whispered as she headed to her bedroom. “As long as you remember that this is about escape, not romance.”

But a small, rebellious voice in the back of her head whispered to her that maybe, just maybe, it could be about both.