Kringl (Rescued by the Alien)

Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

K ringl woke with a start, sitting up and cutting his gaze to the fireplace that held nothing but a pile of simmering ashes. He’d fallen asleep in front of the fire, that much he remembered. Then he remembered it had been after Joy had reminded him that he had no right to be romancing her. She’d startled him by rolling over and going to sleep on the floor before he could remind her of her bed.

He craned to look over his shoulder at the female stretched on the rug with one arm tucked under her head as a pillow. She hadn’t moved, although he couldn’t tell how late it was. There was still some glow to the burning cinders in the hearth, but it was pitch dark outside.

A chill passed through him as he thought about his precarious position. He was an escapee who was hiding until his crew returned, and he was depending on the kindness of Joy to keep him hidden. Not that he believed she would give him up. He was her way off the planet, after all.

He gave a small shake of his head, hating his cynical thoughts. She would not turn him over to the village leader, even if he hadn’t promised to take her with him. He might not know her well, but he was sure of that. Joy had joined with his own crew to break him from the ice prison, and she had risked herself to stash him in her home.

He let out a breath, long and slow. He was safe with her. For now.

Kringl could not hide in the village forever. Small communities were breeding grounds for rumors, and there was little better than juicy gossip about a blue alien who’d crashed on the planet and was now living among them. Word would get out, one way or another. If all went well, he would be long gone by the time it did. Along with Joy.

Snowball rose from his spot close to the fire and gave his fluffy tail a shake. He chirped at Kringl.

“Yes, I’m taking you too,” Kringl whispered as the little creature scampered up to his shoulder. “Although you won’t blend in as well on Valoria as you do here.”

Snowball made another sound, and Kringl could have sworn that the animal understood what he said and was responding in kind.

“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

A chill danced across his bare arms, and he looked at Joy. Humans were not as warm-blooded as Valorians, so if he felt the cold, she would feel it more.

He scooped her into his arms without jostling her too much—and without dislodging Snowball from his shoulder perch—and walked quietly to her bedroom. There was no sound but his feet padding on the hardwood floors and her gentle breathing as she continued to sleep.

He used one hand to pull back her bed covering and then lay her down, tucking her feet under the covers. As he tried to unwind her arms from his neck, Joy’s eyes fluttered open.

She blinked a few times, swinging her gaze slowly to take in her surroundings.

“I’m putting you to bed,” Kringl said, then added quickly. “Alone. I’m putting you in your bed alone. You fell asleep by the fire and looked cold.”

He stopped rambling and wondered why he was suddenly so flustered.

Joy tilted her head at him and gave him a sleepy smile. “You don’t have to go. You can stay and keep me warm.”

Her breathy voice sent heat rocketing south, but he pulled away again. “I should not.”

“Why not? Don’t you get cold?” Her words were slightly muddled as she ran a finger down one side of his cheek and sighed. “How can blue skin be so warm? It makes no sense.”

He fought the urge to laugh. “The shade of my skin has little to do with the temperature of my body.”

“Which is why you should get in bed with me.” She lay back and patted the other side of the bed. “Warm me up, Kringl.”

Every rational thought told him to walk away and go sleep by the extinguished fire. He had no right to share her bed or to make her think he could ever be anything more to her than a…what? A friend? A rescuer? She’d rescued him more than he’d rescued her. “I can’t.”

She released a heavy sigh, reaching for his hand and tugging him toward her. “I know a prince isn’t used to sleeping on the floor. I promise my bed is more comfortable than the rug.”

He allowed her to pull him closer, finally relenting and sliding beneath the covers next to her. It was only for body warmth, he told himself. Nothing more.

He lay on his back and concentrated on breathing deeply so he wouldn’t think about the beautiful female next to him. Then she rolled over, feathered delicate fingers across his chest, and started to softly kiss his gold markings.