Page 35 of Riv's Sanctuary

His eyes were so green, they were startling. They stood out from his blue skin.

Looking at him now, she realized he wasn’t much older than she was, either, or if he was, he aged really well.

His nostrils flared again and she noted that the bridge of his nose was a bit wider than a human’s. There was also a column of bumps—ridges?—that ran up his nose and over his brows.

A similar column ran from his bottom lip and down his chin.

With his mouth closed, she’d have never guessed he hid fangs underneath.

His eyes narrowed, a low grumble starting in his chest, when he noticed her gaze lingering on his lips and Lauren looked away quickly.

Maybe that was a challenge too.

Shit.

She was in deep trouble, wasn’t she.

They sat there for many moments, with him just staring at her, until his shoulder heaved in a sigh and he stared at the device he’d used to call Geblit.

For a second, he gripped the device and she wondered if he was going to throw it against a wall like the other one. But he didn’t. Instead, his gaze rose to hers and again she was arrested by his eyes.

He wasn’t snarling now, just looking at her as if wondering what to do with her.

She hadn’t settled enough to realize it before, but…he was handsome. And that was saying something.

Since she’d been taken, she hadn’t noticed any handsome aliens. Attraction hadn’t been on her mind.

It wasn’t on her mind now so she didn’t know where the thought came from, but he was handsome, in a dangerous, forbidden kind of way.

“You kind of remind me of that guy in Avatar,” she said, breaking the silence. “Well, you’re not very similar, you’re just both blue.” She paused. “Was that a bit insensitive? I shouldn’t have said that. I know you can’t understand me either, I don’t even know why I’m talking—”

She was cut off by a growl as Riv stood suddenly.

He looked at her as he passed her. “Follow me,” he motioned with his hands. “And stop nattering.”

* * *

The female blinked at him with those large brown eyes of hers.

He couldn’t believe he was about to do this but what choice did he have?

He still had no idea what he was going to do with her, but he couldn’t sit staring at her all day.

And, the more he stared at her, the more her strangeness was beginning to become interesting.

He didn’t need interesting right now.

He had animals to feed and chores to complete.

She stood and followed him without him having to mime what to do and he was happy for that.

Walking down the corridor, he passed his room, as well as the cleansing room, and made his way towards the spare room.

His brother’s bedroom was on the other side of the dwelling and this was the only other room available.

It’d have to do for now.

The light came on as he stepped into the room with the female following behind him and when he stopped walking, her soft body bumped into his from behind.