Nova: A Scifi Alien Romance (Rebel Lords) by Kylie Gold Read Free Book Online Page A

the battle between her and the boar was looking pretty bleak on her end.
    I moved to the boar and inspected it. It would be too heavy for just the two of us to carry, I would have to send a small team out to fetch it. I turned back to her and put my hand lightly around her wrist to lead her back through the jungle. As we began though, I noticed her limping from the boar stepping on one of her legs. Sighing softly, I wrapped an arm around her ribs and helped balance her as we made our way back through the jungle. “The village will eat well tonight with this boar, every morsel of it will be put to use,” I assured her as we made our way through the trees.

9
    Julia
    M y blood was pumping as I limped back through the forest with Nova’s help. Never in my life had I killed anything larger than a fly, let alone an animal. And while I didn’t believe him that it was just to provide for the village since I was staying there, I didn’t question him; I got the distinct impression since my arrival there that the man didn’t tolerate being questioned. At first, the thought of killing the animal had literally sickened me, my nerves making a ball in my stomach that I thought I was going to throw up. However, when it came down to it, it had actually been exciting . Never in my life had I felt so empowered and strong. I took down a beast that was far heavier than me, and the village was going to eat well because of it.
    My time spent with his people made me understand that they weren’t just dirty, bloodthirsty savages. They were actually dignified in a way, with a hierarchy that resembled humans. They also had some of the same inventions, however they made sure they never hurt their planet which was something completely foreign to me being a human. It was also foreign to kill my own meat—I didn’t even know anyone who had. But to hear that every bit of the animal would be put to use filled me with a sense of pride. I gave him a nod when he said it, wanting him to know I was listening.
    “The fallen animal’s sacrifice will be honored,” he added. That was something else to blow my mind. I hadn’t even thought of it like that. It was so interesting and unique how their people thought. They were so naturalistic and took nothing for granted. And while I still didn’t feel as though the Navani were completely right in the war which was raging on between the humans and them, I was starting to get a better understanding of their stance. They truly did depend on the land, so I suppose I could see where the humans digging some of it up would be upsetting. Still, if they weren’t using the Dremalite, then it shouldn’t be a problem. I tried not to linger on it too long, not wanting to work myself up all over again. I just focused on the pride I felt from killing the boar.
    As we walked, I heard a faint noise, so faint I couldn’t make out what it really sounded like. My brow furrowed as I tried to figure it out. A bug maybe? The noise got a little louder as we moved on. Before I could even register the possibilities, Nova drew his sword quickly, making me jump. My heart immediately began to pound; he was actually going to kill me? My eyes looked to him with wild terror in them. He didn’t even hesitate, lifting the sword by his head before giving a massive swing—my eyes closed as I braced myself. I stood completely still, waiting for the pain. But after waiting, I opened my eyes a bit to see Nova staring down at me, already sheathing his sword. Confused, I looked down to see a snake lying just by my foot; its head chopped off. “It’s a poisonous snake. Another step and you would have been dead,” Nova informed me.
    When I looked back up to him, I found his eyes still on me. He had saved me? As I realized this, the tension seemed to rise around us. Nova stepped into me, standing nearly chest to chest. His citrine eyes held my gaze, his own gaze searching mine. My cheeks burned a little red, unsure how to feel about all of