Page 14 of Rock Hard Alien

The question had an obvious answer, but telling her that I was unable to let my mate out of my sight would be another mistake. I was learning.

“I tried to leave,” I said. “I did not get far.”

I raised my right hand. The fingers had softened when I entered the room, but the tips were still darker than the rest of my skin. I tried to bend them. The movement was slow and painful.

Georgie stepped closer. “What happened?”

“Petrification. It began as soon as you moved too far away from me. I almost fell into the forest.”

Her smile disappeared. “What does that mean? You can't be away from me or you'll turn back to stone?”

“I don't know. This is not normal. Gharrgoils don't petrify unless we're very unwell or in environments hostile to us. Like on this planet. Petrification started as soon as I'd climbed from my escape pod. It's a protective trait evolved over many generations. We get to live, but we're unable to move until rescue arrives. In my case it never came. Not until you.”

“I am not your rescue,” she said softly. “You can't be by my side at all times. I have a job. I have a life. I am not a gargoyle sitter.”

I went cold inside. “Is that what you think of me? As someone who will stop you from living your life? As a burden?”

“No... I'm sorry. That's not what I meant. But... This is hard. I have no idea what to say. Are you really not able to be away from me?”

“I can try.” I shrugged. “We could experiment just how far I can move before petrification sets in. It's not a pleasant feeling, but it will be good to know.”

I moved towards the door, but she held up a hand.

“Not now. We have to talk. I have questions.”

I pointed at the squishy looking furniture that I had almost pushed over. “Would you like to sit?”

She nodded and took a seat on one side of the purple monstrosity. She patted the space next to her.

“Join me. Let's talk like grown-ups. So... You followed me all the way from Stirling. Did anyone see you?”

“I think so. I stopped caring the moment my hand turned to stone. It kind of distracts you from thinking too much about people walking into lamp posts underneath you. At least one person did.”

A strangled noise escaped her. It took me a moment to realise she was laughing again.

Warmth spread through my chest. I had made my mate laugh. Maybe I wasn't entirely hopeless.

Her amusement faded when she looked at my hand again. “Does it hurt?”

“The return of the stone does not. That is the worst part. I stop feeling anything.”

I had not meant to tell her that much.

I closed my eyes for a moment, not wanting to see her reaction. Her scent filled my lungs, warm skin mixed with stone dust and rain. Desire crowded every thought. I stepped on my tail, put pressure on it. The pain felt good.

“Can I see?” she asked.

I held out my right hand.

Georgie hesitated before taking it. Her fingers slid beneath mine, soft against my palm, while her other hand traced the darkened stone at my fingertips.

The petrification vanished as if it had never been there in the first place.

She moved her thumb across one of my knuckles. Every instinct urged me to close my hand around hers. I left it open, letting her decide how long the contact lasted.

“Your skin is warmer now,” she said.

“Because of you.”