Page 55 of Rainse

I laughed, slightly watery. "We should probably thank it."

"We will. Once you track it down for your research." His expression grew more serious. "Verity, I know this happened fast. A week ago, you didn't know aliens existed. Now you're bonded to one, moving to a remote island, changing your entire life?—"

"Stop," I interrupted gently. "I know what I'm doing. Yes, it's fast. Yes, it's crazy. But it's also right." I pressed my palm flat against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart and the responsive shiver of his greenskin. "The bond isn't forcing me to stay. I'm choosing it. I'm choosing you."

"Even with all the complications?"

"Especially with them." I smiled. "I'm a scientist. I love complications. They make life interesting."

"You make my life interesting," he said quietly. "You make it worth living."

The bond pulsed with the depth of his emotion, and I felt it echo in my own chest. This thing between us—it was more than biology, more than chemistry. It was choice and commitment and the promise of building something together.

"Kiss me," I said.

He didn't need to be told twice.

His mouth found mine, soft and sure. The kiss tasted of salt air and new beginnings. His greenskin wrapped around us both, glowing faintly in the bright daylight, and I felt the bond settle—content, certain, home.

When we finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, the sun had begun its descent toward the horizon.

"So," Rainse said, his forehead resting against mine. "What now?"

"Now?" I tilted my head back to look at him. "Now we start building our life. Together."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." I kissed him again, quick and light. "One day at a time. One discovery at a time. One moment at a time."

"I can work with that," he murmured.

We stood there as the afternoon mellowed into evening, the ocean singing its eternal song around us. And for the first time since the whale had capsized my boat and thrown me into impossible circumstances, I felt completely, perfectly at peace.

This was where I was meant to be.

With him.

Always.