Page 79 of Silver Slayer

Her gaze finally shifted to mine, hope replacing disappointment almost instantly. "You promise?"

Instead of answering, I moved closer and reached for her hand. She offered it without hesitation. I turned it over and guided her palm to the center of my chest, pressing it lightly against the scales covering my ancillary heart.

"I promise." The words had scarcely left my mouth before a low thrum awakened naturally within my chest. As instinctive as breathing, the deep vibration steadily built until it flowed through my scales beneath her palm.

It began low within my chest, a familiar vibration that spread outward through my body until I felt it resonate beneath her hand. Her fingers flexed instinctively against my scales as the rhythmic pulse flowed into her, carried not only by touch but by the faint thread joining our spirits.

She closed her eyes and splayed her fingers wide, lingering over the gentle thrumming beneath her palm.

"I love this," she whispered. "I love that you can make me feel so... safe."

Something inside me swelled until I thought my chest could contain no more. Of all the things she might have said, thosewere the words that reached deepest. Every instinct I possessed had driven me to protect her from the moment I found her on that impossible world. To know she truly felt safe with me, that I had given my spirit mate even a small measure of peace after everything she had endured, filled me with a satisfaction unlike anything I had ever known.

Reaching up, I curved my hand against her cheek, my thumb resting just below her cheekbone, and leaned forward until my brow found hers. I lingered there, breathing in the exotic scent that was uniquely hers.

"There is nowhere on Valose," I said softly, "that I would not stand between you and danger."

She was quiet for a long moment, her fingers still resting against my chest.

"I used to think needing someone made you weaker," she whispered. Her thumb traced a slow circle over my scales. "I trusted only myself because people always found a way to disappoint me." Her eyes lifted to mine. "I don't believe that anymore." She drew a slow breath. “I will never be the same without you.”

Emotion tightened my throat. I rested my brow more firmly against hers, unwilling to put even the smallest distance between us.

"Nor will I," I whispered.

Epilogue

QUIN

The twin suns were beginning their slow descent as I stepped through the palace's heavy double doors, my bio-analyzer tucked beneath one arm while a folded blanket and basket of snacks balanced comfortably against my hip.

The great fountain beyond the palace doors surged skyward in choreographed arcs before they cascaded into the expansive basin below. Warriors, females, and younglings moved along the stone walkways surrounding it, their conversations blending with the steady rush of falling lood as Huren settled into the evening. Somewhere beyond the rooftops, I knew Vennox would already be waiting at the training field beside the bubble craft.

I couldn't keep the smile from my face.

Over the past two weeks, our evening excursions into the Huren jungle had become my favorite part of every day. What had begun as a promise had turned into a routine I found myself looking forward to from the moment I woke.

Today, I secretly hoped we'd see another rexose.

The first time I'd laid eyes on one, Vennox had settled the bubble craft above the jungle while the enormous predator emerged from beneath the towering blue canopy. It lumbered through the undergrowth on thick, blue-scaled legs, its massive reptilian head swaying with each earth-shaking step. Rows of serrated teeth flashed whenever it parted its jaws to scent the air, and I couldn't stop staring until it disappeared beneath the trees. It had been equal parts terrifying and magnificent.

Smiling to myself, I continued down the walkway toward the training field. Every excursion brought something new to discover, and my silver companion made for the perfect tour guide. He seemed to know every trail, every creature, and every plant in the Huren jungle, and no matter how many questions I asked, he answered each one with endless patience, as though seeing his world through my eyes delighted him as much as discovering it delighted me.

Movement near the large rectangular structure beside the palace caught my attention. I had learned it served as a spacecraft hangar, but today it was far busier than usual. Warriors hurried in and out through its massive open doors while others clustered outside in animated conversation, all glancing skyward as though expecting something to appear at any moment.

"Quin!"

I looked toward the hangar as Holly broke away from the crowd, waving enthusiastically. I lifted a hand in return and kept walking.

"Wait up!"

With a sigh, I slowed to a stop. I was already running later than I'd intended after detouring through the cookery to pick up freshsweet bread and a covered pitcher of vernbury tea. Vennox's favorite. I knew he'd be at the training field, and I hated keeping him waiting.

Holly hurried the last few steps toward me, slightly out of breath. "Have you heard?"

I frowned. "Heard what?" I lifted my chin toward the unusually large crowd gathered outside the hangar. "What's going on?"

Holly's grin widened. "They found them!"