Page 80 of Silver Slayer

"Found who?"

"The Lizordian who went searching for his brother found the missing rescue vessel!" The words tumbled out in a rush. "They're on their way to Valose now, and you'll never guess what else they found."

I blinked. "What?"

"Another Moktian craft." she said excitedly. "Just like the one that crashed on your scary-ass planet. With the cloaking technology, that means we can go home. Back to Earth."

Home.

The word struck me like a physical blow. All the blood rushed from my head, leaving me momentarily dizzy as a thousand emotions crashed together inside me. Hope. Relief. Joy.

"Holly?" Her smile faltered. "Are you okay?"

The weight I'd been carrying finally lifted.

"I... I need to find Vennox." I looked at her, but my thoughts were already somewhere else. "I have to tell him..."

My words dissolved as I dropped the blanket, basket, and bio-analyzer where I stood and took off running toward the training field.

I barely noticed the startled faces of the warriors stepping aside as I ran. Before I reached the training field, I saw him. Vennox was already striding toward me, concern etched across his handsome features. Through the bond, I felt his growing unease as he searched my face for the source of my distress.

I threw myself into his arms, and he caught me effortlessly, wrapping me against his broad chest as though he feared I might fall apart if he let go.

"Quin." His voice was low and urgent. "What has happened?"

I clung to him for another heartbeat before he gently eased me back onto my feet. One hand remained at my waist while the other brushed windblown strands of hair away from my face. His thumb swept across my cheek, wiping away my tears.

"Tell me."

My breaths came in short, uneven bursts.

"H-Holly..." I managed, struggling to draw in enough air to speak. "She said... the Lizordian..."

I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

"They found them." I searched his eyes. "The rescue vessel... they found it... and..." My voice broke as another rush of emotion overwhelmed me. "They found another Moktian craft."

I shook my head and reached for him, my trembling hand settling over the glowing shawra on his chest. "You don't understand."

His confusion replaced the quiet sorrow I still felt echoing through our bond. Tears blurred my vision, but for the first time since arriving on Valose, I could see with absolute clarity.

“I'm not happy because the craft is coming.” My fingers spread over the radiant mark beneath my palm. "It made me realize that what I truly wanted has been standing right in front of me this whole time. I was just too afraid and too stubborn to see it.”

His eyes searched mine as though he feared he had misunderstood.

"I never believed myself worthy of a female such as you."His voice roughened. "Every dark hur when I close my eyes and the memories haunt me still unless you are there to call me back."

I reached up and cupped his face in both hands.

"Vennox..." I waited until his silver eyes locked with mine. "Do you know what I see when I look at you?"

He gave the smallest shake of his head.

"I see the strongest, kindest male I've ever known." I smiled softly. "There is nothing wrong with you."

Wonder gave way to raw vulnerability.

"You were abducted. You were imprisoned." I held his gaze. "Your nightmares are a normal response to surviving something no one should ever have to endure. They don't make you weak, and they certainly don't make you unworthy."