Page 104 of Alien Warlord's Fury

"These suit you better," Nirako said softly. "Ordered. Purposeful". He reached for herbs, his chest nearly touching my back. I felt his heat, the rhythm of his lifelines.

"The bond feels different too," I said. "More stable."

"Yes." His breath stirred my hair. "It grows stronger."

I turned, finding myself in the circle of his arms. "Is that why the council assigned us a shared dwelling?"

A smile spread across his face. "The council assigned nothing. I requested it".

"Oh." The admission warmed me.

Nirako reached up, tracing my jaw. "Does that displease you?"

I leaned into his touch. "No. It feels right".

His gaze held mine before he turned back to our meal. "Good".

We ate at the small table, watching dusk settle. Nirako told me more about the Aerie mountains. I told him about the children, the Nexus data, my hope for the future.

When finished, Nirako cleared away while I checked the monitoring crystals. Stable.

"All quiet?" Nirako asked beside me.

"For now," I nodded.

He placed his hand near mine. "You should rest. The healing work takes energy".

"So does recovering," I countered, looking at his side.

His lips curved. "Then we both should rest".

In the sleeping chamber, I hesitated before sitting on the bed. Nirako moved to the other side, removing his tunic carefully. "Let me see," I said softly. He turned. The wound was healing well, a long silver mark. My fingers hovered over it. "Hammond tried to take everything," I whispered.

"And failed," Nirako replied simply.

I looked up at him. "Yes. He failed".

Nirako traced the air above my markings. "Rest now. Tomorrow brings new challenges".

We settled onto the bed, close but not touching, silver and gold glowing softly. Outside, the settlement grew quiet. For the first time in memory, I closed my eyes without fear. The bond hummed, a reassurance. Home, I thought. This is what home feels like.

NIRAKO

The council chamber's stone walls amplified every sound. My tail remained still, betraying no tension as I observed the gathering. Across the chamber, Claire sat with the Eastern Settlement representatives, her silver markings catching the light. I sensed her unease through our bond. She wore simple Eastern clothing, but her markings set her apart.

Three distinct groups had formed: Eastern Settlement led by Lazrin, my Aerie Kin standing tall and traditional, and the Shadow Canyon representatives led by Ravik, their darker skin and minimal ornamentation distinct.

Lazrin stepped into the center. "We gather today to formalize our alliance and address the aftermath of Hammond's actions. Speak now with one voice".

I stepped forward, representing the Aerie Kin. "The Aerie Kin stand with our allies. But we must proceed with the caution of the eagle".

Ravik moved forward. "The Shadow Canyon stands ready. We bring our knowledge. But we do not share all secrets freely". Tension rippled through the chamber. Shadow Canyon guarded their knowledge closely.

Lazrin frowned. "If we are to stand united, there can be no half-measures".

"The eagle does not reveal its nest," I countered, drawing on Aerie philosophy. "But it flies with the flock when danger threatens all. Perhaps a middle path? Each clan maintains its traditions, but we establish protocols for sharing vital information".

Ravik's eyes narrowed. "And who determines what is 'vital'?"

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