Page 44 of Alien Warlord's Fury

I studied his face, noting the tightness around his eyes, the slight strain. "It's costing you."

"A price I choose to pay."

Night fell. Nirako found a small clearing sheltered by ancient trees. With careful movements, he lowered me to a bed of soft moss.

The loss of contact left me feeling strangely bereft. My markings flickered, sending a fresh wave of discomfort through my system.

Nirako knelt beside me, his lifelines glowing softly in the gathering darkness. The cut on his cheek had stopped bleeding, dried silver tracing a path to his jaw. Other minor injuries marked his arms and shoulders—evidence of his battle with the guardians while I'd focused on the conduit.

"You're hurt worse than you said," I accused weakly.

"Scratches. Nothing that won't heal by morning." He reached for his pack, retrieving a water flask. "Drink."

My hands trembled too badly to hold it. Without comment, Nirako supported my head and held the flask to my lips. The water tasted sweeter than anything, cooling the fire in my veins.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded, setting the flask aside. "Your markings are more stable now."

I glanced down. Silver lines pulsed with a more regular rhythm. The pain subsided to a dull ache, though exhaustion weighed on me like a physical burden.

"We did it," I said, allowing a small smile. "The first real blow against Hammond."

"Yes." Nirako's expression remained serious. "But at what cost to you?"

"Worth it." I closed my eyes briefly. "I felt them, Nirako. The children. When the power faltered, their suffering eased."

"For the first time since Hammond captured them, they had relief."

His hand found mine, strong fingers curling around my palm. "I know. I felt it through you."

The intimacy struck me. He had felt what I felt through our connection. The bond was growing deeper, more profound than I'd realized.

"What is happening between us?" I asked, voice barely audible.

Nirako's eyes held mine. "Something rare. Something my people speak of but few experience."

"The mate bond?" The words felt strange, foreign, yet undeniably true.

He didn't answer directly. "Rest now. Your body needs to recover."

"Nirako." I tightened my grip, summoning what little strength remained. "Don't avoid the question."

Silence stretched, filled with night sounds and the soft glow of our markings.

"Yes," he finally said. "The beginnings of a mate bond. But it is incomplete, unstable—like your markings."

"Because I'm human?"

"Because we are both fighting it." His thumb traced circles on the back of my hand, the simple touch sending warmth through my exhausted body. "Such bonds cannot be forced, nor can they be denied without consequence."

I thought about how he'd carried me, his strength unwavering. How he'd defied his council. How his energy now helped stabilize my chaotic markings.

"I'm not fighting it," I admitted. "Not anymore."

Something flickered in his eyes—surprise, hope, uncertainty. "Claire?—"

"I know. The task comes first." I closed my eyes, suddenly unable to keep them open. "The children."

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