Page 47 of Alien Warlord's Fury

"And if that kills you? What then?" The question came out sharper than intended, edged with fear I couldn't disguise.

"Then the younglings will be safe." Her voice was soft but unyielding. "That's what matters."

"'Not to me.' The words were out, raw and unplanned."

Claire's eyes widened slightly, the silver of her markings brightening in response to my admission. "Nirako?—"

"I understand duty, Claire. I understand sacrifice." I stood, pacing the small clearing, my lifelines pulsing with agitation, my tail twitching unconsciously. "But throwing your life away needlessly helps no one. Not the younglings."

"Not this planet." I turned to face her. "Not me."

The last words hung in the air between us, raw and honest. Claire watched me, her expression unreadable.

"I didn't ask you to care about me," she finally said.

"No. You didn't." I returned to her side, kneeling before her. "That choice was made long before either of us recognized it."

I placed my palm against her cheek, lifelines meeting markings. The connection between us deepened, a warmth spreading through my chest that wasn't caused by energy patterns.

"I can feel you," she whispered. "Through the bond. Your worry. Your fear."

"Yes."

"And something else."

I didn't deny it. "Yes."

Claire leaned into my touch, her eyes closing briefly. When she opened them again, determination had replaced vulnerability. "We still have a task to complete."

"We do." I nodded. "But we complete it together. No more solo heroics from either of us."

"I thought Aerie warriors preferred to hunt alone."

"This warrior has learned new tactics." I brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Rest now. Regain your strength. Hammond's compound isn't going anywhere."

Claire settled back against the mossy ground, her body finally surrendering to exhaustion. I continued to monitor her markings, occasionally channeling my own energy to stabilize the erratic silver patterns. Our linked energies settled into a focused calm, anticipation sharpening our senses.

Hours passed. I kept watch, alert for any sign of danger while Claire slept. Her breathing had steadied, the fever in her skin gradually cooling under my ministrations. The silver markings no longer flared unpredictably, instead pulsing in a rhythm that almost matched my own lifelines.

When she finally stirred, color had returned to her cheeks. "How long was I out?"

"Long enough." I offered her water again. "How do you feel?"

She took a moment to assess herself. "Better. Not great, but better."

"Your markings are more stable." I nodded toward her arms, where the silver lines now glowed with a steady light. "The herbs and rest helped."

"And you." Claire's eyes met mine. "I felt you, even while I slept. Your energy, keeping mine from..."

She trailed off.

"From burning out completely," I finished for her. "The bond made it possible."

Claire sat up straighter, testing her strength. "This bond between us—it's more than just an Aerie legend, isn't it?"

"The mate bond is rare, even among my people." I sat beside her on the mossy ground. "It forms when two energies are perfectly complementary. When two souls recognize each other across any distance."

"Sounds romantic." Her tone was light, but her eyes were serious.

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