Page 89 of Alien Warlord's Fury

"That's enough," Selene said firmly, pulling my hand away. "You're pushing too hard."

I blinked, suddenly aware of the dizziness washing over me. "Did it help?"

"Her color's better," Selene admitted. "But you need to rest now. Both of you need time to recover."

I leaned back against the pack one of the warriors had placed behind me, Claire still held securely in my arms, and allowed myeyes to close briefly. My tail rested in a still curve on the cool earth beside me.

Not to sleep—I wouldn't sleep until I knew she was safe—but to conserve what strength remained. Claire had given everything to save the younglings, to stop Hammond, to stabilize the Nexus. Now it was my turn to give everything for her.

The bond between me and her hummed faintly, a tenuous connection I clung to like a lifeline. Through it, I sent a continuous stream of reassurance, of determination.

I'm here. I won't leave you. Come back to me.

CLAIRE

Iwoke to the feeling of something soft beneath me, a stark contrast to the cold, hard surface I last remembered. My eyes remained closed, but awareness seeped in gradually—first the distant murmur of voices, then the subtle scent of healing herbs mingled with the metallic tang of the ruins. The steady warmth of Nirako's presence flowed through our bond, a golden current that anchored me to consciousness.

When I finally managed to pry my eyelids open, the world swam into focus. Nirako sat nearby, his silver skin marred by bandages wrapped around his torso and left arm. Despite his injuries, his posture remained vigilant, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

"You're awake." His voice carried relief rather than question.

I tried to push myself up, but my limbs felt leaden. "How long was I?—"

"Three cycles." He moved closer, not touching me but near enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "The younglings are safe."

At the mention of the children, I turned my head, scanning the makeshift medical area. Selene knelt beside one of the small Nyxari children, her gentle hands applying a salve tothe marks where Hammond's machines had been attached. Nearby, Kavan spoke softly to another child, while Aerie tenders moved efficiently between pallets, carrying supplies and offering comfort.

Relief crashed through me, so powerful it brought tears to my eyes. "We did it."

"You did it," Nirako corrected, his voice low. "What you accomplished at the interface?—"

"We," I insisted, reaching for his hand. My fingers trembled with the effort, but I needed the contact. "I felt you there. Your strength."

His lifelines responded at the touch, a subtle pulse that told me more than words could. Through our bond, I could sense his pride, his relief, and a fierce protectiveness that wrapped around me like a shield.

"The children?" I asked.

"Recovering. Hammond's machines damaged their connection to the Nexus, but the Aerie healers believe it will heal naturally now that the corruption is gone."

I closed my eyes, letting the memories return. The interface. The psychic battle. Hammond's twisted face as his own technology consumed him.

The rush of power as I channeled the children's energy signatures to stabilize the Nexus core.

"My markings," I whispered, suddenly aware of the difference. The familiar silver lines no longer burned beneath my skin. Instead, they hummed with a quiet, steady power that felt... right.

Integrated. "They're different."

Nirako's gaze traveled over my exposed arms, where the silver patterns gleamed with a soft, steady light. "Stable," he confirmed. "The healers believe your connection to the Nexus has found balance."

I flexed my fingers, feeling the energy flow smoothly through the pathways in my skin. No more erratic surges. No more burning pain.

Just a clean, clear connection that felt like an extension of myself.

"And the visions?" I hardly dared to ask.

"Gone, according to what you've been muttering in your sleep." His mouth quirked in a half-smile. "Unless you were dreaming about stabilization protocols for other reasons."

I laughed, the sound weak but genuine. "No more visions. No more..." I trailed off, realizing what it meant.

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