Page 96 of Heart’s Prisoner

Xerus placed a hand against the pod's glass just above Lana's chest. He would never have believed in a thousand years that he would have found his mate in the middle of a war. He had fully come to terms with the idea that once his mission was complete, once the parasite was destroyed for good, he would come home and be given his queen as a reward. Never would have guessed that a strange earthling would be the one to move him. A soft-skinned, fragile-looking being, with an innocent face and fierce eyes. He had thought them strange looking at first, the humans, but the more he looked at his mate, the more he saw her loveliness. Her delicate beauty.

He imagined the others would be shocked, maybe even a little concerned for his mental stability for taking such a soft-looking creature as his queen. Tyrus certainly would have a laugh, as would Rysha, but he would put them out real quick. His mouth twitched in amusement at the thought of his brothers.

No, once they knew everything she had done, they would understand. She might not look it but she was worthy to be made queen. And knowing now that she would be by his side made his fiery soul swell and leap.

Letting his hand fall from the glass, Xerus moved to the controls beside the pod and activated the awakening cycle. The pod lit up from within, bathing his mate in a cool blue. The pod door opened, letting out wafts of cold air. Xerus shivered as he came around the front. Without his scales, the air nipped at him. If humans had wanted to learn anything useful about his kind they would have known to use ice against him, not electricity. Though Vrisha could withstand any climate, icy atmosphere was the hardest for them to endure. They hated the cold.

Xerus leaned forward and grazed his fingers gently over his mate's soft cheek. She stirred, frowning, her eyes fluttering open.

"It's time,Kissala," he said softly. "We're almost home."

His mate looked up at him with her brilliant green eyes, staring up at him as if in awe. No more fear he noticed. And that was good. He never wanted to frighten her again.

She smiled at him and reached for him. He took her in his arms, bringing her close. He couldn't wait to have her in his home. In his bed. After the ceremonies were over he would take her to every spot he loved, from Vilrak pass to the fire isles. He would have special clothing made for her, one from the scales of the fallen. And a crown of horns. He could envision it now and it made him growl with pleasure.

She looked at him with her confused stare. "What's wrong?"

He nuzzled her neck, nipping the delicate flesh, making her gasp. "Nothing is wrong...Xevas nik kasa."

She gave him a funny look. "You are...disappointed? About what?"

His eyes narrowed on her, forcing himself not to roll them. A decidedly human trait. "Esca xi issa. Kasa...impatient."

"Oh," she said, smiling sheepishly.

Xerus huffed. "You are too spoiled, you know. I have been too nice in speaking your tongue. And you are forgetting mine already." He shook his head. "You will need to understand mine more now than ever. As soon as we land I won't speak human again."

Lana pouted but it seemed to be in jest. "Alright, fine.Erssi. I'm sorry."

Xerus tightened his hold around her. "That's better."

"How much farther are we?" she asked.

"We should be passing Syvi, our second moon, as we speak." He carried her out of the room of pods and started back down the passage. When they got to the pilot's cabin he placed her in the seat beside his.

A repetitive dinging sounded over the board and Xerus tapped the screen to confirm the call.

"Risha nix vis na esya?" came a low, guttural voice. They wanted to know who was in the strange ship.

"Xi Vrisha Xerus xil riskna. Fina vese humin vishil," he responded.

There was a pause and then, "Xerus?" they said. They seemed in shock. They asked if he had completed his mission to which he responded yes.

Immediately they were escorted to Tryth, two Vrisha ships protecting their own from either side. They locked on with magnetic propulsion to take them onward at a quicker speed. In no time at all, Tryth, his homeworld, came into view. The brilliant red and purple planet was just as he remembered it.

"I can't wait to explore," his mate said beside him, staring out the window with unhidden fascination. Xerus grunted in agreement. She stood up to get a closer look and he couldn't help but bring her against him, wrapping his tail around her waist. He nuzzled her hair and she turned her face to kiss him on his jaw. "I want to see everything."

"And you will. But first, we must go through our ceremonies."

Lana's eyes fell as if she was in deep thought. "I hope the others accept me. It must be unusual to have an outsider become..."

"Maybe to humans. But to Vrisha it doesn't matter. If you prove yourself worthy then you are accepted."

Lana gripped his hand. "What do we do after? Do we...rule?"

Xerus' mouth twitched. "In a way. We become part of a council of rulers and overseers. We will have missions and perform them together."

"Ah," Lana said, her mouth turning up slightly. "I would like to help in any way I can."

"But I will enforce that we are not given any missions in the first few months," he stated severely.

His mate looked up at him in surprise. "Why not?"

Xerus' eyes met hers. "Because you already have several of your own missions to perform. For me specifically." Lana looked at him in confusion and his mouth widened. "Or should I say favors that you still owe me."

When she finally understood, she groaned with agitated despair. "I knew I was going to regret those." She looked up at him and sighed, though her lips still curved ever so slightly. "All of them?"

Xerus twisted her around to face him then leaned down, brushing his mouth against hers. He tilted back and flashed his fangs. "All of them."