Page 42 of Selected By the Dragon Alien
Turi turned to Ellion and squeezed his hand, offering him a smile. “Come on, Ellion,” she said softly. “Let’s go back and see what our Hecron friends are up to.”
As Ellion and Turi approached her family’s house, he could hear Yuric’s deep voice carrying across the yard. Themasarstood among a group of Terians. His presence was commanding and he held the attention of the eight Terians who’d gathered around him. Fortu stood beside him, her orange hair gleaming in the sunlight. He remembered the female, who’d lived at another settlement, as being quiet and withdrawn, but like everyone else, there was a lightness to her that made him smile.
“Your people have an innate talent for farming,” Yuric was saying, gesturing to the fields. “The land you work produces more than any other region, even when the Axis obscured the light. These lands were ours, before the Axis took them, but we will not drive you off. If you wish, you may continue to live and work here, but as free people, not prisoners. In exchange, we can offer protection and trade.”
Some of the Terians nodded, while others looked skeptical. One of the farmers stepped forward. “And what of the Riests? What will become of our traditions?”
“Your traditions are yours to keep or discard,” Fortu replied, her voice steady. “But they should be based on truth, not the lies of the Axis.”
Yuric placed a hand on Fortu’s shoulder, his expression softening as he looked at her. “The Hecrons respect your right to govern yourselves,” he added. “We seek only cooperation and mutual benefit.”
Ellion watched the exchange with interest. The Terians were already changing, standing straighter, speaking more freely. It was as if a weight had been lifted.
“Ah, Ellion.” Yuric excused himself from the farmers and put a hand on Ellion’s shoulder. “Your fortress will need extensiverepairs,” Yuric said. “And my people will help with that. Once it’s operational again, I hope you mean to keep your word about giving my people a means to travel off-world.”
Ellion nodded, his wings rustling. “I always keep my word. I am also eager to search for my brothers.” He looked at Turi, his expression hopeful. “Would you come with me when the time comes?”
Turi smiled up at him, her heart full of love and adventure. “To the stars, my love. To our next adventure.”
THREE MONTHS LATER
The fortress courtyard was alive with celebration. Colorful banners hung from the ancient metal walls, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers. The Axis had not returned and each day the Terians breathed easier. Hecrons and Terians mingled freely. Their laughter and voices echoing over the valleys on both sides of the mountain. The fortress itself seemed to glow in the late afternoon light, its repairs nearly complete, ready for new adventures.
Turi stood before Ellion, her hair adorned with bright wildflowers that Ara and her mother had woven into intricate patterns. She wore a dress of soft lavender, the color of his scales, but a lighter shade, while Ellion’s wings gleamed and his scales caught the light like precious gems.
“You’re beautiful,” Ellion murmured, taking her hands in his. His silver eyes shone with love and pride.
“As are you, my dragon,” she replied with a smile. The gold spots on her forehead sparkled, matching the joy in her eyes.
The young Riest, Kalen, who had advocated for showing the journal to the rest of the settlement and who had believed Turi’s story, stood before them as the ceremony leader. He no longer wore the traditional red hat and white robes of his position,having chosen to serve as a teacher and historian instead. He smiled broadly and began speaking the words that would bind Turi and Ellion. It was just a formality, as they both knew their hearts were bonded.
The crowd erupted in cheers as their lips met, the sound echoing off the fortress walls and into the clear sky above. As the ceremony concluded, cheers erupted and Terians tossed flower petals in the air. Music played, courtesy of a trio of Hecron musicians, and it was the first time some of the Terians heard it. They listened, transfixed, as instruments rang out and filled the air with delicate notes.
“Here’s to building a new life together,” Turi said as they strolled through the throngs of Terians and Hecrons. Yuric held court, telling stories of battles he’d had with Ellion, all the while with Fortu at his side. Her parents were there, as well. They were not together, with Aila choosing to live in a dwelling with other females like herself, who left their mates, but Turi watched Tregit gaze at his ex-bondmate with longing. Perhaps he was realizing what he had lost and wishing he could win her back. It would take a lot of convincing, Turi knew, as her mother was enjoying the freedom of being on her own. Even her brother was there. He looked softer, happier, and everyone, from the eldest to the youngest, was well-fed and rested.
Turi squeezed Ellion’s hand. “The settlements are thriving now that we work together with the Hecrons. Even thecibratsseem happier.”
Ellion chuckled. “Speaking ofcibrats, I saw a family of them in the garden you made on the south terrace, yesterday. They’re quite good at keeping insects away from the new plants.”
“With the sunlight, came more plantsandbugs, which thecibratsconsider a delicacy.” Turi’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “They are getting fat, I’m happy to say.”
“And their families are getting bigger,” added Ellion.
“I hope our family does, too,” Turi said softly.
Ellion’s face pinched. “I don’t know if we can have children,” he said. “But I am hopeful. I would very much like to hold our child in my arms. Perhaps, when we explore other worlds, we will encounter species with technology that can answer that for us.”
“What do you think we’ll find out there among the stars?” she asked, gazing at the warm afternoon sky.
“Adventure, danger, probably more than a few surprises,” Ellion replied, pulling her closer. “But as long as we’re together, we can face anything.”
“Together,” Turi agreed, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. “Always together. While we search for your brothers, we will also look for my friends who were taken.”
“Yes,” he said grimly. “With the long-range communication system up, we can begin that soon, from here. We’ll have an idea where to start looking.”
Turi closed her eyes. “They should be here with us. Dancing. Laughing.”
“We’ll find them,” Ellion said. “I promise you that.”