Page 81 of An Alien for the Farm

He pauses, gaze shifting to me before moving to his brother. “Leaving before he remembers I let him rut when I shouldn’t have. The last few sols have been very…eventful.”

I frown at Zynar. “Have you been arguing with your brother?”

He frowns immediately, too, eyes piercing in Varek’s direction. “He was supposed to keep you away from me.”

“And let you die?”

“If I’d hurt you more—”

“You didn’t,” I stress. “You wouldn’t have.”

Zynar stills and I know he’s still wrestling with himself over what happened.

“Either way,” I turn back to Varek, “you can’t leave. Not without getting some rest and proper nourishment.”

Zynar frowns again. “You will not be on your feet preparing any meals.”

I grin. “Good. Because you’re the one who is going to cook for him.” He looks surprised enough that I laugh. “And me.”

That makes him purr.

I face Varek again who is still hesitating by the truck.

“Come on.” I jerk my chin toward the cottage. “You’re family now.”

“Family?” Zynar parrots.

“Kin.” I’m not smiling now, I’m serious and when Varek freezes before his gaze shoots to Zynar, I know I’ve said the right thing.

Varek’s shoulders loosen and he releases his hold on the hover truck door.

As you wish, kahlesta,” he gives me a slight bow.

“As you wish, my kahl.” Zynar grins.

As we make our way back to the cottage, I see the extent of the damage to the barn. My eyes widen.

“Are you sure this is what you really want?” Zynar whispers, noting where my focus had gone.

I look up at him, nodding without hesitation. “I have no doubt.”

Somehow, I think we’ve both found something we’ve wanted. Something we’ve both needed.

EPILOGUE

ZYNAR

Ihave a kahl. And she is beautiful.

My core-rhythm sings each sol at just waking to see her face sleeping peacefully against my chest.

This is the life I’ve always dreamed of. The one I thought would never find me. But Eleanor made it possible.

The farm is growing. I’ve redoubled my efforts in repairing all the outbuildings to bring them up to par. I’ve mended every tool that’s still in working order and gotten Varek to dispose of the rest. He’s been acting strange lately. Whenever he thinks I’m not looking, I catch him gazing at me when I have my Liora in my arms. It’s not hard to tell what his thoughts might be.

I’ve found my kahl, and that means that there’s a possibility he might find his, too. If I were my siblingkin, it would be the singular thought on my mind. Just like Eleanor is on mine at every moment.

I gaze down at her now; at how her hair dances in the soft breeze that rushes past where we rest on the porch. Eleanor had me set up what she called a ‘hah-mok’, a strange swinging seat made of textiles strung up from the roof. It sways slowly as we rest within it. It is my favorite spot to rest after a sol tending the field. Here, Eleanor has no choice but to allow me to wrap myself around her. It’s the only place I feel completely at ease.

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