Page 54 of Marked By the Bounty Hunter

“Change of plans,” I said, activating my comm. “Hunter team four, are you available for a prisoner transfer?”

“Copy that,” came the response. “Location?”

I transmitted the coordinates along with a brief message to base - someone else would have to handle this one. Then I turned to Nalina. “We have somewhere else to be.”

I sensed her curiosity as we handed off the prisoner and headed for the spaceport, though I kept our destination to myself. The bond might let us share more than most, but I could still surprise her.

“No hints?” she asked as we cleared atmosphere.

“You’ll see.”

The ship dropped out of FTL on the day side of Lysaria Prime. Crystalline seas stretched to the horizon, broken by chains of floating islands trailing gardens and waterfalls.

Nalina’s sharp intake of breath echoed my own first glimpse of this place years ago. For just a moment, her amazement brightened our bond like sunlight through crystal.

“Welcome to Lysaria,” I said softly. “Time for a break.”

EPILOGUE: NALINA

Colors blazed across my vision as our ship descended through Lysaria Prime’s upper atmosphere—swirling purples and deep blues streaked with ribbons of gold. Below, crystalline seas reflected the light in dazzling patterns, while floating islands drifted lazily through the air, trailing waterfalls and lush gardens.

“This is...” I pressed my hand against the viewport, overwhelmed.

I could see subtle variations in the light I’d never noticed before—layers of color painting the world in impossible beauty.

“I know.” Tyrix’s satisfaction hummed through our bond as he guided the ship toward a landing pad on one of the larger islands. “Wait until you see it up close.”

The pad extended from an elegant structure of sweeping curves and gleaming metal, its design blending seamlessly with the surrounding gardens. As we landed, I saw other visitors moving through open-air corridors—beings from a dozen worlds, their flowing resort wear rippling in the breeze.

“You brought us to a resort?” I turned to him, surprised. In all our time hunting together, we’d never stayed anywhere fancier than basic traveler’s lodging.

“We earned a break.” He powered down the ship and caught my hand. “And I wanted to show you something beautiful.”

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. Through our bond, I felt his desire to share this place with me, to offer a glimpse of something more than the harsh realities we were used to.

A group of staff awaited us at the base of the ramp, their uniforms echoing the resort’s flowing, organic design.

“Welcome to the Falling Gardens,” the lead greeter said, her scaled skin shimmering with welcoming patterns. “We’re honored to host such distinguished guests.”

I shot Tyrix a look at “distinguished,” but he only squeezed my hand, amusement flickering through our bond.

“Your suite is ready whenever you’d like to refresh yourselves,” the greeter continued. “In the meantime, would you care for a tour of the grounds?”

“Please,” I said, cutting Tyrix off before he could decline. If he was going to surprise me with luxury, I intended to experience every bit of it.

As Mahra, the greeter, led us through open corridors winding between lush gardens, the air thickened with the heady scent of alien flowers, each more vibrant than the last.

“The Gardens were established three centuries ago,” Mahra explained, “when the first floating islands were stabilized. Our founders envisioned a sanctuary where beings from across the galaxy could find peace and renewal.”

We passed an outdoor dining area where guests lounged at tables overlooking the crystalline sea far below. The murmur of a dozen languages mixed with the sound of flowing water.

“The main pool,” Mahra gestured to our right, where an infinity edge seemed to merge with the horizon. “Though your suite includes a private pool as well.”

I stumbled slightly at that, earning another wave of satisfaction through our bond. Tyrix was enjoying this far more than he let on.

The suite itself took my breath away. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed panoramic views of sky and sea, while the interior felt impossibly luxurious yet inviting. A private garden opened off the bedroom, complete with the promised pool, which appeared to float in empty air.

“This is...” I shook my head, overwhelmed.

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