Page 13 of Heart's Keeper

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"You are up to something," Xerus said as they made their way down a set of steps toward their den.

"I don't know what you mean," Lana said with a smile. She flew down the stairs with Xerus close behind till they came to the entrance to their room and stepped around the screen, stopping just short of the center where a blanket lay. On top of it were several plates of food includingvala, Xerus' favorite dish, which sat in a large cauldron-like basin. The spicy meat stew simmered over a small heatpad, the savory scent wafting through the room. Xerus circled the set-up, his nostrils flaring as he eyed everything, then turned his gaze back to her.

"Just a little surprise. I wanted us to enjoy our last meal here together," Lana said stepping over to one side of the blanket. "I had Xini ask the kitchen staff to make the vala and set everything up while we were checking the ship. Sorry, I didn't have the chance to cook it for you myself."

"It's no matter. It is a welcome surprise. I am grateful." Xerus bowed to her.

They sat across from each other and quickly dug into their meal. Lana filled a bowl with the stew and threw in a few finely cut vegetables that looked and tasted similar to peppers with a salty, earthy undertone. Bringing the bowl to her lips, she took careful sips and bites, tasting the heat and smoky aftertaste on her tongue. As she ate slowly, she watched Xerus carefully—noticing he passed on adding any of the vegetables and ate nothing but the meat.

Pretending she wasn’t studying him, Lana placed her bowl down and smiled. “I remember when I first made this for you. I’d overcooked the meat, didn’t add enough spice, and the broth was cold. It was a total disaster.”

Xerus let out a soft hiss of laughter. “Yes, it was. But I forced myself to enjoy every little bit of it.”

Lana grinned. “A good thing Xini guided me more the second time, or you would have been forcing yourself well beyond the first try."

"You learned and improved quickly. As with many other things."

"Had to adapt fast. Didn't want everyone thinking you'd lost your mind completely and chosen a random idiot as your queen. Not that they didn't think you'd lost your senses already."

Xerus shrugged. " Many did. I didn't care."

"Didn't you?" Lana asked, honestly curious. "I know you said it didn't bother you when you first brought me here but...I can imagine it being a little awkward...maybe even shameful." Lana reached her arm across to pick at a few steamed purple sprouts when Xerus reached out and caught her wrist.

"I never thought that. And if anyone did, it was their problem alone." He squeezed her arm gently, then released it, and Lana stared at him as she leaned back.

"Do you think...do you think it's possible for my kind and your kind to ever coexist?" Lana said after a breath. "Not just get along but to actually be like...like you and me?"

Xerus thought for a moment, then said, "Someday, I think so, yes. Though it may take some time. Not for vrisha so much as for humans to feel unafraid and safe."

"That's what I thought too," Lana said. "That's why I never considered making contact again; knowing that the only way I could would be to reconnect the vrisha with humans as well. I wanted to protect you from them, as silly as that might sound." Lana laughed. "Though I should have probably thought it the other way around."

"Probably." Xerus smiled. He took another piece of meat and ripped it through his sharp teeth. "But it was a good decision, I think. Bringing two different worlds together when they are unprepared usually ends badly. There have been many tense moments between the vrisha and outerworlds that nearly sparked wars. I imagine the same would have been for Earth. Especially after my capture." He locked eyes with hers, and his expression turned serious. "But you have given other vrisha hope that there is the possibility of a truce at the very least. And that is a start."

"You really think so?" Lana said, wide-eyed. "Because, honestly, now that we are going back and I've thought it over more after our last talk, I think...maybe if I communicate to the right people...we should attempt to re-establish contact. And if people see us fighting against the men from Xolis to protect them, then maybe they won't consider you hostile. We could work together, maybe even cohabit together on the same worlds...someday."

"I don't think it's a ridiculous idea," Xerus remarked. "You convinced me of all people. If you can do that, I think others will follow suit. As you said, 'someday.’”

"Assuming we convince them you're not the enemy, of course. Which is easier said than done when there are those still out there who'd want to do you harm. But still...if it is possible..." Lana gazed at Xerus for a long moment, then got up from her seat and crossed over the blanket to kneel beside him. She cupped his face in her hand and brushed the scales of his jaw with her fingers. Xerus closed his eyes and pressed into her hand. "If it is possible," Lana said. "To see human and vrisha united. It would be a glorious thing."

Xerus opened his lids partially to study her. "You want this for the possibility of peace between us. Not because you are...lonely, correct?"

Lana's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Xerus' expression darkened. "Because I am not human. And you have been away from your kind for a long time. It hasn't made you...long to be with them again?"

Lana stroked the side of his face. "No. I might miss some things about Earth. But I wouldn't trade any of it for you."

Xerus closed his eyes again. "Good," he said. He mumbled something else, but Lana didn't quite catch it. His face twisted for a moment as if pained.

Lana frowned. "What's wrong?"

Xerus opened his eyes and stared at her with a fogged-over expression, then blinked several times and shook his head. "Nothing. Just a headache. Let's go to bed."

Lana thought to protest at first but decided against it, letting her hand fall from his face. "You’re not worried about tomorrow, are you?" she asked as she rose from the blanket and headed for their bed.

Xerus rose slowly and moved to join her. "No. You?"

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