Page 46 of Heart's Keeper

Xilya, along with the sisters, Nix and Dyrsa, and Krel and Aryus, stayed behind on the planet to serve as the city’s new guards. Before she and Xerus left, the team gathered what supplies could be of use in the new world, leaving enough resources for her, Xerus, and their crew on the return home. With careful precision, they took apart one of the call system communicators connected to the ship and rebuilt it to work along with the city’s more advanced computers, allowing for contact to Tryth and beyond without the need of a ship. The council had been informed of the team’s new mission and was willing to send out more ships when the time called for it. Until then, they were on their own.

Bo and the other city officials had accepted their stay with great excitement. Though some of the people looked on the vrisha with nervous glances and an air of deep caution, they remembered how they had fought for the city and so were quietly grateful. As much as they prided on their ideals of a society brought together by and tied together with different races and their cultures, even they knew the vrisha would be a challenge, and the fear of them would take time to settle completely.

As they had moved everything the team needed out of the ship and she and Xerus were preparing to leave, Lana said her goodbyes to Bo and the gyda and to her team but didn't think it would be the last time.

"You'll be back," Bo said as she hugged her. "I know it. Just to see how far we've come."

"You can count on it," Lana said as Bo released her. "Xilya says there are refugees from Xolis looking for a new home. I said I'd meet with them when they finally make it here."

"We will be waiting. And we will be ready," Bo said. "They won't be the only ones."

"I should think not, knowing how many might be living out there now." Lana glanced up at the sky and saw the dull light of a few close stars.

"We will remain wary of any unfamiliar ships as well as familiar ones that we aren't expecting," Bo assured her.

Lana knew she meant any military or government who might come looking as well as unplanned Xolis ships. "Are you planning to stay in contact with Earth, or will you cut ties for good?" Lana asked curiously.

"It's funny you should mention that." Bo wrung her hands nervously. "Though we weren't planning to, we decided to give one last company a chance. Well, they're more of an organization really, but their sponsorship and resources could double the city's expansion in several years."

Lana crossed her arms, trying not to look too critical. "Are you sure that's a good idea? After Sythtec?"

"We didn't think so either at first, but it was your friend, Elise, who recommended them."

Lana's brow rose. "That so?"

"Yes, Grayhart is the name. They are dedicated to sending out ships to explore advanced worlds. You might have heard of them. In return for the land to build a ship port, they are giving us a generous amount of aid and supplies."

Lana nodded. "Ah. Yes, I know of them. In that case...you should be all right."

"We will keep a close eye though, don't worry." Bo smiled her brilliant smile and offered her hand. Lana smiled and took it.

"It's been an honor, Dr. Hart. Safe travels." Bo shook her hand and started back toward the research lab. "Until next time!" She waved.

Back at the ships, before they were to take off, Lana found Elise there waiting along with Nezka, their ship ready to leave with Lana's own. Gyrix was with them, his things already transferred onto the hunter's ship. Instead of staying on the new world or returning to Tryth, he elected to go with the pair, to help in their search for more of Nezka's kind.

"It's been many years since I was a young warrior," Gyrix said to Lana the day they started to prepare to leave. "But on one of my first missions, I encountered a tribe that looked very much like this hunter. I think I could aid in their search if we return to the planetary system in which I found them last," he explained.

"It's good of you to help," Lana said. Gyrix bowed and said his goodbye before entering the ship. Lana turned to Elise, who waited by the ramp as Nezka started up the engines. She was dressed in a set of shiny black armor plates just like her hunter, with her gun clipped to her belt. Lana thought she looked every bit a warrior.

"Good luck to you both," Lana said. "Don't get into too much trouble."

Elise laughed. "With Nezka, I can't promise." She placed a hand on Lana's shoulder. "I'm glad you found us when you did. Sure, it wasn't the best circumstances, but I'm glad we could be here to help."

Lana nodded. She lifted her hand, grasping Elise's outstretched arm. "I am too."

Elise released Lana’s shoulder and started up the ramp of the ship where Nezka was now waiting for her at the door.

"Will you really come back after?" Lana called over the hum of the ship.

Elise turned back. "You can count on it." She waved, then turned to her mate whose brilliant orange eyes gazed down on her with a look of adoration before he whispered something Lana couldn't hear. They embraced and kissed deeply before Elise entered the ship. Nezka noticed Lana and gave her a quick bow before he followed, and the door closed behind him.

When Lana returned to her own ship, she found Xerus waiting. He watched her as she walked toward him, and she fixed him with a smile. "Ready to go home?"

"I've never been more ready," Xerus said. He reached up to touch her, and Lana closed her eyes as his fingers grazed lightly over her face and around her ear as he brushed back a stray hair. She focused on the feel of his hand against her—a rough, warm touch she could never stop loving. She placed her hand on top of his, pressing her face to his palm, grazing her lips along his wrist.

She took his hand and led him into their ship. Once secured, they took off with ease and watched as the blue planet that resembled Earth grew smaller in size.

As the ship traveled in space, they remained together in their room for most of the trip, only leaving to check on the deck every so often. Xerus slept a lot, but Lana didn't mind as long as he was no longer in pain. She lay beside him and fed him when he woke, and when she did sleep, she dreamed of home. Not of her father's beach house, but of the garden on Tryth, and of their bedroom, and of the brilliant red and orange sky on the terrace.

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