Page 56 of Alien Hunter's Prize

I nodded. "Iros and I already discussed it. He'll join as well—his knowledge of the terrain will be valuable, especially in the borderlands."

Rivera's expression shifted to something more personal. "And how is... everything?" Her gaze flicked meaningfully around the shared dwelling—the blended human and Nyxari items, the subtle signs of two lives intertwined.

"Good," I replied simply, a smile touching my lips. "Really good."

Before Rivera could respond, voices approached outside. The door chimed again, and this time when I opened it, I found Talia, her arms full of bundled fabric, and Elana beside her, carrying a carved wooden container.

"We come bearing gifts," Talia announced cheerfully, her own markings glowing faintly against her skin as she brushedpast me. "For your home. Both of you." Her emphasis on the final words carried warm approval.

"The fabric is from the new loom Varek helped design," Elana explained, setting down her burden. "And these are cooking implements from the Aerie—Nirako brought them. Apparently, they're traditional gifts for a new... dwelling partnership."

The slight hesitation revealed the newness of this integration—human and Nyxari traditions blending, creating something unique to our shared experience on Arenix. I accepted the gifts with genuine gratitude, touched by the gesture's significance.

"We should have done this sooner," Talia continued, arranging the woven blankets over the sleeping platform. "But with everything happening after your return—the alliance negotiations, the mapping projects..."

"Claire asked me to tell you she's feeling much stronger," Elana added, unpacking beautifully carved stone and wooden implements from the container. "The healing meditation techniques you shared have helped stabilize her markings. She wants to join the next harmonization session."

As we arranged the gifts and shared news, I felt a strong wave of belonging wash over me. These women—once strangers from another world—were now my community, bound by shared challenges and the unique connection of our markings. Their acceptance of my bond with Iros, their practical support for our shared life, carried profound meaning.

Our conversation flowed easily, discussing settlement changes, new abilities emerging among the marked women, the challenges and opportunities of the Aerie alliance. Maya's recovery, Claire's progress, the expanding community garden project—ordinary concerns that felt miraculous after the life-threatening challenges we'd faced.

Through the comfortable discussion, I felt Iros approaching through the bond—a warm presence growing steadily closer. A sense of anticipation, of rightness, flowed through me.

"He's coming," I said simply, rising to pull out more cups for tea.

Talia exchanged a knowing look with Elana. "We should head back. The seedlings need watering, and I want to check on the new medicinal plants before dark."

The timing of their departure was deliberate, respectful—allowing space for my reunion with Iros without making it obvious. As they gathered their things, Rivera also made preparations to leave.

"Testing tomorrow?" she confirmed with me, collecting her tools.

I nodded. "Early. Before the Council meeting."

As they departed with warm farewells, I felt Iros just outside. I opened the door before he could signal, our timing perfectly synchronized through the bond.

He stood tall in the doorway, his emerald skin catching the late afternoon light. His golden eyes met mine, warmth flowing between us without need for words. He carried a small bundle—fresh mushrooms from the forest edge, their earthy scent mingling with the clean, pine-like scent that was uniquely his.

"Gifts," he said simply, nodding toward the new items as he entered. His tail swayed gently behind him, relaxed and at ease in our shared space.

"From Talia and Elana. And Nirako, apparently." I took the mushrooms, moving toward the cooking area. "Traditional Aerie housewarming."

His lips curved slightly. "Nirako mentioned the tradition. I didn't expect him to participate so... thoroughly."

"He's trying," I observed, beginning the familiar rhythm of meal preparation. "Building bridges, one cooking implement at a time."

Iros moved around me with unconscious grace, retrieving water from the filtered container, anticipating my needs without being asked. The domestic dance had become natural, effortless—a physical manifestation of our connection.

"The training assessment with Varek went well," he reported, gathering plates from their shelves. "Strength fully returned. He suggested resuming normal patrol rotations next cycle."

I nodded, already aware through our bond of his satisfaction at being cleared for full duty. "Did Lazrin discuss the eastern expedition?"

"He approved it. Believes the mapping is essential, especially with the alliance formalizing." He paused, watching me work. "Mirelle wants to address the full settlement afterward. Share the complete account of what happened, what we learned."

"No more secrets," I murmured approvingly. "No more Hammond-style information control."

We moved through the familiar routine of preparing and sharing the evening meal, discussing the day's developments. The conversation flowed easily between practical matters and deeper concerns—Rivera's new device, Nirako's integration challenges, the upcoming Council meeting, our plans for the eastern expedition.

The domesticity of it struck me suddenly—this simple, shared moment, so different from the life-threatening challenges we'd faced in the mountains. Yet it felt no less significant, this quiet building of a life together.

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