Page 103 of Fractured Souls

That was the second time he’d said it in that way, with a little thrum of intensity in his voice.

Why?

But she didn’t have time to think on it.

“Our ride’s here,” he announced, staring up at the sky.

“What?” She shielded her eyes, not quite sure what he was talking about until a black speck appeared in her peripheral vision, growing larger and larger until she could make out the familiar outline of a Kordolian battle cruiser.

“Lodan has arrived. We’re getting out of here.”

“Okay.” We’re leaving already? That was quick. She looked down at the portal and saw the bodies of at least a dozen Tharians strewn across the polished floor. The wall of the dome was damaged in one spot, the intricate fractal patterns literally melted off the stone, which had turned a deep smoky pink color.

But the portal would still work. Some things she just knew, thanks to Anuk.

A strange feeling came over her. Sadness. Awe. Relief. Now she had a connection to this planet. She had a duty to see that Anuk’s wishes would be carried out, but she also had unfinished business on Earth.

Mama Virginie was getting old. Alexis had to see her again, had to let her know that she would be around. That woman had done so damn much for her.

She still hadn’t found out what had happened to Tasha, but she hadn’t given up hope. Things were different now. She could tap into the formidable resources of the Kordolians.

And with Nythian by her side, she was no longer afraid of going back home. She wasn’t afraid of assassins, or bounty hunters, or vicious Kordolians.

Her mate was one of those vicious Kordolians.

“Time to go, Alexis.” He wrapped his arm around her waist as a dark line dropped from the hovering ship above—a snakelike metallic rope of some sort. He grabbed its end and wound it around his hand, pulling her close to him.

They started to ascend. She relaxed as the wind swirled around them, leaning into his hard body.

Now she had a bird’s-eye view of the landscape below. A wide river stretched lazily over the horizon, snakelike and glittering.

The endless desert was spectacular, thousands of peaked red dunes etched by sharp black curves of deepening shadow.

And now she understood that a long time ago, the whole planet had been covered in verdant forests and crystalline lakes and vast seas.

Just like Earth.

God, she missed that place.

“Don’t worry, Alexis,” Nythian whispered above the roar of the wind. “I’m going to take you home.”

Everything had come full circle.

Curlae. Anuk’s voice echoed in her mind. That is what we call the will of the Universe. The strands pull apart and come together. Everything returns to the whole. Don’t fight it, human. You’re in the slipstream now.

Nythian pulled her into darkness, into silence. He dissolved his armor and kissed her again. “You’re with us now,” he rasped.

It was true. The Kordolians had her now, and she never wanted to escape.

Twenty-Six

She was frowning at him, her arms folded, her jaw set in a stubborn line. At last, they were safely onboard the Mhyndin, hanging in Tharos’s orbit as they waited for Ashrael and the others to return.

Finally, Nythian could relax a little, knowing his mate was out of the danger zone.

Their mission was nearly complete. Ashrael and his support squad would be finishing off the Kordolian invaders. Under the General’s orders, they would take the higher value targets alive for interrogation. He hadn’t heard from the Silent One yet, but then again, Ashrael wasn’t the most talkative individual, especially when he was working.

Alexis’s frown deepened. Goddess, she looked adorable.

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