Page 82 of Venomous Heart

Arlen stared, his mouth hanging open as he understood what his father and brother were telling him. Then pain stabbed him, deep within himself, to that place that knew he was never going to be worthy again.

“I cannot.” Arlen shook his head despite his father’s outraged scowl. “I am broken, Father. I am not strong enough to rule.”

“Your body isn’t what it used to be. You cannot be a wartime commander again.” Enlon spoke like he knew what Arlen was going to say and had prepared every argument against him. “But you truly never were made for that, my son. You are smart and honorable; you know how to speak to people. But most of all, you have the trust of any warrior who was ever under your command. The tribe will respect you. You will be a great chief. You will be the best chief this tribe ever saw.”

Arlen stared without speaking for a long time. Somewhere deep inside himself, he knew Enlon was right. Maybe he had always known.

“As you wish, then, Father.”

When Karian and Enlon smiled at him, Arlen knew. He was coming home, and his heart was finally full for the first time since the summer he became a warrior.

Epilogue

Ava

Golden eyes gazed upon the strange land with grass covering the hills as far as the eyes could see. Ava watched as Uril’s face filled with wonder. A sea of green rippled under the soft breeze, creating waves that shimmered under a sky as blue as the skin of the Eok warrior she loved.

“This is Eokim?” Uril spoke, blinking with disbelief. “It’s beautiful.”

“You see that rounded dome in the distance?” Arlen turned from the controls of the hover transport gliding above the grass. “That is our home.”

Ava and Uril both stared at the dome structure, growing steadily bigger in the distance. It was enclosed by what looked like a stone wall in the thick, endless grass of the Eokian plains.

“I love it!” Uril spoke just a tad too loudly, his voice high-pitched and his cheeks flushed with excitement. Ava’s heart fluttered just looking at him, so excited and happy.

The transport arrived over the walls enclosing the dome-shaped house and lowered above a wide courtyard filled with what seemed like fruit trees. Uril didn’t wait, he jumped off and ran to explore.

“This is wonderful.” Ava turned inquisitive eyes to Arlen. “But how could this be our house? Someone even planted a garden.”

“I had this house built while we were on our way.” Arlen explained to her. “My mother came and planted fruit trees, vegetables; anything we might need. She’s a true Relany. She loves gardening.”

“It’s perfect.”

Ava laughed as Uril disappeared inside the door-less house. Arlen jumped down, then walked around the transport easily. He still had a slight limp, and always would, but he had stopped relying on a cane for a while now. As she watched him come closer to her on the other side of the transport, her heart lurched at the sight of him.

He had overcome more than any other person she knew. He had never complained, never lost his way during all those months of painful rehabilitation. To her, he was as powerful as ever, and as he stopped by her side to pick her up in his arms, she was overwhelmed with a feeling so strong, she couldn’t contain it.

Because as full as their lives already were, they would be even fuller soon.

“I love you, Big-Blue-and-Mighty.” Ava kissed him, and he answered her kiss, pressing his firm, full lips to hers and awaking that hunger that never truly slept inside of her.

“And I love you. You are the reason I live, Ava. I need nothing else but you.”

Ava chuckled, then Arlen put her down, but he didn’t let her go. He pressed her body against his, his hand running up to cup her breast. He lifted an eyebrow as his fingers curled around the fullness there.

“I like it.” He grinned with wicked intent. “Your breasts are bigger. I can barely cover them with my hands now.”

“I sure hope you will like it when it’s my belly which is that round.”

Her hands went to her lower abdomen, closing over the soft secret that grew there.

Ava locked gazes with Arlen as he stared at her. First, his pale eyes were full of wicked amusement, then they became blank of any expression. His face slackened like the strings holding a puppet had been cut, his mouth hanging open.

And finally, his gaze lowered to her belly and understanding wiped the blankness from his features. Arlen dropped to his knees in front of her, then he kissed her stomach. The gesture was so tender, so genuine, Ava’s throat filled with emotion.

“Is this for real?”

“Yes, yes it is. I’ve known for a week now, but I wanted to be sure before telling you.”

Arlen smiled, then he rested his head against her belly, holding on to her as Uril came running back to them. As Ava watched the golden-eyed boy, then her sapphire blue alien mate, she knew.

For the first time in her life, she had found a home.

The End