been altered by the litter of pups growing in her belly—lagging behind. Dexter’s ears perked, and he glanced back at Diana before slowing down. When she caught up with him, he fell into place alongside her, matching her pace as they continued to run.
The two German Shepherds had been inseparable since Diana had joined their little family.
“I see your beasts appreciate this property,” Khelvar said.
“They do,” Zevris replied. “I’m rather enamored by it, myself.”
Selling both their homes before finding and purchasing this place had not been a simple process, but Tabitha and Zevris had agreed it was the right thing to do. Despite the stress and difficulties involved, Zevris didn’t regret a moment of it.
They had land out here, privacy, peace and quiet. He’d converted the barn into a workshop for himself, and there was another freestanding shop near the house that now served as Tabitha’s workspace. Dexter and Diana had enough space to run around to their heart’s content. There were trees and plants, wild animals, fresh air, a slow-running creek… And, perhaps best of all, Zevris and his daughter, Skye, would be able to spend most of their time here without having to wear disguises.
This was the one place on Earth where they could be themselves, and they wouldn’t have to limit it to when they were indoors.
While he was here, Zevris could easily forget that there was a whole universe beyond the property lines. That was more liberating a feeling than he could ever have imagined.
“I can’t say I fully understand it,” said Khelvar, calling Zevris’s attention back to him, “but I can at least see a hint of what makes you want to stay here.”
The ultricar was looking out over the field again, a distant gleam in his eyes that Zevris had never seen there in all the years they’d known one another.
“This is part, yes, but a very small part. What truly keeps me here is currently in the house, dealing with your medical team.”
Khelvar snickered and shook his head. “From the beginning, this operation has been unconventional, and I say that as someone who has overseen the undertaking of unconventional operations for the Exthurizen for years. We have a full team of medical researchers here, a faloran midwife, an althicar and an ultricar, and that’s just within a hundred feet of this spot. But this moment, this place and time…we’ve made history. You’ve made history.
“Several more of our althicars have made mating bonds with human females over the last several months, but you remain the first, Zevris.”
“All I did was find my lifemate,” Zevris replied, turning toward the house and leaning back against the porch railing. “That’s all that matters to me. Those two in there…they are all that matters.”
“I suppose now is as good a time as any, then.”
Zevris glanced at Khelvar.
The ultricar placed a firm hand on Zevris’s shoulder and met his gaze. “Althicar Zevris Akkaran, as your ultricar, I hereby release you from the Exthurizen with all the honors you are due. You have served bravely and decisively across more than a dozen operations and as many worlds, and your actions have time and again safeguarded the faloran people and our allies everywhere. Your courage and selflessness have not gone unnoted. And now, your contributions have provided the first true hope our race has had in generations. You should be remembered forever as a hero to our people not merely for this mission, but for every one you have undertaken.”
Turning to face Khelvar, Zevris stood straight, shoulders squared. This was a moment he’d never imagined would come to pass. When he’d been younger, he’d assumed he would serve until the end of his life—and death had seemed far more likely than retirement. But as he’d grown older, as the duty had worn on him, he’d become more and more certain that this was what he wanted.
When he’d requested his release, he’d wondered how he would feel upon receiving it. Bittersweet? Relieved? Lost? All he’d known was that he was tired, that he was ready to move on to whatever the next step in his life was meant to be.
There was still a hint of sadness—he truly considered Khelvar a friend, a father, and would miss him—but it was overpowered by joy, by anticipation, by possibility. By his love for Tabitha and Skye.
“I don’t need remembrance, ultricar. I performed my duty with neither want nor expectation of reward. All that I need, all that I desire, is here on Earth. Thank you