Chapter 54

Lorelai

W as I dreaming? Was Ellax truly here? Or was this the afterlife? A very sweet, very heartwarming afterlife, where my alien husband was gathering me in his arms, pulling me close. Where he was saying the most beautiful words I'd ever heard in my entire life.

"This female is my wife, and under my protection. Touch her, and die."

The power of those words was not in their volume, but rather in their forcefulness and meaning. The tone was such that it warned anyone who dared to trespass its commands that they would, indeed, die. Cruelly so.

"Sir, Elder Sirena…"

"I am Elder Ellax Pendorgrin," my husband shot back. "And I am no mere Elder of this planet. I am also a Lead Advisor on the Interstellar Coalition. And if you so much as breathe in this female's direction, I will have you flayed alive. Now, stand back!"

"Ellax?"

Incredibly…I didn't think I was dreaming. When he snarled that final command, his entire body was moved with the vehemence of his orders. I pried open my eyelids in order to see his face. He wasn't looking at me. He was staring in the direction of the guards who, under Sirena's orders, had been chasing me. Death was in his golden eyes. Death, until he heard me whisper his name.

"Lorelai."

Instantly, his gaze fell on me and his entire face changed. The wrath was gone. The indignation vanished. Sheer love beamed from his eyes, alongside fear he was clearly attempting to suppress. Fear…for me.

"Little star," he murmured. "I have you now. All is well."

"Sirena…the wild humans," I forced out. "She wanted to use me to get to you. Force you to…"

"I know." He stopped me, seeing how I struggled to speak. "I know, my love. Trust me. All is taken care of. All will be well."

Would it? I wanted to ask how. I also wanted to collapse and give up the fight. Here in Ellax's arms, I could truly let go and be at peace, whether that meant simple sleep or succumbing to my injuries. Even as my eyelids closed, heavy footsteps sounded, approaching from the direction of the space ship.

"Elder," a very deep, very stern male voice announced. "Have we your permission to arrest this Sirena Rindsdread for ordering the kidnapping and physical assault of your wife, as well as treason against the planet of Asterion and the Interstellar Coalition?"

Although I was safe in my husband's arms, I shuddered to hear those words spoken aloud. I tried to imagine Sirena—beautiful, cold, brilliant-in-an-evil way Sirena—arrested and thrown into a cold, dank, bare prison cell, to await trial for those horrible charges. The accusations against me were bad enough, but if she were charged with treason? Historically, on Earth, that was about the highest charge any person could receive. I couldn't imagine it would be different on Asterion. Especially since the indictments brought against her involved the Coalition.

"On my authority as an Elder of this planet, and as a Lead Advisor in the Interstellar Coalition, Admiral Corrba, you have my permission to arrest Sirena Rinsdread and any of her confederates for those charges. See that she is brought to justice."

"As you say, Elder."

I made myself open my eyes, squinting against the pain and the brightness, to find Ellax's face and catch his attention.

"Ellax," I croaked. Instantly, his gaze swung back to me. "Doctor—there was a doctor who helped me escape. Doctor Natusha. I think she…she may be…"

I had the hardest time forcing myself to say the word; to admit it out loud.

"I know her," Ellax confirmed. "We will find her."

"She helped me escape," I repeated, desperate for him to know that she shouldn't be counted with the offenders, if she'd survived. "She may ne—need help."

"We will find her," he assured me. "I vow it."

And then heavy footsteps were marching past, moving around us on the walkway. Turning my head, despite the pain, I caught glimpses of full body armor, broad shoulders, and alien soldiers bristling with weapons. Although I didn't know who they were, they certainly presented a formidable force. The simple black uniforms and small staggers of the Asterion guards paled in comparison to this show of military might. I shivered, content to allow them to deal with Sirena and her cohorts.

"Lorelai." My husband's voice drew my fading focus back to him. His hand stroked my hair, comforting me. Soothing the agony. "Whatever happens," Ellax said, and I knew he was referring to the fact that I might not survive, "know that I love you, Lorelai Pendorgrin. You are my mate, my star, the light that guides my life."

I wasn't as flowery as him. In general, humans weren't as flowery as Asterions could be. But I managed to work up a smile, lifting my arm in spite of the pain to brush his face with my fingertips.

"I love…you too, Ellax. Thank you for coming to my rescue."

"No," he said, almost roughly, catching my hand and bringing it to his mouth. "You came to my rescue. The stars sent you to save me from myself and the wreck of a male that I was. You are my salvation, Lorelai. You are my light."

Even as he pressed a fervent kiss to my palm, awareness slipped away. I barely heard him demand, "Lorelai? Lorelai?"

My only thought was, If this is heaven, it's a nice place to be.

And then it was over.

I finally, fully surrendered.

And knew no more.