“Well, not just jungle vines,” I clarified. “There’s also Lor.”
“Lor?” Marco’s face scrunched up as if trying to figure out his taxes. “What’s Lor?”
I felt my face flush, a giddy smile spreading across my lips. “Lor is a who, and more specifically, my mate. He’s Rodinian—kind of like a seven-foot tall humanoid leopard with claws and a tail. He’s a Legion Reaper—an elite warrior assigned to protect this planet. He’s also...” I twisted the simple band around my wrist, a Rodinian bonding symbol. “We’re married, by their standards. Or bonded. It’s complicated.”
Marco’s mouth opened and closed several times before he managed to speak. “You married an alien cat-man?”
“He’s more feline-adjacent than actual cat,” I corrected. “And yes. It’s a whole fated mate thing, although his word for it is kassari. Their species has this biological imperative where they recognize their perfect match through proximity-triggered shared dreams, and then there’s a claiming bite and—“ I stopped, noting my brother’s increasingly horrified expression. “You know what? Those are details for another time.”
“You’ve lost your mind,” he said flatly. “Complete psychotic break. I’m calling Dr. Reyes.”
“I’m not crazy,” I insisted. “Look around! Does this look like Earth to you?”
I turned the camera to show more of my treehouse, including the view beyond my open balcony doors where the twin suns of GL-7 were clearly visible in the purple-tinged sky. I zoomed in on a flock of what looked like feathered serpents gliding between the massive trees.
“Could be special effects,” Marco argued, but with less conviction.
“It’s real, Marco. All of it. And I’m happy. Happier than I’ve ever been.”
Something in my tone must have reached him, because his expression softened slightly. “You really believe this, don’t you?”
“I don’t just believe it. I’m living it.” I leaned forward, willing him to understand. “Look, I know it sounds insane. If our positions were reversed, I’d think you’d gone full tinfoil hat too. But I promise you, this is real. I’ve discovered something incredible, and I want to share it with you.”
Phil nudged my cheek supportively.
“I’ll be back for your birthday,” I continued. “Three weeks from now, Earth time. I’ve already arranged transport through the rift gate. You can see for yourself then that I’m completely sane. Well, as sane as I’ve ever been.”
Marco ran a hand over his face, looking suddenly exhausted. “What am I supposed to do with this, Miri?”
“Nothing. I don’t need you to do anything aside from make sure you get my birthday week off!” I grinned. “Oh, and water my plants until I get back? Please?”
“Your plants,” he repeated incredulously. “You’re living on an alien jungle planet with sentient vines, and you’re worried about your pothos?”
“Hey, commitment is commitment. Besides, Mr. Fronds has been with me since college.”
That startled a laugh out of him—a short, disbelieving sound, but a laugh nonetheless. “This is the most insane conversation I’ve ever had.”
“Just wait until you meet Lor,” I said cheerfully. “Then we can talk about insane.”
As if summoned by his name, I heard the familiar sound of Lor’s approach—the nearly silent tread that somehow still managed to vibrate through the treehouse’s living structure. A moment later, his massive frame filled the doorway behind me, golden eyes immediately assessing the situation.
“Kassari,” he rumbled, moving to stand behind my chair. “The patrol is complete. No signs of intrusion in the southern quadrant.”
Marco’s eyes bulged as he took in Lor’s appearance. Even with the comm system’s limited field of view, there was no disguising what Lor was.
Very muchnothuman, powerfully built, and radiating the quiet intensity that had first drawn me to him.
“Holy shit,” my brother whispered.
“Ah, perfect timing, he got back early. Marco, meet Lor,” I said, reaching back to place my hand on Lor’s arm. “Lor, this is my brother Marco. The one I told you about.”
Lor inclined his head in the formal Rodinian greeting. “Brother of my kassari. You are welcome in our territory.”
Marco made a strangled sound.
“He’s still processing,” I explained to Lor. “Humans need time to adjust to all this.”
“Understandable,” Lor agreed solemnly. “The Nexus is vast and Earth is isolated. Discovery requires adaptation.”
