Without fear.
Without regret.
We belong to one another, and no one can tear us apart.
We fit together like a lock and key. Made only for each another.
Loving one another and working as one, we will open the door to a new and brighter future. For both of us.
Together…
EPILOGUE
KENZIE
Iolana and the other nurses at the hospital take turns hugging me goodbye. The streamers around the break room and presents on the table reflect how much love and camaraderie I’ve experienced in the ten years I’ve worked at San Gabriel Memorial Hospital.
When I leave my goodbye party, I find Kobrik waiting for me at the entrance to the E/R. I can’t keep the smile off my face, despite the sadness of leaving here.
I throw my arms around him and soak in all his love. He kisses the top of my head.
“I have good and bad news for you, sholani,” he says as we walk to the bus that takes us to our temporary home at the Zyanthan Embassy. Kobrik thinks I gave up my apartment because it lacked sufficient security. The real reason is I’ve been using every spare moment of my free time learning Zyanthan and the best place to do that is at the embassy. Between the computer program Kobrik loaded for me and the opportunityto interact with embassy personnel, I can already speak and understand several words of Zyanthan.
“Has the ZDC delayed your departure date again?” I ask.
“I’ve been reassigned to Earth for the short term. To aid in finding the enemy agents in the military here.”
“Is that the good or bad news?” I ask as we board the bus. The passengers already sitting on the bus move to the back when they see us. Or rather, when they spot Kobrik. He can be intimidating, but he’s never even looked at them cross.
I stand up and stare at the humans avoiding eye contact with him. “We’ve been riding this bus together for four weeks. Every night at the same time. And you’re still afraid of my mate?”
“He’s alien,” a man says.
“Wake up and smell the coffee, people. We’re not alone in the universe. We’ve been invaded and occupied, but we survived, and now we’re rebuilding and preventing further invasions thanks to the help of other aliens. The good guys. Remember that concept? This warrior has never done anything to any of you. And he’s responsible for finding enemy agents who compromise Earth’s security. Show a little decency, if not gratitude. Stop going out of your way to get as far away from him as you can. Or maybe offer a simple nod or hello now and then.”
One person moves up two rows, leaving three empty rows between us, then nods before looking down at his lap. It’s a start.
I sit back down, frustrated and disappointed.
“I do not need anyone’s gratitude for doing my job as a warrior, sholani.”
“I know, but you deserve it. Their prejudice is keeping them from realizing how lucky we are to have you on Earth.
“Fear is hard to overcome.”
I wonder if he’s talking about them or me. Either way, he’s right. Change, and overcoming fear, takes time.
“When we reach our room, I plan to show you how much I appreciate you. Over and over again, my sholan,” I whisper.
Kobrik’s horns bend back. “Sholan? This is the first time you’ve called me sholan.”
“I’ve been so focused on learning the Zyanthan words I don’t know that I keep forgetting to use the one I do know. The one that’s more important than any other. My sholan.”
That earns me a squeeze to my thigh.
“Now, the bad news, please,” I ask.
“Since our departure has been delayed, you will miss entry into this year’s medical training on Zyan.”
