Hand-in-hand, Ilse and Drako strolled through the dirt roads of Alexandra. He squeezed her fingers tighter, mindful of his strength. He could never get enough of touching her, his human partner. Looking at the way the sun caught the golden color of her hair and the pearly shine of her skin, he was not only reminded of the external beauty that reflected the pureness of her heart, but also of how easily he could’ve lost her, in more than one way. As his charl, she’d been granted eternal life. He needn’t worry about her dying from old age, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be injured. The urge to wrap her up in protective microscopic fiber and hide her from the dangers of the universe was still there, but he’d learned to let her soar, to give her the freedom to be the person she was meant to be, the one he’d always love. She’d accepted being his charl, and she’d accepted marrying him. He wanted to tie her to him by all standards––his, hers, in affection, in bed, and in blood. He’d marked her in every way possible to show the world she was his.

“There it is.” She pointed at a white building with the word clinic painted in red on the wall. “What do you think?”

He smiled down at her. “It’s perfect.” Like her. Like everything she did.

Ilse had gotten private funding to start a free clinic in the township where a team of volunteer nurses and doctors worked around the clock. The Elders had not yet agreed to make their technology available to Earth. It was too soon. If they’d do so in the future depended on human comportment and how it would unfold. As with all intelligent species, Earthlings had their share of good and bad. Just like the Krinar. He knew that now. For all the bad, there was plenty of good, starting with the woman walking beside him.

He’d amended his recommendation regarding Earth, advising the Elders that cohabitation was not only possible, but also desirable. The Council had held their meeting a Krina month ago. Their decision had been made. The invasion would continue with a slow rollout phase of secluded Krinar settlements. Krinar and humans would live side by side. In time, he was certain humans would benefit from Krinar technology. From what he’d seen since he’d been living on Earth with Ilse, he had new faith in them. As for his history on Earth, the Elders had decided to keep it quiet for the sake of universal peace. As far as history went, his was the untold story.

Pete and Frik had been detained, their memories wiped. They now worked as caretakers in a Hospice facility for HIV patients. The medicine black market had been brought down and corruption in the hospitals uprooted. The footage of his rescue of Ilse had been destroyed, leaving Carte Blanche only with enough evidence to clamp down on the black market dealer and his associates. Corruption in government still existed, but like his little human had taught him, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

These days, they lived in a dwelling in Costa Rica with a few other Krinar and charls, but they visited Johannesburg on a weekly basis for Ilse to continue with her charity work. His chest swelled with pride whenever he introduced her as his charl. His human mate. For life. When he’d first taken her, he hadn’t given her a choice. Not really. These days, in the privacy of their home, she came to him naked, no negotiation required.

Mosa exited the clinic. She wore a white uniform like the other volunteers. “At last.” She propped her hands on her hips and smiled. “I thought your honeymoon was delaying you indefinitely. How was Costa Rica?”

“Wonderful.” Ilse beamed. “You should come.”

“With all this work?” She wiped a hand over her brow. “I won’t fit in a visit before Christmas.”

For all she scoffed and complained, Drako could see how fulfilling the work was for her. There was a new purpose in her step and a shine in her eyes. He studied her closer. Her coloration looked healthier, too. The Krinar medicine he’d provided had cured Mosa’s tuberculosis. It was a special exception granted by the Elders, knowing how much she meant to Ilse.

“Actually,” Ilse said, glancing at him, “we were more thinking along definite terms.”

“You mean move in with you?” Mosa squinted at them.

“Wouldn’t you like that?” Ilse asked, her voice uncertain.

“The two of you aren’t too bad,” Mosa waved between them, “but I’ve got my work cut out for me, here. Besides, I haven’t had time to enjoy my new house, yet.”

Ilse had signed over the deed of her house to Mosa now that she lived in his dwelling.

“Don’t fret,” Mosa said. “Caitlin told me she was planning a holiday in Costa Rica in December. Maybe we could all meet up for Christmas and spend the month together.”

Ilse squealed. “That will be wonderful.” She looked at him quickly. “Wouldn’t it?”

“Of course.” There was nothing he’d deny her. He thanked the stars every day that his mission had sent him to Earth.

“Come,” Ilse said, tugging on his hand, “let me give you the tour. We made new improvements to the rehabilitation center.”

As Mosa walked ahead of them, he held Ilse back. She paused to look at him with those mesmerizing eyes. Her smell wrapped around him like a caress, instantly waking his appetite. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her close for a quick kiss, until her smell changed from appetizing to downright edible as her arousal spiked. The kiss lasted much longer than he’d intended, so much so that they were both breathless when he finally let her go.

She gave him a shy smile. “We better go. Mosa’s waiting for us.”

“Fine, but only if we leave straight after.” He tested the next words on his tongue, still feeling the novelty of them as he said, “I want to make love to you.”

Her face lit up like a thousand stars. “All you have to do is ask.”

Aye. He’d be asking. For the rest of forever.