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“We would certainly be happy to have Treads Lightly at any of our Med Centers, but first he and Fights Darkness have a trip to go on,” Commander Sylvan said. He looked at Lili. “I understand you want to go to F’rith Three, the Chulaz home world.”
“Yes, I do!” Lili exclaimed. “I’ve been corresponding long distance with f’loon, the famous bas’lat art collector.”
“And have they invited you to visit?” Commander Sylvan asked. “You won’t be allowed on F’rith Three otherwise.”
“Well…the last communication I received from them said that ‘a meeting should be arranged under the correct circumstances,’” Lili said hesitantly.
Sylvan nodded.
“That’s as close to an invitation as you’re going to get from the Chulaz—they’re a very oblique people.”
“So can I go?” Lili asked eagerly. “Dark and Light said they’d take me,” she added, nodding at the two big Kindred.
“Yes, we would be happy to escort Lilibet to F’rith Three,” Light said and Dark rumbled ascent as well.
“Now wait just a minute!” Rachel, who had been standing there with her arms crossed over her chest, listening intently, suddenly stepped between Lili and the Twin Kindred. “How do I know my friend will be safe with you two?” she demanded, looking up at them. “You’re Dark Kindred.”
“What the fuck does it matter what kind of Kindred we are?” Dark growled.
“Peace, Brother.” Light put a hand on his arm. “I think Lilibet’s friend is simply worried for her safety.” He looked down at Rachel. “I know we may look frightening, but I promise you, we have only good intentions towards Lilibet.”
“And if an oath is necessary to prove it, we’ll swear it right now,” Dark added, frowning.
“All right, yes.” Rachel lifted her chin. “I would like your oath as Kindred warriors that you’ll protect Lili and you won’t hurt her under any circumstances.”
“Hurt her? What do you think we are, Broken Ones?” Dark demanded.
Rachel glared at him.
“No, but I know about your Berserker DNA. My husband says it makes you unpredictable and dangerous.”
“Dangerous to everyone but Lili,” Dark protested. “I would never fucking hurt her!”
“Make your oaths then,” Sylvan said. “Treads Lightly, Fights Darkness—will the two of you swear to protect Lilibet, even at the cost of your own lives?”
“We will,” Light said.
And then, to Lili’s surprise, he sank down on one knee beside her hospital bed. Reaching for her, he took both her hands in his. Even though he was kneeling and she was sitting on the high bed, they were still eye-to-eye.
“Lilibet,” he murmured, looking at her earnestly. “While you are in my care, you shall have my body as your shield. My arms shall hold and protect you, my ears will hear your sorrows and cares, and my lips shall keep your secrets. Not a drop of your blood shall be lost unless every last bit of mine has first been spilled upon the ground. I will die defending you. This is my Oath of Protection, which I give to you as a Kindred Warrior. Do you accept it?”
“Oh, Light…” Lili was overcome by the Light Twin’s eloquence. Her heart was pounding as she looked into his silvery-gray eyes. “Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, I accept.”
“Thank you. You honor me,” Light said formally. He pressed the backs of her hands to his lips, kissing her gently, and then rose and nodded at Dark. “Brother? Make your vow.”
It was Dark’s turn to kneel before her and take her hands in his. The size difference between them was so great that he was still taller, even kneeling.
“Look, you know I’m not good with words like Light is and I’m still trying to figure out feelings too,” he rumbled, looking earnestly into her eyes. “But nobody’s getting to you unless they go through me first, little Lili—I’ll rip their fucking head off if they try!”
Lili suppressed a smile.
“Thank you, Dark,” she murmured. “I know you will.”
“Then you accept my oath?” Dark asked anxiously. “Because I know I didn’t say it just right.”
“Yes, of course.” Impulsively, Lili drew one of her hands out of his and cupped his cheek. “I know how brave and protective you are,” she told him. “It doesn’t matter how you said it—I could feel it. I know you and Light will keep me safe.”
To her surprise, the Dark Twin turned his face into her hand and placed a gentle kiss in the center of her palm.
