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“No,” I say, shaking my head.
I want to say more but I don’t know the words so I do the only thing I can think of. I lean closer and kiss him. The instant our lips touch I want more and it’s clear he does to. Crazy, sure, but his lips, his touch, he is everything. Life, safety, hope, and most of all love.
Love pours out of him like a surge of energy, flowing into my body through the simple contact of our lips. It lifts my spirits, makes me feel lighter, and more alive than I have ever felt in my life.
I wrap my arms around his neck, giving myself over to him. He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me off my feet, crushing my body against his. I run one hand through his hair then I hear Khiara clearing his throat, loudly. I break the kiss and give Khiara a sheepish look.
“Heh,” Khiara grunts.
“Perhaps now is not the time for reunions,” Rani says.
Dilacs lowers me back to the floor then turns to Rani and he bows his head.
“I am sorry, my Queen,” he says.
What? Queen, she’s… oh… shit.
33
GWENETH
“It is fine, Dilacs,” Rani says with a sweet smile on her face.
“I’m sorry, too,” I say, trying to give her a curtsy because that’s what you’re supposed to do for royalty, right?
Except I have never, in all my life done a curtsy. I put one foot behind the other and try to dip but I somehow screw it up, trip, then fall. The only thing that keeps me from face planting is Dilacs and Khiara. The brothers each grab one of my arms and keep me upright, but they can do nothing for the blood burning into my chest and cheeks.
“Gweneth,” Rani says, walking over, she places her hands on my forearms. Her hands are unusually warm, not just in a body heat way, but warm with care and concern. Or it feels that way. “I am glad you are reunited. Do not be ashamed to love. I am more than happy for you and Dilacs.”
“Tha—tha—thank you,” I stumble over the words trying to get them out.
She smiles and nods then looks at the boys.
“Do you have a plan to get us out?” she asks.
Khiara and Dilacs look at each other and then the young one that I’d all but forgotten about clears his throat with a high-pitched ahem. All of us look over to where he stands with his arms crossed over his chest and a look of disdainful defiance on his face.
“I do,” he says, affecting for a growl at the end but his voice cracks and it sounds more like a squeak.
His cheeks go pale with embarrassment, but Rani walks over and kneels before him, bowing her head.
“Then, brave sir, will you save your Queen?” she asks and there is not a hint of mockery in her voice or bearing.
The young Urr’ki’s eyes are as wide as dinner plates. His mouth drops open, and he snorts loudly. One hand flies to his mouth covering it over then he takes a deep breath, squares his shoulders, and his demeanor shifts to serious.
“It would be my honor,” he says, bowing deeply.
“You are an ever-gracious warrior, you do your parents and all Urr’ki proud,” Rani says.
Khiara and Dilacs grin at one another over my head and I’m smiling too. Despite the danger we’re in, which we all know, this moment is special. It’s heartwarming and beautiful. It’s almost worth all the crap I had to go through to be here to experience it. Almost.
“My Queen, this brave warrior is Muda,” Dilacs says, stepping to stand next to the young one. “And without his guidance, this rescue would not have been possible.”
I wouldn’t have thought that young Muda could look any paler, but he manages to do just that. He gets anymore lighter-skinned and he’ll be able to pass for a human, albeit one with a green undertone to his skin. The smile on my face is genuine and heartfelt. This will be a moment that this young one will cherish for all his days.
If we survive…
No. I’m not going to be negative. Dilacs and Khiara are here. The Queen is here! That alone is a massive change. I can’t even begin to imagine what a difference that is going to make in the war against the Shaman.
