Page 36 of Secrets of Ruin

Kaylia had also come to love the young woman and would protect her. Without her, someone else would assume the throne, go mad, and turn the realms into a living hell. They could never let that happen again.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Lexi rested her hands on Kaylia’s shoulders before bending to hug her. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” Kaylia leaned into her friend before pulling away. “You shouldn’t touch me; I smell so bad.”

Lexi laughed as she returned to the cart. “That you do, but I’ll take it if it means you’re here.”

She pulled the lid off a platter of bread, fruit, cheeses, and assorted pastries. Kaylia’s stomach rumbled, and saliva flooded her mouth as the tantalizing scent of those delicacies drifted to her.

“You must be hungry,” Lexi said. “You fell asleep before you could eat anything.”

When she started to rise, Lexi waved her back and removed another lid to reveal a meat platter. “I’ll make you a plate. I know you don’t eat meat, but I thought Orin might want to eat too.”

Orin sat back in his chair and stretched his legs before him as he smirked at Lexi. “That’s Uncle Orin to you.”

Lexi stopped using the tongs to place some cheese on a plate and lifted her head to frown at him. Sahira rolled her eyes, and Kaylia suppressed a smile as warmth filled her.

Brokk was still out of it, but they were home, surrounded by family, friends, and love, and they were safe. It was everything they’d dreamed about for the past three months.

“You two aren’t married,” Lexi retorted.

“Yet,” Orin said.

Lexi’s eyebrows shot up, and Kaylia’s mouth fell open at this revelation. Things had really changed while she was gone.

“Well, if you do get married, you’ll always be just Orin to me,” Lexi retorted.

“Oh, we’re getting married,” Orin replied. “There’s no doubt about that.”

Kaylia didn’t know how to respond, and Lexi didn’t seem to either, as her mouth opened and closed. Neither of them was used to this Orin; he was much the same but also very different.

Orin was the last immortal she’d ever imagined hearing talk about his marriage. She was going to have to check, but she was pretty sure Hell had frozen over.

Brokk had to wake up to see and hear this. He’d never believe her when she told him later.

“I hope that does happen,” Lexi said, “but you’ll still never be Uncle Orin.”

Lexi handed Kaylia a plate heaped with goodies. Her gaze fastened on the bread, cheeses, fruits, veggies, and sweets. It was a little bit of heaven in her hands, but she had to make sure Brokk was set before she ate.

“Has he had any blood lately?” Kaylia asked as she shifted her hold on the plate to wave at Brokk.

Orin’s amusement vanished as his attention shifted back to his brother. “I gave him some blood about half an hour ago; he had some more healing and pain potion afterward.”

“Good.”

Kaylia set her plate on the edge of the bed to focus on her food. She munched on some cheese and grapes, but while her mouth watered and she yearned to shovel all the delicious goodies in, she ate slowly.

After the gruel she’d survived on these past three months, she’d make herself sick if she ate too fast. Her stomach was so shrunken that by the time Lexi finished making plates for everyone, Kaylia couldn’t put another bite into it.

She set her plate aside and brushed the hair back from Brokk’s forehead. “Have you seen Ryker and the others?”

“Some of the kitchen staff took some food to their rooms while I brought up this cart,” Lexi said. “But no one has seen them. Like you, I assume they’ve also been asleep for the past day.”

“We’ve already been back for a day?”

“You have.”