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IKEPT CLOSE, HOLDINGtightly to Errok’s arm, as we travelled through the mountain to the main hall. Even though it was daytime, the inner tunnels of the mountain were basically pitch-black. When we finally did reach the hall, the one we’d come into on Talga’s back yesterday, I found myself squinting, half-blinded by the light streaming in.
“Zakkar!” Errok barked. I recognized that name. Zakkar was the one who’d lent Talga to Errok to fly to Thaleo’s mountains. His right-hand man.
A broad-shouldered, beefy warrior with lapis lazuli-blue sight stars jogged over, his long braid bouncing against his weapons-lined back. He stopped in front of us, raising his tail before letting it fall.
“Commission the installation of kaktuir lanterns in every hall and tunnel,” Errok ordered. “I want the work done today.”
I let go of Errok and crossed my arms, raising a brow at him.
He caught my look and frowned.
“What?” he grumbled.
My brow rose another fraction of an inch.
Realization dawned, and he tensed, scowling. Turning slowly and stiffly back to Zakkar, he added an unpractised, grudging, “Please.”
Zakkar’s sight stars buzzed. The poor guy looked incredibly confused as he once again raised his tail and then trotted away.
I burst out laughing. It didn’t take long to realize that I was not the only one. A hearty guffaw near the hall’s blazing fire joined mine. Lerokan rose from where he’d been sitting beside Priya. She waved, and I hurried over to them. Oxriel was here, too, I noticed with a genuine smile. He was from Gahn Taliok’s tribe, and though my interactions with him had been limited, I recognized his sunny demeanour instantly. His warm, copper-coloured sight stars tightened as he smiled and greeted me.
“It’s good to see you, Oxriel!” I said. I sat down beside Priya, and she passed me some food – eggs and roasted meat.
“And it is good to seeyou,” Lerokan cut in before Oxriel could reply. He grinned slyly down at me. “Or, rather, it is good to see what you’ve done to our mighty Gahn Errok. I thought seeing him tortured with need for you was the best entertainment this world had to offer. But I now must say that watching him try to be polite under your demanding stare is even better. Plus, I am very glad not to be punched, tackled, strangled, or otherwise abused first thing in the morning. So, the fact that you have accepted him and improved his mood is a great boon to me, as well.”
My face got hot.
“Is it that obvious that we... You know?” I asked Priya.
She shrugged.
“I mean, we all knew you stayed in his cave last night. And these guys have a wicked-good sense of smell.”
“Smell?!” I groaned, burying my face in my hands.I really wish I’d taken the time to have a full scrub-down in the bath after all. Although, that wouldn’t have mattered much if every warrior could still smellmeon Errok.
Errok joined our group, looming behind Lerokan like a grumpy storm cloud. Lerokan turned towards him and raised his tail in a dramatic, haughty flourish that I knew had to be meant as an insult. Priya rolled her eyes at me and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Despite my mate’s sweetness, my patience still has its limits, Little Lerokan. Mind yourself before my fingers find your throat again.”
“Errok!” I said, launching to my feet. “No way. You take that back right now. Tell him you’re never going to do that again.”
Priya choked on her food, wheezing with laughter on the floor. Oxriel’s eyes went wide with astonished concern.
“Tell him,” I said firmly. “And, frankly, I think you should apologize for last time.”
The helpless look on Errok’s face hardened into one of revulsion as he looked back at his younger brother. Lerokan, on the other hand, looked like he was enjoying this far too much. His grin was wide and full of fangs, his sight stars a manic swirl. He looked like a sugar-crazed kid on Christmas morning. Who was also having a birthday party. And going to Disney World. All at the same time.
“Yes, Gahn, I should like to hear such a thing myself,” Lerokan added helpfully when Errok didn’t speak.
Errok’s hands turned into fists, and I was 100% sure that one of those fists was about to break Lerokan’s nose.
But instead, Errok spoke. The words were ground out, and halting, and it was probably the crappiest apology I’d ever heard in my life. But he did it.
“I amsorry, Lerokan,” Errok seethed, “that you felt the need to enrage me so completely that I could not stop myself from grabbing you. I shall not do it again... Provided you keep your foul tongues in your head and do not provoke me.”
Lerokan made a sound of surprise. “If I were not intimately familiar with that look of loathing on your face, brother, I would not recognize you at all.” His gaze swirled over to me. “Please, Gahnala, continue your ministrations. Perhaps tomorrow we will not just hear a ‘please,’ but,mountains forbid, maybe even a ‘thank you!’”
