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“What an absolute treasure you’ve found, brother!”
He inhaled deeply at my scent as I stared in shock at Nakoa’s smirking face over Val’s shoulder.
Val set me down, his dark blue eyes twinkling with mischief and apology.
“Sorry, lass. I cannae help myself sometimes. Ya dinnae have a sister, do ya?”
I couldn’t help but be endeared by the warmth he radiated.
“No, I’m sorry to say, I don’t.”
Val gave a forlorn grunt. “Well, if ya ever get puggled’a this auld bawbag, ye ken where ta find me.”
If you ever get tired of this old ball bag, you know where to find me.
I’d spent a considerable amount of time hovering around a fire with the good people fromBein Sith Mórduring the war. While they were notoriously heavy drinkers, they were equally hilarious and animated. Always ready to have a laugh no matter how dire the situation. I’d frequently found myself naturally gravitating towards them. Though those I’d befriended had unfortunately met their end during the war.
I grinned up at him, giving him a wink.
“Whit’s fur ye’ll no go past ye,” I teased.
Val’s thick brows leapt towards his hairline in surprise before he burst into a heartwarming belly laugh as he clapped Nakoa on the shoulder.
“Ooooooh, better ye keep an eye on this one afore ah steal her awae’fae ye.”
Nakoa chuckled appreciatively. “Brother, if you’re feeling suicidal, there are more effective ways to go about asking for help.”
Val’s laughter doubled.
The rest of Nakoa’solana kah’heigreetedVal with a warmth and exuberance that left my soul throbbing with a familiar ache… What a gift it would be to have such strong bonds with so many people. To have a family. The sight of Val playfully putting Roderick, a fellow Lykos, in a chokehold and rubbing his fisted knuckles into the top of his head like they were bothers had a grin teasing the edges of my mouth.
Nakoa turned to me with an understanding smile as if reading my mind. “You belong here too, Mareina…”
Just as he stepped towards me, reaching for my hands, an all too familiar voice called to me in its deep, velvety tone.
“Mareina…”
My heart just about burst from my chest as my head snapped up Val’s porch steps to find Malekai standing in the doorway of Val’s cabin.
Oh, sweet gods.
Alive.
He was alive.
Without thought, I rushed forward as Malekai descended the porch steps in a single stride to meet me. I crashed into his chest, throwing my arms around him in blessed relief.
“Oh gods, you’re ok… I was so worried,”I breathed, burying my face in his chest. Tears sprung to my eyes at the instant relief as my chest swelled with gratitude.
His arms held me so tightly against him I could scarcely breathe.
“You?Mareina, I was about a day away from razing the fucking Kingdom to the ground.”
He looked down into my face, wiping away my tears with his thumbs.
“Fuck, I missed you.”
I opened my mouth to respond but drew back suddenly, wincing at the bolt of jealousy, fear, and anger that poured into me from mine and Nakoa’s tether. I’d been effectively suppressing my dread at the inevitability of this moment. Still, I gripped Malekai’s arms as if he’d disappear the moment I let go. I could only pray Nakoa wouldn't try to tear his throat out.
