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After Roderick and Lokus finally managed to capture the last of the pixies, we gathered for them to start counting to determine the winner as we caught our breath. My eyes met Malekai’s, and he gave me a wink that made something in my stomach flutter, still beaming brightly.
A few moments later, my eyes panned to Nakoa. His eyes lifted to mine and… I had to admit that I’d never seen him look so handsome. It didn’t make my heart flutter, but it soothed the wounded tether between us because he looked…happy.
It was then I realized I’d never actually seen him smile and laugh, so open and unrestrained. Unencumbered, however briefly, by his battle to achieve his goals and liberate his people. He looked young, happy, and carefree.
One by one, the pixies flew out of the bags, still squealing their high-pitched laughter, looking like they’d just flown through a cyclone. Their hair was wild, and their clothes dishevelled from darting through trees and bushes. No doubt being jostled wildly in the bags as Malekai and Nakoa ran.
Lokus cried out in victory when he and Nakoa had two more pixies fly out after Malekai and Roderick’s bag had emptied.
“Nice try, fur ball,” Lokus chided, clapping a long hand on Roderick’s back. Roderick parroted the words in a mocking tone, contorting his face in a way that made a remarkable impression of Lokus. “That name’s getting a little tired, brother. Nearly as tired as I am of hearing it.”
Lokus stuck out his tongue, waggling it and rolling his eyes. “Is it, brother?” More eye rolling and tongue waggling, “Is it? Maybe I should start calling you ‘baby balls’since you’re so sensitive. Does that make you feel any better?”
Roderick giggled along with everyone else. “Oooooh, projecting now, are we?”
Lokus gave an exaggerated laugh, unbuckling his belt. “Oooooh,let’s find out, shall we?”
Pomona swatted at him. “Don’t you dare pull those saggy prunes out again, or I’ll slap you.”
With the weight of loomed ahead, it seemed well had decided to let go of our worries for the evening.
It may be one of your last.
Our laughter continued, but eventually, our yawns became increasingly contagious, and Nakoa’solana kah’heimade their way to bed one by one. The pixies had even stayed for some time after drinking and were more boisterous than I’d ever know them to be. A few of them,mainly the females,remained hovering near or perched somewhere on Val. And I couldn’t help but notice that Vesper had gone intoRayne’stent when she’d bid us all goodnight.He had followed shortly after.Just before I left, I noticed Malekai handing a few of them a gold coin, which they hauled away with combined effort.
By the time I laid back down on the couch, my abdomen was sore from laughing. A sensation I was almost certain I’d never experienced before. A tall, muscular form filled the doorway just as I’d begun to drift off.
My heart leapt, hoping it was Malekai. A streak of moonlight peeking in from the window poured onto Nakoa's face as he stepped forward. The sight of him had the tether flaring in an unwelcome way. My body tensed, preparing for an argument about my not sharing his furs with him.
“You still awake?” He whispered.
“… Yes”
Nakoa closed the distance between us and sat on the floor, leaning back on the couch.
“I just… wanted to come say goodnight properly.”
“… Oh… Um… Goodnight. I hope you sleep well.”
“… It was… Good seeing you so happy tonight.”
“I felt the same seeing you…”
A few weighted moments passed before Nakoa broke the bout of silence. “I… It would makemehappy to seeyouhappy like that more often.”
A breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding finally released.
“… Same.”
“Look, I… I’m sorry that… I’ve been… not the best mate. I want to try harder.”
That boulder returned to my chest as the realization hit me.
“… I don’t know that you’ll ever be able to give me what I need.”
Nakoa reared back. “Why?”
“Because becoming King… Liberating the Kahlohani Islands… Ruling Atratus… Those things will always come first to you.”
