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“Love, are you okay? You don’t have to do this.”
She turns around, her movements drawn out as she stumbles to reach for my ear.
“Don’t worry, I’m only acting.”
I take a step back, watching as Farzhi takes almost thirty seconds to bring the shot glass to his mouth. He knocks it back, a cocky smile on his face as he beams at my wife. Gradually, he begins to tip over, falling flat on his back. The guests ignite into applause as Salina drops the drunk act, her normal mannerisms resuming as if she’s completely sober.
Soon, the time comes for us all to head our separate ways. Salina lays on her head on my shoulder during the return journey. As the moon slowly drifts by in the night sky, it’s then that I realize I love Salina for how unapologetically different and authentic she is from anyone else I’ve ever met.
We find ourselves back in the guest room, readying ourselves for a well earned rest. As I remove her dress from behind, I kiss her neck.
“That was the greatest day of my life,” I tell her, nibbling on her lobe. “But there’s one more thing I have to show you.”
“Oh yeah?” she giggles. “And what could that be? Another piece of jewelry? Or an expensive bottle of wine?”
I take a step back, holding her gift in my hands.
“Where are you going?” she asks, spinning around. The smile on her face swiftly turns into an open mouthed gasp when she sees the parchment in my hands.
“By the gods,” she exclaims. “Denve, is that what I think it is?”
I say nothing, only extending the paper toward her. She gently takes the parchment, her eager eyes running over the passage papers to journey back to Milthar.
“I… I don’t know what to say…” she mutters.
“Well.” I chuckle, pulling her close by the waist. “I figure that since you’ve seen my home, it’s about time I see yours.”
“Denve… I had no idea about this.”
“I wanted to gift you something special, and I thought there’d be nothing better than to return back to where you came from, only this time with me.”
A tear runs down her face as she kisses me.
“Denve, you’ve made me believe in love again. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Salina. Today is only the start of our life together, and we have a long trip ahead,” I say with a smile, dashing her tears away.
Our lips meet once more before she pushes me onto the bed, beginning a dance of love between the sheets.
29
SALINA
Iwake up in the arms of the love of my life, Denve’s grip held tight around my waist. The warmth of his body coupled with his scent has never been more inviting but I’m invigorated with the thought of returning home. I slowly crawl out of bed and throw on some clothes, eager to get some fresh air and calm my mind.
The cabin rocks gently from side to side as the sea cradles the ship like a child, the muffled sound of waves splashing against the hull coming through the wall. I open the door and climb out onto the deck, greeted by the bright and relentless morning sun.
Balancing out the unforgiving heat is the breeze of the ocean, carrying with it the briny scent of the sea. I look out upon the horizon, where the ocean continues far beyond it. I let down my hair, each strand bouncing up and down as the wind blows through it.
I close my eyes and take in a deep breath, then move to the front of the ship. There, I see the port of Milthar in the distance, the docks running grand and wide. Boats of varying shapes and sizes are sailing in and out of the harbor.
I’m closer than ever to stepping back on home soil, the emotions inside me mixed and unclear. On one hand, I’m excited but my nerves run up on the other.
What if Denve changes his mind about all this?
My mate has already seen my dark side in action, but being in my territory is undoubtedly going to carry a different energy. On top of that, I think about the others waiting to see me.
I stand the possibility of losing my chosen family, the friends I’ve made back at Nakam, despite the fact I’ve completed the mission. I’ve been telling myself that I’m overthinking but my mind keeps reminding me that no one has ever brought back the target of their contract before.
