Page 123 of Green Ravens

“I’m pretty sure she will.” Zorion shrugged. “Since I already asked her, and she agreed.”

Valor picked him up and kissed the hell out of him.

When he was put down Zorion was gasping for breath.

“Damn, I fuckin’ love you.” Valor beamed.

As Zorion started, Valor’s smile began to fade.

“What?”

“That’s the first time you’ve said you love me.”

Valor’s eyes blazed a brilliant hazel before he gripped the back of Zorion’s neck. He pulled him in until his lips met his. It was a tentative taste before it grew bolder, their tongues tangling with desperate tenderness.

Valor traced the scars along his cheek, his touch aching with emotion.

“I love you too,” Zorion whispered against Valor’s mouth.

They were almost to the garage, where a car waited to take them to the cabin…to their home. The next day, they’d fly back to the Order.

“Masters, wait.” Lion’s lead disciple—now dressed in dark linen karategi pants and a black silk jacket with a lion embroidered in gold buttoned up to his neck—rushed toward them with a bulging folder case.

He gave a slight bow before he began to speak.

“I was able to recover this from the records room at the facility before we got the scientists out.”

Valor accepted the clasped holder. “What is it?”

“It’s your past, Masters. Before you were taken by the Ravens. I thought maybe you’d want it.” The disciple lowered his eyes. “Forgive me if I’ve overstepped.”

A lump lodged in Zorion’s throat.

“What do you mean our past?” Valor frowned.

“They must’ve researched you while you underwent the experiments. There’s documents, photos, and a thumb drive.”

The disciple didn’t wait for them to respond before he gave another respectful bow and then hurried away.

Zorion gulped down the pained knot. “Do we open it?”

Valor shook his head. “Not here, not right now. Come on. Let’s go home.”

Chief Aiken Oakley

Valor

The cliffside clearing on the outskirts of the Order’s island welcomed them back as if it were a family member who’d been waiting for their return.

The last of the sunlight spilled over the ocean, bathing the flow of the waterfall in a haze of honey.

The jungle behind them whispered in low, living tones, soothing the anxiousness in his chest.

Valor got their fire roaring while Zorion spread a wide blanket on the grass and unpacked the fruit and cider from their satchels.

He was staring at the flames when Zorion called to him.

“Come ’ere,” he whispered.

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