Page 6 of Fire Forged

She leaned back, almost falling off but gave no indication she noticed her precarious position.Again, his chest swirled with heat.Trust.On the battlegrounds of Aluna, he’d shared such a bond with his battle-bonds.Yet he had never experienced it this quickly or intensely.He prodded his void, finding it hadn’t grown.How odd.‘To feel is to fail’was the Etterian mantra all warriors carried with them.

She cupped his face, pressing to his cheek the ear of the brown thing she carried.“Nerxie?I need to pee.”

He glanced at his surroundings, checking to ensure no one was near, then smiled at her.“Come.”When he entered their new quarters, she wiggled.

“I can walk.”

He lowered her without hesitation, but she grabbed his hand, holding on tight.Adjusting his stride to cater for her little steps, he ushered her to the cleansing room.The door slid open as they approached.

She hurried ahead then faced him.“Please…don’t leave me.”

“I will be here,minus susa,” he said, pointing to his feet.

She stared at his boots, met his gaze, then nodded.The door closed, granting her privacy.She broke into birdsong, her voice high and adorable.

Nerx grinned.Her company was not as taxing as conversing with the women.

The birdsong stopped, water ran, then the door opened with her patting her palms on her dirty pants.She slipped her hand into his and smiled at him.His world tilted on its axis.If the Maker shone His light on him, then he’d have a daughter just like Lily.

Chapter Two

Issneen, Royal City of Etteria

Warrior Barracks

12252 years, 8thmonth

NerxblinkedathisO.D.I.then roared, “Yes.”

He broke into a sprint along the passages toward the old barracks that housed the humandamu.He veered around anyone in his path and leaped over the pedestrian gate.Was he grinning like a mad male?He was.Never had he known this much happiness.He chuckled while dodging noisy children, his gaze searching for Lady Olivia.

“Nerxie,” Lily squealed and barreled toward him.

Her cheeks had fattened and now glowed.Her eyes sparkled, and barely a bit of dirty clung to her shocking pink skirt.

He caught her and tossed her into the air.She laughed, then giggled, crying for him to throw her higher.Instead, he hugged her to him, keeping her safe within his arms.

“I see you got my message?”Lady Olivia arched a brow despite the smile she wore.

“Truth?”He held his breath.His heart thumped, almost deafening him.

“Lily chose you,” Lady Olivia said.“And King Xeus vouched for you.That’s good enough in my book.”

“Are you my daddy now?”Lily asked, cupping his face.

“Yes,minus susa.”He beamed, uncaring who saw him.“And you are my daughter.”

This!This was what he’d been searching for, a purpose, some meaning to his life.

“May I take her now?”He focused on Lady Olivia, not bothering to hide his hope.

She laughed.“Of course.She’s all packed.”She hitched her thumb at the bright-pink bag sitting on the floor.

“Come, let us go.We have so much to do today, like choose a bedroom, fill your closets with toys and garments.”He lowered a wiggling Lily to the ground.

She bolted like a Gika out of its burrow.Although, little Lily couldn’t compare to that species—she wasn’t eight-legged with razor sharp pincers and acidic saliva.

Still, she had the speed and agility of one.

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