Page 65 of Zeke
She stretched up to kiss him. The kiss was soft, unhurried. When she pulled back, her fingers tangled in his hair.
“Your legion,” she said quietly. “It feels different from what I expected. Warm. Safe. Like having you with me even when you’re not there.”
“It knows you’re mine to protect.” His arms tightened around her. “It would die before letting anything hurt you again.”
“Our very own guardian angel.” She saw his confused expression and smiled. “Earth mythology. Protective spirits that watch over people.”
“Then yes. Your guardian angel. If angels have claws and a tendency toward violence.”
She laughed. The sound was bright in the evening air. “The best kind.”
They stood together as darkness crept across the landscape. The first stars appeared overhead. The temperature dropped, but Michelle stayed warm between the blanket and his body heat. She pointed out constellations she recognized. He told her their Izaean names, the stories his people created for the same stars.
“That cluster there,” he indicated a group of bright stars overhead. “We call it the Warrior’s Rest. Legend says it’s where the greatest fighters go when they die. They feast and tell stories until the end of time.”
“And that one?” She pointed to a curving line of dimmer stars.
“The Keeper’s Path. It leads souls home when they’re lost.” His chin rested on her head. “I used to stare at it when I first came here. I wondered if it would show me the way back to my family.”
Her hand found his and squeezed tight. “I’m sorry. About your family, about what they did to you.”
“Don’t be.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “If they hadn’t sent me here, I never would have met you. Every hard thing, every lonely night, led to this moment.”
“Romantic talk from the big, scary feral?”
“You bring it out in me.” He felt her shiver as he led her toward the bench against the wall. “You’re cold.”
“I’m fine?—”
But he was already settling her down. He settled the blanket around them both, then sat beside her, pulling her against his side. She sighed but snuggled closer. A rumble of satisfaction went through him. He had provided what she needed.
“I want to show you everything,” he said into the comfortable silence. “The hot springs in the northern mountains. The valley where the night flowers bloom once a year… the air smells like honey.”
“That sounds perfect.” Her head found his shoulder. “We have time now, don’t we? All the time we want.”
“Forever.” The word was a vow. “You’re stuck with me now, kelarris.”
“Good thing I like being stuck with you.” Her fingers traced patterns on his thigh. The innocent touch sent heat through him. “Even when you’re overprotective and stubborn. When you won’t let me do anything for myself.”
“You love it.”
“I love you,” she corrected, then yawned. “Which is the only reason I put up with it.”
Isan’s medication had sedatives to help her heal. That, combined with the fresh air, was making her exhausted. He shifted to make her more comfortable and she made a protesting sound.
“Not going anywhere,” he assured her. “Sleep if you need to.”
“Under the stars?”
“Why not? The weather’s clear. The temperature’s holding steady.” He pulled the blanket higher. “And I’ve got you.”
She was quiet, and for a moment, he thought she’d dozed off. Then she spoke, her voice soft with sleep. “Zeke?”
“Mm?”
“I’m glad your family sent you away.” The words were drowsy but certain. “Selfish, maybe, but I’m glad. Because now you’re mine. And I’m never letting you go.”
His chest tightened until it ached. “Sleep, kelarris. I’ll watch over you.”
