Page 93 of Spirit Rites
I can’t process his words because he’s here.Kaldar is here. Standing. Healthy and whole.I’m running towards him before I even realize what I’m doing. Thankfully, reality crashes into me a second before I throw myself into his arms. I lift my eyes to his. His eyebrows rise. “I really thought a hug was coming.”
“Are you still injured?” I ask.
“I’m perfectly whole.”
“Show me,” I demand because I’m not taking his word for it. He wouldn’t tell me even if he was still standing here with open wounds.
“My Queen,” he practically purrs. “So suggestive. While I'm happy to strip for you, we should probably wait until we’re back at the house. Alone.”
I’m pretty sure I blush to the roots of my hair, causing his grin to widen and his eyes to dance with merriment. I don’t let myself get distracted. “Show me your injuries. I want to see for myself that they’re healed.”
He must hear something in my voice, or maybe he sees it in the desperation of my gaze because his face softens. Then he lifts his tunic and pulls it up and over his head. My eyes stare obsessively at his chest and shoulders, searching. “See,” he says quietly. “It’s all healed.”
I lift my gaze to his, still not ready to believe him one hundred percent. “Are you in any pain?” He shakes his head. “You’re completely healed?”
He smiles so tenderly at me. “Yes, my love.” I can’t take it any longer. I step forward and throw my arms around his chest. His arms come around me half a second later, and he holds me tightly. I want to cry; I want to scream. I want to jump around in excitement, but I settle for this right here. Kaldar’s arms around me and him healthy and whole. I’m not sure how long we stay that way, but it’s not a short amount of time. Yet, nobody bothers us. Even our team has made themselves scarce. I glance down at some point and see Veyra lying next to Jespar, and my heart tugs in my chest. Things are right in my world.
I finally break the silence. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Me too.” His voice is husky, and I wonder if he’s just as emotional as me.
Needing to make this moment lighter, I pull back and look up at him. “Good because I am so ready for you to take over as King.”
He cocks his head to the side. “Are you teasing?”
“What? No. Why would I be teasing?”
He stares at me, and I get a bad feeling in my stomach. “Angel, my Love, you’re the Queen now. I named you in my place to rule.”
“Just until you came back. I did, but you’re here now. So, you can take over and be king again.”
He shakes his head slowly. “That’s not how it works.”
My stomach drops. “What are you talking about?” My words are a whisper.
He smiles at me, but it doesn’t ease the panic in my chest. He reaches out and strokes my cheek with his thumb. “Here in the Jag Kingdom,” he begins softly. “Our laws are set in stone, so to speak. They can’t be undone; they can never be undone. When I gave you my crown, I was giving it to you for good.”
“You didn’t give me a crown,” I say, desperately trying to not panic.
“Not literally, figuratively. I gave you my leadership. I made you Queen, and that can never be undone.”
I stare at him. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
His smile just grows. “No, you’re not.” He rubs his hand down my spine. “You just need a moment to let it sink in; you’ll be fine.”
“I won’t be fine, Kaldar. Nothing about this is fine.”
“Breathe, Love,” he says quietly. He pulls me close, not quite hugging me. His hand continues to run up and down my spine. “You are now and forever will be Queen of the Jaguar Kingdom, but I will rule at your side.” He leans back and looks into my eyes. “You will never be alone. We will rule together.” He shrugs. “You’ll just be the figurehead.”
I stare at him, angry suddenly. “Why did nobody tell me this? Everyone must have known, if that’s your law.”
“Oh they did. I told Jorren before my fight to tell everyone that had access to you, so they wouldn’t say anything.”
I stare at him. “Why? I don’t understand.”
He gives me that tender smile again. “Because I knew you needed an out when you panicked, and I knew you would panic. You needed to think that I was coming back, and you wouldn’t have to do this anymore.”
“Yes! Exactly!” I say, nodding my head.
