His gaze brimmed with a mix of pleasure, pride, and sadness, if I was reading him right.“You will be pleased if an agreement is reached, then.Sabinem.”
I nodded with a smile.Karim was doing everything within his power to help humans, as much as the push-and-pull dynamics of his rule with Queen Mesia allowed.He deserved not my doubt but my kiss.Many, many kisses.
Later tonight, when we were alone, there would be nothing holding me back.
– 26 –
Ice Cream and Cheese
We spent the rest of the hostage situation in comfortable silence.There were many things I would have asked him, had we not had company.
Karim often cocked his head to listen for trouble, while I enjoyed the natural sounds of the forest and the view of the night sky.My first night outdoors in months.I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed stargazing.
It wasn’t long before a familiar whistling sound reached my ears.I pushed to my feet nearly at the same time as Karim.King Xaniban and his Queen were back.That was fast!
Sue wore a triumphant smile as she walked beside that towering gargoyle, their hands clasped and his wing shielding her back.I saw her look up at him, their eyes meeting.He gave her alopsided grin, which left one sharp canine exposed.
The negotiations must have gone well.Thank heavens.
The King flapped his wings once as he neared our spot.After our guards replied with a flap of their own, they stepped away from us.
Sue and I exchanged excited looks from our respective positions next to our males, who stood facing each other at a smaller distance than earlier tonight.
“Can I officially call you an ally, King Xaniban?”
“Certainly, Prince Karim,” the gargoyle rumbled.“We are allies in blood and writing.My mate and I thank you for the hospitality.I look forward to fighting the moon-cursed by your side, my sword next to your bow.”
Karim put a hand on his chest and bowed his head.“Likewise.”
“Can I get my hug now?”Sue butted in, shooting him a challenginglook.
The corners of his lips twitched before he nodded.
It was the King’s hand still holding hers that stopped my friend from reaching me.“Animar.I will literally be two steps away from you.”
He grumbled but let her go, patting her ass with his tail in the process.“Two steps only.”
Sue and I ran into each other’s arms for a hug so strong it left us wheezing.We hadn’t been best friends in university, but in the reality we found ourselves in, we sure were now.I didn’t want to let her go.
“Why don’t you royal highnesses have a chat over there?”Sue suggested boldly as we pulled back from our hug to swipe away the happy tears.“Give us some illusion of privacy, perhaps?”
After Karim took theadvice, the King reluctantly stepped to the side with him.The other gargoyles moved closer, though, without having been ordered to.
“Yourguyseems a tad overprotective?”I whispered.I knewthat even a hush-hush conversation couldn’t remain private with those around us having super hearing, but I wouldn’t make things easy for the eavesdroppers.
Sue laughed.“Overprotectiveis an understatement.But it’s not his fault; it’s the mate bond we share.I go crazy myself when he’s away for long.”
The look I gave her made her snicker.“I know what you’re thinking: what is this mate crap?Has Sue lost it after the apocalypses?Believe me, I was there myself.But two days with Xan, and I knew he was it for me, whatever you wish to call this bond between us.”
“O-kay… I guess?You certainly look well.”
“As well as a turkey being stuffed for Thanksgiving, you mean.I wish I could blame Xan for overfeeding me, but the fault is mostly mine.Can you imagine: we have cakes and ice cream on our homecloud–make that a kingdom on a cloud.Literally.Oh, and there are strawberries and mangoes, too.”She moved closer to whisper in my ear conspiratorially, “And cheese.”
I giggled.My mouth did water at the thought of some sweets as well as dairy products, which I allowed myself to eat as a vegetarian before civilization’s fall.Given how elves were zealously vegan, I doubted I would get to eat any cheesy goodness here.Still, I knew Karim and his half-human friends consumed eggs in secret, because Deidre had wondered whether to eat his apples or the single egg in his kitchen.So, there was hope; definitely a topic worth discussing with him.
I glanced his way and saw him chatting with the King.
Sue followed the direction of my gaze.“You can come up, you know.To visit our palace in the sky.”I had to strain to hear her whispered, “And stay.”
