“You look...lovely.”
There was a growling from her chair.
“This is just my face.Zephyr, can you let the others know that I am going home to my grandparents’ house in the stronghold?I am up for visitors.”
“We will come by in a few days.Why the makeover?”
“My skin was overcorrecting.”
“Oh, wow.That would explain it.”
She smiled.“Yes.It would.Are you...getting along?”
“We are.I have agreed to be housed in Renovik and on call for the weather team.So is Trisk.So, if we are needed, we will go.”
They smiled through the com.“That seems like a nice balance.My skin is all new, and I have to wear special clothing until it toughens up.I even get a special chair.”
Riimal laughed.
She tilted her wrist so he was visible.
“Hello, chair.”Zephyr smiled.
Trisk smiled.“Riimal.You are looking downright cheerful.”
“I found her.I have a right to be cheerful.”His arms remained comfortable around her.
She sighed.“Riithan and Ylara found me.Apparently, you described me to the entire stronghold.”
He grinned.“Yes.”
Zephyr smiled.“Send me an image when you are in place so I have a place to come visit you.”
“I know the drill.Enjoy the storm.”
Trisk laughed, and the com went dark.
Riimal said, “How do you know her?”
“She was in Uradda, and they liked to put actives who could kill each other in the same place.She got me out to Renovik.She just wrapped me in a large tunic, picked me up, and hauled me out of there.Then she went back for my file, and when I was gone, she numbed their memories.Everyone thought I was dead.”
His eyes widened.“It was right after our time in the ring.”
“Yeah.I suppose it was.”She looked at him.“Oh, you went looking for me.”
“Yes, and when you were gone and they said you were dead, he went slightly mad.My people demanded my return, and the Uraddans handed me over.I then went mad in the desert.”
She looked at him and wanted to stroke his cheek, but they began descending, and he settled her against him for the landing.She looked out the window and saw the stronghold.She swallowed the tears that wanted to track down her cheeks.She was home.
Riimal helped her to her feet and kept hold of her hand.
Her grandparents walked ahead of them, heads high and backs straight.The royal family was waiting, and at that point, Ival knew something was up.
Riimal’s hand was slightly tighter around her fingers as they walked toward his brother.
Her grandparents bowed as they got to the king, his queen, and Riithan and Ylara.
Riimal walked within ten feet of his family, and the guards tensed.
