Talon wrapped her in a tight hug.“I’m going to miss you so much, Smalls,” he whispered against her hair.
“I’ll miss you too, Tal.”
Then it was Zane’s turn for a hug.“Stay out of trouble,” he said.
Iyana grinned.“I’ll try.”
Emmeric and Talon embraced for a long time.Zane and Iyana watched them, letting them say goodbye for as long as they needed.Emmeric’s emotions through the bond were a swirl of bittersweet flavors—sadness at leaving and excitement for a new adventure.
Em lifted her onto the horse, even though Iyana was fully capable of doing it herself, and he swung up behind her.Wrapping his arms around her waist, he grabbed the reins and kicked the horse’s flanks.And, that easily, they were leaving Athusia and their friends.
They took their time.Emmeric told her stories of growing up in Athusa and his time in the army as they wandered through the forests, which were burgeoning into life with the arrival of spring.When they reached Huton, they decided to stay for two nights, for no other reason than that they could.
Foregoing the Aula Pass, they took the ferry across the Sea of Stars.Iyana would be pleased if she never had to set foot on the Pass again, and she thanked the gods that the ferry was an option.
That night on the ferry, as the water gently rocked them, Iyana lay on top of Emmeric’s chest, listening to his heartbeat.She drew circles into his skin and sighed contentedly.A year before, she never would have believed that this would be her life.Nine hells, she wouldn’t have believed that she could meet the love of her life, and he was an Athusan, at that.
“I love you,” she whispered, placing a kiss on his chest.
Emmeric’s fingers brushed through her hair lazily.“When will you let me make you mine, my love?”
She frowned up at him.“I already am yours, Em.Body and soul.”
Chuckling, he kissed the tip of her nose.“I meant legally.”
“Oh.”Iyana blushed.“Once we get back to Imothia, I guess whenever you want.”
“So…right away?”Emmeric pulled her closer to his body, his hand reaching underneath her shirt to tease the skin on her back.
“If you’d like.Em, can—” Iyana paused.“Most of the women in Istora don’t take their husband’s surname, instead keeping their own.”
“That’s fine, Mouse.Whatever you want—”
“No, what I mean is,” Iyana interrupted, “can I take your surname?I don’t really feel connected to the name Astalle anymore.”
Emmeric’s entire body stilled, and it seemed like he stopped breathing.Iyana looked up into his face.His blue eyes were sparking with an unabashed heat.The hand around her back tightened, and his other trailed down her bare thigh, making her shiver.
“My beautiful wife,” he muttered.“I would love nothing more than to call you Iyana Sullane.”Emmeric slanted his lips over hers and pushed her back into the mattress, claiming her mouth with his teeth and his tongue.As he nipped across her jaw and down her neck, Iyana couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.
NervousnessjitteredthroughIyanaas they approached Imothia.The last time they had made this journey, she had arrived to find her home burned to ash.What would she find upon her homecoming this time?
“There’s something I always wanted to know,” Emmeric said, taking her mind off her nerves.
“What is it?”
“The man your grandmother mentioned, the one with the name that didn’t start with an I.Kelvin?Who was he?”
Iyana barked a laugh and, reaching behind her, patted him on the cheek.“Oh, my love, there never was a Kelvin.”
“What?”he asked, bewildered.
“Mata Imo was messing with you.She made him up, right there on the spot.I hate to break it to you but the enigmatic Kelvin does not exist.”
Emmeric huffed in agitation, but she felt his amusement trickling through their bond.It lightened her enough that she was able to enjoy the rest of the ride to Imothia.
A shuddering exhale left her lungs when her village finally shimmered into existence.It was there.Huts had been rebuilt sturdier than before, and there were people moving throughout with smiles on their faces.A cry arose when they were finally spotted, and a herd of children soon surrounded them.Emmeric soothed the horse, so that nobody was trampled.
All the children were talking at once, reaching for her.
