“Apparently.” She gave him a light kiss.
“You are determined to keep me awake, aren’t you?”
She laughed. “No. Sleep! Rest. Or else I’ll leave.”
Xaydin immediately closed his eyes.
Gisela returned to her spot and forced herself not to stroke or bother him. But it was exceptionally difficult.
Instead, she took a moment to savor the quiet.
Don’t break my heart.It was a silent prayer she wanted the courage to speak out loud.
So much had happened in such a short time. Her mother wanted a war.
For the first time in her life, Gisela wanted peace. She wanted a future.
And she wanted Xaydin to be part of it.
You’re an idiot.
It was an impossible dream. He would never give up his cause. And in spite of what her mother said, she knew Meara wouldn’t let her go.
She’d kill her first.
But here for a moment, she had the peace she craved. She was living a dream, and her only hope was to enjoy these fleeting heartbeats. Because every one signaled the coming end she could feel in her bones.
17
Masakage entered the stable where Garyn was still being held.
The shifter’s guard looked up in startled alarm. “My lord, what brings you here?”
Masakage kept his gaze on his target. “Might I have a few moments with your charge?”
The troll guard looked about sheepishly. “I don’t know. I’m not supposed to leave him.”
“Believe me, I won’t let him escape. No one will know about this except the two of us.”
Still, the troll hesitated. “I guess if I stay outside, it should be all right.”
Masakage didn’t speak until after the troll had left and he was alone with Garyn.
Garyn’s eyes widened at his approach. “What do you want?”
“Peace among the kingdoms. Meara’s head in my saddlebags and for you to tell me where your friend is.”
“I don’t have any friends.”
“Your lover, then. Whatever it is that Diflyn is to you. Where has the bastard gone?”
Garyn glanced up at the shackles that held him in place. “How would I know? He doesn’t report to me.”
“Not the impression I had when you kidnapped me.” Masakage used his powers to squeeze a certain piece of Garyn’s anatomy until he cried out in agony. Let the bastard be impotent after this. It was the best for the kingdoms and for whatever poor child that didn’t need this shite for a father. “Returning the favor, Shifter. You should have shown me better hospitality.”
Gasping, Garyn narrowed a hate-filled glare on him. “We should have killed you.”
“Yes. You should have. Why did you refrain?”
