“Well, that’s enlightening.” I sighed deeply. “Okay. Well, we will just add it to the list of growing concerns we currently have.”
Samkiel forced a half smile as he glanced back at the circle and marks on the ground. “I need to return to the other realms where we found the prior beasts and see if this is a pattern or an isolated incident.”
I knew what that meant and stepped forward, placing my hand on his armored upper arm. “No, tonight you will celebrate.”
His brows furrowed, that bothersome line setting in his jaw that meant he was about to argue. “With all my love, akrai,” he said, “I cannot.”
“Don’takrai,me,” I said. “You need this as much as they do, as much as I do. You’ll worry yourself to death at this rate. It’s been non-stop reading, researching, hunting, training, and killing for weeks now. Plus, there was the minor possession issue. There is and will always be something happening to us or coming for us. Even more so since the entire realm now knows you are back. This,” I waved to the ground behind him, “is a tomorrow problem, baby.”
His face softened at the sweet pet name he seemed to love so damn much. “I want to. Truly, I wish I could, but—”
I slapped my palm across his mouth. “At this rate, you’ll die from stress. One night with people who are thankful and probably need the safety and security of your presence will not kill you, but I will if you don’t come and enjoy yourself.”
His eyes narrowed, and I felt his mouth move behind my hand. I am sure that whatever he was trying to say would make perfect, logical sense, but I didn’t care. Reggie spoke, cutting short the argument that I was more than happy to continue. “Perhaps it is okay to take one night for yourself, yes? Times like these are minimal.”
Samkiel looked at Reggie, and I dropped my hand, knowing he would never repudiate my touch, even if I were keeping him from speaking. “Is this a premonition, Reggie?” Samkiel grumbled.
Reggie watched us steadily. “It is what you already know. Moments of peace in times of war, even the smallest, are few and far between.”
“See?” I pointed toward Reggie. “He agrees, too.”
Samkiel folded his arms, glaring at us both. “This is an unfair advantage.”
I walked over and leaned against Reggie’s shoulder, doing my best at wide-eyed innocence. My hand grabbed Reggie’s chin, and I squeezed. “I mean, look at our faces. Do you really want to say no to us?”
Samkiel rolled his eyes and dropped his head back, a soft, breathy chuckle leaving his lips. “You’re lucky you’re cute.” His eyes cut to Reggie. “Not you, Reggie.”
I pinched his face a little harder. “I think he’s adorable.”
For the first time ever, I saw the fate roll his eyes. “I thought I’d find peace away from Cameron,” he said, his voice muffled by my hand. “I was mistaken.”
I snorted and patted Reggie’s cheek before dropping my hand.
Samkiel ran his fingers across his brow, and I saw the weariness in him. “Fine. We can stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we will check a few other locations before heading back home, and then we will plan our trip to Killium. Deal?”
I squealed and gave a little hop before wrapping my arms around Samkiel and his thick armor as best as I could. My head tipped back as I grinned at him. “Deal.”
17
DIANNA
“Ithink I’d be more inclined toward heroic deeds like you if they paid me in liquor or clothes,” I said.
Reggie made an odd noise, and I looked at him in surprise. The sound could only be identified as a snort. He was becoming so much more relaxed with us all, and I truly enjoyed it. I wondered if he’d always wished for what I had. A family? I knew he had sisters, three fates bound to the mysteries of the universe, and so on. But with us, he almost felt mortal.
We sat at a small table in the far corner of the tavern. Three people strumming instruments had set up on a makeshift stage, and a fourth was singing as the crowd danced to the music. The whole town felt lighter after Samkiel had dragged back the head of the beast who had been terrorizing them. It was currently hanging on the opposite wall, blood forming a puddle beneath it.
“The whole point of helping others is not to expect a reward,” he said, sipping his drink.
I slammed the rose-colored liquid back before placing my glass on the table, the burn sweet and refreshing. “Sounds lame.”
He snorted and shook his head. Reggie coughed, and both of us turned to look at him. His face was scrunched in disgust. “I do not think I enjoy this.”
I had offered him at least three different drinks to see if he liked any of them. So far, none had won him over.
“Usually, the point isn’t to enjoy it. It’s more for the nice tingly feeling you get after.”
He looked at me as if I’d grown seven heads and then looked at Samkiel questioningly. Samkiel shrugged and lifted his glass to his lips, taking a deep swallow.
