Part 21 (1/2)

”I'm fine. I promise.” I reached for his face and turned it so that he had to make eye contact. ”You did the right thing.”

”I was so terrified he'd kill you right there in front of me. I didn't even think. Before I realized how far I'd stabbed, I knew in my gut it had gone through your heart.”

My soul broke for the man in front of me. Such heavy pain shone from his eyes. For so many years we had suffered the same, each thinking the other was lost forever. The guilt he'd tortured himself with poured out as a few stray tears trickled down his cheeks.

I wiped away the tears, knowing they were bothering him. My soldier's heart was showing, and it gave me hope. He'd grown so hard after losing his brother. I'd seen all the trees behind his barn. Death and killing had haunted him like it haunted me.

”I'm here, and you saved us all, Killian. Remember that.”

He nodded and pulled me into a tight embrace. As the tension left his body, I sank lower, situating my head and shoulders across his lap. He ran his fingers through my hair, and I had to hold refrain from the urge to purr like a satisfied cat.

”You are my heart, Eira. When that blade pierced yours each time, it was like killing myself.”

”I know, but it had to be done. You must let it go, Killian. Rest your eyes. Put your hands on me and just rest.”

A sigh slipped from his chest, and he closed his eyes before leaning his head backward to rest against the seat cus.h.i.+on.

I did something I rarely ever did and closed my eyes as well. I focused on the rumbling of the bus's engine and the thump of each tire rotation on the pavement of the road.

”About ten minutes out from Sanctuary,” Harrison called out softly.

The baby had just gone to sleep, and the older man knew better than to rouse him with an announcement most of us could hear, even if he barely whispered it.

Killian stirred in his seat, but he didn't wake.

I sat up, catching his hands and placing them gently on his lap. A quick glance out the broken window to my left showed me we were almost there. I could see the lights of the little town in the distance. Even though Sanctuary wasn't my official home yet, I knew it would be soon.

Rose held up her end, and I wouldn't go back on my word. The role of Protector would be mine as well as whatever else that entailed. I just hoped Killian would stay. Imagining life without him in it every day made my chest tighten and tears well in my eyes.

The bus jerked to a stop, and Killian's eyes flew open. ”We're here? Finally?”

”Yes.”

Everyone on the bus stood at once. We were all so exhausted, but every single one of us wanted the same thing. A hot shower and an actual bed.

I plodded slowly after Killian, stepping down the stairs onto the red brick paved Main Street Circle. Several of the Pixies stood patiently on the sidewalk. They helped Alek and Jared as they climbed off the bus.

Diana stood next to her husbands, and Calliope waited beside Rose a few yards away from everyone else.

”Mikjall.” Diana stepped toward her son, but he side-stepped her and guided Riza after the Pixies who were helping Alek and Jared.

My poor friend looked as though the air had been knocked from her chest. Miles and Eli stood silent, neither one of them moving from their place, but I could see the pain in their gaze. Not that their son wouldn't speak to them, but because he chose to continue hurting their mate. Mikjall still blamed them for his wife's death. And until he was able to move past that grudge, there would be no connection between him and his parents.

”Eira!” Diana called out, rus.h.i.+ng forward as we made eye contact. Her body was a little thicker, but she still moved as gracefully as ever.

”My crazy ice-breathing friend,” I said, allowing a smile to spread across my face.

Diana laughed a little and threw her arms around my neck. ”Come, you must stay in the Castle.

”Killian needs-”

”Of course. We have a big suite all ready for you both. Rose told us you were nearly here about a half hour ago. You must be tired, and you smell like you've been through h.e.l.l.”

”I feel like it, too.”

”I'm so glad she has you now,” Diana said, turning to Killian. ”Her heart has been missing a piece for a very long time. I can see you were that missing part. It will be so nice to have another person from home here in town. You are staying, aren't you?” She stared at him expectantly.

”I will be wherever Eira is,” he answered quickly.

”Excellent! Come, come, come,” Diana coaxed, moving to stand between her husbands again.

Killian took my hand in his, and we followed them across the circle to the dark looming Castle across the street. The crowd around the bus had dissipated, and silence had once again claimed the small circle.

Miles opened the ma.s.sive front door to the big fortress, and I breathed a little easier at the flash of blue. No more Djinn tonight. No more fighting.

I hoped.

Chapter Thirty-Seven.

EIRA.

We stepped through the large opening into the great marble foyer. Diana led the way up the grand staircase on the right. The light sconces on the walls made our shadows dance lively along the walls.

A few turns later, we stopped in front of a large green door with gold inlay. ”Good night, my friend,” Diana said, stepping forward and giving me another hug.

”Thank you,” I replied.

Killian slipped an arm around my waist. ”Good night, Snen Mor. Thank you and yours for the hospitality.”

Diana smiled and shook her head. ”Here, I am just Diana. That name is for another life.” Miles and Eli each took one of her arms.

”Do you want to return?” Killian asked, squeezing me a little tighter.

”Eventually,” Miles answered, his voice rumbling with purpose and a stony sense of determination. ”For now, our place is here. We must protect the Sisters and help Rose fulfill the prophecy before we are released from our oath.”

”If Eira accepts the role of Protector...we are that much closer,” Eli added.

The Drakonae male wasn't asking, wasn't pressuring. But the hope in his voice was obvious.

”I will.” The words slipped from between my lips without bidding.

All three of the Drakonae's faces brightened. ”You both will be a most welcome addition to the town,” Eli said, a friendly grin splitting his face from side to side.

Killian reached into his coat and pulled out a small golden dagger.

My chest clenched, waiting for a reaction from the three dragons.