Chapter 32

The seat is hard. My ass is numb. My spine aches both from sitting here and from my inability to relax. The Maulavi have not hurt me, yet. They haven't even strapped me down. The table, which I am positive is layered with things I don't want to see or know about, remains thankfully covered.

"You said you and the other four slipped past the lizards guard, how was that?" the Maulavi asks.

It's the same question, varied a dozen times or more, coming over and over all in an attempt to slip me up. Through it all I have stuck to the script. Rosalind was smart. She drilled us on our story, over and over. Then I was resentful, but now I am more thankful than I could ever put into words. We repeated this story so many times that it simply flows out of my mouth. All the fear, the doubts, the concerns, none of that can override the story.

"I've answered this," I say. "Many times."

"Yes, but you see," the Maulavi says, stopping in front of me but he's staring at the other Maulavi who is leaning against the wall in a nonchalant way. I think he's trying to feign disinterest but there is no doubt in my mind he is paying close attention. "Something doesn't make sense, does it now?"

"I don't know what you mean," I say.

He growls as he whirls and rushes towards me. Fear grips me tight, and I lean back into the chair, straining to be clear of the incoming attack. His face is an inch from mine. His spittle sprays in my face as he yells.

"Liar!"

I'm trembling in terror. I've pushed this as far as I can. The only thing I haven't told them is the truth, that I am here to stop a war, not start it. Even if I do, they won't believe me. They'll only take it as a certainty that I am here to undermine them. To destroy, because that is what they would do.

"I… am… not," I struggle to say it.

I have my head turned, pressing back and away but he back of the chair is keeping me in place. I can't get away and that is making my body respond in terrible ways. I need to pee. My stomach flutters, bile rises in my throat, and cold chills race over my limbs. I can barely take a breath.

"Do not," he whispers, remaining so close that all I can see through the slits in my eyes is his big, accusing eye, "lie to us."

"I… swear…"

"Swear!" he exclaims, jerking back and away.

I brace for an impact, certain that he's going to strike me, but he doesn't. He glares, tusks quivering with suppressed rage, then there is a knock on the door. He looks at the other Maulavi on the wall. That one shrugs and shakes his head, still feigning boredom.

"Well?" the one questioning me roars at Tirska.

Tirska jumps and looks between the two of them.

"It's not me," Tirska says.

"Do we look like idiots?" the Maulavi on the wall asks, speaking for the first time. "Clearly, it's not you. You're right there."

Tirska blushes, I'm sure that's it because his skin goes a lighter shade of green. Or maybe he's responding to the inherent threat woven between the words.

"Right," Tirska says, shuffling his feet and letting his arms drop to his sides.

"Open the door!" the questioning Maulavi roars.

Tirska jumps, spinning in the air and landing with his back to us. He goes to the door and grabs the handle just as the knock comes again. Tirska turns the handle then everything happens at once.

The door slams open, striking poor Tirska with so much force he is lifted off his feet and flies backwards. The Maulavi in front of me spins to the door while the one on the wall leaps from there to the doorway with a club drawn.

There is a flurry of motions, grunts, cries of pain, then rising above it all is one voice. A voice so welcome, so powerful, and so full of rage that it sends my heart soaring to the skies.

"Gweneth!" Dilacs roars.

It's over as fast as it begins. The two Maulavi are down, knocked out or otherwise I'm not sure, but Dilacs is running across the room at full tilt. He drops to his knees before me and is running his hands over my face then down my sides.

"Are you hurt? Did they touch you? Are you okay?" he asks.

Khiara looms behind his brother, going towards Tirska. There is no doubting the murderous intent in Khiara's face, but then a woman steps into the room. I've never seen her before, but I feel certain this is Rani. Khiara reaches one large hand down to grip Tirska when the female speaks.

"Wait, please," she says.

The moment she speaks I recognize her voice and know it is her. Most surprising though is when Khiara stops. Instantly. She spoke so softly I'm surprised he even heard her, much less listened and stopped his intention.

Rani walks past him and kneels in front of Tirska. Watching her over Dilacs shoulder while he continues to inspect me for every bruise and minor cut, she touches Tirska, cupping his face.

"Are you okay?" she asks.

Tirska's nose is bleeding, but he nods.

"You are okay?" Dilacs ask again, forcing my attention back to him.

"Yeah… yeah, now, I'm, uhm, I'm fine."

The worry on his face is etched into every line. He looks me over again, inspecting me so close it's almost intimate. I take ahold of his face and pull until he looks up at me. We lock eyes and the pain, worry, and rage in his eyes has made a storm.

"I am sorry," he says.

I love the tremor in his voice. I love the look on his face. I love. That really says it all.

"No," I say, shaking my head.

I want to say more but I don't know the words so I do the only thing I can think of. I lean closer and kiss him. The instant our lips touch I want more and it's clear he does to. Crazy, sure, but his lips, his touch, he is everything. Life, safety, hope, and most of all love.

Love pours out of him like a surge of energy, flowing into my body through the simple contact of our lips. It lifts my spirits, makes me feel lighter, and more alive than I have ever felt in my life.

I wrap my arms around his neck, giving myself over to him. He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me off my feet, crushing my body against his. I run one hand through his hair then I hear Khiara clearing his throat, loudly. I break the kiss and give Khiara a sheepish look.

"Heh," Khiara grunts.

"Perhaps now is not the time for reunions," Rani says.

Dilacs lowers me back to the floor then turns to Rani and he bows his head.

"I am sorry, my Queen," he says.

What? Queen, she's… oh… shit.