They lay next to each other and snuggled on top of the covers. Slowly, their breathing relaxed, and their hearts slowed to a normal thrum. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as close as he dared, as she rested her head on his shoulder.
“Nolan?” she finally said. “I know with Alcandor roaming the land, everyone expects you to capture him and protect Faylinn. And at the same time, you’re supposed to be fearless and share the light with the whole land. It’s a lot to expect of one man.”
Nolan exhaled a trembling breath. “But I’m not a man.”
“Nolan Trividar. You stop that. You’re better than any man I’ve known.”
Nolan smiled. The sentiment was nice, even if it wasn’t true.
Kat propped up on her arm. “You don’t believe me, do you?”
He shrugged.
She grabbed his face, pulling it to her. “Listen to me. Being human and being a man are two separate things. Anyone can take up space and be a human. It takes someone special to be a man. You’re incredibly brave and selfless. You’d give up your primal instincts to protect me, even when I’m throwing myself all over you. A real man controls himself, putting others before his own desires and urges—like you do. Just because you’re only half-human doesn’t take away from the truth that you’re more of a man than any I’ve ever known.”
Nolan blinked, stunned.
“And just so you know, even though I’m nothing—no multiple powers, not even that great of a fighter—I’m here for you. I’ll follow you wherever you need to fight and be by your side whenever you need me. You don’t have to face the whole world on your own.”
His heart swelled. Who was this girl? He’d never met anyone like her. So passionate. So alive. Instead of speaking words he couldn’t form, he grabbed her face and kissed her. Their lips melded into one.
The kiss was different this time; the heat was still there, but something else lingered on the edges. He withdrew and stared into her mischievous hazel eyes. “Kat Connelly,” he said, his voice rough, “I think I’m falling in love with you.”
She grinned, and her eyes twinkled. “It’s about time.”
Postlude
ALCANDOR STEPPED AWAY from the body of Captain Ekon. He closed his eyes as delicious Strength seeped inside him, filling the void. It was a full Shay; no half power. A small step to his resurgence, but a step nonetheless. He glanced over at the Rol’dan girl and the half-breed, wondering what they had to offer him as well.
“I’ll take care of him, Father. Go and become strong.”
Stupid girl. Did she think he actually cared for her? It was interesting to think he was a father—he remembered the night she spoke of. He just hadn’t considered that the whore or her baby would live.
“I will meet with you soon,” Alcandor said, turning toward the stairs. She was useful; he was too helpless to fight the Emissary on his own. The boy was talented; more than likely, she wouldn’t make it out of the dungeon alive.
He climbed the stairs, the excitement of freedom spilling from his empty soul. The sunlight. The air. He needed out. As the door creaked open, he stopped. He felt the combined Shays. The power. It was him.
He clenched his fists. He had some Strength now, but not enough to kill him. Powerless. Weak. He growled in frustration. He’d have to be patient and wait until he was restored, then he would rip out his throat and drink in his Shays.
Using all the power he could muster, he changed. A soldier. A simple Rol’dan. The boy had enough Guardian light pulsing through him, he’d be clueless to his disguise.
Running up the stairs, Alcandor shoved him out of the way—just enough so he’d remember him. Soon, the Emissary would realize he’d let Alcandor slip through his fingers.
The Emissary descended, and Alcandor only wished he could see his face when he found the stinking cell empty. But now, Alcandor needed to get some distance—he was too weak. He ran down the hall, out the door, and into the woods.
Freedom now.
Revenge later.
***
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Acknowledgments:
I want to thank anyone who reached the end of this book. More than likely, this is your second journey with me (if you read book one), and you are the reason my characters lived and became more than a name on a page. Without you, it would only be me talking to myself on a computer. You are why writing is worth every frustration, sweat, and tears.
Even though my name is on the cover, it takes many to get a book into print. First, I want to thank Courtney Koschel, my editor. Once again she made this work better; it wouldn’t have been the same without her. I also want to thank Dj Hendrickson who added the final polish my manuscript needed.
Thanks again to Anne Drury who is such an awesome illustrator and a joy to work with. You brought life to Alec, and I’m sure he appreciated getting out of my head and onto a cover. Thanks to Liesl Mensinger, who, once again, created a fabulous title typography. You gave my cover the finishing touch it so needed.
To all of my writing friends who looked over my work in part or in full: Barb Pope, Michelle Gregory, Michelle McLean, and especially my Iron Pen Critique Group: Rich Miller, Wayne Sapp, and Joan Mauch. You have all been such great support for me over the years.
To my children, Lauren, Adam, Kira, and Lukas, for putting up with me through my publishing frustrations and adventures. And most of all, to my husband, Pete, who is always encouraging me through the good times and bad times of my writing career, and who also supports me and my many hair-brained ideas over the years. I love you.
And lastly, thanks to God, who forced me to have patience. Though I might have not liked the long road, it has taught me much. Thank you for helping me finally reach where you wanted me to go with the Emissary of Light series. I know now that I can depend on you, and not on the name and status of anyone else.
Kristal Shaff grew up with books (and drove her mom crazy when she wouldn't leave the library); her first job was even shelving books at the library. She loves anything creative, and you can often find her exploring strange and fantastical worlds in her choices of movies and fantasy fiction. Kristal resides in Iowa with her farmer husband, numerous pets, and 4 awesome kids. When she isn't writing, she is a professional face painter who enjoys making children smile.
Website:
www.kristalshaff.com
Facebook Page:
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twitter.com/kristalshaff
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