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“If Samkiel so chooses, she will be. But she is also more than that.” Logan took me by the arm and led me to the door. “She saved my life twice and made it possible for me to rescue my wife from Yejedin. So, to say that I care for her doesn’t even begin to express what I feel for Dianna. She’s family now, whether or not she knows it. So let’s get you fed, and this day started, and maybe, just maybe, it will work long enough that they can have one day of peace together.”
A smile teased at the edges of my lips. Maybe in the cruelest way, Dianna had gotten the one thing she so desperately craved—a family.
Seventy
Dianna
Light, bright and shimmering, darted past the window. I zipped up my jacket and practically ran down the steps. The thick boots Neverra had given me made me a little slower. I rushed into the kitchen and abruptly stopped near the island as he rounded the corner.
“You were able to get away?”
The grin on his face deepened. “You asked. I made it work.”
I hadn’t realized how much I wanted this until I heard those words. Relief flooded through me, and I smiled back.
His brows furrowed, and for a moment, I thought he would tell me it was all a joke. I waited for him to rip this away, cruelty much more familiar to me than kindness. He gestured toward me and cleared his throat. “Your hair… It’s lovely.”
I slid my fingers through it. “Oh, thanks. I straightened it. Imogen let me borrow some stuff.”
He swallowed and nodded, but I wasn’t sure he’d heard me. His gaze slid slowly over me, and I felt it like a caress. Was he nervous?
Samkiel cleared his throat again. “Alright.” He placed his hands on his hips, his council garbs flaring behind them. “What ghastly tortures have you concocted for us today?”
I smiled brightly, bouncing on my toes. “You will need warmer clothes for where we’re going.”
One of his brows ticked up. “Oh?”
“It’s going to be pretty dangerous.”
* * *
“So, this is your plan? This is how you are going to finally kill me?” he groaned, sprawled out on his back, his arms and legs extended.
“My, my, the mighty and legendary warrior taken out by blades and ice.” I leaned my hands on my knees and smiled down at him. “Who would have thought?”
The glare he sent me had me laughing so hard that I nearly ended up next to him. Once I had my giggles under control, I extended my hand. “Come on.”
He took it, allowing me to help him up. He corrected his posture, but I kept hold of his hand, not letting go.
“Keep holding my hands.”
He looked shocked, but he obliged, his gloved hands engulfing mine. I started skating backward, and he stayed upright for once. Snow continued to fall while a slow, cheery melody played. Thick foliage lined the rink, and multicolored lights floated around the arena.
“I do not like this.”
I moved a tad faster. “Why? It just requires balance. That’s like your whole thing.”
The look he gave me made me throw my head back and laugh.
“Shoes with a single blade seem like an appropriate weapon, but not a great idea to move around on ice.”
“You got this,” I said as I swayed, grinning at him. “I’m going to let go now.”
“Why?” He almost sounded scared, and I bit back another laugh.
Carefully, I let go of him and continued to skate backward. He wobbled, his arms swinging, but managed to stay upright.
“Don’t flail your arms. You’ll fall.”
