Page 59 of Adored By the Alien Warlord
“Things will be a little rough,” he told Firion. “But I welcome your visit. I'll handle the negotiations now that my uncle . . .” His snarl rang out. “He had met his just end.”
Firion’s gaze met Davon's. “I came to negotiate with the king, andthat’s you, I presume?”
“Very much so,” Valdar said with a grim smile. “Come. I'll arrange for your rooms and a meal. We have much to celebrate tonight, not only the defeat of a tyrant, but our city's upcoming treaty with your people.”
We started walking toward the entrance, following Valdar, but Davon paused, holding me back. He tugged me into his arms and lifted me, his mouth meeting mine. In his kiss, I found hope, a future, and the promise of a lifetime of love.
As we rejoined the others, the sounds of celebration rang out around us. Veerenads and Zuldruxians began to intermingle, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
I looked up at Davon, my heart swelling with love and happiness. He gazed down at me, his eyes reflecting the same emotions. We'd made it. We'd fought, and we'd won. And now, we were together, surrounded by family and new friends.
The sun shone down on us, its warmth hinting at a brighter future for us all. As we stood inside the grand ballroom, the only place everyone would fit, I leaned into Davon, his arm around me, holding me close.
“What now?” I asked, looking up at him.
He smiled, his eyes filled with love. “Now, we go to the desert. We join my clan, and I brag about how wonderful my mate is.”
“I'll do the same.”
His grin widened. “Then we'll travel to the Indigan clan where we can talk about joining them—or not. No matter what, we'll make a new life, Maggie. Together.”
I nodded, a soft smile playing on my lips. “Together.”
We stood off to the side, surrounded by the joy of a new start for the Veerenad city. I'd visit with my sister, and we'd talk about how we could remain with our mates but still see each other as often as possible.
Davon would give Aizor his sword back and make amends, and I'd stand by his side while he did it, proud of this male I'd claimed as my own.
While the road ahead might be uncertain, he and I would face whatever came our way together.
Chapter 32
Maggie
One Month Later
Amonth had passed since we left the Veerenad city. Two of Nevarn’s males flew us to where Davon’s clan was living at one of the oases, leaving us to return to finish the treaty negotiations. Talia couldn’t come with us; she insisted she wanted to make sure the Veerenads didn’t take advantage of the Zuldruxians, though I was confident Valdar wouldn’t do such a thing. Still, my sister was savvy. If anyone could get Valdar to relent on one thing or another, it was her.
We promised we’d see each other soon, and time had a way of speeding by quickly.
The Browze Clan welcomed me with wide arms, and in no time, I felt as if I’d lived with them forever. But the clan was small, and it was clear that while we couldcontinue our migratory life in the desert, we all needed more.
Hence all of us riding across the desert on mundreks, large, tan-colored creatures that only vaguely resembled camels. Their rocking jog swept us across one dune after another until we reached the edge and glided into the welcome coolness of the forest.
Warriors from the Celedar Clan dropped down from the trees around us, welcoming smiles on their faces.
“We’ll take care of your mundreks,” one of them said. “Please continue along the path. We’ll join you and guide you to the home of our clan.”
We walked hand in hand along the forest trail with our clan members around us. It was so cool here when compared with the harsh and hot, though beautiful, desert I'd lived in for the prior month.
Sunshine filtered through the canopy high above, casting dappled light on the alien landscape. I gaped at the enormous trees looming around us, their purple trunks twisting skyward, speckled with iridescent flecks of gold and blue. Broad leaves fluttered overhead, a shimmering canopy that danced with each gust of wind.
Alien birds swooped through the branches, their feathers a vibrant blend of colors that shifted with the light. They called to each other with high-pitched trills, creating a melody of sounds through the forest. Insects flitted about, their translucent wings catching the sunlight and reflecting it in tiny bursts of rainbow light.
Davon squeezed my hand, a gesture of reassuranceand shared awe. He'd been here before, though he didn't remember much of that time.
Aizor's sword rode in a sheath on his spine. I'd admired the crystal blade, marveling at how it could cut through almost anything without shattering. He couldn't wait to give it back and to tell Aizor he was sorry, but the acceptance I'd hoped he'd find had begun to sink into his bones. Maybe he'd never completely forgive himself. Maybe he'd carry this burden until the day he'd died. But with my love, he was beginning to see that we all made mistakes, that we all deserved forgiveness.
It was coming, and I'd be with him when he finally realized it for himself.
