Alliance Forged (43 page)

“I love you, Kymora Tayn,” he murmured. She’d taught him that it was all right to care and that to let someone into your heart was one of life’s most precious gifts. “Your love is worth every year of my life. They’re yours if you want them.”

He heard her breath hitch, then her hand slid to the center of his chest, her fingers spreading flat to claim him. “Yes, I’ll take them, Varian, every single one of them and consider myself blessed.”

“I’m the one blessed, Kymora.” He took a moment to appreciate the feel of her against him, to savor the peace her love had brought him.

Shouts and giggles carried on the breeze. Kymora shifted in his arms and turned toward the lake.

“I can hear Kalan’s voice.” Her smile stretched wide; her eyes sparkled. “What’s going on down there?”

“Rissa conned Kalan and half the adults into a game of flutter-tag,” he explained, tone dry. “Even Councilor Elamm’s joined in.”

Her delighted laughter made him grin. “See?” She prodded his chest. “The
Lady
does perform miracles. There’s hope for you yet.”

He grunted. “
Her
paths to achieving
Her
goals are… complex.” He took a cleansing breath. “I never would have expected such an outpouring of support from so many different people as I’ve seen in the last few days. For the
Na’Chi
, or us, or Kalan and Annika.”

“The alliance is working, Varian.” Her arms tightened around him. “There’s still more to achieve, but now, with so many walking the journey with us, it’ll be easier.”

As much as Lisella’s ordeal and Kymora’s kidnapping still pained him, the incidents had thrown the rebel movement into disfavor with many humans. Kalan still had a job winnowing out Davyn’s supporters, but they were no longer such a threat with their own people turning against them.

Progress of a sort, and it gave him hope.

Kymora’s fingertips found the amulet that used to be hers around his neck. “So,
Na’Chi
Light Blade, what’s it like being in the service of the
Lady
?”

“It might take some getting used to,” he admitted, his laugh rusty sounding.

The
Chosen
and Sartor, the
Lady’s
newly approved
Temple Elect
, had inducted all the
Na’Chi
scouts in a ceremony just that morning on the training grounds.

“We’ll work on your faith. Who knows, that might be your Fourth Journey,” she teased.

Varian thought back to the day when Hesia told him it was time to seek sanctuary with the humans. He’d left
Na’Reish
territory with a heavy heart, anxious about the future ahead, uncertain that an alliance could work.

He looked out over the wall at the people gathered below,
Na’Chi
and human, then glanced over his shoulder at the sprawling city behind them. Much had changed since that day. The timeline of events, and the faces of friends lost flickered through his mind.

The price of freedom and sanctuary.

“It’s come at a cost,” he murmured.

Kymora tilted her head toward him, puzzled amusement creasing her brow. “What has?”

“The
Na’Chi’s
new home.” He cradled her face. “But it was worth it because I found you.”

She gifted him with her smile, and the warmth of it outstripped the sun. Varian placed his mouth over hers and kissed her with all of his heart, mind, and soul, both halves, dark and light.

He’d found a new home, at last.

And love… Her name was Kymora.