Page 77 of The Lost Guard's Healer

I take her hand on the table and grip it gently. She squeezes back.

“I don’t hate you, Rourk. I wouldn’t want anyone to hate me for the actions of my father.”

“You are a remarkable woman,” I say. “I can… I mean, I could try to help you figure things out. I could stay. Well, I want to stay. But I know I can’t.” I shake my head. “I don’t know what I’m saying.”

“I know,” she says quietly, watching me carefully. Our eyes are glued to each other.

“Do you think your daughter would like me?” she asks, breaking the silence.

My heart jolts. “She would love you.”

My pulse rises as we stare at each other, having our own unspoken conversation. Is she saying what I think she’s saying?

“It occurs to me that you Oathlanders may like to have a representative of The Shanti People, to help build the relationship between our people.” Galene has an overly innocent look on her face.

The corners of my mouth rise. I lean closer to her. “I think that’s a good idea.”

“Purely for the sake of our people, you understand. I could be an Advisor for the Shanti People.”

“Chief Advisor.”

She cocks an eyebrow.

I shrug. “It sounds better.”

“How about General Commander Advisor?” she suggests with a wicked grin.

That makes me laugh. “We’ll work on that.”

We’ve been inching closer to each other for some time. Our faces draw close enough for me to feel the pull of her, and how much we desire each other. How much we need each other. There is no way we’re going to part.

“What about Leila?” I ask. “And the boys?”

“I know,” she says, her brows creasing. “I will miss them. But I’m sure I will be visiting here as often as I can. They’ll understand. There is nothing else for me here.”

“You would move to the Oathlands?” I ask.

Her deep blue eyes draw me in. “I would.”

A wide grin spreads across my face. I’m going to be returning home with the woman I love.

“The world certainly has changed,” I say, my voice lowering.

“And it keeps on changing,” she whispers as we draw close enough to feel each other’s breaths.

“One day I’m going to stop being so surprised,” I say.

“Not today,” Galene mutters.

Our lips meet, and we kiss passionately and hungrily. She straddles my lap and I hold her close as we kiss. I stir at the feel of her. She gently presses herself against me as our passions rise.

She caresses my face as we stare at each other, connecting on a greater level than I’ve ever experienced.

This really is the start of a new world. And I’ve finally learned the true purpose of my being brought to the Shanti Village. To find my love.

Epilogue

Galene

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