Page 45 of Willow and the Wraith

“I’m worried you’ll regret giving it up,” she said finally.

“I’ve already found the only thing really worth searching for,” he murmured, his voice low and sincere. “Love.”

Tears pricked her eyes again as she tilted her face up to his and he kissed her. The kiss quickly turned passionate, but she remembered her earlier thought and she pulled back slightly.

“You remembered, didn’t you?” she asked quietly, and he went still.

“Yes. Everything.”

She waited patiently and he finally spoke again.

“My name was Tarchek.”

Tarchek. It didn’t seem to fit him, but…

“Is that what you would like to be called now?”

He looked surprised by the question, but then he shook his head.

“No. I am not that child anymore.”

She thought he might stop there, but he kept going.

“We lived on a farming planet, my mother and I,” he said, his eyes distant. “It was quiet, peaceful. Until the raiders came.”

She gripped his hand, fighting back the tears as he described the brutal attack. His mother, raped and killed. Their farm set ablaze. How they had discovered him.

“I was… a pretty boy,” he said, his voice thick with disgust. “They decided I’d fetch a good price.”

He’d tried to fight them, only to be knocked unconscious. He didn’t elaborate further, but she was horrified by the full extent of what he’d endured.

“Oh, Wraith,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “No wonder you blocked it out. Are… are you sorry you remembered?”

He was quiet for a moment, then shook his head. “No. I needed to know the missing piece. For the first time, I feel whole - partially because of that, but mostly because of you.”

His eyes met hers, filled with a warmth that made her heart skip a beat. He leaned in, kissing her softly, and she let herself be swept away into the heat and passion of his embrace, losing herself in the pleasure of his love and the sweet promise of their future together.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Wraith strode rapidly through the Farlain palace, automatically checking his surroundings even though most of his attention was on the upcoming meeting.

He found King Conran in his office, frowning at some paperwork. He was simply dressed in his warrior leathers, but even so there was something regal in his posture and bearing, an indefinable air of command.

Conran looked up as he entered, his golden eyes gleaming, then frowned.

“Where is the human female?” Conran demanded.

“Safe,” he said calmly. “But I wished to speak with you before bringing her here.”

The king’s frown deepened, his fingers drumming on his desk. “Explain.”

He hesitated, an unusual uncertainty gripping him as he realized how much this mattered to him.

“She wishes to stay,” he said finally, his voice low but firm.

“Of course, that was the plan.” Conran gave him a confused look. “We have arrangements in place for her comfort and safety, and my mate is excited to meet her.”

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what came next.

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