Page 72 of Ace

She tested her body weight. “I think I’m okay. Let me try to walk.” She took a few steps and winced. “I’m bruised, but everything works.”

“Let’s try it. And if it gets too difficult, I’ll move you to my back.”

“I can do it.”

They walked slower, but they were moving. Dex worried less about a fire, worried less about an explosion now that the rain was dousing everything. He looked up into the beautiful blessed water and shouted. “Thank you!”

Gianna laughed. “Panau and its constant unpredictable rain showers. Never thought I’d be so grateful for yet another dousing.”

They slipped and slid down the paths and trails all the way back up to the village.

As soon as someone familiar caught sight of Gianna, they shouted out her name. And everyone came running.

“Oh boy, here we go!”

Gianna’s eyes filled, and tears added to the moisture on her face. She held out her arms. “Hello! You are all here!” She looked around and held a hand to her heart. “You made it.”

Rosamie came running, being pulled by the insistent hand of a child. “Oh, you are alive.” She choked. As soon as she was close enough, she pulled Gi into a tight hug. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“Me too.” Gi laughed. “Me too. And your cousin?”

“She’s here and many of the others, as you can see. There are others in other villages. Many ran just like you told them to.”

“I’m so relieved. Does anyone know where the Mantukese went?”

“We have some here.” Rosamie shrugged. “We feed them just like the others.”

“Of course you do.” Gi laughed. “And now, I want to get out of this rain.”

Dex scooped her back up. “I’ll take care of that.”

The others waved as he moved carefully through the tents and families and then lifted her up to her ladder.

As soon as they were both back inside, she fell into his arms again and sobbed. As her body shook against his, his throat felt tight and he allowed a few of his own tears to fall. His hands clutched her back as though she might slip away again.

Then his lips found hers. Though cold and wet, he consumed her as if he might never see her again. Again and again his mouth moved over hers until neither of them were cold. She held him tight. And then she mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

He paused. “What was that?”

“I’m sorry I left.”

“Me too.”

She tipped her head. “I’m sorry we have the kind of relationship where we don’t rely on each other. I know that’s my fault. I’m sorry. But I can’t do that anymore. I can’t. Even if you don’t want me, I’m yours.”

He laughed at himself, but he didn’t care how desperate he sounded. “I’m yours.”

In the dim light of her hut, it was hard to see the exact expression in her eyes. He suddenly felt insecure. “If you’ll have me,” he added. Then he shook his head. “Nope. I don’t care if you’ll have me. I’m still yours. I can’t handle this not talking, do whatever we want even if it’s dangerous thing we have going on.”

She laughed. “You mean you can’t handle it when I do it.”

“Exactly.”

She sat down. “Here. I wish I had some dry clothes.”

“I have my rucksack, but it’s up in the boat. Everything’s in waterproof bags.”

“Nice. But that’s kind of far.”

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