Page 28 of The Princess and Her Grand King

She stilled, swallowing the sob that rose in her throat. Whipping her head around, she searched for the source, but the echoing walls made it impossible to pinpoint its location.

She squinted into the darkness, but saw no one.

"Go explore another cave… Wait." Sniff, sniff. Pause. A much loudersniff. "Wretched youngling. How dare you smell like… smell like…"

"A certain human who should be halfway across the world right now?" Aekeira offered, still scanning the shadows.

Silence.

A sudden gust of wind stirred at her back. His warmth enveloped her from behind, his heat like a protective blanket.He’s right behind me.

She didn't move, staring ahead, resisting the urge to turn. "I do not have a right to smell like her, do I?"

"A-Aekeira?"

He recognized me.

Relief crashed into Aekeira, tears burning her eyes. "Who e-else would it be?" she choked out.

She felt the brush of his nose against her neck, and tilted her head to the side, giving him better access.

A long, slow inhale.

"This feels like a dream," he growled.

"It’s not. I’m here, in Urai." Unable to hold back any longer, she spun around and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close. "I’m here."

He stilled.

Then he was hugging her back. His arms encircling her waist,crushingher to him. One was a hand, the other a large, furred paw with sharp, elongated claws.

Aekeira didn’t flinch. She didn’t care. All that mattered was that he was here… and he remembered her.

"Aekeira…" He breathed.

She had never heard so many emotions wrapped into a single word.

"My Aekeira."

That sob tore from her throat.

She clung to him tighter, burying her face in his neck. His scent, clean and familiar, filled her senses.

And for the first time in years, she felt relaxed. Grounded.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, she pulled back, sniffling. "How did you recognize me?"

***

Grand Lord Ottai's study door burst open with a force that rattled the shelves. "You brought them back here without even thinking to consult me!?"

Ottai paused mid-scribble, his quill hovering above the parchment, and glanced up calmly. The male was livid.

Ottai half-expected to see smoke rising from Zaiper’s ears.

"The last time I checked, I am also a grand lord,” Ottai said evenly. "I don’t need your permission to do anything."

"Youshouldhave told me!" Zaiper barked, fists clenched at his sides.

---