Page 14 of Restoring the Ngozii

She turns and walks back to the rock bench the others remained seated on. Her head drops to Vahru’s shoulder as she hugs his arm, his cheek resting on her head as he buries his nose in her hair. “What now?” she whispers, seemingly to no one, before her head lifts, eyes meeting mine.

I take a deep breath and speak the only truth I can. “I’m not entirely sure, it’s up to the priestess, but I’m hoping we can get through this peacefully.” Nodding politely, I turn and step back around the corner, out of eyesight. I pause and listen to see what else they might say, the guard I dismissed standing just around the corner, eyeing me.

“Kari, do you really still think this is a good idea? I don’t think she’s going to listen, you saw how angry she was at us. Hatred like that runs deep, she won’t just get over it to let us do what we want.” Vahru’s tone is bitter, unconvinced.

“Hey, you’re thinking about this all wrong. I told you, this isn’t about some stupid family grudge, this is about her people, and if they come first to her like I believe they do, she’ll choose them over this feud. I know it.” Kari’s voice is tender, her surety shining through.

“She tried to poison the chief. We shouldn’t be helping her.” Vahru growls through clenched teeth, and there’s a shift of clothing as it sounds as if someone, or multiple someones, stand.

“What are you doing, Kosiiba?” Vahru snaps.

“I vowed to protect the captain no matter what, from anyone and anything, including you, sir. Your anger made me nervous, I don’t want it directed at her.” The boy has spine as he growls back at Vahru, and I grin as I imagine the showdown. For him to stand up to a soul-bonded mate, it’s ballsy. No soul-bonded has ever been mistreated, but I suppose there’s always a first.

There’s a huff of breath, footsteps, and then silence.

“Vahru, you have to let go of your anger. I know she tried to harm your dad, and she thought she had a good reason, but if we’ve learned anything about what’s going on here, it’s that we don’t understand the whole story. Vionelle didn’t tell her or your father about the other, for whatever stupid reason. This division, this struggle, is because of her, not Tavionna. If you continue to hold this grudge against your own half-sister, you’ll prevent us from getting anywhere. You’re either with me or not, and I need you to be fully on board for this to work. You said you trusted me, and I know you trust the Guardians, so let. It. Go.” She pleads with him, her voice gentle, understanding, but firm enough to make her point.

Wait, the Guardians? They told Kari she would succeed in this mission of peace? If that’s the case, that’s all the reassurance I need that we can get Vee on board with this. If her guides have even half the same abilities as the Guardians, there’s no reason she should deny this help.

“Then what do we do now, Princess?” Vahru sighs, clearly relenting, giving up his side of the fight. Footsteps sound before they shuffle, I’m assuming he’s sitting back down.

“Now we wait and hope Tavionna accepts our offer to help. It’s all we can do.” Kari sighs.

“We could just portal back home and let her solve her own problems.” Vahru mutters, and there’s a growl that sounds very feminine. He huffs out a laugh. “I’m joking. It wouldn’t solve anything anyway. I do trust you, Princess, I promise. It’s just, it’s not easy to get over a betrayal like that, and I’m sorry that I'm making it harder on you by holding onto it.”

“Well… at least you can admit when you’re being an idiot. It’s very sexy.” Kari giggles, causing Vahru to laugh as the guard, Kosiiba I suppose, groans.

I take that as my cue to back away as they fall silent. It’s time I focused on what to say to my mate to convince her that this endeavor is worth a shot.

My feet carry me up and down the short hall as I wait, not so patiently, for Tavionna to call on me. The guard stands where I was eavesdropping, peering around every so often to make sure they haven’t tried anything. After what feels like hours, a guard marches around the corner and stops before me. “The priestess wishes to see you in her chambers, sir.”

I rush off down the hall, running around the bend into the connected hall and slow as I approach the opening. I slip inside and pause beside Seuke, who stands watching Vee pace relentlessly across the room at the foot of the bed. Her lower arms are banded around her waist, one across her chest, as her final arm is raised, her nail in between her teeth. She pauses as she sees me, and I note the frantic look in her eyes, the way her hair is mussed, and her body radiates tension. I long to soothe her, but I stay frozen in place, not wanting to push the boundaries just yet.

“Did they say anything while you were watching?” Her words are rushed, panicked, and my jaw clenches. I feel Seuke shift beside me, his arm brushing mine ever so slightly in support, encouraging me to speak up quickly.

“They did, Priestess. Kari is quite confident that she can help you, she seems to think she understands you on a level others don’t. She actually encouraged Vahru to let go of his anger at you for poisoning Criido. They don’t seem to have any ill will. They even accepted my apology and congratulated me on my bonds.” I clear my throat, unsure of how she’ll take this, but I speak all the truth I can, hoping she can see it and feel it. “This could be the answer you’ve been looking for, Vee. They could find the cure for you, allowing you to save your people as you’ve always dreamed.”

I take a breath in and hold it as her eyes bore into mine, studying me. “Do you think they’re telling the truth, their intentions are pure, that they’re actually going to achieve their goal and not attempt to kill us?” Her voice is growing frantic, and I can feel just how unsettled she is through the bond. “Yes, my love, I do believe they’re only here to help. Kari is steadfast in her resolve to help those who can’t help themselves. It’s why she had me punished for ruining her chances to help the Sautiitions on my planet. She won’t let innocents die, I know that.”

Her gaze slowly shifts to Seuke, her brows pinching in a way that makes me want to smooth them out as I kiss away all her troubles. “And you, Seuke, what do you think?”

He takes a long, slow breath before speaking in a level voice. “I agree with Zen, Priestess. I believe he, and therefore they, are telling the truth. We should accept the help and save our people, and by extension, theirs. What have your guides advised?”

Her breath begins to come out in pants as her lower lip wobbles, her violet eyes filling with tears. Her voice is a low, whispery-squeak as she admits, “They haven’t spoken to me since Xenshay arrived, since we bonded. I’m honestly lost.” She bursts into a weeping fit, and we rush forward, circling her before she can collapse.

Her arms circle my neck and middle, holding her up, as she cries into my shoulder. Seuke peppers her upper back, shoulders, and head with kisses as he holds us all together. I hold her for a long moment, letting her get the tears and frustration out before I grip her hips and push her back, forcing her away from me. Placing my finger under her chin and gripping it with my thumb, I force her to look up at me.

“Let us be your guides then, huh? We want what’s best for you and your people,ourpeople. Kay and I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you, right? Trust us to guide you.”

Her face seems to go through several emotions before the bond explodes in love as she hiccups, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks before she grabs my face and smashes our lips together. She then turns and does the same to Kay before relaxing into his arms and letting her tears dry.

“Okay, I trust you two more than anything to guide me straight. But we do this on my terms, okay? I want to make sure this isn’t some ploy.”

Kay and I both bow deeply as she pulls back, our voices blending well as we answer with, “Yes, Priestess.”

Chapter 9

Vahru

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