Page 62 of Hunting the Warlord's Daughter

“Zee. At long last indeed.” Aral rested his hand on Wren’s back. “My wife, Wren Senderin.”

Zaafran strode around his desk. He squeezed Wren’s shoulders. “It’s my great honor to finally meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine,” she said, dipping her head.

Then Zaafran and Aral gave each other hearty hugs. When they separated, each let out an audible breath. Aral saw the long, dangerous years of their collaboration reflected in the man’s eyes, their victories and defeats, and he imagined that Zaafran had glimpsed the same in his.

“Can I assume the funds made it safely to your bank account?” Zaafran asked.

A smile tugged at Wren’s lips. “All fifty million queens.”

It was part of the deal. The bounty in exchange for the return of the scripture, and for Wren’s occasional services as the Sacred Key to help with antiquities retrieval.

“The prime minister was nearly catatonic when he heard you demanded the full bounty. But, as I explained to the man, you did find the warlord’s daughter.”

“That I did.” Aral squeezed Wren’s hand. Not a day went by without him thanking the stars.

“We plan to use the money to set up a foundation to help the littlest victims of war,” Wren said. “We’ll spread the wealth. There’ll be other projects along the way. Giving back is what I want to do—and Aral too. Now that we can. Now that there is peace.”

“We couldn’t have done it without you, Aral. Won the war.”

“Nor could I have completed my mission without you, Zee.”

“It’s Mick,” he said. “I never lost faith in you, Aral. Even if at times it seemed otherwise. I knew Karbon Mawndarr wanted to be the next warlord, not you. You always seemed… repulsed by war and conflict.”

“I was, and I am.” Aral’s boyhood home had been a war zone, his father his greatest enemy—he’d always crave peace over battle.

“When you ceased communicating, I had no choice but to think—what if I’m wrong? That small chance Karbon was right, I couldn’t risk ignoring it. Wren was too valuable to lose.”

“I would have struggled with the same doubts if I were in your place. Just as I struggled with my own.” Assuming the queen had wanted to punish and not protect Wren. “The stakes were high.”

Nodding, Zaafran said, “Now let us look to the future.”

For an emotion-laden moment, they regarded each other.

“It’s surreal, isn’t it,” Zaafran said. “Us, going on like two old friends.”

“Weareold friends. Eight years working together—it’s an eternity during wartime.”

Zaafran regarded him. After a few solemn moments, he leaned forward. “I’m not sure what your plans are, Aral, but your expertise would be invaluable in our new government.”

“My expertise is war,” Aral said. “It’s peacetime now.”

“We never stop preparing for war. It’s how we prevent it.”

“Aye, true. But my plans are for a quieter existence. Planet-side.” He smiled at Wren. “With my wife.”

“Do you have a location chosen as yet?”

“Barokk,” Wren said. “My childhood home. It’s a beautiful spot, and far from the beaten track. Just the way I like it.” She turned to Aral. “But first, it’s time to see our queen.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN

The towersof the Goddess Keep appeared to soar to the heavens. Sakka was a dramatic, frozen world with rugged peaks and brilliant blue skies—the keep looked as if hewn from the mountains.

This ceremony differed so much from Wren’s presentation to the warlord. Today, she would present the precious book she’d recovered from Ara Ana to the queen. Instead of a red gown, designed to tantalize, her garment looked similar to the robes of a priestess. The lush, pale gray, pearlescent fabric whispered against her skin. And instead of making eyes across the chamber with a handsome young cadet, he now walked at her side, his strong hand gripping hers.

Aral’s suit resembled his Imperial uniform, except in color. Accents of silver sparkled in the dark blue fabric and reminded her of his eyes. Gray, or silver, was worn by the highest priestesses, and blue by the royal family—she found it an honor that the palace tailors had clothed her and Aral in the hues. They’d conveyed a message:you belong with us.

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