Page 106 of The Outcast
“Freya told us what Linea said. Khan is furious, of course, but at least he’s admitting that the logical explanation is that Thor wanted to disappear.”
“So, the kidnapping alert is off?”
“Yes. Linea has promised to find him in a few days if he hasn’t come home.”
“I heard.”
My mom leaned closer. “I hope you don’t mind, but I told Christina the good news about you and Banni.”
“I’m surprised that she didn’t already know from Aubri and Indy. They were part of getting the guarantee, after all.”
Kya drew me close and kissed my cheek. “I suppose Christina might have known, but at least she had the decency to pretend I was told before she was.”
“Sorry, Mom. We didn’t want you to worry about me getting my heart broken if Banni couldn’t stay.”
Kya’s face softened. “Honey, I’ll worry about you getting your heart broken no matter what. It’s part of being a mother.”
“Banni is a good man.”
“I know, little bird, but men are flawed and they make mistakes. Mother Nature knows that your father has tested my patience over the years.”
I chuckled a little. “I believe Dad would say that it goes both ways.”
“Nonsense, I’m reasonable and balanced compared to him with all his shouting and cursing… tsk.”
I hugged my mother. “Most of the time you were the one making him lose his temper in the first place.”
My mother was shorter than me and looked up into my eyes when she smiled. “Let’s hope for you that French men are more sensible and balanced.”
“Linea says they have a strong life force of sensuality.”
“Ha, then maybe Banni won’t be so different from Nmen; they can’t think of anything but sex.”
For a long moment we stood locked in deep eye contact with love radiating between us.
“Oh, honey, I can’t tell you how grateful I am that I have you here with us. Not knowing where you were was the worst nightmare in my life.”
“I understand. I’m sure Pearl is equally scared for Thor.”
Kya looked over at Pearl. “Yes, it’s easy to sympathize, but at least this time we’re fairly sure that Thor isn’t in physical danger.”
“How long do you think they’ll allow him to stay away?”
My mother bit her lip. “Let’s hope Thor is back in a few days. Hopefully, we can all smile about this when he’s dancing at your wedding this summer.”
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EPILOGUE
New Heir
Banni
Swaying from side to side with my bride, I felt like the happiest man alive. Sparrow glowed brighter than the string of lights hanging above the dance floor. Her hair was growing back, except for a small patch behind her ear that would always remind me not to take her for granted.
Nibbling on her right earlobe, I whispered soft words in French.
Her eyes sparkled when she leaned back to look into my eyes. “You said I look beautiful, didn’t you?”
