Page 11 of Onyx Queen
Onika cupped his cheek, “There is nothing that would have kept me from you. Eventually I would have caved and given in to this impossible to beat need.”
“Exactly, my love.”
Onika sat up, “I’m ready to go home,” she drew her knees to her chest, “I think I need to talk to Emersyn and Sarifena. But first… I have some questions for my parents. Will you come with me?”
“Mountains could not separate me from you, Onika.”
Standing, Luca held out his hand. Onika wrapped her fingers around his outstretched palm and allowed him to tug her to her feet. Enveloping her in his strong arms, Luca pressed their bodies together.
“I love you, Onika.”
“Can I use your phone when we get back to the cabin? I need to make a few phone calls before we head out.”
Luca held her hand as they walked through the trees. He couldn’t help but sense something else was going on with her, but knowing how stubborn she was, he elected to wait. She would tell him in her own time, he hoped.
“You make your calls. I’ll get us packed up.”
Onika watched as he began gathering their things. She couldn’t help but smile as she remembered how he came here with nothing. They had to buy him all fresh clothes once they got settled. Shaking her hair, she cleared her mind. This phone call would not be easy. Her mother would be grateful, but angry, seeing as she just up and left. Luca had convinced her to allow him to call Commander Fritz when they arrived. He was worried they would think something nefarious had happened to her. Aside from Queen Perse and Constable Graham, no one other than Commander Fritz knew they were here.
Onika took a deep breath and dialed her mother. Her gut churned with uncertainty as the phone rang. Hearing the line pick up, she swallowed.
“Mother, it’s me.”
Chapter 11
Luca held her hand as their car traveled across the land. It was a beautiful day outside, yet he couldn’t stop the worry creeping up his neck. When they’d woken this morning, Onika was moody and distant. When he’d asked her if she was worried about going home, she flew into a rage. He’d never seen her so mad, it was like her body and mind were consumed with an anger so powerful, she’d lost control.
“We’re here, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you for giving us a ride home, Officer Stokes. Tell the Queen I will call her later.”
Onika climbed from the car and froze. She took several deep breaths, trying to keep her heart from beating out of her chest.
Luca’s hand pressed into the small of her back, “You ready?”
“Yes. Let’s get this over with.”
Every step she took, the darkness inside seemed to grow tendrils, wrapping around her until she felt damn near explosive.
“Breathe, Onika, I can feel your tension.”
Nodding, she pushed open the heavy door and stepped in. Her mother and father were waiting for her in the foyer. Onika looked at their faces, both wore a mask of trepidation.
“Onika,” her father spoke.
“Let’s go in the living room to speak.” Onika pointed toward the space, waiting for them to move ahead of her. Turning to Luca, “I think I should do this alone.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen. Call me if you need me,” he tilted her chin up and pressed his lips to hers, “remember, I love you.”
Taking a deep breath, she stepped away from the safety of his arms. Closing the distance between her and her parents, Onika stood in front of her mother.
“Why, Mother?”
She hadn’t meant to be so blunt, but her rage was palpable, leaving her short sighted and quick to act.
“Onika,” her mother sighed, “sit down, this is going to take a moment.”
“I’ll stand if you don’t mind.”
