Page 78 of Defenders of Jawhara

KALE

Khalil entered his brother’s quarters to find Shira asleep on the bed, her arms wrapped protectively around Erin. He smiled down at the cousins. Even though Erin had been gone for less than twenty-four hours, he knew that it felt like days for Shira, who had been so worried about her.

Sitting down on the side of the bed closest to his love, he whispered into her ear.

“Shira, come. Let’s go rest in our own bed until dinner.”

Shira mumbled in reply, telling him that she was comfortable where she was. Chuckling, he tickled the side of her face with her hair.

“I think my brother might prefer it if you came with me.”

With that, she slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes as she looked at Erin who hadn’t moved. Standing, he pressed his knee to the bed and scooped Shira up into his arms, cradling her against his chest.

“Come, little one.”

Shira yawned before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his chin. “I can walk, you know,” she murmured against his neck.

“It will be faster if I carry you. Come, let us rest before dinner.”

“Rest?” Shira asked, letting him carry her across the open foyer to his own quarters.

“Rest,” Khalil assured her, with a teasing note in his voice.

“But I’m not really all that tired right now.”

“Your yawns tell a different story.” At the mention of yawning, Shira did it again, covering her mouth with her hands. “See, you are tired.”

“You’re right. I couldn’t sleep at all last night, worrying about Erin. I’m so glad she’s going to be okay.” Shira hugged him tighter as they entered his rooms.

“I too am glad that everything is going to be fine. Kamal still plans on holding the wedding the day after tomorrow.”

Shira snuggled her head against his chest. “I know. You should have seen Aunt Patty’s face when he made that declaration. I expected her to argue, but she sided with Kamal.”

“She and your uncle are wonderful people.”

“Thank you. I’ve always thought so.”

Khalil set Shira down on the bed and began divesting her of her clothing, resisting the urge to smile as she dutifully lifted her arms to help him. She was definitely as exhausted as she looked.

“So, once my cousin marries your brother, does that mean…”

“That you and I can marry?” Shira nodded, and the smile she gave him was one of hope. “Yes, we can. I will speak with my brother after they are married and get his official approval—though he’s told me already he is in favor of our marriage. Then we can begin planning our wedding. Would you like that?”

Shira nodded, then laughed as she stifled another yawn. “Yes, I would, but maybe not right this minute.”

Pushing her hair back from her face, he kissed her lightly on the lips. “Definitely not right this minute.”

He pulled the covers back and helped Shira lie down, tucking her beneath the covers before removing his own clothes and joining her on the other side of the bed.

She turned, laying her head on his chest and entangling her legs with his.

Kale rubbed her back, and she cuddled closer against him. He hugged her, unable to hold back the shudder. Shira lifted her head to look at him. “What is it? Are you okay?”

He nodded, smiling at her. “I am, now that I have you in my arms. My brother is the stronger of the two of us. I can’t imagine how I would have handled things if it had been you that was taken.”

Shira kissed his chest. “It’s the same for me. Erin is so much stronger than I am. I don’t know how she managed to hold it together out in that desert. I would have collapsed and refused to take another step, and that awful man would have…” Shira gasped, burying her head against Kale’s chest, and he held her close.

“Shh, little one. You are safe here with me. I will never let anything happen to you. You are my light, and I love you.”

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