Page 52 of Roar Letter Word

“The concert seems to have really made a difference,” Ruzyll’s voice said. “It wasn’t just some random woman getting kidnapped. People had seen her perform. They felt like they knew her.”

“Maybe I should start a pop career, too,” Mahes replied. “It can’t be the stupidest thing a king’s ever done to get their people’s approval.”

Addie stepped into the room. “I wouldn’t recommend it. You get some people who like you, but, boy oh boy, you get some assholes too.”

Mahes lit up and ran to her. He grabbed her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “You’re awake!”

Addie squeezed back. “You saved me.”

Mahes didn’t even say anything in response. He just held her, and she held him.When he finally let go, she glanced around the room. Like she thought, Ruzyll and Gerri were there. She still didn’t recognize the other male shifter. But she certainly recognized Franny sitting next to Gerri on the couch.

“Oh my gosh, Franny!” Addie said. “Don’t tell me you came all the way from Earth.”

“Well, I was sort of the one who got you into this whole situation,” she replied, standing and offering a hug. “That’s normally supposed to be sort of the number one job of a good manager. Make sure your client doesn’t get kidnapped by aliens.”

“Don’t worry,” Addie told her. “I wouldn’t have traded this week for the world.”

“Now that’s what I like to hear,” came Gerri’s voice from the sofa.

“What brings you here?” Addie asked. “Not that I’m sorry to hear from you or anything. I just thought that Mahes and I still had another day.”

Gerri smiled. “You still have today, or many more days, if you want. I came when I heard that you had disappeared. If Mahes hadn’t been able to find you, it would have been quite a black mark on my company.”

“You’re all here because of me going missing?”

“Oh, you don't know, Skoll,” Mahes said. “This is one of my best friends. He came to support me when he heard that there might be trouble.”

“I’ve never seen Mahes as worried for someone as he was for you,” Skoll said, reaching out his hand to shake hers. “You must be very special to him.”

Addie looked down, embarrassed. “I’m so sorry to have inconvenienced all of you.”

Immediately, Mahes took her in his arms again. “Don’t be silly. People care about you. That’s a good thing. In fact …”

Mahes looked around the room. Clearly, there was something he had discussed with the rest of them. With the single exception of Gerri, the rest of the room seemed vaguely nervous about whatever it was he was going to say. Gerri, meanwhile, just smiled that same enigmatic smile she almost always wore.

“What is it?” Addie asked.

“I can say this, right, Ruzyll?” Mahes said.

“It’s entirely your choice,” Ruzyll answered, deadpan as always. “I’ve made my thoughts on it clear, but if it is your decision, then I’ll do all I can to make it work.”

“Now that’s a manager,” Franny commented. “Next time we disagree on something, Addie, pretend I was good enough with words to say that.”

Addie looked up at Mahes. “Seriously, what is it?”

Mahes took a deep breath and concentrated. Whatever he was about to tell her was obviously not easy, and he wanted to get every word right.

“If you plan to return to Earth tomorrow, I’d like to go with you,” he said finally.

Gerri beamed, obviously considering this another success.

“Wait, you’d like to go back to Earth with me?” Addie repeated. “But, wouldn’t that mean …”

“Yes,” said Mahes. “It would mean resigning all claims to the throne of the Tellahn Pride. The throne would pass to Skoll.”

“Trust me, I’m not trying to get him to do this,” Skoll inserted. “This is all about you two. I just know how important these things are.”

“Well, you’veheardhow important these things are,” Gerri corrected.

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