Amatista

The looming Vilde Mountains were no longer in sight, but rather the river sat amidst a pure stretch of green that curved down into a slope, and a horizon so beautiful she could only stare. The skies had darkened to a faint pink hue, spreading like a blanket above them, and suddenly she had no doubt that yes, there was indeed magic here. In Amatista.

“Liana.” Kavi sounded agitated as he helped her to her feet, his hands coming to cradle her cheeks. “You are unharmed.”

“Kavi, are you all right? Is everyone all right?” Her voice shook, hands trembling as she wrapped them around Kavi’s thick wrists.

“We are unharmed.”

“And Lyle?”

“He is gone, Liana.” He pressed his thumb to her lips, caressing the plump lower curve as he stared into her eyes. “He will not threaten us again.”

“Did…did he drown?”

A distasteful grimace settled on his features. “No. He was a coward at the first, and a coward in the end. He did not follow me.”

“But he shot at you?” she asked, concerned.

His lips curved into a boyish grin. “He missed. The light—it is hard to aim with blinded eyes.”

“Kavi, I was so afraid.” Her arms went around him, needing to feel his hard, thick-boned body close to hers. Then more of their surroundings began to filter through her hazy senses, and she smiled up at him. “Kavi, you are home,” she breathed. “Your people are home.”

“Yes,” he said gruffly, eyeing her lips in hunger. “And all I can think of—”

“There is the city!” Galina shouted as she stood at the edge of the river, pointing down the grassy incline.

“Come,” Kavi told Liana, lacing his fingers through hers as he pulled her across.

Stepping beside a grinning Galina, Liana’s first thought was that she was dreaming.

They stood atop a hill, looking down at a valley dotted with pristine white houses graced with silver rooftops that glittered like diamonds. The instant the other Fohers stepped forward to have a look, figures began to flood the city streets. Although Liana couldn’t make out their faces clearly, she could make out their clothes. Very fine clothes made from shimmering fabrics and draped over straight, regal-looking postures. A wave of shouts and cheers erupted, ringing in the darkening night, and Kavi took Liana’s elbow and kept her by his side as they descended down the slope.

The streets rang with celebration as the groups met with tears, laughter and joy. People whistled, hugged and cried together, clutching each other for minutes at a time. Some pressed their hands to their chests, looking up at the skies and praising their goddess.

Liana wept with them. She stood among them all, occasionally being hugged and squished, then busily wiping the never-ending stream of tears that slithered down her cheeks. When Kavi noticed, he took her face in his hands and brushed the tears away with his thumbs. He kissed her before whispering, “I am happy.”

Liana could only nod, choking on more tears. Yes—yes, she was also happy. She was in love. And she’d brought her love home.

A short time later, the Fohers were escorted to private chambers, with whispered assurances that they would meet the elders as soon as possible. Liana couldn’t have been more grateful when she and Kavi were led into a quaint little home, a steaming meal served upon a small table soon after, candles lit all around them.

She knew that very instant she’d found heaven here, in Amatista.

Chapter Eight

They had a roof over their head and a comfortable bed with silky sheets, the latter of which alone seemed to delight her. Her happiness reached deep into Kavi, making him smile to himself.

On the edge of the bed, Kavi removed his clothing, watching her sigh in delight as she rolled from side to side across the bed, a smile as wide as Amatista itself shining on her lips. “This is wonderful,” she said, finally getting settled on her stomach. Kavi stared at her bare rump with interest, watching it wiggle as she got more comfortable. She sighed in contentment and Kavi thought that if she assumed she was getting sleep now—she was one sorry, confused little human.

“You are wonderful,” he whispered, as naked as her now, his gaze roving up her lean, tanned legs, lingering on the ripe curves of her bottom.

He leaned toward her, his hands cupping her bottom as he bent to kiss each tiny scribble on her back. One by one, he placed slow, dry kisses over the map—over a life’s worth of pain in the woman he loved, forever marked in her soul, and which had been his people’s salvation.

Kavi felt humbled, and he’d never held something so revered and dear to him. Her skin was warm under his lips, softer than the sheets. Liana sighed under his kisses and Kavi’s loins stirred to life as he slowly brought his tongue forth to play. He laved her skin, savored her taste on his tongue, his body temperature rising.

“I want you.” He squeezed her cheeks, his tongue slipping between them, tracing the crevice with a slow, long lick. “Liana, you have given me everything I

have longed for,” he whispered, closing his eyes for a brief moment. “No. More. More than that. Everything I have dreamed.”

A tremor ran through her. “Kavi…” She thrust her rump toward him. “Touch me.”