The Stardust in the Ashes by Amber D. Lewis

Author:Amber D. Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amber D. Lewis

Chapter Twenty-One

ASTRA

Morning sneaks up on us. I long to stay wrapped in Alak’s arms all day, but obligation calls to me and I force myself to dress for the day. Alak props himself up on his elbows, watching me.

“You sure you have to rush back, love? Can’t you stay a bit longer?”

I try to smile but I can’t quite manage it. “I want to . . .”

Alak leaps up and wraps his arms around me, drawing me close to press a kiss to my forehead. I sigh and lean against his bare chest.

“Then stay,” he mutters, his fingers trailing up and down my back. “Stay with me.”

“You know I can’t,” I whisper. “I have to go back.”

“I know,” he replies with a heavy sigh, kissing the top of my head. “I know and I hate it.”

I draw back and look up into his eyes, seeing my own sad desperation reflected. My chest feels tight as tears sting my eyes. I don’t want to leave Alak, and the more I consider it, the more impossible it seems.

“There now, love,” Alak says, brushing a lock of hair from my face to tuck it behind my ear. “No need for tears. I shouldn’t have even suggested it. I know we both have jobs to do. The sooner we get them done the sooner the war will be over and the sooner we can hide away in a secret home in the mountains far from anyone who would demand a single thing of us.”

A smile twitches on my lips. “That’s your dream? To whisk me away to a secret mountain home?”

Alak grins. “Well, a mountain near Athiedor, I suppose. I need to stay close to my roots. But really, I’ll be happy anywhere you are.” His smile falters as his expression sombers. “We’ll have forever together soon enough, love. We just have to finish this bit first.”

“It doesn’t make it any easier to say goodbye.”

Alak’s smile returns but I can feel his sadness through the bond. “Aye, I know, love. Let’s go have some breakfast before you rush off. You can manage time for that at least?”

I nod, managing a small smile of my own. “I think so.”

“Good. I’ll meet you out there after I’ve dressed,” Alak says, releasing me from his hold.

I nod and leave the tent, though the bond begs me to stay. I wind through the camp until I find Bram and Mara in the center of the tent village. I pause a few feet away, watching. Bram seems so relaxed as he chats with Mara, an easy grin on his face. Mara looks up at Bram, practically glowing. I smile, my heart warming at the sight of the two of them. I’m so caught up in observing them, I don’t realize Alak has arrived until he loops his arm around my waist, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

“Stalking people is often frowned upon, love,” Alak whispers in my ear.

I laugh and Mara turns, her eyes finding me. She breaks into a wide grin and crosses to me, Bram on her heels.

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