Epic Of Palins 01 - Dagger Star (42 page)

They’ll need a home and land. I’ve known them since they were babes, and I’d be proud to pass my heritage to them.”

“’Siah…,” Red sighed.

“It’s not like you asked, Kitten.” Josiah’s voice was a rumble. “After all, allow me to point out that I have goats. Magic goats.” He sighed dramatically. “What woman in her right mind would have me?”

Red quirked her mouth up. “The goats are a definite problem.” She leaned over to scratch Fog under his chin.

“And what about protecting my lands?” Josiah pointed out. “The lands need to be warded, and I’ll need a fighting force. Those warriors are not going to take orders from me very well.”

Red remained silent.

“And then,” Josiah continued in his deep voice, “there’s the small problem that I’ve lost my heart to you.”

Red blinked back tears. “I’ve got these gloves, ’Siah.” She held out her hands, showing him the black gloves.

“I’m a broken mage without power,” Josiah pointed out. “With a scarred barony whose people suffered because of my failures. We both have pasts.”

Red nodded, silent.

“Someone once told me that you can’t live in the past. That you have to deal with your pain and move on. Our pasts won’t change. What can change is what we do now, with each new breath we take.”

Josiah looked at the sky. “Now, if you don’t come over here and kiss me, I’m afraid I’ll have to do something drastic.”

Red moved slowly, on all fours, coming around the fire to stretch out beside him. Josiah opened his arms, and Red folded into them, tears running down her cheeks.

Josiah kissed the tears away as he pulled her close. He claimed her mouth with quiet strength.

When they ended the kiss, he cradled her close, putting her head on his shoulder as he eased the blanket over them. Red sighed, breathing in his scent and the faint touch of marjoram. She felt her bones melt into his heat, the pain in her heart ease. It felt so damn good to be in his arms, and they weren’t even naked.

“So, my mercenary,” Josiah rumbled, “where shall we go?”

“I wonder,” Red whispered in his ear. “You drained all that power from that whore. I wonder what that did for your lands.”

“We could go see,” Josiah said. “Although I think the land started to heal the moment you pounded on my door, Kitten. I know I did.”

Red lifted her head, shifting a bit so that she looked into those brown eyes with gold flecks that gleamed in the firelight. “Josiah, I want—” She caught her breath, suddenly afraid.

Josiah raised his eyebrows, inviting her confidence but waiting patiently.

Red licked suddenly dry lips. “I want to try to take off the gloves.” She clutched him close.

“With you, only you. When we love.”

“As you wish,” Josiah said softly. “We will heal together, you and I, shall we?”

Red nodded, her fear fading away. She put her head back on his shoulder. “Together.”

The sky above was filled with stars, the night clear and cool. They lay in silence for a moment, cuddled under the blanket.

Red quirked up the corner of her mouth, and lifted her head enough to brush her lips against Josiah’s ear. “Profit, indeed.”

Josiah’s laugh startled the goats, and Red rejoiced to see his brown eyes dancing with joy and love.

The end.

Twentythree.