Page 110 of Spirit Trials

His eyes gentle. “Always. But are you sure you’re okay?”

I smile. “I am, Rysden. I really am, and I have you to thank for that. I can’t believe Lox is alive, and my mom and brother are here. Thank you. Seriously.”

“What’s my reward?” he asks in all seriousness.

It takes me a moment, and then I grin. “How about a kiss?”

“Yes.” His voice is low, almost a growl. I reach up and put my hands on the back of his neck and tug his head down. He pulls me closer, and our lips touch. Hunger ignites in me, as it always does whenever he’s around. He kisses me with the same desperation I feel for him. I want him closer, need him closer.

“Hey,” somebody says right next to us, startling me into reality.

“Somebody better be dead,” Rysden growls not letting me pull away from him.

“Nope, not dead, but just giving you two kids a reminder that Farrah's mom is...you know, right there.” Lox’s words snap me back to reality. I look at Rysden, surprised to find myself on the counter. I didn’t remember that part. He steps close, well closer than he already is, and puts his hands on my waist and lowers me to the floor but doesn’t let me go. “So,” Lox begins.

“Get lost,” Rysden growls at him without looking away from me.

“Yep.” Lox disappears a moment later, and I can’t help my laugh.

Rysden stares down at me with intensity in his eyes. “What?” I finally ask.

“It’s really good to hear you laugh.” I pat his chest, because I know what we’re both thinking. There hasn’t been a whole lot to laugh about lately. I sober up quickly. “I need you to know something.”

“Okay.”

He takes my hands in his. “What happened to you.” His jaw tightens. “It will never happen again. I realize why you thought you had to go with them, but never again, Farrah. You don’t protect everybody else while sacrificing yourself. I will always find a way to protect you. When I woke up and realized you were gone,” he pauses and cracks his neck. “I can’t believe Harper...”

I grimace. “I wanted her to do it.”

“I know. She told me.” He takes my jaw in his hand so very gently. “Never again, Love.”

I stare up at him. “Okay.” I reach up on my tiptoes and give him a kiss on the cheek. “I love you.”

His eyes never leave mine. “I love you more.”

I squeeze his hand. “I don’t think that’s possible.”

“It is.” His voice is so serious.

I tug on his hand. “Let’s go talk to my mom and brother.”

“I have a few things I have to do. You enjoy the time; I’ll be back soon.” He grabs a bowl and fills it with meat stew and hands it to me. “Make sure you eat.” With that, he kisses me again and then leaves.

I walk over to the table and take the seat across from my mother and brother, still in shock that they’re here. When I look across the table, my brother’s eyes are wide. “Are you going to marry him?”

I laugh but don’t answer, because my mom needs to hear a lot before she hears that announcement coming from me. The last thing she knew of Rysden was him kidnapping and taking me away from them. I decide to just attack it head on as soonas I eat. I’m starving. “How was the trip here?” I ask in between bites.

“Good,” my mother says.

Zeph tells me about their adventures on the way here. All in all, it sounds like they didn’t have too horrible a trip. “I’m glad it went well.” I push my bowl away, finally feeling full. “About Rysden,” I begin.

“He’s a good man, Farrah.”

My mouth drops open, and I stare at my mom in surprise. “But he kidnapped me and took me from you.”

“And I’m sure by now he’s told you why...about his mother’s visions.”

“Well, yes, but,” I sputter.