“Would you live for her, if she were to pass from this world to the next? Would you stay and do what you must?”

Trik wanted to shout at the top of his lungs, that ‘no, he would not live, he would not go on in a world without his beloved.’ But he knew that Cassie would not want that, would expect more from him. Could he live without her? No, he couldn’t. But he could exist to fulfill his duty and then, once his people were safe and the humans were safe, then he would join her.

“I would do what was needed,” he told them honestly.

“So be it.” The words shuddered ominously in the small cabin as Trik watched the Forest Lords vanish.

He was in shock. He couldn’t move though he wanted to lunge after them. They were going to take her from him. After all he had said, all he had begged for, they were going to let her die. He turned to look down at her and then sat beside her. He stared at her face, the face he had fallen in love with the moment he saw her come running into that conference room. He smiled at the memory of her brief moment of relief, only to watch her face morph into shock at the sight of him, then curiosity and attraction and stubbornness. His stubborn mate, with a soul more beautiful than he could fathom.

He leaned forward and laid his head on her chest, feeling it rise and fall and listening to her weak heartbeat. He held his breath, waiting for the moment when she would breathe her last and her heart give way to the abuse her body had taken from the drug.

Minutes ticked by and still she breathed. And then there were fingers in his hair. His head jerked up and his eyes met clear, bright, undilated green eyes. His hand reached up to her face and traced her pink skin, no longer pale and sweaty. She was warm to his touch, warm and healthy.

“Trik,” she said his name and it was with a strong voice. “Why are you crying?”

Trik hadn’t even realized he was and he didn’t care. She was alive! She was breathing and healthy and here with him.

“Are you in pain?” He asked her nervously.

She shook her head. “I feel fine.” Cassie’s brow furrowed as she wiped his cheeks. “What happened? Why am I no longer writhing in pain, begging for you to end it?”

Trik pulled her up into his arms. “The Forest Lords, they spared you.”

Cassie let out a deep breath and wrapped her arms around him. “Tell them thank you for me.”

“I have a feeling that you will have the chance to tell them yourself, love.”

She pulled back and looked at him and without warning, she kissed him. Trik didn’t move at first but when the surprise wore off, he took over.

“I’m sorry,” she told him in between kisses. “I’m so sorry.”

“Stop saying that Cassie or I’m going to stop.”

“If you stop kissing me, Trik, then you have a death wish.”

He chuckled as he laid her down on the bed. His body covered hers as he whispered words of love to her and then showed her just how much he meant them.

It wasn’t until much, much later that Cassie pulled her lips from his and came up for air. She sat up suddenly and Trik followed her movement.

“What’s wrong, beautiful? Are you hurting again?”

Cassie shook her head. “Trik, where is Elora? Where are Tamsin and Syndra?”

Trik looked away from her eyes as he berated himself for not mentioning it earlier. “They’re volunteering for the greater good.”

“Volunteering?” Cassie’s eyes narrowed. “Where? At the Goodwill?”

“Picture a little less second hand clothes and a lot more danger and mayhem.”

“My best friend has been fighting for her life while we laid here making out?”

“It seemed like a really, really good idea at the time.”

Cassie growled her frustration at him. She jumped up from the bed and headed straight for the mirror.

“Where are you going my love?” Trik asked, still sitting on the bed, in all his shirtless glory.

“We have to help them, Trik. You’re a king; surely you have some sort of kingly powers.”

He nodded and stood, unfolding his body slowly, knowing that she would be watching. She rolled her eyes at him impatiently.

“Cassie, love,” Trik purred her name and she wanted to kick herself for the warmth it flooded her body with.

“What Trik?” She snapped.

“I know you want to help them, and so do I.”

“Good, let’s go,” she interrupted and once again turned and headed for the mirror.

“I want to help them,” Trik continued. “And as effective at distracting the enemy might be with you marching into battle in absolutely nothing but a thin, pale, tunic, I would much prefer my eyes be the only ones who see you in such splendor.”

Cassie looked down at her bare legs, and as she felt Trik’s eyes roaming over her, she realized just how unclothed she was.

“I totally knew that I needed clothes.”

“Of course you did, love.”

“It’s not like I would have just ran headlong into a battle with my butt on full display.”

“I didn’t doubt you for a second.”

“You are never going to let me live this down are you?”

“Not in this life or the next.”

“Will you at least please get me some clothes so that I can rescue my friends and kick Lorsan in the head?”

“I will do better than that beautiful. I will get you some clothes, a sword, and your very own assassin to join you on your quest.”