Chapter 72 Dianna
DIANNA
Samkiel hummed to himself, completely content, his fingers dancing across my bare back.
“If you mess up my tan line, I’ll kill you.”
He chuckled.
Waves crashed as more games were played, and people swam and enjoyed themselves.
After we won the last match, Samkiel and I snuck off.
He took me to a secluded area and blocked it off with a wall of wind, ensuring it was just for us.
I was happy for the reprieve and had taken my top off to tan, far away from prying eyes.
Samkiel shifted, and I watched him through half-lowered lashes as he lay on his back and tucked his hands behind his head before closing his eyes.
“I’m glad Miska made friends here,” I mumbled.
“Me too,” he said. “I didn’t realize how many.”
Neither had I until a group of girls her age screamed when they saw she was back and came running. After our last win, she quickly left the game and wandered off with them, giggling about gods knew what.
“She deserves to be a kid as long as this world allows,” I added. “They all do, and it has already taken too much from them,” I said, pushing up my elbows to look at him.
He opened one eye and tipped his head slightly to peer at me. “I agree. There are more out there, though. More we need to get.”
I sighed. “I know. Let’s just worry about that tomorrow.”
“We will have a lot of important things to worry about tomorrow, especially if Kaden returns with the answers we need.”
I nodded. “Do you think it’s a good plan?
I mean, we are talking about hiring some assassins to see if they can sneak into a place that’s location somehow gets erased from everyone’s memories as soon as they leave.
We don’t even know where it is, but once they get there, we want them to sneak past your crazy ass sister and steal a medallion that could tear apart the realms.”
“Well, when you say it like that, it sounds like a fantastic idea,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I snorted and shrugged. “It could be worse. We took care of Gathrriel, and your father probably got dragged back by Death, so we probably won’t have to deal with either of them.”
“True.” Samkiel nodded.
The breeze swept through the air as silence fell.
I watched him as I always did, like I was an artist and he my muse.
I studied the soft, unruly curls that danced across his forehead and the lines that made up his beautifully masculine face.
There wasn’t a part of him I did not adore and worship, but right now, I was focused on the powerful heart that beat within his chest.
War was the last thing he wanted. He had lived through too much of it, and I had kissed every single scar he’d acquired.
I wanted to spare him, but I felt it in my bones that we could not avoid what was coming.
If he needed me to, I could lead and help him, but I could not protect that sensitive heart that felt way too much from the fallout.
I knew I could not stop the world and maintain this moment of peace for eternity, but gods above and below, I would fight with everything in me to ensure it was our future.
I leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips before pulling back slightly. His eyes opened, and he smiled, placing a hand on my back. “What was that for?”
Kissing him again, I said, “I just love you, and I don’t think I can tell you enough.”
A wicked smirk curved his soft lips. “You could show me right now.”
I snorted, looking out over the waves and the horizon beyond. “What? You want me to ride you until the sun sets?”
“Well, I definitely do now,” he said, his eyes darkening with lust.
He started to push up on his elbows, but I splayed my hand against his chest, stopping him. “You might change your mind with what I am about to tell you.”
The soft playfulness receded from his expression, but his eyes never left mine. “All right.”
I sat up, and his gaze dipped to my breasts.
“If you’re about to argue with me, I have already lost, and you can have anything you wish.”
I laughed. “That’s all it takes? Me being topless?”
He looked as if I were insane and nodded. “I am but a weak man for you, akrai.”
“Good to know,” I said with a smile, leaning forward and reaching for my top.
He reached out to stop me. “No, please continue. I’ll pay attention.”
I couldn’t help my snort, but I did drop my top. “I still think we need to find Gathrriel’s chalice,” I said.
Samkiel didn’t say anything for a second. He licked his lips and stared at me thoughtfully before asking, “Why?”
“Eat me out if I’m wrong,” I said. Samkiel tossed his head back, laughing in shocked amusement.
He wasn’t going to like any of this, and I needed to phrase this in a way that he’d not immediately shut me down, and humor was a great tool.
“Looking at this from a completely objective point of view, if this doesn’t work, the assassins and so forth, we need more strength.
We do not have an army, and while we are collectively strong, we need one.
Nismera is already a force. She is beyond powerful, both within herself and with those she leads.
Even with the damage we did to her fleet, I have a feeling that it only enraged her more.
If we can find the chalice, maybe it can give me a boost, something that will help us. ”
“Dianna.”
“I’m not saying you’re not strong and capable, but going in with just brute strength will cost you the lives you swore to protect.
Lives that deserve more than what they have been left with.
I know I haven’t always been the paragon of peace, but I’m trying to do right by you, by Gabby. And I know she wouldn’t want war.”
I thought he’d argue more. Fight me a little bit on it, but instead, he smiled and pushed up to claim my lips.
His kiss destroyed me and then put me back together, as always.
It was one of my favorite things. I could kiss Samkiel until I died and be happy.
I pulled back, and the gods should have rewarded me for my strength.
“What was that for?” I asked, my breath coming in soft pants.
“I love you,” he said, mimicking my earlier words. “I don’t think I tell you enough.”
I licked my lips, chasing his taste still, and his eyes followed the movement. “So that’s it? No fighting?”
“If this doesn’t work, then yes, we go in search of the chalice.”
“Really?” I pulled back, half in shock and still unsure if I’d heard him right. “We need a backup plan, assassins or not,” I added. “Plus, I still have this nagging feeling that whatever Gathrriel was trying to tell us may be of help.”
“Of course, akrai. I trust your instincts, and I think you are right. I am on board as long as I go with you. We could use all the help we can get.” He stretched before sitting up. “The challenge is going to be that we don’t even know where his cavern or that chalice is.”
“True.” I turned, glancing at the setting sun. “I guess we need to find that, too.”
He sighed. “One thing at a time.”
Laughter drifted to us on the wind, but I could hear it fading as people started to pack up. The day was fun, but the setting sun proved it could not last forever.
I looked back at him to find his gaze already on me. “We protect the city,” I said. “No matter what.”
“Of course,” was all he said.
“There needs to be a safe haven for people to come if war happens. We pissed Nismera off, and whether she makes a move now or in weeks, there needs to be a place that she cannot reach them.”
“I agree.”
“Maybe later we can practice what you did with Oblivion in the Otherworld,” I said. “Make a shield around our home. A barrier.”
He nodded, and I saw the look of determination on his face. I knew my man, and he’d do anything to make it happen.
“We can start tomorrow,” he said. “We’ll all need to get back to training regularly since we are here, anyway. Enemies far and wide haven’t taken a day off, and I fear we mustn’t either.”
“Tomorrow it is,” I said, leaning forward to kiss him.
He pulled back a fraction, hand cupping my face as his eyes darkened. He glanced at the setting sun. “We have a few minutes if you still want to ride me.”
My head fell back, and I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck.
Before I could answer, thunder split the air, and we both looked up, knowing it wasn’t the weather but the clap of Ig’Morruthen wings.
Samkiel snapped his fingers, and not only was my bikini top back on, but he’d also added a bathing suit cover.
He stood and glanced up as Kaden and Isaiah circled once high above us before heading in the direction of the palace.
I stood as they passed, lacing my fingers in his. “Let’s go see if you have assassins.”