Chapter Twenty-Six #2
A few days into their journey, Ro called from above to let him know that Ash Valley was in sight.
Half a day later, he paused on the rise, taking in the sight of the sun glazing the pale stone walls with orange light.
The walls were scarred, and even at this distance, he could tell where they’d patched the damage from the bombs.
A complex blend of emotions flooded him.
Happiness and nostalgia intertwined along with the bittersweet certainty that he’d never see many of his pride mates ever again.
They existed only in the memories of those who loved them now, his mother along with the rest of the lost. Even in returning, things would be different.
Pru and Dom were married, leading the pride together. Mags had said she wasn’t in Ash Valley anymore. Neither was Sheyla; he’d left her in Golgerra with Alastor.
Overhead, Ro circled, apparently waiting for him to keep moving. No reason to delay further, so he raced down the hill toward the side of the hold, access known only to those who regularly patrolled for Ash Valley.
I’d given up on the idea that I’d come back in one piece.
Ro kept pace all the way, landing beside him as he reached the secret entrance.
The long journey had calmed the last of the rage in his blood, so he was clear headed and ready to face his future with all optimism.
The doors recognized his bio-imprint, opening to admit him and welcome him home.
Slay led Ro down the long tunnel into the changing room.
“Shower?” he asked.
“That would be perfect.”
His libido wanted to drag her into his stall, but he shouldn’t start anything in a public area where they could be interrupted.
Delaying gratification would make it sweeter when he finally got to touch her again.
Slay made his shower a cold, quick one. Judging by the steam, Ro didn’t do the same; she emerged, toweling her damp hair, and it shone like silver moonlight.
Hell, he was rapidly becoming obsessed with it.
He imagined twining the long strands in his fist, and—
Fuck. Yeah, it had been too long. They hadn’t made love on the way to Ash Valley, and he felt like a spark smoldering in a pile of dry brush.
“You are so damn beautiful,” he whispered.
She radiated confidence now, so much different than when they first met.
Beneath his hungry gaze, she strutted across to the cupboard where the spare clothes were stored and she put some interesting swivels in her hips as she pulled up the loose trousers.
Then she flipped her hair like she was silently saying, like what you see ?
Hell yes, he did.
Slay grinned at her and bit his knuckle, wondering if she’d even know what the gesture meant. By the color that tinged her cheeks, she did get it.
“Ready?” he asked. “I have funds here, so first thing, we should go shopping. You’re gorgeous, no matter what you wear, but I want to buy you something pretty.”
Her eyes rounded. “You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” he said softly. “Understand, I’m not trying to dress you according to my tastes or control you. Pick whatever you like.”
Slay had a notion that she might feel leery of accepting gifts, and he didn’t want her associating him with that bastard, even if Tycho was dead. But a slow, radiant smile bloomed on her face, bright as a sunrise.
“I’ve never been shopping before,” she confessed.
Shit. Sometimes he forgot just how fucking harsh her life had been.
She’d spent most of it incarcerated doing hard labor, only brief breaks to be tortured by a tyrant, and then she’d been exiled along with Alastor to fight a war.
There were so many awesome things for her to experience and Slay wanted to drink her excitement and joy like fine wine.
“That’s our first stop then. And afterward, we can drop the bags off at my place. At least, I hope it’s still mine.”
“Guess we’ll find out,” she said in a philosophical tone.
He realized she didn’t care if he had a house; she was happy just being with him.
Ro had zero interest in his status as pride second.
She wanted him exactly as he was, and she didn’t ever seem to be done with him, even when he messed up and hurt her feelings.
As he took Ro’s hand, he remembered losing Pru in this room but oddly, it hadn’t even occurred to him until this moment.
And there was no sting. The only thing that mattered was the fact that Ro wrapped her fingers around his and followed him like she might go with him anywhere.
I really fucking hope so.
For now, though, they simply strolled into the courtyard together, but he couldn’t keep his promise to take her shopping right away.
People recognized him as soon as he showed his face, and within moments, he was surrounded by his pride mates.
Slay got hugged and slapped on the back from all directions.
He lost count of the number of times someone said, “Dear gods, we thought you were dead.”
In all that commotion, he couldn’t go anywhere and he got separated from Ro. He searched for her in the crowd, but the press of the bodies constrained him. Still, she must be nearby, as he could still breathe in her scent in the scramble of other people.
A moment later, somebody wrested him clear and dragged him into a bruising hug. He recognized Dom’s voice before Slay even glimpsed his face. “You could’ve let me know you were coming! I’m so glad you’re safe, the way we left things—”
“Can’t breathe,” he wheezed.
When Dom let go, he saw that his best friend looked a hell of a lot better than he had when he first came back from the seer’s retreat, no longer gaunt and haunted.
And Slay wasn’t mad at him anymore. In fact, when he remembered how they’d fought, Slay figured that he should apologize.
Now wasn’t the time, though; they could get a drink later.
Finally, he’d had enough of the crowded, impromptu welcome party. “We’ll talk more later, okay? We traveled light, so we need to buy some things.”
“Understood. Glad you’re back, brother.”
Don’t know if I’m staying—oh, right. Quickly he relayed the news about the election and passed on Chantisse’s message about wanting to sign the Pax Protocols.
Dom grinned when he finished. “Look at you, doing diplomacy.”
“Thanks, I hate it.” Raising his voice, he called, “Ro! Where are you?”
“I don’t want to intrude,” she said.
Despite looking in all directions, Slay couldn’t find her in the crowd, and he was about to start yelling when Dom gestured.
People parted like magic to reveal Ro hanging back.
Slay almost melted at her shy sweetness; he went straight to her side and wrapped an arm around her, guiding her away from the scrum without another look.
“Shall we? I was promised the endless excitement of watching you try on clothes.”
“That sounds fun to you?” she asked, seeming startled.
Slay smiled. “If you’re with me, it’ll be perfect.”