mind to her. “ Are you ready to see the gulf?”
Amy’s steps faltered. Zaureth could feel the nervous excitement building inside her. “ Yes. Oh yes .”
Zaureth tightened his hold on her and opened the pathway to his sight.
Her mouth dropped open, and tears filled her beautiful eyes. “ Oh my God, Zaureth. It’s more amazing than I ever imagined it to be. And it’s the same color as your eyes!”
The look on Amy’s face sent Zaureth’s heart into a tailspin. The open pleasure and sweet innocence brought out every protective feeling he possessed.
Zaureth wanted to show her everything the world had to offer. Every tree, flower, and mystery of the deep. “ Wait until you see Aukrabah.”
“I can’t wait ,” Amy gushed through their mental link. “ I might not want to return .”
Zaureth’s heart clenched. “ I might not let you.”
Amy slowed her steps and tilted her face toward him. “ What are you trying to say ?”
“Zaureth? How are you feeling? Do you think it wise that you are out of bed?”
The sound of Klause’s voice brought Zaureth back to reality. A reality he didn’t want to face without Amy by his side.
“My king,” Zaureth murmured, guiding Amy to the mass of Bracadytes lining the beach. “I am better. Thank you for asking.”
Klause waved him over, indicating a chair to his left. “Sit. You should not be moving about this soon.”
“I am fine,” Zaureth assured him while keeping an arm around Amy.
The king nodded. “Very well. Now that everyone is here, I will begin.”
Zaureth kept his mental link open with Amy. He continued to soak up the different emotions coming from her while attempting to concentrate on the king’s words.
The joy, the awe, and the excitement of seeing the world around her seeped from Amy’s mind and into Zaureth’s. It washed through him to settle inside his heart.
“Braum will not be joining us on our journey home, as he has returned to the States with the human president,” Klause announced, holding up a hand to quiet the murmurs that ensued.
Zaureth glanced at Gryke to gauge his reaction. A muscle ticked along the Bracadyte’s jaw, telling Zaureth that he wasn’t on board with the idea.
“Silence,” Klause barked, his voice booming above the throng of displeased Bracadytes. “President Pratt and I have come to an understanding. Not only did Braum go willingly, the idea was his to begin with.”
“How can we be sure that the land walkers will not harm him?” a voice cried out from the crowd.
“Because they sent one of their own as insurance that no harm would befall Braum.” Klause turned his head and spoke in a low tone.
A female emerged from a tent positioned behind Klause. She strode up next to him with her posture straight and her head held high. She didn’t speak, only stared straight ahead without blinking.
Klause tilted his head toward her. “Fiona Henagar is a top-ranking officer in the human military. They have entrusted us with her care as I have entrusted them with Braum’s. She will be treated with dignity and respect for as long as she remains with us.”
Zaureth couldn’t get a good look at the human female. She hid behind camouflaged military clothing and a hat pulled low over her eyes.
“I don’t trust her,” Gryke snarled, taking a step toward Fiona.
Klause positioned himself in front of the female officer. “She is not to be touched. That is an order.”
Gryke stopped, but didn’t back down. “I cannot believe that you are willing to take her to Aukrabah. Humans cannot be trusted, sire. You have seen more than enough evidence of that already.”
Klause narrowed his eyes. “Stand down, Gryke. Your king has spoken.”
Spinning on his heel, Gryke quickly turned and strode back toward the hotel without another word.
“ What was that all about?” Amy questioned through her link with Zaureth.
Zaureth glanced down at Amy’s upturned face. “ I am not certain, but I will find out before the
Landon Dixon, Giselle Renarde, Beverly Langland