Daryk Warrior (18 page)

Happiness eroded all the fear and pain inside her. “I love
you, Eryk. Don’t ever scare me like that again, please.”

“With pleasure.” He frowned. “I told Rayder not to let you
come back. I was to come for you.”

She laughed. “He said you would be angry.”

His frown eased. “I won’t be angry with him this time. I
think I would have died without you.” He slipped his hand into her hair and
nuzzled her forehead. “We are connected forever.”

“Perhaps this is why Asam couldn’t heal you.”

“Perhaps.”

Silence drew them into a loving embrace. Her body tingled,
revived, fed by his love and her love for him.

“What happens now?” she asked.

His arms tightened around her. “This battle was won but Drakus
isn’t beaten. This will be a long, long war, I fear.”

“At least for now, in this time and place, we have all we
need.”

Epilogue

Eryk’s assertion was true, Mia realized, as they settled
into Grimnald Castle a month later. An uneasy peace had come to Dragonia. No
one knew how long it would last but her happiness with Eryk built day by day.

All her friends now lived at Grimnald Castle, with the
exception of Asam, who stayed at Bardannia where people needed her the most.

Today Mia wandered Grimnald with contentment. She’d
continued her meditations daily and found anxiety and fear less a part of her
day. While war had not been vanquished on Dragonia entirely, progress had been
made.

She walked into the great hall, where a large meal was set
out. A fire burned in the huge hearth, chasing away an unusual cold that had
settled over the jungle.

Mia smiled as she saw Ketera sitting next to Dane and Xandra
next to Rayder. Rayder’s sister Aknada and her husband Marc sat on the other
side. Eryk waited for Mia, his smile genuine and warm.

“Come sit with me.” Eryk held out his hand.

She held his warm hand as he drew her into the chair beside
him. A month had passed since the siege of Bardannia Castle. During that time
Eryk and Mia had grown closer, their love growing and deepening. Beyond all
that, Mia had discovered the joy of reuniting with Ketera and Xandra. On the
ship she’d known they could be good friends and at Grimnald she’d discovered
how right she was. Relief had filled her when she witnessed how happy her friends
were, how the Daryk Ones cherished them.

As they ate the bountiful food and drink before them Mia
stayed in the moment and savored the joy of it. Xandra’s and Ketera’s smiles
brought her equal happiness.

“Do you ever think this conflict will end?” Xandra asked
everyone.

“How can it when there are men like Drakus who still want to
enslave women?” Ketera asked.

“Time, ladies. All we can do is fight Drakus until he can
fight no more,” Rayder said and clasped Xandra’s hand. He kissed her fingers.
“Don’t worry. We’ll protect you.”

Xandra’s answering look turned wicked. “I know you will.”

“One way or the other, we’ll survive this conflict. I swear
it to you.” Dane gave Ketera a loving look.

“Are you happy?” Eryk asked Mia.

Mia could tell the truth without hesitation. “More than I
could have imagined. I’m here with all of you. I couldn’t ask for anything
better.”

Peace had found Mia and her friends here and now, and
perhaps someday peace would come to Magonia and Dragonia once and for all.