Page 83 of Hope Forged
Illan bowed his head. “Advisor Kanzo, this is…Ziamee.”
The male’s attention shifted to her, his eyes a beautiful cerulean blue. Ah, here stood an Eth. “Advisor Kanzo,” she said in greeting.
“How is she?” Illan asked, urging Kanzo to carry on along a white stone pathway.
Ziamee trailed them, running her fingers over the blue bushes with the prettiest white flowers. The scent alone was exquisite, growing bolder the farther they walked.
“We came as soon as I—”
“Do not fret, Illan. She is well, as are her two…babies?” Kanzo smiled. “I did not inform my queen that you had arrived.”
“Good.” Illan relaxed, his shoulders dropping an inch. That he cared for his friend only sweetened Ziamee’s opinion of him. “She would insist on meeting me.”
“Xeus, though…” Kanzo chuckled, gesturing to the open massive doors on the path ahead.
Ziamee spun on the spot, then scurried after the males. Dark blue banners hung from the high ceiling, stark against the unblemished white stone. The massive room had tall pillars, adding to the sheer magnificence of the décor. Anyone visiting this place had to be humbled.
“Ohara?”
She jerked to a halt and lowered her gaze, realizing that an ache had formed at the nape of her neck. “Yeah?”
A slow smile crept across Illan’s sinful lips. “What do you think?”
She glanced at an amused Kanzo. “Lovely.”
“Yes, it is,” Illan said, holding out his hand.
She took it, locking their fingers without touching palms. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to delay—”
“But not as beautiful as you,” Illan whispered, before pressing a kiss to her temple.
She forced herself to breathe. His open affection, though she’d been the recipient of it for a week now, seemed out of place planetside. Was he making it obvious they were…lovers? She snuck a peek at him. “Are you all right?”
He didn’t answer but followed Kanzo as they exited the hall and hurried along another stone pathway. The pink sky made her take a second then third glance. She was used to blue, but Etteria’s sky was striking… Surreal, slamming home that she wasn’t, well…home. White fluffy clouds tinged with orange drifted across, and odd-looking evar peppered the horizon.
Illan halted outside a metal door which slid aside a moment later.
To a huge Etterian in a tight, white tunic and dark blue pants. His bare feet had her staring.
“Xeus, how is she?” Illan asked, tightening his hold on Ziamee.
The big male beamed. “Come, meet my damu.” He stepped aside, revealing a welcoming room. The chairs were like those on theCeleeri, but everything else had warmth and color from the strange cloth on the floor to those hanging on the walls. A sweet scent filled the air, along with a muted cry.
“Zoo?” A petite female appeared in the doorway on the other side, a wealth of brown-gold curls tumbling around her. Clutched to her chest was a tiny bundle. “Oh, Illan, you made it.” Her brown eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and the smile she bestowed on him held so much affection that Ziamee was tempted to look away.
“Of course.” Illan strode to the female and received the bundle. He blinked at it, cradling it with reverence. Ziamee inched closer, intrigued by the waving bronze-toned hand. “She is…exquisite.”
Having reached Illan’s side, Ziamee snuggled against him, her mouth agape as she took in the delicate face with blue eyes. The urge to gather the baby in her arms made her twitch.
A wail caused her to raise her gaze to the female, who smiled sheepishly and bolted into a room, only to return with another bundle. Two?
“He’s been fed, so don’t let his caterwauling bother you,” she said, bobbing on the spot.
Xeus slipped around Ziamee and Illan to sweep the male baby to his chest, his hand splaying over his tiny backside like a protective shield. “Thank you,” he said, meeting Illan’s gaze.
“I made a vow,” Illan said, lowering the female for Ziamee to see better.
Her heart melted. The tiny hand latched onto her finger when she tried to peel back the blanket. “She’s…” Tears burned, and she swallowed past the lump in her throat.
