Ravensblood Forest easy | lucky | free

The girl exited the scene and Olive turned to Dakarai. “Yes, Chusi is as good as they come. She’s Arturo’s daughter.” She did not mention that Chusi was Teaghlaigh’s heir, no, not yet. Arturo had been clear about what information was not shared with strangers; and though Dakarai was not a stranger [in fact, he was the furthest from a stranger], this was not crucial information and Olive did not seek to piss off Ceannasach so soon after he gambled on her and took in her star-crossed lover.

As Dakarai labored to rise, Olive gritted her teeth. Her wish was that Dakarai would remain inert, spending every smidgen of energy on healing rather than movement. She would take care of him and keep him groomed and mend his wounds the best she could.  She would pray to the gods of earth and air for his constitution. Dakarai would never have to move again, if she could help it.

Dakarai’s lacerated body struck an accord and thudded back to the stone where she lay. Dakarai controlled his movement, but still the feathered woman’s heart lept into her throat, wishing she could be a buffer between his body and the stone, absorbing any pain or anguish. Her adulation would absorb his every sorrow and prevent any misgivings from befalling him; such was the power of love. Pulling herself closer to Dakarai on milky, reclining limbs, Olive reached her slender neck and shared several empathetic licks. Her rose tongue separated clenched jaws and she felt better.

“I want nothing more.” The petite woman nestled her figure between his strong arms and steadied her breathing. Life was good. Olive had friends now, and a family! But most of all she had her love, the swarthy man who lay beside her. Not yet part of the family, but already a permanent part of her. All of a sudden, the woman had more belief and trust in the universe than she ever thought possible.