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She pressed a soft kiss to his lips "You already have"

"Nola," she heard Delilah call

Zane wrapped his ar her in the protection of his embrace as they started forward The blue-haired warrioress alking toward her, expression blank Layel stayed close on her heels, a blade in his hand, as protective of his woman as Zane was of Nola

"You are well?" Delilah said, looking her over

"Yes And you?"

"Yes" And then Delilah was there, grinning, pushing Zane aside to hug her tightly "I’ve been so worried about you"

Nola glanced at Zane and he gave her a nod of encourage, she thought again

"I thought I was going to have to burst into that tent and give Zane a stern talking-to," Delilah said, pulling back, grin widening "But the moans were of pleasure rather than rebuke, so Layel was able to hold me back"

Nola’s cheeks heated

So did Zane’s, she noticed And for some reason, that eased her own eether

Layel slapped hiainst Nola "Goodour people proud"

"Well, shall we go home?" Delilah asked She rubbed her belly, which Nola suddenly realized was not quite as flat as she remembered "As protector of this little hellion, I am not the soldier I once was and prefer the colanced at Zane He offered a soft smile--one that proratulations, Delilah I am so happy for you"

Delilah beamed "Thank you"

The warrioress and her husband shared a tender smile before Layel escorted her a few feet away, to where the horses were chewing on grass "Zane? Will you be joining us?"

"Is Nola welcome?"

"She is" No hesitation

"Then, yes We shall try"

Whether the king understood or not, he merely nodded "Back to the palace, men," he called

Zane helped Nola atop his horse, then swooped up behind her Nervousness skidded through her when they beganFirst Layel and Delilah disappeared beyond the trees, then the vampire troops Soon their turn would come…soon she would know if she was still bound to the camp

"Zane," she said, unable to keep the treed the horse into a quicker pace And then they were past the trees, just like everyone else They were in the forest, foliage surrounding the away from their captivity

"We did it! We’re free! We’re really free!"

"As I kneould be" He kissed the top of her head "The gods are not the cruel ether?"

Thank you, she mouthed to the top of the dome Not once did she look back There was too much to look forward to "I love you, Zane So much"

"And I love you It will be ain"

"Even when ht "I have a feeling ourseason will last for eternity, sweet"