placing my forehead against hers. “I wish to stay with you here.” I felt better here with her. “But you have to go back to the palace.” “We do,” I replied, and when I saw the fear on her face, I hugged her. “But let us not think about that now. We still have a few hours here, to ourselves, as just Gale and Odette.” “Odette and Gale,” she shot back. “The one with the higher rank gets the first billing.” I snickered. She pouted, and I smiled...truly smiled. Truly happy for the first time in a long time. Yes, there was no way I would give this up. Not without a fight.
