Instinctual (Rise of the Iliri, #2)

by Auryn Hadley

"One day at a time, man. Just one day at a time." Then Blaec sighed. "If she grows into her ability, I'll step back. We just have to keep her safe until then, ok?" There was a pause, and Sal waited, listening for sounds of movement, but none came to her. Finally, Cyno spoke again. "What did ya see?" "An army bowing to her, you on her left, me on her right, and the Blades behind her. It came with the feeling that the emperor was scared." "Fuck," Cyno whispered. "Ayati." "Never really understood the iliri habit of thanking fate before," Blaec said. "Then she happened. She's right too. I've been too human. I think the world is trying to tell me something."

"

Sal smiled at him. "Thank you, Zyrn, for saving my life. I owe you." He blushed and looked away. "I didn't – " "Jase said you did," she interrupted. "This is how it works with us. Ok?" "Ok." He couldn't think of anything else to say and didn't want to upset her. She reached up and touched the side of his neck, begging for his eyes. When he looked into hers, the cold feeling in his gut was replaced with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. He finally had a place he belonged, where he was needed. He finally had a Kaisae.

"Oh, baby girl," he whispered, hugging her back. "Just let an old man indulge himself without trying to make me sentimental, ok? Just let me take care of you a bit?" She nodded at him. "A bit. But only if I get to do the same?" "We'll call that a deal. Now go see your boys." When the door closed behind her, Ran grabbed his drink and swallowed all of it in a single gulp. He sighed, rubbing at his eyes. In another life, she could have been his daughter. She had no idea how many memories she brought back. The clusters on his collar be damned, he'd make sure he took care of that little spitfire if it was the last thing he did.