Warrior King New Worlds (Crystal Kingdom #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,62

communicate other than hollering.

From around the corner of the entrance, Ferrus slid into view like Tom Cruise wearing tighty whities in Risky Business. Behind him came Daphne and Wren and Zee. Wow, you’d think she’d been out for a year or something. Well, she hoped she hadn’t.

Ferrus cupped her face in his hands and kissed her long and hard. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead on hers.

“Goddess, you had me worried,” he whispered. “How do you feel?”

She did a mental check of her body. “I feel fine. Nothing hurts. How long have I been out?”

“Overnight,” Daphne answered. “We were attacked yesterday.”

Everything came back to her. She checked to make sure she was clothed before flipping off the blanket. “Can I get up? I’m hungry.”

“As long as you feel fine, why not?” Daphne replied, helping her with the blanket. Taking Ferrus’s hand, she stood, still feeling normal. They walked out to a busy cavern. She hadn’t seen it like this.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Out here, we’re digging out more sleep coves, so there is less sharing,” Ferrus replied.

“Great,” she said. “How did the men react to the change when you told them?”

He frowned. “There was a grumble or two, but only from the unmated fae.”

“They’ll get over it,” Daphne added. Yes, the men would have to grow up.

Ferrus asked, “What else do we need to do?” They turned up the tunnel the men used to get to the dining cave.

Lilah brightened with energy. “There are so many things I’d love to do. First off, Muriel can teach some of the men how to turn the rough stone walls and ceilings into beautiful stone artwork like the Romans. I want to put mirrors throughout and get the sunlight down here. I want to expand the mates’ rooms. I thought maybe the children would like to visit and stay over with their parents. Then…"

Ferrus laughed. “Slow down, my love. I hope you don’t plan on this all happening overnight.”

“Well, no,” she answered. “It’ll take some time, but we can get it done.”

Leading the group, Daphne stopped in the middle of the tunnel. “Lilah, you make it sound like you’re staying. We have to go home.”

The insight hit her hard. Thinking back, she realized she’d always seen herself as staying. Learning everyone’s names, learning the culture. And she couldn’t leave the love of her life.

She turned her eyes to her mate. “Daph, I don’t think I can leave. Ferrus’s people need him right now, and I’m not going anywhere without him. I have to make sure the changes for the women go as smoothly as possible. If that means social skills and harassment training for the men, I will need to do that. Someone has to write a bill of rights and new laws to govern the people. I thought about setting up test groups and a way for others to make a complaint anonymously."

“I get it,” Daphne said. “But what do we tell Grandmom?”

“She’s a princess,” Wren said. “If anyone understands what makes a good leader, it’s her. She can visit anytime she wants. So can we, right?” Wren raised a brow at Ferrus.

“Absolutely,” he fumbled the word trying to get it out fast enough. “Always.”

Daphne nodded and continued up the slope silently. Lilah wondered if her cousin was genuinely upset that she wanted to stay. It wasn’t like she had been overly nice to Daphne. Guilt ate at her, thinking back to some of the things she’d said to her best friend.

“Hey, Daph.” Lilah reached out and snagged Daph’s hand to stop them again. “I want to apologize to you for the way I’ve treated you for a long time.”

Daphne looked away. “No. I’m okay—”

“No,” Lilah interjected, “I want to say this. When we were growing up, I was so jealous of you. My mom wanted me to be like you. She saw you as the perfect daughter. Then you and Wren together...You both were so brave climbing trees and racing your bikes. Because of my weight, I was afraid to do those things. I always wanted to look like you, tall and thin. You’re so graceful, Daph. You never trip over your own feet.”

Wren added, “That’s for sure. You were always the best in ballet class.”

“But—” Daph started.

“Let me finish,” Lilah said. She had to get all of this out now. “I’ve let my insecurities rule how I treated you, and I’m sorry I was a bitch so many times to you. You both stood by me all these