Warrior Rising - By Pamela Palmer Page 0,81

eyes, then with a deep breath, released the magic. She knew, even before she opened her eyes, the fire was gone. A relieved shudder tore through her as her gaze rose to the solid, bright orange sky above.

She whirled in his arms, a grin breaking over her face. "We did it!"

Harrison's smile bloomed more slowly, creasing his face, filling it with wonder and love. "We did. We make a good team, you and I." That smile dimmed, a shadow obscuring the brilliant gleam in his eyes.

He was leaving to go home. Of course he was. And her duty was here.

Tears sprang to her own eyes. "I love you, Harrison."

His hands lifted to stroke her face. "I love you...Queen Ilaria."

She smiled, her bottom lip beginning to tremble as he dipped his head and kissed her with tender passion. Her arms went around his neck and she clung to him, her heart breaking. If she could, she'd give up the crown to follow him back to the human realm. But there was no one else to lead. And her people needed her.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she kissed him. Deep within her mind a cheer sounded - the voices of her people raised in joy and thanksgiving. Harrison pulled back, staring at her with a funny look, his eyes unfocused as if he, too, heard them. And suddenly, light erupted all around them. As one they gaped at the sight, their gazes flying around the temple. The Temple of the Ancients had begun to glow a soft, warm red as if the marble had been lit from within.

"What's happening?" A bemused smile creased Harrison's face. "I hear cheering in my head as if we were surrounded by thousands."

As Charlie, Tarrys and Findris joined them, Ilaria looked around. The mountain was empty but for the five of them.

"Rith's guards?" Ilaria asked.

"As soon as you drew the fire of creation, they fled," Findris told her. "I don't think you'll have to worry about them - they were followers, not leaders - but I'll keep an eye on them, nonetheless."

Charlie's hand went to his brother's shoulder, his eyes echoing with remembered grief. "When I saw you go down, I thought it was all over. No way should you have been able to rise from that."

Harrison shrugged, a smile playing at his mouth. "I wasn't as badly injured as I thought I was."

Ilaria took his hand. "Yes, you were."

He cocked his head at her. "What do you mean?" "I felt it. Your injuries. Your healing."

But he clearly wasn't convinced. "No one heals that fast."

A smile slowly spread across her face. "No mortal heals that fast."

Harrison blinked, his mouth opening slowly, but no sound came out.

Charlie crowed. "Are you saying he's immortal?"

Harrison just stared at her and she began to laugh. She took Harrison's hands in hers and squeezed them. "The stone activated your royal blood. It wanted you, therefore it changed you."

"But...but why?"

Deep in her head she heard the cheering change to chanting. Queen Ilaria. King Harrison. Queen Ilaria. King Harrison.

Harrison's face flashed with harsh denial and she knew he heard it, too. "This is ridiculous. I'm not..." His expression turned into a mass of confusion, his hands squeezing hers as if he needed to hold on to something solid. "How do they know my name? How do they know any of this?"

"There are aspects of the Esri mind that are connected. You're part of that connection, now. The race felt you come into your power. They felt your transformation. Just as all know the names of both the dead and the killer if one of us dies, all know the names of those raised to power, to lead."

Harrison stared at her, clearly stunned.

"What are you talking about?" Charlie demanded.

"Queen Ilaria. King Harrison," Findris said quietly, a smile blooming on his face. "The land has spoken."

"No way," Charlie muttered. Tarrys joined him, already smiling.

Harrison shook his head. "This isn't possible."

"Want me to cut you to see if you heal again?" Charlie's eyes sparkled with mischief even as they glowed with happiness. And pride. "My brother, the freaking immortal King of Esria."

Harrison stared at his brother. "Immortal." He breathed the word, as if hearing it for the first time. Slowly, his gaze swung back to her, a light igniting in his eyes of such sweetness it made her chest ache. "Immortal. Like you."

"Yes."

"Forever. Like you." He lifted his hand, stroking her cheek with his knuckles. "You're mine. Forever, you're mine."

Her chest felt as if it might