“Home?”
“It’s the closest thing we have to one right now.”
The two crossed the raging water with their combined magic and raced for their destination.
Darkness had settled before they arrived at the ring of trees. They’d grown bigger, thicker. Pretty soon they’d have the trunks so thick, they’d press in on one another and no one would ever find their little piece of paradise.
Four of their comrades sat on watch and Vixin elbowed Zak. “If I had the energy, I’d love to mess with them.”
“You’d likely give them all heart attacks and earn us a few broken bones.”
Zak stepped forward, took a deep breath and shouted Sam’s name as loud as he could. The four on watch scrambled to their feet and Vixin shook her head.
“Subtle.”
He shrugged. “I don’t want them trying to kill us.”
The two walked through the trees and a fire user lit up the area. Upon seeing their faces, everyone relaxed. A rope dropped from the first level and Sam poked his head over the railing. More lights sprang to life from above.
“Zak?”
Zak grinned like a schoolboy and grabbed the rope. He turned to her. “Should I carry you?”
Vixin rolled her eyes and ushered him up. “I’d sooner die.”
He made a face before jumping onto the rope. It swung, but Zak wrapped his legs around it and shimmied up. She followed right after, eliciting a cry of outrage as she swung them back and forth.
At the top, Zak offered his hand and she took it, easing herself onto the familiar platform.
Sam clasped Zak on the shoulder then pulled him into a friendly embrace.
Vixin did her best to brush the dirt from her clothes. “See? Safe and sound, just like I promised.”
Sam tilted his head. “Did it go well?”
Vixin leaned over the railing and hauled their prize from the ground. She plopped it on the platform at their feet. “More than well.”
“Then we should celebrate!”
“It’s the middle of the night,” Vixin said.
“What are you, my mother? Come on, it’ll be fun.”
She laughed. “Fine, but where are we holding this celebration.”
“You two go get cleaned up. Leave the rest to me.”
~~~
Vixin washed her face, changed her clothes, and ran her fingers through her hair before joining Zak on the second level deck.
“They built a dance room while we were gone.”
“Because that’s more important than the perimeter.”
He chuckled. “People need entertainment.”
Vixin yawned. “I'd like to entertain my bed.”
Zak gave her a sleepy smile. “You and me both.” She gawked at him and Zak stared in confusion before turning red. “No, that came out wrong. I meant my bed. Not that, um…”
Vixin laughed. “I think we’re both more than a little sleep deprived.”
Music sounded from somewhere below and Zak groaned.
“Sounds like Sam has the music going.”
“Give it ten minutes and you’ll be wishing you’d never heard his voice.”
“He sings?”
“If you want to call it that.”
Chapter Twelve
Vixin twirled to the music, spinning from person to person as they cheered, laughed, and let themselves get drunk on the melody of freedom. Those seated stomped their boots and the beat echoed through her bones.
Someone took her by the hand, spinning her once, twice, before handing her off to another. She vibrated from head to toe wondering what had ever kept her away from the company of friends.
She’d never had anyone until now. Never trusted anyone besides her father.
Those dancing in the open space were her people, her tribe, her family.
Sam took her hand next, and spun her, just as lost in the moment as everyone else. She switched partners again, then exited the dance floor, still clapping as she made her way to a seat.
Vixin poured herself a drink from the pitcher on the table. Lemon water. Her foot still bounced as she watched the others dance and Sam tackle a very embarrassing dance move. She cheered for him, then leaned back in the chair.
“Someone’s having fun.” Zak sat beside her.
“Why aren’t you out there?”
“I’ll leave the dance moves to Sam.”
“Coward.”
Zak shifted to face her and reached a hand out to graze her cheek. Their eyes met and her stomach tightened.
“A coward wouldn’t keep running back to you.” Her entire body coiled in on itself and heat raced up her neck to color her cheeks. Zak’s fingers trailed to the back of her neck and he leaned in. “You can say no.”
Their breath mingled, her stomach fluttered, and then Zak’s lips met hers and Vixin thought her entire world would implode on the spot.
He pulled back slightly, far too soon, but his eyes were searching, waiting.
Yes. Or no.
A million thoughts raced through her mind at once, but only one mattered. She wanted Zak. She wanted him to be hers and only hers. She wanted happiness.
Vixin crashed her lips into his, almost toppling their stools. Her fingers reached up to entwine in his hair while his hands circled her back, squeezing her against his chest so hard she wasn’t sure she’d ever breath again.
Their lips moved together, and his tongue traced the inside of her mouth in a way that shattered any shred of control she might have had.
“Get a room!”
Vixin broke from the embrace breathless and heated.
Zak waved a hand to shoo them away. “Get back to your party, shows over.”
“Figures you’d get the pretty girl,” Sam teased.
Zak gave Sam a wide grin then shifted his attention back to Vixin. He scooted his chair closer, wrapping one around over her shoulder.
Vixin couldn’t look at him. Her heart raced as if she’d just run an entire marathon. She wasn’t even sure she’d have the voice to
