Change of Heart 05 - Forging the Future (29 page)

“This is a palace, not a park!”

She was going for stern, but the effect was completely ruined by the smiling.

What I noticed more than anything, though, was the smiles on the faces of all the staff watching the kids and adults as they ran by.

It was different in Sobek, and I’d been stunned. When I had come once before, it had been first as a prisoner and then as a guest who only wanted to leave. Now I saw it for the beautiful place it was, with people who accepted me and my family unconditionally. There was so much freedom to be ourselves, for our son, and it was not something I’d ever take for granted and would fight to keep with everything in me.

“You know,” Logan said as he walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling his face in my hair. “Seeing Ilia in his panther form, free and happy, acknowledged and accepted by everyone who sees him… already that’s worth any sacrifices that needed to be made.”

“Yes,” I agreed, suddenly breathless.

He sighed as he folded me back against him. “These past six months have been such a blessing. You’re so content here, you’re radiating happiness. Do you know that, my reah?”

I nodded. I felt it, my overwhelming love for my mate, my child, my friends, the place I lived now, and the people of my tribe. I thought I was home before, but it turned out the priest had been right all those many years ago. I belonged in Sobek, and so did everyone I loved.

“We’re going to be all right,” he said as he bent and kissed me tenderly, achingly, because he loved me, and my heart swelled that much more. “We’ll make this home.”

I turned to look at him over my shoulder. “It already is. You’re with me, and so that makes it home. Always.”

“Always,” he repeated and then slipped out of my hold, reminding me we had people to receive in the grand salon, taking my hand to tug me after him.

“Yes, my semel,” I said softly, and even though he didn’t hear me as he rushed us down the stairs, it hardly mattered. Only together did.

About the Author

M
ARY
C
ALMES
lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband and two children and loves all the seasons except summer. She graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Due to the fact that it is English lit and not English grammar, do not ask her to point out a clause for you, as it will
so
not happen. She loves writing, becoming immersed in the process, and falling into the work. She can even tell you what her characters smell like. She loves buying books and going to conventions to meet her fans.