Chapter 26

DG rolled over in her sleep then reared back as her head struck the metal support of her cot.

"Son of a..." she muttered, rubbing her forehead.

"You blow up a mountain then fall off a cliff and are, for the most part, no worse for wear. You take a nap and somehow manage to give yourself a concussion. "

She sat up and squinted in the dim lantern light of the tent, searching for the source of the comment. Cain was at her bedside, duster and hat back in place, a soft haze around him. It must be well into daylight by now.

"How you feelin'?"

"Like I blew up a mountain then fell off a cliff," she replied, reaching up to try to smooth down her hair. She's sure she looks every bit as worn as she feels.

He smirked and handed her a canteen of water. "Up for moving tonight?"

"Tonight? Why?"

"Your mother thinks you'll recover better at the palace and she has some work to get started on. She's abdicating the throne to Azkadellia."

DG choked on her water, "You're kidding?"

Cain shook his head, "Intends to make the announcement tomorrow and have the coronation within a month or so."

"Well... that's...something. I just hope it's received as the good news it is."

"I wouldn't worry about that too much. She's got an army willing to stand between her and any dissenters. And this time, it's for the right reasons."

"I knew she could make people see the real her...she just needed time."

"And a major threat to Queen and country."

"Meh, minor details."

Cain chuckled and looked her over, his eyes going soft in that way that made her feel lightheaded.

"DG, your mother has asked me to move the army back south and find placement for the refugees," he said gently.

DG blinked a few times, certain she had not heard him correctly. "What? No! You have to come home with us!"

Cain sighed and moved to sit at her feet, placing one hand on her knee.

"I don't want to, Darlin', but there's no denying they need help. We've got plenty of wounded, our men are exhausted, and we need to find homes for those people you rescued. I got to do my part to put this right."

DG swallowed against the lump in her throat and wrung her hands.

"We've had so little time..."

"I know. But...I'm leaving the army once this is over, and I'm going to ask for a position on the royal security staff," he paused, and tipped her chin up to look at him, "Think you can wait for me til then?"

Her eyes looked over his face, surprised at the seriousness of his expression.

Does he not know? Is he actually in doubt?

"Of course, I'll wait. Cain..." she swallowed, "I love you."

His hand flexed on her knee and his lips started to move soundlessly as she rushed to continue, "-and don't you dare say anything back right now about it, even if you think you mean it. I just thought you should know. I meant to tell you before, when we were leaving the palace but I got interrupted." Her words were coming out in a rush, practically falling over one another.

"DG-" he tried to interject but was cut off by her jumping up on her knees and clapping her hand over his mouth.

"I won't believe you if you say it right now and I can't bear to hear a 'let me down easy' speech either, so... not a word, ok?"

He sighed heavily behind her hand before nodding. He moved his hand up hold the one pressed to his face and kissed her palm.

"Not a word."

DG settled in next to her sister in the back seat of the vehicle and watched Cain through the glass. The sunsets were behind him, and she could only make out his silhouette as he shook hands with her father. Azkadellia seemed distracted, repeatedly looking out the window and then back to her hands.

"You ok?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, I'm fine," replied Az, waving her off.

The vehicle revved and the wheels spun, the car taking off once the wheels dug down into the snow for traction. DG looked again for Cain, and seeing him, rapped her fingers gently on the window. He reached up and tilted the brim of his hat before turning back to the commotion of camp. To the casual observer, it would seem quite the muted send off, but, DG smiled, they weren't there for earlier.

"Not a word," he replied and pulled on her hand. DG, still on her knees, fell forward into him, her hands finding purchase on his shoulders. She looked at his face as she felt his arms slide around her back, pressing her chest to his. The pressure made her ache inside, and she squeezed her thighs together in an unconscious effort to alleviate it. His face was shadowed by the brim of his hat, but before he dipped his head to hers, she swore she saw a possessiveness that was mirrored in the way he held her. Her lips parted immediately, the hot side of his tongue making the the blood rush through her veins. His hands slipped under the hem of her shirt, flattening against the small of her back before sliding back and forth, as if he was relishing in the feel of her warm skin against his. His aura twisted around her and she could feel her once ordered thoughts disintegrating into just desire and impulse. She wanted to feel the weight of him against her, be pressed into a soft surface while underneath him . It occurred briefly to her that they were in a tent with nothing seperating them from the outside world but two canvas flaps, but she couldn't much care at the moment.

DG grabbed his shirt collar and leaned back, taking him with her. He went without hesitation, much to her surprise, and she took the opportunity to slide her hands down his front and into the warmth of his duster as it fell around her. They roamed up his sides, feeling his muscles tense as her nails passed over. One of his knees pressed down into the cot between her legs.

She had squirmed, thinking if he would just put a bit more pressure there-

And then he did it: a slight lean forward, a bit more weight, and it was perfect. She started to moan softly into his mouth and he deepened the kiss. She pulled away as the feeling intensified, her breath now coming in short staccato pants as she moved herself against him. He buried his face in her neck and she felt his hand snake down between them, almost hesitant as it stopped to knead her bare skin at her side before sliding below her waistband. The feeling of his rough hands parting her to touch her made her eyes roll and she fisted his shirt in her hands. His breathing hitched against the column of her throat as his fingers moved against her... over her... in her...

"Wyatt," she gasped, "I'm going to-"

He acknowledged her with a grunt and clamped his free hand over her mouth as she keened, rising up to watch her and muffle her cry...

She was distracted from her memory as they passed the outline of another figure, leaning against a tree as they turned away from the camp. She felt Azkadellia tense as the sunlight reflected off the man's sword.

"It's Commander Bowen," DG commented, "he came to see us off."

"Oh, I hadn't noticed," her sister replied and looked out of the opposite window. Seeing the sadness behind her eyes, DG reached down and held her hand, the glow between them chasing away the heavy darkness in the cab.