"You two are animals," Dice quips, forcing a groan from both of us for his terrible joke.
"What do you say?" Kane asks, nodding toward the little girl.
I smile as I look her way, and she comes to stand in front of me. "They called me the key. I don't know another name. You were going to ask."
My heart breaks a little. She has probably seen what else we plan to ask.
"What name do you like?"
"I've always been fond of Kimber. There was a girl who passed through the dungeon named Kimberly. I liked her name. She was too special. Like me. Do you know where she is now? I do."
The council never knew they had a gate keeper there. They only knew she was a visionary, and they broke so many laws by keeping the endangered fey there for no other reason than fear. Same with many fey, or so I'm told.
"I don't know. But we'll be releasing all the ones that were too special if you'll tell me where to find them."
Her grin is breathtaking, and it helps to relieve some of the tears in my eyes.
"I'll make a list. Will you go now?"
"I'll have people release them the second I know where they are. It'll be faster than going myself."
She pauses and then smiles. "You're being honest."
It's sad that she has to question that.
"I'll live with you," she finally says, and then grins. "After you get back."
I tilt my head, and Kane chuckles lightly to himself.
"Back from where?" I ask.
Kane pulls me to him and wraps his arm around my waist. "I think we need a night or two to ourselves. Finally. I'm almost positive we've earned it. Consider it a pre-honeymoon."
Gah, that sounds so good.
"But what about Kimber?"
She giggles in delight at the sound of her new name, and I discreetly wipe a tear from my eye.
"She can stay with your father and me," Mom says from behind me as she joins us.
It's still weird to see them together.
Kimber walks over and eyes Drackus warily. "You're not as bad as they think you are," she says, prompting him to chuckle.
"Care to keep that a secret?"
She smiles and nods, and Mom kneels before her. "You need a good bath, some nice clothes, a comfortable bed, and some good hot food. Ready to come home with us?"
She almost squeals and rushes toward the door to lead the way. "You two have fun. You deserve it," Mom says as she snickers and follows our newest member.
Kane pulls me away before anyone can object, and I grip his hand tightly, letting him set the rapid pace that promises a few days of escape.
"No phones, no calls, no worries for two whole days. Agreed?" he asks while opening the door to the car for me.
"Definitely agreed."
When we walk into thehotel suite, I'm met with rose petals, champagne, soft music playing, and every other form of cheesy romance there could be. I cover my mouth as I look around, and Kane's arms come to wrap around my waist before he guides me directly toward the bedroom.
