Page 99 of Joy Guardian
Normally, I would’ve likely rolled my eyes at them, laughed, and told them to get a room. But now, a deep longing seized my heart.
I had someone I could kiss like that, with a happy giggle, someone who’d call me his treasure too. I recognized the feeling flooding my chest—the giddy mix of happiness and poignant need of being near him. I could deny it all I wished out loud, but deep inside I knew it—I fell in love again.
I loved Kurai. And it scared me to death to give a man this much power over me again.
Keeping Dawn in his embrace, Prince Rha turned to me.
“Allow me to welcome you to mysarai, Sweet One.” He inclined his head as if I was a lady of his court.
“Rha.” Dawn freed herself from his arms and took my hand, leading me closer. “This is Ciana, my missing cousin. She’s been found.”
“Ciana? The one we’ve been looking for?” His mouth fell open in genuine shock, which looked surprisingly human on his regal face.
“Yes! The one who’s been missing for over thirteen years. But not anymore.” Dawn hugged me tightly. “I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again. No more disappearing on me.”
Returning the hug, I pressed the side of my face to hers and closed my eyes. For a moment, it felt like I was back in my aunt’s house during a Christmas sleepover. My parents and Dawn’s were still asleep early in the morning when I caught her and Melanie sneaking downstairs to see the presents under the Christmas tree. I remembered snuggling them both in blankets and reading them a children’s book until our parents woke up a little later.
Unlike so many bad memories from my past, this one was worth cherishing. I realized I had many more memories just like this one, filled with love and laughter.
“I never thought I'd have my family back,” I whispered into Dawn’s blonde hair that smelled like the desert already but still retained a tiny hint of home.
“You and I, we have to stay together,” she echoed. “From now on, you’re living in Teneris with us.”
I glanced at the prince, who stood back politely, giving us space. Meeting my gaze, he nodded.
“Humans are always welcome here. And Dawn’s family especially so. It’ll be my honor if you decide to make Teneris your home, Lady Ciana.”
So, I became a “lady” too.
“Well, I’m very honored. Thank you, Your Highness.” I curtsied awkwardly.
It wasn’t every day that I met royalty. My knowledge about how to behave around them was spotty at best. It didn’t help that Dawn called the prince only by his first name and treated him casually if he were a boy next door.
He spotted the tray with my barely touched food.
“Please forgive me if I interrupted your dinner,” he said. “Should we sit down so you can finish your meal?”
Well, he certainly didn’t speak like a boy next door.
“Rha and I can have some coffee or dessert,” Dawn offered. “So that you don’t feel like you’re the only one eating.”
“No. I…I really need to ask for your leniency, Your Highness.”
His brows rose up to his golden circlet. “What would you need it for?”
“Not for myself. I’m asking…no, I’mbeggingyou, please release Kurai from the dungeon.”
“The Watcher?” He looked even more shocked.
“Kurai is a Joy Guardian. He rescued us and brought us here.”
The prince shook his head. “Many Joy Guardians became Watchers, as we’ve discovered. They’re dangerous.”
“But not Kurai. He could’ve killed me a million times over the past weeks. It wouldn’t even cost him that much effort. He could’ve just left me out in the desert to die. Instead, he kept me alive through his tendrils, spending his life energy to sustain mine.”
“How is that even possible?” Dawn asked.
I ignored her question for now. Freeing Kurai was more important.
