“I shall not leave you,” Dani said. “Unless you ask it of me.”
Aithein dried his cheeks. “What if the faelen tree tells you to leave me?”
“Faelen trees don’t control me,” Dani replied. “I came here out of courtesy, for the greater good of the cosmos. I do not answer to the Book of Dro, nor do I serve anyone other than whom I choose—and I choose you, Aithein. You are the one worthy of my company.”
Aithein’s tears stopped. He silently assessed Dani as she confidently returned his gaze. He extended his index finger. As she sat upon it, he raised his thumb to caress her. She wrapped her arms around it and for the first time she saw a real smile on his face.
“I choose you too,” he said.
Dani’s smile beamed. “Come. Let us find that shield.”
Aithein swung his legs from beneath the messy she
