“Thank you for that,” Amilanu answered, obviously deeply moved by Enthrall’s willingness to believe in him. “I hope that in time their concern will dissipate, but I certainly understand it.”
“It’s helped greatly that you saved Deaumanique and helped banish Ata’halne from our community. The rest will come in time,” Enthrall said.
“We visited with them yesterday,” Aubreigne said, changing the subject to Deaumanique and Shane.
“They said you were coming for a late lunch when I saw Shane yesterday morning. I trust you had a nice visit,” Enthrall said.
“Yes, very,” Aubreigne answered. “I was happily surprised at the way Deaumanique and Amilanu got on. And Shane and Amilanu are already fast friends,” Aubreigne said, smiling happily.
“We shared techniques for hunting game. I think we shall plan a day of hunting soon,” Amilanu said proudly.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Enthrall said. “It seems like all is falling into place. And I’m personally very, very happy myself to see the smile on both your faces. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen either of you happier.”
“Certainly not me. I’ve never experienced this before,” Aubreigne confided, smiling first at Enthrall, then Amilanu when he reached across the table and took her hand in his.
“Nor I,” Amilanu added.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” Enthrall asked. “I’m aware that you can both go into town if you like, unlike some of our inhabitants, but I also know you don’t like to do so, Aubreigne,” Enthrall said.
“You’re right. Though Amilanu and I are mated, my voice can still affect others, especially humans, so I’d rather not if at all possible,” Aubreigne explained.
“And I have no desire to ever join the outside world again, unless it’s an emergency and I have to go,” Amilanu said emphatically. “All I need is right here.”
“I figured as much which is why I asked. I’ll be going into town this afternoon, so if you need anything speak up,” Enthrall said.
“Clothes. I’ll need some clothes and shoes. Right now, I have only this pair of trousers,” Amilanu said.
“Done. I’ll see what I can find, but, you’re a big man. We may have to buy what we can and have the rest made,” Enthrall suggested.
“We could pay a visit to Serafina today. I can sew, but she’s an amazing seamstress. We could ask her to make you some clothes. I’ll have more things from the garden to trade for her services soon…” Aubreigne said.
Amilanu smiled and squeezed her hand in his where he still held it resting on the table. “We’ll just pay her. And I’d like to meet her husband as well. I owe him restitution from foodstuffs I’ve taken from him over the years, and an apology as well. I was simply trying to provide for my woman, and was limited on how to do that. I was always hurried when I was able to finally get back here, my body sick, my mind desperate to take care of you to provide for you before The Dark One awoke and I had to rush away from you again. I will make it up to him, though,” Amilanu said. “I’ll make it up to everyone I’ve taken advantage of.”
“I have a little money saved up,” Aubreigne started to say, but Amilanu interrupted.
“We have a great deal more than a little money, my love,” he said, grinning at Aubreigne.
“I don’t understand,” she said, looking at him with a confused expression on her face.
“I started preparing for us not very long ago. I began to see hope in the belief that one day I’d be me again and I wanted to be able to provide for you. Every time I visited, I’d bring a small amount of gold from the hoard that The Dark One had amassed in his favorite brothel,” Amilanu explained. “I didn’t tell you then because I feared he’d sense you accessing it and come back here on his own, but now that he’s gone, there’s no reason to fear. He’s lost all that he left behind, and I feel quite sure I earned every bit I took from him.”
“More than earned it,” Enthrall commented.
“You hid his gold here?” Aubreigne asked.
“I did. It’s buried behind your home. Just beside the garden. All the gold we’ll ever need. Enough to share with Deaumanique, and to make restitution to all I’ve taken advantage of over the years, and still have more than enough left for our own needs.”
“Good for you,” Enthrall said, nodding and smiling. “Very well done, Amilanu.”
“Thank you,” Amilanu said, lifting Aubreigne’s hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles as he chuckled at her stunned expression.
“With that, I do believe I’ll take my leave. I’ve got a few others to visit before I head into town, and you two obviously are settling in well.”
“If you see anything that you feel will fit me, please buy it for me. I’ll pay you on your return,” Amilanu said.
“I will,” Enthrall said, rising to his feet and bidding them goodbye. “Just be patient with our people. They all respect Aubreigne, and will respect you as well once they see that you are not The Dark One.”
“Thank you for everything, Enthrall. I look forward to picking up our friendship where we left off,” Amilanu said.
“As do I. I wish you a good day. I’ll return later this evening or tomorrow morning with any clothing or shoes I may find.”
“Boots especially, I think,” Amilanu said.
Enthrall nodded as he walked to the door and pulled it open, speaking as he walked. “Do not be surprised if Brannaugh pays you a visit. He’s got big plans and a reason to rush the completion of whatever home he plans to build. I’m going there next to let him know you’ve given your approval.”
“It’s not a problem. Brannaugh has been a great friend to me,” Aubreigne answered.
Enthrall glanced back over his shoulder at Amilanu who had taken Aubreigne in his arms and was holding her close as they watched Enthrall go. They looked every bit as much in love as Deaumanique and Shane did. “I’m glad you’re here, Amilanu.”
“Not as happy as I am,” Aubreigne said, smiling brightly.
Enthrall walked out of their home and pulled the door closed behind himself.
“So,” he heard Amilanu say, “are you ready to watch me dig up our gold?”
“I’m ready for anything that comes our way,” Aubreigne said happily.
“As am I. Thank you for forgiving me, for loving me, for taking me into your life, for giving me all I’ll ever want or need,” Amilanu said.
“Always! You are my life, now. I love you,” Aubreigne answered. “Welcome home, my mate, my nephesh.”
From The Author
Thank you for purchasing this book. I hope that my stories make you smile and give you a small escape from the daily same ole/same ole. I write for me, simply for the joy of it, but if someone else also smiles as a result, even better. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you liked this story, please remember to leave a review wherever you bought it, so that more people can find my books. Each review is important, no matter how short or long it may be.
See you in the pages of the next one!
Sandra R Neeley
Other books by this author:
Avaleigh’s Boys series
I’m Not A Dragon’s Mate!, Book 1
Bane’s Heart, Book 2
Kaid’s Queen, Book 3
Maverik’s Ashes, Book 4
Bam’s Ever, Book 5
Vince’s Place, Book 6
Halloween Treats, An Avaleigh’s Boys Novella
Whispers From the Bayou series
Carnage, Book 1
Destroy, Book 2
Enthrall, Book 3
Lore, Book 4
Murder, Book 5
Haven series
Haven 1: Ascend
Haven 2: Redemption
Haven 3: Transcend
Riley’s Pride
Riley’s Pride, Book 1
Richie’s Promise, Book 2
Travis’s Gift, Book 3
Variant
Beginnings, Variant 1
Standalone Novels
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WINGS
Short Stories and Novellas
CAT
Only Fools Walk Free
Safe On Base: A Howls Romance
Blessed Curse
(Released as part of the E.V.I.E. anthology)
My name is Sandra R Neeley. I write Paranormal, SciFi, and Fantasy Romances. Why? Because normal is highly overrated. I’m 56, I have two kids, one 34 and one 14, one grandchild, one husband and a menagerie of animals. I love to cook, and was a voracious reader, though since I started writing, I don’t get as much time to read as I once did. I’m a homebody and prefer my writing/reading time to a crowd. I have had stories and fictional characters wandering around in my head for as long as I can remember. I’m a self-published author and I like it that way because I can decide what and when to write. I tend to follow my muse — the louder the voice, the greater the chance that voice’s story is next.
I am by no means a formal, polished, properly structured individual and neither are my stories. But people seem to love the easy emotion and passion that flow from them. A bit of a warning though, there are some “triggers” in them that certain people should avoid. I’m a firm believer that you cannot have light without the dark. You cannot fully embrace the joy and elation that my people eventually find if you do not bear witness to their darkest hours as well. So please read the warnings supplied with each of the synopsis about my books before you buy them. I’ve got five series published at this time, Avaleigh’s Boys - PNR, Whispers From the Bayou - Fantasy PNR, Haven - SciFi Romance, and Riley’s Pride - PNR, Variant - a dark genetic manipulation romance, a couple of standalone novels, several short stories, and much, much more to come. I’m always glad to hear from my readers, so feel free to look me up and say hello.
You can find me at any of these places:
[email protected]
https://www.sneeleywrites.com
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