Tyler's Story (Tales of Quelondain) Page 19
Tyler smiled at her blush. “And I will.”
Heidi reached up and brushed the bangs out of his eyes. “I need to thank you.”
He frowned. “For what?”
She reached down and pulled her pant leg up to reveal the knife in its sheath, strapped to the outside of her calf. “When did you get it?”
Tyler ran his fingers over the knife. “We were in Harring.”
“When did you put it in my pack?” Heidi let him pull her leg up so that her foot rested on the branch in front of him.
“About two seconds before you went through the crossing.” He adjusted the straps and showed her exactly where the sheath should sit on her leg. Her grey green eyes met his and he caught his breath. “By the moons, I can’t still quite believe you’re here.”
Heidi smiled, took his hand, and pulled him back to her. She laughed. “I know!”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. A chirp overhead caused him to burst out laughing.
“Where have you been?”
Heidi raised an eyebrow as he laughed harder.
“You’ve been following me? Bloody hell, Bird!” His laughter calmed and his smile softened. “Alright, then. You might have been right.”
“What did she say?”
“When you crossed back, Bird told me to follow you. When I told her you had a mate, she told me it was me. I told her she was wrong.”
“So what was she maybe right about?”
“Well, as I recall, we’ve established that this feels more like home then the other world and that you wanted to tell me you weren’t mad at me for almost drowning you.” His eyes bore into hers. “We haven’t actually discussed if you feel like following my moody tail around for the rest of your life.”
Heidi’s lips twitched as she tried to hide her smile. “Well, then, I suppose that depends on whether you feel like saving me from every human hating being out there at the risk of your own life until the day you die.”
Tyler took her face in his hands, his thumbs running lightly over her cheeks. “I’ll fight shifters and rogues alike to keep you by my side,” he whispered. His heart jumped as she closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed,” she whispered softly against his mouth, “but I’m sort of in love with that moody tail of yours.”
He blinked and pulled back slightly so he could look into her eyes. “What did you say?”
Heidi looked up at him, suddenly shy. “I said I love you.”
Tyler took a deep breath, savoring the feeling her words sent through him. He bent and kissed her tenderly, his fingers running through her hair. He pulled away with a groan. “By the moons, Heidi, I love you.”
Heidi snuggled into his chest. “So what’s the plan now? Where are we going next?”
Tyler ran through his options in his head, kissed the top of her head, and smiled. “Home.” He waited for the dreaded feeling he usually got at the mention of heading to Sageden. When it didn’t come, he pulled her up and kissed her deeply. “We’re going home.”
Epilogue
Heidi watched with a smile as Tyler was tackled by a cheetah cub. The slight tensing of his muscles showed her he’d been aware he was being stalked and everyone laughed at the exaggerated show he put on as Emma jumped onto his back. She felt a tug on the sleeve of her tunic and looked down.
“What is it, Nina?”
Nina grinned and pointed to where Tyler and Emma were still rolling around on the ground.
“You think we should help your sister?”
Nina nodded.
“I think you’re right,” agreed Heidi. The two of them ran over to the pair and Tyler grunted as they joined Emma on top of him.
“Not fair!” he laughed. Heidi dug her fingers into his side and he rolled himself into a ball. “Help!” Not really needing any, he shifted under them and shook them off.
“Cheater!” Heidi was laughing so hard she was having trouble breathing. Tyler loped away and turned to face off with her.
“Oh, god, don’t you dare!” She squealed to his cousins’ delight and turned to sprint away from him. She heard the running steps of the wolf behind her. Tyler shifted mid stride and his hand caught her arm.
“Who are you calling a cheater?” Tyler smiled, pulling her to his chest. A short distance away, he caught a glimpse of his mom and dad watching them, smiling. His aunt and uncle were rounding up his cousins so they could go in the cabin to eat. “I am definitely not cheating.” His dark eyes met hers and his heart jumped. “I never cheat.”
She grinned. “Sure you do. You’re doing it right now.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Right, just like that. See? Flashing those big puppy dog eyes and trying to look all innocent.”
He laughed.
“Tyler! Heidi! Lunch is ready!”
He waved to his Uncle Jasper to let him know he’d heard. Heidi’s bright eyes met his and her smile softened.
“What?”
“I was just thinking how happy you look.” She kissed him softly.
“I am happy,” he whispered before kissing her again. “Having you here, being home…” His eyes saddened slightly. “The only thing missing is Trent. I wish he was here.”
Heidi held his face gently and watched as emotions filled his eyes until he settled on one that made her catch her breath.
“I love you, Heidi.”
She smiled. “I love you, too.”
His arms wrapped around her and she sighed.
“Come on. We’d better go in for lunch and then head for home. Phlann said he’d stop by for a visit on his way back to the Scannoves’ meadow.” Tyler took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
It was taking a bit of time, but he was aware that slowly, the ache he felt at the loss of his brother was starting to wane and was being replaced by a peace he never thought he’d find.
He looked at his family’s smiling faces as he sat at the table and passed the smoked deer meat to Heidi.
It was nice to finally be home.
Books by Mireille Chester
Adult Novels
The Chosen One Trilogy
Crossover
Journey
Destiny
Angered Seasons (the serial novel)
The Worst Birthday Ever (volume one)
Zombies, Aliens, and Meat-Eating Vegetarians? (volume two)
You Mess With the Bull, You Get the Horns (volume three)
Young Adult Novels
Knights of Dorathan
Chael’s Luck
Tales of Quelondain
Tyler’s Story
About the Author
Mireille Chester was born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1979 and moved to Saskatchewan when she was eight. Writing is one of her many passions which also include reading, drawing, painting, animals, and the outdoors. She is a stay at home mom and wife.
Her first series, The Chosen One Trilogy, is the first of her adventures which are based in the world of Quelondain. The three stories, Crossover, Journey, and Destiny follow the adventures of Hayden Carlson when she suddenly discovers a world filled with magic and finds herself caught up in a war that could wipe out almost every being that lives there. The trilogy has been described as a great mix of epic and paranormal fantasy for adults.
Mireille lives with her husband and their three children as well as multiple animals. She hopes to keep readers entertained with her magical worlds and enjoyable characters.
http://mireillechester.blogspot.com is where you can learn more about her books and follow her blog.
r: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share