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there would be no one left of the bloodline to seek revenge against our people.
It was finally over. We could look to the heavens without fear.
Helios turned away from me and stared out the window at Prima Vega s blue, blue skies.
And I knew that deep inside, he grieved for those innocents.
142 Belinda McBride
Chapter Seventeen
The air was colder than I was accustomed to. It lashed my face as we climbed steadily
higher. The engine of the skimmer growled as it adapted to the elevation of the mountains.
Helios was at the controls, grinning as white flecks of snow drifted and whirled in our wake.
I looked around in amazement; in the years our people had been on Neo Domus, I d never
traveled to the mountains during the winter. The snow was an unexpected delight. It softened the
rocky landscape, giving everything a magical appearance.
 Just a few more minutes! he shouted.
We could have put the roof and windows up on the vehicle, but Helios wanted me to
experience the frigid air and wild scent of the mountains and trees. I shivered and moved closer
to him on the narrow seat.
The motor whined as we climbed a bit higher, then rounded a bend in the narrow path.
There before us, a small cluster of buildings were nestled within a grove of tall trees. They
appeared rough-hewn, but I suspected the cabins were warm and well built. We came to a stop in
front of the largest, and the lights flickered on, welcoming us home. It was small enough to be
intimate, but large enough to house the family for outings.
Helios cut the motor, and I slid off the seat to stand in knee-deep snow. I gazed around,
smiling at tiny, brilliantly colored birds in the trees. A small rodent scurried out of the brush,
unafraid of us.
 I thought that as a king, I should occasionally live like one. So this is our mountain
palace.
I laughed. We were still living in makeshift quarters at the royal complex. The privacy of
this little cabin in the snow was priceless.
An Uncommon Whore 2: When I Fall 143
He led me up the steps, pausing to make certain I made it safely. My recovery was nearly
complete, and I d returned to duty part-time. The weakness and occasional pain persisted,
making me short of temper and impatient. Well, more impatient than usual. But every day was
better, and life was returning to the new normal. We now moved around the city freely, without
fear of attacks. The very air was fraught with anticipation as freighters were prepared to travel to
Arash. We d sent crews to the cities to salvage artifacts, cultural monuments, and most
important, survivors. Surveillance had spotted small herds of horses and areas that appeared to be
crudely cultivated. Unfortunately the atmosphere was compromised. Someday the planet would
recover, but for now, it had to be given time to heal. The best way for that to happen was to turn
her back over to nature.
The inside of the cabin was surprisingly spacious, with an open ground floor and an
enormous bedroom loft. The room was scattered with cushions and comfortable seating. It was
warm, and the view from the panoramic window was incomparable. I dropped into a plush sofa
and relaxed, taking a deep, cleansing breath.
It was so quiet.
Helios sat down next to me, sharing the silence like the gift it was. The snow came down
heavier; tree limbs bent under its weight, until the springy branches finally bowed enough to rid
themselves of the burden, then sprang up to collect it again. That was Helios. He bent under his
troubles, then finally let them slip away. I was more like the giant hardwoods of Arash; they
would split and crack under the burden of the snow. It was a lesson I would take to heart. I
wanted to be more like him.
I looked over at Helios.
 Thank you.
He lifted an elegant brow. I studied his face; if possible, the change in his hair enhanced
his beauty even more. It was a darker red, falling in deep waves that hadn t appeared under the
weight of its extreme length. It grew rapidly, and he showed no inclination to cut it. Unable to
resist, I dragged my fingers through the silky strands. He returned the embrace and stroked my
hair affectionately. It was almost as long as his. I probably looked like a hairy beast.
 I built this for selfish reasons. I wanted time up here for myself. For us. He looked out [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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