“So soft,” Amon whispered, his hands moving to my back again as he drew me closer. My hands slid up his chest and my arms wrapped around his neck.
I relished the feel of his arms and looked up at his face. It was startling to see the dark sunglasses, with my own reflection staring back at me, rather than his lovely hazel eyes. Though I lifted my head, waiting, hoping for the kiss I’d long imagined, he pressed his lips against my forehead instead.
“I will miss you, Lily.”
Something broke inside me. His soft words carried more power than all of the amazing things I’d seen him do. The gracious gift of those six syllables was a kindness I’d sorely needed. But until that moment, I didn’t know how much.
“I’ll miss you, too,” I said, my eyes filling with tears. I had been more inclined to weep this past week than in my entire life. No wonder there were so many songs about love. What I’d been through with Amon would make an epic one.
He must’ve heard me sniffle, because he cupped my cheeks, wiping the tears away with his thumbs and replacing the wet trails with his golden warmth.
“Lily?”
“Yes?” I answered, blinking to clear my vision.
“I am reluctant to inform you that there is absolutely no evidence that you have consumed a rhinoceros.”
I laughed and then cried harder. Amon smiled. “It is time to wake my brothers. Dr. Hassan will take you to the airport and then meet us at the pyramids after securing our transportation. I am sorry I cannot send you back via sandstorm as I promised. If I had more power at my disposal, I would draw the weeks together so your parents would not know you were missing.”
Nodding, I answered, “It’s okay. I understand.”
“Dr. Hassan said you would need paperwork?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll call my parents. They’ll take care of everything.”
“Will they be angry with you?”
“Let’s just say this situation is pretty much as epic a rebellion as any teen could accomplish.” When he tilted his head in confusion, I added, “Yes. But I’ll survive.”
“Good. It will ease my mind to know that you are safe. I am sorry, for everything, Young Lily. I did not mean to draw you into our cause so completely.”
“Don’t apologize.” Daring a final touch, I cupped his cheek, slowly moving my hand down to his shoulder and squeezing. “Despite my ragged emotional state, it’s been the time of my life.” Amon took my hand and brought it to his lips. After he pressed a warm kiss on my wrist, I cleared my throat. “Now let’s go wake up your brothers.”
Lacing my fingers through his, I guided him to the other side of the suite. Asten was already awake and having a serious conversation with Dr. Hassan. I left Amon with them while I sought out Ahmose.
The incarnation of the moon slept with his cheek pressed against his hand. The other bedroom was parallel to mine, so the rays of the nearly full moon fell upon his face, giving his skin a silvery sheen.
“Ahmose?” I said quietly. “It’s time to wake up.”
Blinking, the big man shifted as glowing silver orbs met mine. He smiled. “You look better, Lily.”
Twisting the ends of my tunic, I answered, “It was thanks to your healing and many, many hours of sleep.” He leaned up on one elbow and the sheet slipped down to his waist. Though I’d been around him when he was bare-chested before, it somehow seemed a bit more intimate now. Ducking my head, I said, “We’ll wait for you outside.”
Quickly, I vacated the room and took a seat next to Asten. He gave me a long look and then glanced at Amon. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I’m all right. I’m actually more worried about the three of you.”
“Oh? Why is that?”