Kahal's mind was in a fog. Where was he? He couldn't remember. But he did have this strange feeling. Like there was something he needed. What was it?

He tried to blink and only then realized his eyes were closed. Confusion flooded him when he wasn't able to open them. Likewise when the rest of his body ignored his commands to move. He felt... numb? There were sounds slowly making their way into his mind but what were they?

Voices. He almost felt relieved when he was able to discern what the sound was. He didn't like how confused his mind was. If only he could understand what the voices were saying. Or if he could open his eyes and figure out who they were and where he was.

"It's been so long." The words came into his mind. The voice sounded... frustrated?

Another voice replied but he couldn't understand. It was further away, he noticed.

"I need to know what I can do. I need something I can do to help." The frustrated voice spoke again. It was familiar, he realized. And with that realization, the urge to hear it again filled him. He tried to blink his eyes open but they just wouldn't cooperate.

"I don't like feeling helpless." Now the voice sounded defeated and sad. He didn't like that.

Suddenly he felt a hand holding his and the urge to squeeze it in return hit him full force.

"Kahal?" The voice asked. "Kahal, can you hear me? I think he squeezed my hand." His hand felt another squeeze and for some reason it calmed him.

"He sighed. Does that mean he's waking up? He hasn't been doing that." The voice said.

The voice sounded excited. Kahal felt like smiling for some reason he couldn't yet place. If only he could get his eyes to open. So he focused his energy on that and blocked everything else out. Eventually his eyes burned from the effort and he squeezed them further closed.

"Kahal." The voice said, sounding full of relief.

"I saw it too." A different voice said. It was closer now. "See, I told you. There is nothing to worry about, he just needs time."

Kahal felt two hands squeezing his right hand now and he managed to slightly squeeze them in return.

"It may be a while yet until he fully wakes up. Why don't you get some rest." The lower voice said.

"Not a chance." The first voice said sternly and Kahal wanted to chuckle. "See look, he just smirked. Do you think he can hear us?"

"I think you could make him just by sheer will alone." The second voice chuckled before Kahal heard a thud. "Ow! No need to get violent. Since you insist on staying here, I will inform my family of his progress."

Kahal didn't hear any more voices but as the silent minutes ticked by, he felt himself drifting back into the blissful rest he needed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Awareness slowly crept into Kahal's mind and he blinked a few times before glancing around at his surroundings.

There was a pale ceiling above him with a skylight above his waist. The sky was dark above. What time was it?

He turned his head slightly to further look around but pain shot through him. He squinted his eyes closed and tensed his body as it protested against his movements. Releasing a long slow breath, he focused on steadying himself through the pain.

Heavens, his mouth was dry. He needed water. He slowly opened his eyes again and this time he was able to move his head, now prepared to face the pain. He was in the Royal medical ward. What exactly had happened? He furrowed his brow muscles as he tried to remember.

He continued looking at his surroundings, hoping something would clear his mind. No one else was in the beds beside him. That was good. He looked down to assess his injuries but froze when he spotted a figure beside him. Her body was in a chair but her head was resting on his bed, beside his waist, as she slept peacefully.

Kahal noted that this was the most peaceful he had ever seen her. She almost looked innocent. But he knew she was anything but innocent. A smile formed on his lips as the memories began to flood in.

He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, letting the relief flood him as he rested his head back against the pillow. If she was here beside him, then that meant she was alright.

"Kahal?" He heard Rahn ask in a whisper.

He opened his eyes to look at her, the slight smile returning to his face.

Her eyes rounded in surprise for just a moment before she smiled like he had never seen before. A genuine, joyful smile. "You're awake." She said as she reached to grasp his hand in both of hers.

He squeezed her hand in return. "I...." His voice came out raw and his throat burned.

"Water." She said as she reached the bedside table and poured him a mug. "Here." She held the glass up to his lips and helped him drink. She returned the mug down on the table and they stared at each other in silence for a long moment.

"I-" Kahal stopped to cough and clear his throat. "I've never been so scared in my life. When I saw her point that weapon at you...". He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.

"You?!" Rahn's face turned from content to angry. "How dare you jump in front of a weapon like that! I was afraid you were dead!" She held his hand as if his life depended on it. As if she could keep him attached to this world. He looked down at their entwined hands as she continued. "You're the Lord and I'm the guard. I'm supposed to protect you, not the other way around. Don't ever do anything like that aga-"

Her words were cut off when he grasped her hands and pulled her to within inches of him, using his other hand to cup her cheek. "I will do it again. Time and time again, to keep you from harm. I will always put your safety over mine."

Rahn opened her mouth to argue but he cut her off. "No matter how much you argue otherwise, my resolve will not waver."

Rahn sighed and leaned her face further into his right hand as she cupped her hands onto his forearms. As if she needed the physical contact to know he was really here.

"Hey... it's ok." Kahal said as he stroked her cheek with his thumb.

She looked away and tried to hide her face from him. She had never cried in front of anyone before today and now she seemed to not be able to block off the emotions. She couldn't bear the thought of how weak she must look. "I thought you..." her voice broke and she drew in a deep breath to calm herself.

"I'm here, Rahn. I'm here." He comforted her. "I'm not going anywhere."

She nodded as she drew in another deep breath through her nostrils.

"Come lay beside me so I can hold you properly." He said as he released her and scooted to the side while turning to lay on his back, offering his left arm for her to lay on.

She climbed onto the bed and lay on her right side, cuddling her body against his as she pushed her face into his neck and drew in a deep, calming breath. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and leaned his head onto hers, rubbing his cheek against her skin.

"Better?" He asked.

She nodded in response.

"Good. Twisting to the side like that hurt."

She gasped and tried to sit up to look at him. "Am I hurting you? Why would you-"

"Don't you dare go anywhere." He pulled her back down against him. "I'm not letting you go ever again." He ran his fingers up and down her arm in comforting strokes, relief flooding him as he confirmed her injury had already healed. When she stayed silent to his comment, he spoke again. "That is, if you'll let me?"

After another long moment of silence, she replied. "You know, we haven't spent very much time together. Under normal circumstances." She said with an unreadable expression. "What if you decide you don't actually want me after you get to know the real, everyday me?"

Kahal moved to kiss her forehead. "I have every confidence that won't happen, but if time is what you need then I am more than happy to give it. We shall court and get to know one another during more normal circumstances, as you put it. Whatever that is for us." He chuckled. "My life is far from what would be considered normal."

She chuckled in return. "You know what I meant. Time together where we're not only meeting to share intel and strategy and we're not running from insane Qarthans trying to kidnap or kill us."

"That I can give you." He smiled.

She sat up to look at him and this time he didn't stop her. Her face was serious as she stared down at him. "And if at any point you feel I am not a good partner for you, or I am unfit to be...". The word was like a weight in her mouth. It was crazy to even think of herself as Queen, let alone voice it out loud.

"Queen?" He asked with a slight smile.

She nodded. "promise me, you will not continue this between us if you have any doubts at any point. Don't make a mistake in order to spare my feelings."

Kahal laughed and pulled her down to give her a light kiss before holding her face in his hands to look at her.

"Don't laugh." She scowled. "This is serious."

"I promise you, Rahn. An easy promise as I know it will never come to pass."

She scowled again. "Kahal, take this seriously. I expect to have your word on this and to know you truly understand what is needed of you."

"Spoken like a true queen." He laughed and she huffed in annoyance before trying to climb off the bed. But instead he held her tight and pressed his lips to hers, trying his best to wipe away any of her doubts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note:

I hope you've enjoyed Lavender & Fire! I had no idea how challenging it would be to write a sequel! And yet I've started a third book as well! I'm not sure when it will be finished, but please follow my page so you can get notified when I start posting chapters.

I need your input! I plan to write an epilogue that takes place during Kietnan and Ashima's Pairing ceremony. Since it is at the end of this book, it will mainly focus on Kahal and Rahn but we will get more closure on Kietnan, Othen, and Kahal's love stories.

What particular parts of their stories do you think is missing or what parts of this book do you feel need addressed in some way during the epilogue? Let me know and I'll do my best to close up any loose ends!

Thank you SO much for reading my books!!