Kovu’s eyes widened. “My prince will see me?”
“Right as you are.”
“Oh, thank you, Your Holiness.”
“Your thanks belongs to Thanas.”
“I will be sure to give it to him.”
“I know you will.” Most Holy smiled. “If you’d like to give Ezah a direct message, now is the time. This will be the one time Thanas will grant an extension between the veil for you both.” She pointed right at me. “He will be there.”
Kovu turned her gaze my way, and she looked right at me, her silver eyes connected with mine.
“My honourable male,” she said, approaching me. “How I miss you, my love. And I know you miss me. I feel it constantly. Your love for me has never wavered, and neither has your hurt. I want you to let go of that hurt because we will be together one day again. Do not feel like you’re choosing another over me because our time together on Ealra is done. You need to devote your life, your heart, your everything to your new female because she needs you as much as you need her.”
“Kovu.” I trembled. “You’re alive, nenna.”
I knew she wasn’t, but the last visual I had of her was when she lay dead in my arms, so to see her beautiful blue skin thriving with colour and her silver eyes glinting with life made my heart clench.
“I will check in on you from time to time, and when I do, know I will do so with a smile on my face, shilo.”
I tried to reach out and touch her, but I could not. This was a memory that I was seeing. It wasn’t real-time, but still, it felt like I was in her presence, and it humbled me completely.
“Be at peace because I am, Ezah. I love you, my prince. Be happy.”
Kovu got up on her tiptoes, and her lips touched mine. I felt them. An instant later, the sucking sensation started over again, and when my eyes focused once more, I was staring at Narah. He dropped his hands and smiled at me.
“You will be well, my prince,” he said, backing away from me. “Your life will be a happy one.”
“You … You have seen this?”
Narah didn’t answer me with words, he answered with a smile instead. Long after he was gone, I remained on my knees, and I gave my thanks and my love to Thanas. For the first time since I broke down in front of Nova, tears fell from my eyes, but they were accompanied by laughter. Kovu was safe, she was happy, she was at peace, and she would wait for me. The hurt, the longing, the guilt … all of it just evaporated, and all I could see in my mind’s eye was Levi.
Kovu was right. Our time on Ealra was done, but my time with Levi was just beginning.
Chapter Sixteen
Levi
Nerves.
I felt them in abundance. I focused on breathing in and out as I walked towards the entrance of the palace. I had been granted admittance at the main gate almost instantly by the warrior on guard once I gave my name. I was expected by the royal family. Me. Levi. Skinny little slave girl from Earth. It was so surreal that I couldn’t allow myself to think of it because if I did, I would probably run away. Nuni had to walk me all the way to the main gate as it was because she didn’t trust me not to disappear.
I didn’t blame her. In my head, I’d bolted about ten times already.
I smoothed the front of my ensemble. It was more of a dress than a two-piece wrap. It was fitted, sleek, and a stunning bright yellow. Two servants from the palace had shown up at my homestead a few intervals ago. They brought fabric, jewellery, and footwear. After I was thoroughly bathed, I stood naked and mortified before them as they fitted and dressed me. One female brushed out my hair and pinned my curls up so elegantly that I almost didn’t believe it was me when I looked at my reflection.
I didn’t have a curvy body, but the dips at my waist and the slight flare of my hips were on display tastefully with my outfit. I felt beautiful, and I had never felt that way before. It had so much more to do with just my clothing and hairstyle. On the inside, I felt radiant. I knew it was because of Ezah. I had never had the opportunity to be my true self, but here on Ealra, the freedom I had allowed me to find myself, and while I still had a ways to go not to jump at every shadow, I knew I would get there.
Because now I had hope.
“Levi?”
I had just reached the bottom step of the grand staircase that led to the main palace entrance. I gasped when the most serene and beautiful female I had ever laid eyes upon smiled my way. She had white hair that hung in waves down to her bare hips. Glittering golden clips decorated its length. Her skin was so moisturised and healthy that saying it was simply grey did not do it justice because it almost looked silver as it shimmered in the light.