Safir kissed Terek’s head before he stood. “Just making up for lost time.” He placed his uninjured arm over his chest and bowed to Sumi. “Thank you for what you did. Kyr would have killed me had you not called my father.”

Sumi swallowed hard at the swell of emotions she felt for Safir. He was a good man and she was glad to have helped him. “I just wish I could have called sooner.”

Saf winked at her. “It’s all good.” He placed a hand on Kalea’s head. “And you, little princess… returning you to your parents is my greatest accomplishment so far. I can’t think of anything that will ever top this.”

Frowning, Kalea reached out and touched his sling. “You have a boo-boo?”

“I do.”

She leaned forward and kissed his arm. “Did I make it better?”

Saf laughed at her. “Yes, you did, princess.” He bowed to her. “Thank you.”

“Safir!”

He winced at his father’s angry call before he glanced back to Maris.

Maris kissed his cheek. “You better go before he decides he likes Dray better.”

Saf snorted. “I defy him to do that… especially after the way I kicked Dray’s rank ass for what he did to you. Bastard’s still limping from it. Trust me, he won’t ever be after you again. I made sure of it.” He hugged Maris. “Love you, Mare-Bear.”

“Love you, too.”

Saf inclined his head to them then left.

Hauk frowned at Maris. “I thought only Darling called you Mare-Bear.”

Maris laughed. “What can I say? He taught Saf all kinds of bad habits.”

Sumi set Kalea down so that she could return to playing. “In spite of what your father said, I can’t imagine you angry and disrespectful, never mind bitter.”

Maris passed a knowing look to Hauk. “You didn’t meet me until better days. I’m not the same person I was when I was a commissioned officer in the Phrixian armada.” He moved to take Ture’s hand. “I like this Mari a lot better than that one. This model actually has a sense of humor and a most smashing wardrobe.”

Ture cleared his throat.

Maris swung Ture’s hand between them. “And the best hubby ever.”

Sumi laughed. “Not that Ture isn’t wonderful, but I think you’ll find a room full of us who would argue for that title.”

Desideria snorted. “You know what my mother always said? The first two years of marriage, you’ll want to eat him up. After that, you’ll wish you had.”

They laughed.

Sumi looked at Shahara. “You agree?”

“At times, yes. Remember, I’m the one who lives with a mad scientist, who loves to experiment on things.”

Zarya snorted. “Yes, but yours never wrapped himself up in explosives and threatened to blow up an entire city and his royal guard corps.”