It was at that, Serena was again surprised at her reaction for she not only wished greatly to burst out laughing, she wished even more to rise, walk the four feet of the tent to Brix, and give him a hug.

“Serena,” Chu called.

“We have said all there is to say,” she reminded him.

“And that says all that needs to be said in the now before you leave,” Gal added, speaking to Chu.

“Little mouse,” he murmured, eyes glued to Serena.

It was the wrong thing to do.

Gal’s silent anger filled the tent.

Brix’s filled it with words.

“Never pick a fight with a gnome, Trusted,” he spat. “We have a direct line to your balls, so we do not consider it a low blow.”

“Calm,” Chu growled. “It is my pet name for her.”

“She is no mouse,” Brix retorted.

“She’s my mouse,” Chu returned.

“That’s absurd,” Brix shot back. “Think of another pet name. Like firebrand.”

“Or maiden warrior,” Gal suggested.

“Or minx,” Brix went on.

“Hellcat?” Gal asked Brix.

“Works well, brother,” Brix muttered.

Serena was listening to them prattle, an error on her part.

For when Chu’s rich laughter filled the tent, it took her by surprise.

And his face softened with humor felt like a punch to the chest.

She dropped her head, focusing her efforts on keeping her heart beating, instead of it refusing to withstand the severity of the blow.

Gal most certainly noted her reaction, for his tone was much changed, conciliatory, calming, but beseeching when he said, she knew, to Chu, “You really must go.”

“I cannot go, for I’m in love with her.”

Her head dropped even farther.

“Then we must go,” Gal whispered. “Brix,” he prompted, for clearly Brix was not of the same mind.

“I’m not going,” Brix proved her correct.

“Brix,” Gal warned.

“Gal,” Brix returned.

“Welbrix.”

“Galbdor.”

Serena opened her eyes and said quietly, “Go. I will speak with him and I will be fine.”

Both her friends turned to her.

“You are certain?” Brix asked.

She nodded.

Both gave her a thorough assessment before they made their moves to leave.

“If she’s upset any further…” Brix issued this open-ended threat to Chu before he moved through the flaps.

Chu gave it a moment before he said softly, “They are good males.”

Well, at least they agreed on that.

“Yes.”

“Serena—”

She stopped him before he could start.

“This is not happening.”

“My beautiful warrior,” he whispered.

Another shot direct to the heart.

“Please, don’t,” she begged.

He studied her, and as he did, he appeared to be getting angry.

This was proved correct when he bit out, “Why?”

“I loved my mother, and she is lost.”

“I am sorry about that, my mouse, but—”