“That sounds an awful lot like a vow,” Lina said.

“It is.” Bri’s face softened as the crowds began to dwindle and the smoke thinned. “And you know how seriously I take my vows.”

Pressing her own lips together Lina let her eyes drift down Bri’s face to her lips. Bri knew Lina was fighting the urge to kiss her. Their eyes met again.

“You and me,” Lina vowed.

Lina’s eyes landed on one of her guards and she nodded to him, beckoning him over. As he approached, he took something off his belt and handed it to Lina.

“What’s this?” Bri asked as Lina passed her the weapon. She turned over the hand axe, beautifully tied in bronze string, sharp jagged hooks at each of its curved edges. The handle was tipped in gold and the grip fit perfectly in her hand. Carved into the neck was the word Airev, metallic bronze filling the grooves of the letters.

“A gift,” Lina said, smiling at Bri’s astonished expression. “You have enough daggers. If you’re going to be sticking around in the West, you need a proper Western axe.”

Bri shook her head in disbelief at the beautiful weapon, already eager to practice with it in the training rings.

“It’s perfect, thank you.” Emotion filled her words as she looked into Lina’s eyes. She slid the handle through her belt, enjoying the tugging weight that settled on her right hip.

“After the ceremony, we should go test it out,” Lina murmured, her dimples belying her regal expression.

“Gods, I love you,” Bri said, trying and failing to keep a broad smile from splitting her face.

She couldn’t stop saying it—the words setting her free a little more each time. She loved Lina. She loved her endlessly and irrevocably. In this land of scorching sunlight, red earth, and orange sunsets, she’d finally found home.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Thank you to all of my family for your love and support. To my husband, Glen, thank you for encouraging me and helping puzzle our days together to make this dream work for our family. Who knew we’d be here all those many years ago in Guatemala? To my amazing children—I hope you are always beautifully vulnerable and equally strong!

To my rock-star Mountaineers, thank you for being my biggest cheerleaders, celebrating my books, and encouraging so many people around the world to read them! You are the most incredible group of readers and I wish I could gift each and every one of you a battle-axe! ;)

To my amazing agent, Jessica Watterson, thank you for encouraging me and championing my stories! I am so grateful for you and all of your support. (Here’s to many more excited 4 am messages in the future! Thank you for understanding me pre-coffee.)