Part 2 - Chapter 27: VALTAS

Conor heard the door close softly and turned as he heard Kerrigan’s soft voice behind him.

“Why?” The word was barely a whisper as her legs shook and lost all strength.

Conor caught her in his arms, startled at her sudden distress. He carefully lowered them both into an oversized chair, pulling Kerrigan into his lap, “What do you mean, Eibhlin?”

She looked up at Conor with pleading eyes. “Why are people always trying to kill me?!”

Kerrigan curled up against his chest, pulling her knees up as the tears flowed, “I try to help people, I try to make their lives better. I thought my staff loved me and what I was doing for them and the people of Targu, but people keep trying to kill me!”

Conor had never been this close to Kerrigan before. She fit perfectly on his lap, like she was made for him. It was difficult to focus on what she was saying when all he wanted to do was kiss her tears away and hold her close. As her words finally registered, he fought a wave of rising anger at the thou