Sometimes Kirastasia wasn’t sure what strange emotions ruled her heart. They came and went so quickly, with such unexpected intensity, that before she knew it they’d slipped through her grasp. Most of the time she simply didn’t care. But as soon as Kahlan’s breath snagged on a sob trapped in her throat, as soon as she admitted to being alone in the world, Kira knew precisely which feeling speared into her chest and combusted with the fiery glory of a star.

Joy!

No sign of it marred her carefully arranged sympathetic features, yet the snowbird’s heart rejoiced with a gleaming, beaming, wonderful flood of happiness. Golden sunshine seemed to pour into her blood and chase away winter’s chill. If Kahlan no longer had Saw Tooth, it meant she was ripe for Kira’s taking. The heiress could step in as all Kahlan ever wanted or needed. She could be the earthen queen’s friend, her lover, her confidant, her protector. Kirastasia could hoard all of Kah’s addicting soul all to herself, without any obstacles—forever. The thought was enough to make her almost explode with bliss.

“Oh, Kah . . . that sounds terrible.” Her soft lyrics overflowed with empathy as she nuzzled into the velvet beauty of Kahlan’s cocoa-dusted throat. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” She nosed tender, fleeting kisses into the fragrant canvas of fur, trying to soothe her treasure like a mother would soothe a distressed pup. “I don’t even know what to say. Is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all? I know it’s not the same . . . nothing could ever be the same . . . but you’re welcome to stay with me.” Hope—selfish and ferocious—warred for space with her delight. Kira had to lower her amber gaze in case her beloved damsel noticed the flames flashing within her irises. “You aren’t alone. I will be here for you. Always.”

Who cared about Kahlan’s dead brother or her obliterated pack? Who cared about her useless mate or the ash that fell from her pelt like dark snow? Time would bring back the laughter in Kah’s sad, dismal stare. Kira would erase everything that brought blackness to Kahlan’s life and install herself as the sun that kept the healer’s world lit.