Excerpt: Rejected Joy

"You are happy here." It wasn't a question. She could see it in his face, the way he talked, the way he moved.
"Yes I am. I have had more joy with my crew of misfits then I ever had with the people who are considered normal. Each day they make me smile, each day they steal a little bit more of my heart, each day they bring me more joy."
He paused and looked at her, his brow furrowed. "Sometimes it is so hard for me to understand why they were cast out. How could anyone throw away this happiness? How could anyone reject such joy?"
Kira didn't answer, she couldn't, she didn't know what to say. She watched Wynn, his eyes trained on the flames, the thoughts swirling around in his head.
Finally he turned back towards her and spoke, "I brought you here Kira so you know where they are. The last five weeks while I was in Aanoor I was sick more then once for worry. I need help." He stopped and smiled, "not to mention they need a mother type figure in their lives."
He paused and looked around him, spreading his arm so it swept over the picture before him. "What do you say Kira? Will you be the queen of Chesiel?"
Kira smiled and looked around her at the palace being placed in her lap. Finally she laughed and shrugged her shoulders, "sure why not?"