ELENA APPEARED DELIGHTED WHEN WE reported the progress to her in the library after dinner. It had been a productive day for her too, and she announced that the men would drop Leseach at the first village in two days' time. Alek, Rumal and Daron would go this time, so we'd be left to practice with the Lieutenants for possibly three days.'I hope it's only two,' I said to Alek as we climbed into bed.'Me too. Though it'll be interesting to see how she does it. And it's always good to meet more of our subjects.'I nodded against the pillow, feeling that odd anxiety at the words "our subjects"; still such a strange concept. Alek reached out, his large hands clasping my hips and dragged me back against him.THE SENSATION OF HER BARE ass against his thighs tempted him. Such a pity I'm so tired from the day's training, he thought and pulled Cat closer still. Just the thought of leaving her for three days made him want her.Cat gave a satisfied sigh when he gently kissed the back of her
CAT APPEARED IN THE DOORWAY of the kitchen, looking a little frazzled. Alek smiled at her, and she gave a vague nod before her eyes settled on Gredel. 'Gredel! You're wanted.'Gredel, Citaan's father, and brother, all paled visibly at the request. Rumal stood to hoist Gredel out of his seat. 'Go on, you can do this.'The rest stood and walked the three men to the bedchamber, ushering Gredel along in front. When they arrived, everyone stood in the corridor, except for Elena, Leseach and Citaan's mother.Sian opened the door for Gredel, and Daron shoved him in when he hesitated. Everyone laughed as the door closed.'Men.' One of the sisters shook her head, two others nodding with her. 'Always so brave till something like this.''We're just showing the proper respect,' Daron teased.Enclosed in Alek's arms, Cat chuckled and he smiled down at her. 'Agree do you?'She shrugged. 'I guess I have yet to see.'The sudden image of Cat, belly swollen with his child, gave Alek a rush of jo
SIAN GAVE NESHA A FISHY look at his line "in the trees" and Daron winked at his friend.'It'll be fun to surprise her.''Make sure you memorize it well; I'll want to see it on the way back.''You aren't staying to see yourself?'Nesha gave him a small nudge. 'No, you two will want alone time, I know I do. I'm going to hunt in the mountains for three days. I'm tired of the domestic lifestyle.''Fly safe, friend.''Always.'Daron unfastened the saddle, leaving Nesha wearing just the leather harness that crisscrossed his broad back and the man stood back when the griffon launched off the platform, swooping through the forest before disappearing up into the canopy.Sian watched wide-eyed. 'Why is he going?'Daron glanced at her. 'Did he say goodbye?''Yes, but why?''He just wants some alone time. Griffons are more solitary than people realize and living with four others in close quarters can be tiring. They love to hunt in the mountains, and that's what Nesha will do. He'll com
THE AMOROUS INTENTIONS SIAN HAD appeared to have seemed to disappear while she had him explain the creatures. Daron didn't mind too much, they'd have time tonight. He like seeing what caught her attention and rattled off names and descriptions.'Those are leeni,' Daron pointed at the creatures that swung through the branches and clustered on the roof above them, peering down with curious, bright eyes. To his surprise, Sian shrank back, watching them cautiously.'Pixie? What's wrong?''The people at Lothost warned us to watch out for leeni,' she frowned at the animals.Daron laughed. 'Leeni are rather mischievous and good at getting into things.' As he said that, one attempted to swing over the roof edge into their room. Daron caught it by the tail and flicked it off the balcony. The animal gave an excited scream, spreading the skin flaps it used to glide. Others on the roof made the same scream and dived off, whooping through the trees.'Wow, they can glide really far.' Sian watch
FLYING BACK TO THE CASTLE almost felt like going back to work; she hated saying goodbye to the cabin. Daron laughed at her sombre expression when he helped her up onto Nesha's back. 'We'll come back.'She sighed. 'I know. It's just, going back to the castle means going back to the craziness of that life, a life that's still so foreign, as well as a war with a vicious, freaky-eyed blonde.'Daron gave her a hug. 'Sorry Pix, but this is what you were born to.''That doesn't make it any better.''You'll defeat Jenviet and then really be able to live, Sian. I'm not suggesting it will be easy, but you know it will be worth it.' Nesha thought kindly. Contemplating their words still didn't help. Not with Deas and Moright's awful deaths still so fresh in her mind. Tears welled in her eyes and fear swirled in her gut. The whole concept scares the hell out of me, she thought, biting her lip hard to stop the tears.'DARON, SHE DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. Her energy is off.' Nesha sounded concerned.
'SIAN?'With a jolt Sian realized that the sound, the voice she kept hearing, came from the ground. 'Land, Nesha, I need to get off now!''Fine.'The griffon swooped low, and Daron grabbed her waist with a muffled curse when Nesha dropped to the ground. Sian swung a leg over the saddle and slid down, hitting the ground hard. She danced on the spot when pain shot through her feet. 'Ow! Ow, ow!''Please.'Sian froze. There it was again. 'Did you hear that?'Daron and Nesha gaped at her with twin expressions of surprise.'No?' Daron ventured.Feeling exasperated, she clarified. 'A voice, like Nesha's, in my mind. It's been asking for help. You didn't hear it?'They looked concerned now and stared at each other for a long moment. Nesha nodded, and Daron came to stand beside her. 'Can you tell the direction?'Sian paused. The voice repeated its plea, and she nodded to him. 'This way.''Okay, let's go.' Daron grabbed her hand. 'Lead the way.'While Sian dragged him off, Nesha set
'WELL, THIS WASN'T HOW WE expected the ride home to be.''That's an understatement,' Daron snorted and watched ahead when Sito swooped high. Sian's delighted laughter travelled back on a wisp of wind. He smiled in spite of the frustration he felt. This might not be the romantic end to the trip he'd envisioned, but having linked with a creature himself, he knew the joy of it. They'd rigged up a hold for Sian to hang onto while riding Sito, and now the two looked to be having great fun.'I remember doing that.' Nesha sounded wistful.'Nothing stopping you. The packs are tied tight.'He could feel the griffon's reservation vanish as Nesha considered it.'Hold on!'Daron let out a whoop when Nesha dived.THE THREE DAY HOLIDAY HAD been fantastic: No training, no council meetings, and nobody bothering us. Alek and I holed up in his apartment for the entire time, only venturing out occasionally. Audrey and Nnelg worked out their own schedule. My furry critter would be let out of the
LIEUTENANT IGNATIUS STORMED DOWN THE corridor. Where was that damned Sorceress? This was going too far.He rounded another corner while servants and nobles scurried out of his way. Walking calmly toward him came the Sorceress and her consort. Yakov gave him a flat look which he returned with heat. He'd never liked the Southerner and felt less than impressed with the relationship the adviser appeared to have with the heir; the Princess should only be surrounded by born and bred Elionites.'What the hell is this I hear about a dragon?'The Sorceress gave him an undecipherable look.'I believe the Lady Sian has linked with a stafandral dragon. We're on our way to meet him, will you join us?'The casual, unconcerned tone she affected had him biting his tongue in fury. The heir to the throne should NOT be exposed to such risks. Ignatius knew better than to waste his time arguing with her; that idiot adviser would leap to her defence and waste more time. While against his nature to subm