“No, tell me more about this blow job.” Chaos comes closer until he’s leaning against the wall at my side, completely ready for a story time that we just clearly don’t have time for.
“We’re much too busy. Sorry.” I shake my head but don’t make a move to slip out of Rime’s arms.
Rime’s grip on me shifts until his palms splay wide, holding me fully against him as he brushes his lips sweetly over mine. “I’ll keep your blow job meltdown between us.”
“What the fuck?” Chaos says on a disheartened whisper.
“But”—Rime kisses me slowly one more time before looking me fully in the eyes—“just know that none of us would ever forget you.” His temple rests to mine as my heart gives an uncontrollable flutter. “Not even for a thousand good blow jobs.”
“Aww.” It’s all I can say.
A thousand. I’m worth one thousand good blow jobs.
And Chaos only adds to the romance.
“I agree. No one will ever take your place. No matter how many times Kain offers, I keep telling him I just don’t see him that way.”
Kain slips his gaze toward his friend with a heavy glare that only Kain is capable of. His annoyance gives us all laughter like I haven’t heard in so long. My heart hurts from all the happiness we’ve missed out on in our lives.
The sounds of our amusement cuts away the moment feathers ruffling against rock flutters through the big room. I tense my fingers against Rime’s shoulders and look from one frozen-in-place rooster to the next. The uneasiness that the innocent noise brings me is unexplainable.
It’s something that doesn’t fit.
It doesn’t belong here in the stillness of the animals filling this room.
Too much magic is holding my creatures in place. And yet, a bird is moving somewhere.
Something isn’t right.
A caw shrieks. Wings flutter and soar. It darts right at me, and Rime pulls me away at the very last second.
We watch the bird as it glides through the room, circling us before drifting down, down, down.
And lands at my feet.
Silence drops once more, making my words carry through the dense quietness.
“It’s a spying sparrow.”
I bend, kneeling in front of the small endangered creature who I haven’t seen since I returned the one Linden loaned me. They’re mage’s companions.
And that gives me all the reason in the world to fear the inky little bird.
Is it Ellise’s?
Has she been spying on us? We’ve been careless in this kingdom. We’ve spoken too freely.
What does this sparrow know about us?
I extend my hand. My mates inch closer just as the two thin claws wrap around my index finger. His feathers are like silk, shining and flawless. The two beady eyes that look up at me shine just as much.
I’ve never used a spying sparrow. They nearly went extinct right along with mages decades ago. But I’ve been told, a single phrase holds their magic. They’re easy, helpful animals. If they trust you.
I say the words.
And pray like fuck that he trusts me.
“Show me,” I whisper softly.
