She looked back up at him, her gaze meeting his as his eyes flickered between hers.
“You didn’t have to tear your shirt. I could have torn the bottom part of this awful dress,” Seda said breathlessly.
Honestly, she hadn’t even thought of that until this moment. That probably would have been a good idea. But then the thought made her cringe—this dress was already scratchy against her skin. It would have been awful if it were down there, too.
“Wouldn’t be the first time I sacrificed a shirt. Don’t worry about it,” Kalon said to her as he waited for her approval. She nervously looked down at the scraps of his shirt.
“You know… It’s natural. There’s no need to be ashamed, Seda,” Kalon said, his eyebrows knitting together and his smile fading.
She was at a loss for words and reluctant to discuss this with him, so she quickly changed the subject. “Why didn’t you give me the shirt from your pack?”
He stared at her for a long moment, then his smile returned.
“This one is softer,” he replied, giving her a wink as he turned around and walked back to the group.
She watched him walk away, admiring the defined muscles of his back and his firm…
Stop looking!
When he was gone, she shook her head and pulled her underwear back down, placing two of the scraps there. Then she put the rest in the small pocket of her dress. She pulled her underwear back up, feeling a bit better knowing she had something to stay clean.
Her mind whirled; she had hoped that the last insemination had worked. But, with all the recent events, it was better that it failed. She couldn’t be pregnant on this journey, and she also wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about Cahir. He wasn’t even human. Could that even have worked?
Maybe that’s why it continuously failed.
She sighed and walked around the mushroom.
Kalon was putting on a replica of the shirt he had just shredded.
He extended his arms for her to fall into, and she side-eyed him.
“Not as soft, huh?” she asked, gesturing toward his shirt.
“Not as soft,” he replied with a guileful smile, and picked her up, carrying her deeper into the mushrooms.
Chapter 39
Ael
“The witch gave me this,” Luelle said as she held out a clear stone the size of his palm.
“What is it?” he asked her, picking up the piece of transparent stone and holding it up to the warm light streaming through the large domed windows of the Throne Room.
“She said you speak the name of who you want to see, and it will show you their image. She also said that the next time you want something, you should come and ask her yourself. Andthenafter she handed me that rock, she threw the broom at my head and screamed as ifshewas the one in pain.” Luelle rubbed the back of her head.
“I wanted to be able to speak to Seda, also. Can this do that?” he asked, ignoring her complaints.
“Just the image in real time,” Luelle responded, dropping herhand. “Sheesh, at least show someconcernfor my well-being after sending me to that old hag. She is truly terrible. Next time, send Praxis. I would love to see him with a bump on the head from a broom.”
The doors swung open, and Praxis marched in and bowed deeply.
“Speak of the stinky devil,” Luelle mumbled.
Praxis ignored her but fought a smirk. “Sire, the Lycanthropes have gathered at the western wall. It has been quiet while you were away. They may have learned of your return.”
“Have you been in contact?” Ael asked as he slipped the stone into his pocket.
“No, Sire. We await your command,” Praxis said as he stood straight, awaiting orders. Praxis was nearly as tall as Ael, his height giving him a natural presence amongst the guard. His black hair was shaved into intricate designs along the sides, allowing his tall ears, adorned with iron cuffs, to be displayed.
