– 25 –
Head in the Game
When had this happened–me caring about Karim?I couldn’t tell exactly.
I’d certainly felt drawn to him like a butterfly toward a cornflower from the very beginning.What I’d discovered about his personality was as attractive to me as his looks.I craved his touch as well as his company.And now, even though we were surrounded by gargoyles that would turn against us if the King didn’t return, I couldn’t keep my focus off Karim.
He must have sensed me watching him, so ethereal in the moonlight, because he opened his eyes.He’d closed them some time ago to listen for anything usual.
“What is it, my flower?”
My attention flicked to the gargoyles standing on his otherside.They seemed to be paying more attention to the trees around us than to our conversation.
To my surprise, they didn’t show any animosity toward the creatures they were technically still at war with.That was nice to see.I had caught enough disapproving looks my way underground for one night.I also didn’t want to see Karim subjected to such an attitude by our guards.
“I was wondering how long the talks will last,” I replied.It took me some time to come up with an answer other than, ‘I’m falling for you.Hard and fast.’
“There are only a few items on the agenda to discuss.And we have already agreed that no feast will be held in case of a peace agreement.”A short pause.“You’re probably asking this because you’re eager to go home with me…”
There I was again, blushing like a schoolgirl.
“…because you can’t wait to get off your feet.”
Sneaky elf!I shook my head with a smile.
“I just heard all is well within the perimeter,” he added, “so I can finally focus on your comfort.”
“Oh.”Not using my bad ankle for a bit would be nice, indeed.
“Guards, I wish to have my braid-partner-to-be seated,” Karim addressed the gargoyles politely.“There is a log twenty steps to our left.Can you relocate us there in this formation?”
“We have instructions to stay on this spot,” a gargoyle to my left replied in pretty good English.“But since our scouts above report the perimeter is secure, Saxan could bring the log to your mate.”
Mate?My heart did a little flip.If I understood Deidre’s explanation about gargoyles’ beliefs correctly, these guards thought that thegodshad made me for Karim.That we’d been put in each other’s path because we belonged together.That we were soulmates.
Just how I felt deep inside but was afraid to embrace that spiritual connection fully.What if Karim didn’t feel the same way?What if his kind didn’t bond as deeply, given that they seemed drivenmore by reason and pragmatism than feelings?
I glanced at Karim, but he was observing the gargoyle hoisting the huge log onto one shoulder single-handedly.
Head in the game, Jasmine.Now was not the time to talk soulmates and mushy stuff with him.
“Thank you,” I mumbled when the brown-haired gargoyle carefully placed the log beside me.He didn’t appear strained at all.
He bowed his head and quickly resumed his position.For a being his size, he moved very fast.
Getting off my feet felt so nice that a tiny moan escaped me as I sat down.
“Better?”
I turned to face Karim, who sat at some distance from me.Was he trying to avoid us accidentally touching?He couldn’t possibly be turned on in this situation, could he?I had no way of knowing, since that dress of his somehow hid any telltale bulges.I’d seen the mystery fabric do the same magic back in the bathing chamber.
Yeah, my head was definitely in the game.Just not the right one.
“I feel much better, yes.”
“It is also because of seeing your friend, is it not?”Though his features were schooled, I could tell he was happy for me.The subtle softening of his tone, the gentle warmth seeping into his eyes, the slight shift of his body–I’d gotten better at reading his cues.
“Finding Sue alive and well still feels like a dream.And to discover she is now a queen?Unreal!”I peeked at the guards from the corner of my eye, but neither Mr.Heavy Logs Are No Biggie nor his fellow warriors reacted to the mention of their human ruler, so I decided to continue.“Did you know these negotiations were her idea?”
