Keane’s location summoning suddenly tugs against my abdomen, his want and need dripping with heavy desire. I press my thighs close and shift on the ground, my hands trembling a bit as I focus on the oak slab.
That’s not fair.
His chuckle vibrates in my bones.
Where are the Leviathans?
Arriving any moment.He writes.
And you?
In my quarters and envisioning you in my bed.
I’ll take you there, too, Alexis.
Always.
Heat courses down the back of my neck. I look around our group in a flush and spot everyone still chatting into the night, seemingly oblivious to me and my messages with Keane.
I think I’ll get under my bedroll now…I smirk.It’s nothing close to your bed, but don’t worry, I’ll pretend my hands are yours.
Alexis...
I can hear the playful warning in that single written word. Keane pushes his summoning against me again, his desire flowing so fiercely through my whole body that I have to stifle a gasp.
Fucking Ancients, this man.
Not even near me and still making my blood heat.
I turn my gaze down to the curve of my hips and look directly at my center, feeling his want and need grow stronger as I do. I arch my hips slightly off the ground and bite my lip at the thought of him watching me, trembling when a small grin of amusement brushes against my bones.
This truly is not fair.
But just as quickly as his summoning elicits all kinds of wanton need in my body, it’s just as quick to disappear. Keane releases his hold and leaves me in an aching mess, a set of new words forming on the slab.
They’re here.
The Leviathans.
Don’t touch yourself until I see you in Bardot.
I sigh and fall back on my bedroll, closing my eyes to the night.
We ride in the morning for the twin river city of Dalloway, stopping at the break in the road as Sutton and Tripler ride past us in goodbye. The black banners with the green emblem of Warrior soar high above the black granite buildings as we take the main road in, the patrons of the lively city awake and busting and smiling to Desmond as he leads our group to a large café for breakfast. We walk into the two-story business and are promptly seated on the top veranda that has a beautiful view of the River Poise below.
I lean against the ledge with a smile, watching as Discerni and human men ready their fishing boats for the day. Farther down the river are the twin bridges that curve over it, the black banners on one side starkly contrasting the green and gold on the other. The smell of pepper and cool water greets our breakfast just as the hint of cinnamon flows through the air. We’re closer to the border. Closer to the Court of Knowledge.
Our group resumes its travel after breakfast. A decent amount of men stop in their travels to nod at Desmond while others stop to openly stare at Stormfall sleeping on my shoulder. Those stares are filled with both curiosity and awe, eyes darting between me and the Bird of Ash as some people point and others hide their whispers behind their hands.
I try my best to remain as normal as possible, but it doesn’t take long to realize that soon the full Kingdom of Disce will be talking. They’ll whisper about a human woman accompanying a Prince of the Kingdom with a magical black bird on her shoulder, and they’ll wonder if that’s even allowed. The Discerni will ask why they can feel power emitting from the bird and why a human woman seems to be its commanding companion. Will rumors begin circling as to Storm’s origins then? And if so, will that lead to even more talk of his Ancient?
Our horses bound over one of the massive twin bridges in the late morning and weave between the travelers as they cross the cities. The rivergushes below us as more fishing boats grace the waters underneath, the men hollering back and forth as they navigate downstream.
Agnor creeps into view once we reach the peak middle of the bridge, and I smile when I spot Moonsbay Lake in the distance. Its silver and blue waters reflect the light of the sun and sparkle against the various greenstone buildings that line all the roads, the sight prompting my Knowledge friends to smile as they take it in too.
I steal a closer look at Holis and Mana, wondering if either of the brothers have families or lovers in Knowledge to come home to. It’s something I’ve thought about here and there but have never brought up in our travels. Cal may know, and when I glance in his direction, I can’t help but grin at the foolish smile he sends to Alanna at his side. He’s watching her reaction as we move into Knowledge, pointing out different vendors and pubs as she nods in reply.
We ride through Agnor at a slow speed and eventually make it to the outskirts of the city at midday. Desmond announces to the group that we’ll ride hard for the rest of the afternoon, aiming to reach Brierman just after sunset. I smile at the announcement, always loving the ride between Agnor and Brierman, and greet the gushing waters of the River Poise with its cool breeze whipping through my hair.
