Barnett leads me down the twisting halls and staircases, his shoulder skimming closer to mine with every step we take. We make it back to the receiving hall and walk past the room used for court in a hurry, the two of us sharing a grin at the raucousness but not wanting to be pulled back inside.
The two of us head down the main entry steps and towards a small path to the side of the castle, our shoulders now pressing against eachother in flirtatious edge. Barnett takes my hand and squeezes it with a tug, his gorgeous hazel eyes finding mine with a look of question.
“You know all the nooks here, Barnett, not me,” I grin.
The moment the words leave my mouth his hand is pulling me towards a thick set of pines that are out past the stables and hidden in the shadows. His lips are on mine the moment we reach the trees, his arms pulling me into his embrace as he leans against a large trunk behind him. I lift my hands to his neck and press into his kiss harder, feeling as his lips tilt my head to the side and he starts trailing kisses along my jaw and neck. A small moan is about to fall from my lips when-
“-And all the pretty ladies lay down for them in wanting…”
I open my eyes in horror and quickly place a hand over Barnett’s mouth. He laughs and wraps his arms tighter around my waist, the two of us peering around the tree at the same time to listen to the familiar voice.
“While all the men on the road only found them daunting…”
Cal is drunkenly walking down the castle steps and reciting the ballad he learned earlier.
I lean into Barnett’s chest with a soft groan.
The Discerni soldier just laughs as I drop my hand, the two of us watching as Cal gives a tipsy skip in the grass, his grin alight as he takes a sip from the mug in his hand.
“He moves well for a big man,” Barnett chuckles.
“For they knew what awaited them after a night with these fair ladies…”
Cal swivels from left to right, his arm holding his ale to the sky.
“An aftermath filled with crabs, and even worse, scabies!”
A big thud shakes the ground as Cal tips over from his drunken stupor. I can’t help but laugh in amusement at my friend before I shake my head with a sigh.
“I hate to see this end,” I look up at Barnett, “but I have to go help him.”
“You do,” his hazel eyes smile down on mine, “but there’s always tomorrow…”
He leans down and bites my lip in promise. The two of us hastily adjust our clothes and head out from beneath the pines.
“I saw your skip back there, Cal,” I smile at him in greeting.
Barnett moves next to me and drops a hand down to Cal, my friend looking between the two of us with hooded eyes.
“You saw nothing,” he grunts and takes Barnett’s hand, letting the Discerni help him up, “you both kids saw nothing.”
Barnett laughs but nods his head all the same, the two of us sharing an amused glance as I pat Cal’s back.
“Let’s get you back to your room, Cal.”
We make our way up the large steps and through the castle doors, past the court that is still going strong as Barnett leads the way. When we finally reach his door, just a few down from my own, I help my friend find his key before unlocking it and sending him inside.
“I’m going to stay with him for a while,” I turn to Barnett in another apology, “just to make sure he makes it to bed.”
“Of course,” he replies, stepping into me with a small grin. I groan when his hands skim up my sides and barely brush against my breasts, the touch sending me off with a heated promise.
“Tomorrow, then.”
“Tomorrow,” I smile.
He smiles and turns to leave, walking back down the hall.
“Alex!” Cal groans behind the door.
