Ojore finished his whiskey and stood up to pour another from the crystal decanter. “Have you heard from the Lycanthropes?”
Ael shook his head, and Ojore quickly drank his glass in one large gulp, hissing from the burn. “I’m concerned about them,” he stated.
Ojore had a point. It was pretty strange that they wanted to meet and then left when Praxis tried to make contact at the wall. “I’ll see what we can find out. Trade is expected to happen within the next couple of days. They’re leaving tomorrow.”
Ojore nodded at him and reclined in his chair. The group talked while they waited for their rooms to be ready.
Luelle ran into the room, panting from her quick pace. “I need to talk to you, Ael.” She paused and looked around at everyone else. “Who the hell arethesepeople?”
“It can wait.” Ael stood and introduced the group to Luelle. She looked at everyone and evaluated each one.
“Two Corvids, a Lycanthrope, and two humans, huh.” Luelle chuckled. “What a mix that is.”
“How did you know I was a Lycanthrope?” Ojore asked.
“The musky aroma of a wild animal,” she said with a shrug.
Ojore frowned, sniffed himself, and sighed as if he didn’t care about his smell, but his burning cheeks revealed his embarrassment.
Askold stood and approached Luelle with a cheesy smile. “Humans can have a lot to offer, you know.” He looked Luelle up and down and grinned at her. “You’rebeautiful. I’ve never seen such a stunning goddess before in my life.”
Luelle laughed so hard she almost toppled over. “Humans sure do have some balls, don’t they?” She looked to Ael for agreement, and he chuckled.
“Oh, Ido. I was hoping to run into a Fae beauty, and fate was on my side,” Askold said in mock defense as he sat back in his chair and looked at her.
“Shut up, idiot,” Ojore snapped irritably. “Why don’t you justgo wank one out in the bathroom and stop embarrassing yourself?”
Askold grinned wider and wiggled his eyebrows. She smiled back at him and said, “Thank you for the compliments. I do solovethem. Unfortunately, I don’t care for men.” She winked at him and sat on the armrest of Ael’s chair, looking over at Ferona and smirking.
Ael rolled his eyes at Luelle, and Ojore’s jaw dropped. A servant walked by, and Ojore tried to catcall her, but she gave him a dirty look and flipped him off. Once she realized Ael was in the room, she apologized, bowed, and continued with her tasks.
Everyone burst into laughter, except for Roya. “How much longer?” she demanded as Fran approached.
“The rooms are ready. Please follow me,” Fran replied.
They followed her as she guided everyone down a long hall and up winding stairs. Benny kept admiring the castle and complimenting the architecture and decor. Askold walked alongside Luelle and tried to strike up conversations with her, but she shifted away from him and closer to Ferona, who smiled in response with a blush to her cheeks.
When they reached the East Wing, Ael asked the guards if Seda was in her room, and they nodded. He knocked loudly to make sure she knew he was there, and he heard her reply, letting them in.
When the door opened, his heart fluttered in his chest at the sight of her. Seda stood there, wearing the same shirt and shorts again, looking just as she had when they lived in Joro.
Fuck, she was waiting for me,he realized.
She saw her friends and screamed in excitement as she ran to the door, throwing herself at Benny and hugging him tightly. “Benny! I’m so glad you’re okay!”
Roya approached Seda and bowed her head, “I’m glad you’re safe, Seda.”
“I’m so happy you’re here. I was worried about you guys,” Seda said.
“What did the Wisps tell you?” Ferona asked eagerly again after the door closed.
Seda repeated what she told Ael and what she learned from Tahti. Everyone remained silent as they listened.
“So, we truly need to get that necklace back,” Benny said as he sat beside Roya, placing his hand on her knee. “Sorry, Seda. We should’ve gone after him. How do we locate Kalon?”
“What if we ask that witch of yours?” Ojore suggested.
“What if we ask Elco to hunt him down again?” Ferona asked at the same time.
