Scarlett cried out as pleasure streaked to her toes.Another ribbon pushed upward, and every particle of stress in her released, exploding and thrusting joy and delight through her nerve endings.
She clung to his shoulders, breathing hard as another series of ripples fired through her.She was vaguely aware of Ransom’s hard breathing, the snapping of his hips as he increased the pace of his strokes.Then, he stilled deep inside her, igniting more tiny spasms.Lazily, she kissed his shoulder and breathed in his musky scent.
Ah, yes.There was something to be said for experience.
11.Are We There Yet?
Ransomsmiledashelistened to Scarlett chattering nonsense to the Trolleris and Talon grunting back at her.Neither understood the other, but the pair was enjoying their communication process.Scarlett seemed stronger today.He did too.Part of him had expected the prince to invade his sleep during the blacklight.
The prince remained silent.
A good thing, or not?Ransom hadn’t decided.
Ransom hoisted his pack onto his shoulders.“Ready to leave?”
“Let’s do this.Will we reach the right area this cycle?”
“I never got to show you the map, but yes.We’re close.”
“The smoke cloud is heavier today.”
As she spoke, the ground shuddered beneath their feet.
Ransom’s gaze went to the conical mountain top.“Tremors too.I guess we don’t need to panic until it spits lava and heated rocks.Should I carry your pack?”
“No, thanks.It’s much lighter now we’ve consumed most of our food.”
For most of the morning, they navigated a valley with little vegetation.Green moss covered the rocks, giving the dip between two ridges a splash of brilliant green.Slippery suckers though.Ransom breathed a relieved sigh when the terrain changed to scraggy trees.They stopped to fill their water bottles before they followed a path that dissected the valley and gradually climbed to another peak.
“Are we there yet?”Scarlett asked.
Ransom stopped.“Time to rest?”
“Please.I might as well check out the map.”
Ransom nodded.“How about we stop at the top of this hill?That will give us a decent view of what lies beyond.”
“Works for me.Hey, Talon.Do you want one of us to carry you?”
Scarlett was right.The Trolleris trudged, his breathing hoarse and wheezy, yet Talon hadn’t complained about their pace.
“I’ll carry you,” Ransom said.“I’m taller, and you’ll get a better view.We’ll all check the map and decide if we can spot any more landmarks.”
Ransom stooped to let Talon clamber on his shoulders before continuing his climb at a slower pace.It was cooler now, despite the fickle heat of the nearest star.Some higher mountains bore traces of ice.
Finally, they reached the ridge, and Scarlett halted beside him.He scanned the horizon.
“Ransom!Look!”
A fiery red rock shot overhead.As one, they turned to stare at the volcano.The smoke pouring from the top had blackened.Another glowing rock missile shot through the smoke and crashed to the ground.
“Well, dodging those will be fun,” Scarlett said, understating the danger in a big way.
Ransom pulled out the map and unfolded the creased sheet.“Look at this.Do you recognize any of the landmarks?I thought I did, but now, I’m confused.”
Talon tapped his shoulder with his black claws and pointed.Ransom followed the same line of sight.
“Scarlett, what do you think?”
