“About half an hour,” Quinn answered.
“Half an hour? You can’t carry me the whole time.”
“You doubt my strength, love? I’m offended.” Casimir gave her a smirk.
She sighed. “Your ego sure is strong enough.”
He let out a chuckle as they emerged from the tent. “I’m fine. I can carry you.”
And carry her he did. The entire way and hardly out of breath by the time they reunited with their companions. Casimir set Ava down gently, supporting her with an arm around her waist. Luna bounded forward, rubbing against Ava’s hand in greeting.
Bastien, Aro and Percy gathered close as Ava cut her palm, knelt, and drew the symbols on the ground, feeding her magic into the earth. The portal appeared within seconds.
Casimir picked her back up and followed Jorrar and the others through, emerging in the middle of the training fields next to the castle. The animals followed, heading to the woods to hunt.
“Gods, I could use a bath,” Quinn lamented.
“We all could,” said Jorrar. “But we must find Thorne first.”
“I’ll find him,” Pax said. “Meet us in the dining hall.”
The rest of them strode through the pale stone hallways, the orange glow of the sunset shining through the open air windows. Peace settled over Ava, a replenishment of her soul as she inhaled the lilac carried inside on the breeze and listened to the birds singing their evening songs.
They entered the dining hall, a fire roaring in the large hearth on the far wall. Casimir gently placed her in a chair. “I’m going to go speak with the kitchens to get us some food.”
Jorrar and Quinn sat across from her, the latter with an anxious look on her face, tapping her fingers on the table.
“Are you alright?” Ava asked.
Quinn grimaced. “It’s nothing.”
“Oh, come on. Tell us.”
With an eyeroll, Quinn said, “Fine. I missed your brother.”
Ava gave her a wide smile. “You care about him.”
“Of course I do.” Quinn scoffed.
Ava’s smile grew wider. “You loooove him,” she said in a singsong voice. “You want to maaaarry him. And have his babies.”
Quinn glared daggers at Ava. “Keep your mouth shut.”
“I’m just saying. Besides, I’m paying you back for teasing me about Cas that night we went tavern hopping.”
Quinn smirked. “I still remember what you said about him.”
“What did she say?” Casimir asked, returning to the room.
“She said she wanted you to throw her on the bed and fuck her brains out.”
Jorrar choked on a cough. “Oh, for the Mother’s sake…”
Casimir sat beside Ava with a smug grin. “Well…eventually I did and by the way you screamed, I’m quite sure it exceeded all of your expectations.”
Ava’s neck flushed as she put her face in her hand. “Oh my god.”
“Please tell me I did not just hear what I think I did,” Thorne’s voice echoed as he entered with Pax.
