Feel the Burn (11 page)

Feeling rather put out at the order, Loi didn’t move then noticed Sabyn watching from across the way. Everyone stared, waiting for her to move and she ignored them. Sabyn’s subtle look of disapproval when he gazed at her, however, made Loi blush with shame and she turned, heading to the hatch to go collect the axe.

The massive axe felt like it weighed a ton and Loi sweated while she worked her energy around the weapon and awkwardly pulled it along. There wasn’t an easy way to carry it but she managed to get it upstairs without injuring anyone or damaging the ship in the process. The feeling of eyes watching her only increased the sense of shame and she bit the inside of a cheek, focusing on ignoring everything except Larvaste.

The centaur accepted the axe with a polite ‘thanks’ and they set back into practice. By evening the hard work of the day let most the shame vanish and no one mentioned it again. Still, when Sabyn entered their cabin as she washed up Loi faltered at his gaze and stared at the bucket of hot water. He didn’t say a word and the silence felt loud. Loi snuck a glance his way. With a dark blond eyebrow arched high those glacial blue eyes regarded her in amusement.

‘Smarts, huh.’

It wasn’t a question and Loi blushed, turning away and finished washing, walking to the trunks to find something to wear. She heard footsteps while she stared at the clothes, a hot tear of embarrassment sliding down her cheek and she made an angry swipe at it. Two strong arms closed around her and she crossed her arms over her chest feeling ridiculously defensive. Sabyn chuckled; a gentle deep rumble. His hand swept her long hair to the side so he could place a kiss on the base of her neck.

‘Everyone has their moments, goddess.’

With a huffed sigh she turned her head, just enough to see him, when the urge to cry hit. His eyes regarded her warmly and he turned her, so she faced him, then brushed his nose against hers and gazed into her eyes.

‘Doesn’t make me love you any less. Promise. I already know you’re a brat.’

The teasing let the pointless anger vanish and a giggle slipped out. She hugged him and tilted her head to meet his lips.

*~*~*

Chapter Eight

‘Phhhuuurrriiinnnnccceeessss!’

A tiny voice squealed out to us again and again and I squinted to spot her. Little Leynorah appeared to battle the non-existent breeze while she attempted to bear down on us. Her mother flew alongside keeping a watchful eye and indulgent smile on her offspring. The tiny fae landed on my arm and I resisted shuddering at the sensation of her wee hooks latching onto my skin. Smiling still felt unnatural but I managed to lift the corners of my mouth in the right motion and received the little fae’s version of a beaming smile in return, fangs glinting in the misty morning light.

‘If you don’t mind, Your Highness, Leynorah hoped to keep you company while I practice.’

I wasn’t sure if accepting babysitting duties (fae sitting?) went against protocol and Ignatius—permanently hovering in the background—watched closely when I accepted.

I sat with Loushka, Kerak, and Kassie in our usual spot on the upper deck and we listened while the fuzzy fae chatted away. Then the sound of fighting caught my attention and I leaned forward, setting Leynorah on the handrail before stooping below it to look down at the main deck. A couple of goblins practiced their grappling and I watched, impressed at their wrestling skills. Very swift, they seemed to have six or eight limbs instead of four while they fought, a hand or foot always there when needed. Having such dexterous feet would be handy, I thought while watching. A loud clomping made everyone look up when the Cavalry came out to practice and those on the main deck moved aside for them.

Kassie grinned at Cat and sat up straighter; she loved to watch the centaurs practice. A hard nudge to the back made her glance behind at Kerak.

‘Pervert.’

She chuckled and reached back to pat his beak.

‘You focus on your darling Loushka. I have some centaurs to ogle.’

The griffon sat bolt upright with a sound of shock and accidently knocked Cat beneath the handrail to the lower deck while he shot a fervent glance at Loushka.

‘Kerak!’ Cat looked up at them in bewilderment and Loushka regarded him quizzically. ‘What the heck?’

Unable to speak to Cat, Kerak glared at Kassie who rocked with laughter on her seat. He made a whiny squark at Cat and curled into a tight embarrassed ball, his wing-folds sticking up.

‘Thanks a lot, Kass.’

‘You started it,’
she retorted without a shred of apology. Cat climbed the stairs and sat beside Kassie with Leynorah clinging to her long red plait while they watched the battling warriors.

The ship rocked while Rumal and Rashid studied the large map of the Southern territory spread out over the table before them. The large sways of the ship when he was beneath tended to give Rumal a queasy stomach. He glanced out the high rectangular windows, focusing on the horizon while waiting for his body to settle.

‘Cavalry training,’ Rashid unnecessarily said.

Right, thought Rumal and he glanced at the map, considering. He preferred to go upstairs when they practiced.

‘Why don’t we work on this later?’

Rashid glanced up and smirked. ‘Stomach getting to you?’

Rumal gave him a narrow look. They rolled the map up and headed to the top deck. When Rumal stepped through the hatch behind Rashid, the Lieutenant jerked to a halt then made an odd fumbling side step. Stretching his neck to see what confused Rashid, he spotted Leseach striding their way and saw the plain look of longing on Rashid’s face before he concealed it.

With a snigger Rumal elbowed past the man and quietly jibed, ‘Stomach getting to you?’

Rashid didn’t appear to register his words, so intent on the Northerner. Shaking his head in amusement Rumal left the man to it and went to look for Kassie.

The battle axes impressed her most, Kassie decided. They were as long as she was tall, with massive arced blades and a stake at the end. The Aswaran centaurs swung and spun them with ease despite the extreme weight of them. There was a smaller version too and the cavalry soldiers using them wielded one in either hand. The loud shriek of metal hitting metal punctuated the air when axes clashed with swords and maces. Each soldier had his preferred weapons and in turn they had their preferred styles, making it incredible to watch. Centaurs are amazing creatures, Kassie thought, admiring the massive forequarters bracing, darting and kicking. They practiced in their armor, the breastplates gleaming in the sun and leg greaves flashing when they charged. The Rodhite centaurs practiced hand to hand combat too, though Kassie knew they specialized in bows. They held what looked like double ended maces, using the weighted solid ends to batter and rip shields or weapons from their opponents.

‘Looks like everyone will need healing today,’ Cat commented.

‘Good practice,’ Kassie replied absently.

Rumal spotted her on the upper deck with Kerak, Cat, and Loushka; her eyes locked on the men training. Kassie watched them intently, eyes alive and excited and the expression caused desire to rise, knowing how her mind tended after nearly every Cavalry practice.

After a bit she appeared to sense his eyes and turned his way. Those beautiful hazel eyes regarded him lustfully, looking green in the shadows of the mast. She spoke to Cat and rose, climbing down the stairs. Watching her walk toward him gave Rumal contradicting emotions of joy, lust, fear, and pride. How can I possibly let her go into this, he thought, fear tensing his chest. Yet at the same time he knew that nothing would stop the impending battle. The war had enveloped Gar’nyse for nearly five millennia and now the weapons to end it had arrived. It must be done.

‘Hello you,’ Kassie purred, pressing herself against him and reached those dainty arms up his chest. His energy responded to hers and the shimmering light overtook his vision when the syren gift flowed from his eyes.

‘Love.’ He reached down, grabbing her backside and lifted till her mouth met his. The sounds of battle vanished when his entire being infused with her soaring energy. Breaking from the kiss he lowered her to the deck and they walked hand in hand to the hatch.

Later, when they lay naked on the bed in their cabin, Rumal stroked the curls back from her face and tipped her chin up, kissing her swollen lips.

‘Be so careful,’ he whispered between kisses. ‘Please, my love. Be so careful.’

It made her cry and he kissed those salty tears away when she nodded and whispered in a broken voice.

‘I will, if you are too. I will.’

* * *

I sat in my usual spot, sandwiched between Loushka and Kerak with my watchers close by and gazed at the beautiful sky. Still and quiet with not a breath of wind, the setting sun wreathed the sky in an array of glorious colors. The outer most a dark cobalt with the glint of diamonds from early stars and then it lightened toward the sun in arcs of ruby, copper and gold.

The familiar sensation of sorrow made my chest exquisitely hollow for a moment while I wished Alek were here, beside me, overlooking this view.

‘It is a beautiful world here, Loushka,’
I thought and tipped back to lean against her. Imagining exploring the planet with Al had been so easy. We’d discussed it occasionally, flirting with the topic but he quickly got wrapped up in the idea, mentioning the places he wanted to show me. It made me smile, remembering his enthusiasm. Such a bittersweet feeling, I thought. Though losing him caused me such pain, I wouldn’t take it back. Meeting Alek and loving Alek gave me such pure joy that I wouldn’t undo it. Just thinking of it made my heart and energy swell.

Can’t wait to see you again.

I waited until the sun set, then said goodnight to Loushka and Kerak and climbed down to where Leseach and Ignatius kept watch on the main deck—their truce evidently firmly in place while they walked me to my room. Leseach paused at the door when Ignatius disappeared to collect the mug of nellor.

‘How are you sleeping?’ she asked.

‘Fine.’

‘Are you sure? Do you have many dreams?’

Feeling apprehensive I half snapped, ‘Why? Am I sleep talking?’

My heart started to race at the thought of her taking the dreams from me and my back stiffened.

‘It’s okay, Catherine. Just let me know if you’re having any issues and I’ll try to fix it.’

I nodded in relief and thanked her, nodding again to her bow and slipped into my room. Closing the door I leaned against it, waiting for my hammering heart to slow before pushing off to go change.

The breathy question woke him promptly, his mind recognizing it in an instant. Ignatius’ eyes opened and he tensed then relaxed. A pair of green eyes peeked down at him from the bed above. He chuckled.

‘What are you doing, kitten?’ he whispered the words, always aware of the person on duty outside. Those eyes stared, then she shifted and he could see her face, a delighted smile spreading.

‘Al?’ she demanded.

Ignatius sat up quickly and held a finger to her lips.

‘Shhh.’ Then he slid his hand under her hair, cupping the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to his. The guilt he’d felt the first time this occurred a few nights ago, when she’d kissed him and he hadn’t resisted, had long vanished. Here and now she was his, even if he answered to another’s name.

‘Al,’ she murmured after the kiss. ‘Oh, Al. I love you. I miss you. Please don’t leave me.’

‘Never,’ he whispered and climbed onto the bed with her, pulling her into his arms. ‘Never, Princess, I promise.’

The strange nearly lifeless glaze in her eyes felt easy to ignore when she smiled. The expression of joy when she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down for a kiss looked exquisite to his eyes. Ignatius caressed her arms and back when their mouths met, cupping her ass and squeezing, loving the murmurs and soft sighs she gave at his touch. The short window that held her there—in this waking dream—passed too quickly and before long Ignatius laid her back in bed, deep asleep. Regretfully he drew the covers over her and climbed down to the bedroll, his hands shaking while his body screamed with the need to release. He sat with his knees up, breathing deeply and quietly, willing his achingly hard cock to go down, and listened for the next check in. It seemed to take an agonizingly long time before he heard the quiet rap of knuckles against the door.

‘All good?’

‘Yes.’

The tension of waiting evaporated at the light knock and he settled back under his covers, an eye to the bed above but only heard her steady breathing. I have to find out which herb does it, Ignatius thought. One of Leseach’s herbs must do it.

* * *

Loi froze at the touch that brushed her energy and completely forgot about Larvaste swinging an axe at her. Her energy deflected the blow and a green charge snapped off, causing the centaur to yell, dropping his axe.

‘Laura!’ Larvaste protested.