CHAPTER 42 MILI
“G odsdamnit,” I mutter to myself. I’ve burned another round of eggs while trying to cook breakfast for the shifters and myself. Evidently, I’m not as much of a chef as Cory and the others.
Strangely, cooking reminds me again of the kind shadow guardians I met in the volcano: Huntswood, Gregora, Evenly, Ouren and others. I wonder if I’ll see them again? The thought of returning to the volcano someday brings me a little glimmer of joy, and I smile to myself as I messily crack another two eggs into my large cast iron.
Soft but strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, and I giggle as they tickle my sides. I smell Max’s charcoal and caramel scent and turn around to grin up at him, grinding my hips slightly into him with the movement.
When I turn around, though, it’s Port behind me –he’s wearing Max’s sleep shirt and has swollen lips. Apparently, those two have been continuing to get along wonderfully .
“I thought you were Maxey,” I gasp, smiling in surprise.
Port laughs softly and replies, “He’d kill you if he heard you calling him that, you know.”
I wink and flip an egg –luckily, this one isn’t burned. “That’s what makes it so fun?” I flip the second egg and it’s slightly underdone. Alas, you can’t win them all.
We stand for a second, just enjoying each others’ company, and I feel a warmth start to spread, slowly, from my stomach to my groin. Realm’s Mother, these men are addictive. I’m envious, too, that Max has already gotten to enjoy Port this morning. I’ve hardly had the chance to be physical with him, the past few weeks have been so chaotic.
Something in my gaze must give me away, because Port raises an eyebrow and murmurs, “Penny for your thoughts?”
“I was thinking about this,” I murmur back, letting the words fall gently from my lips, as I reach forward and cup his groin. I anticipate Port immediately giving in to the lust I’ve opened up between us, but he just glances down with shadowed eyes and a confident smile.
I bite my lip, wondering if I’ve gone too far, but he leans in to me and whispers, “Do you remember the first time we really met, in the bathing chamber?”
My breath hitches as he steps in closer to me, his fresh rainy forest smell finally breaking through the musk of Max’s shirt. I nod at him, my hand still resting on his groin. I clutch it like a sensual lifeline as he leans in to me and kisses my parted lips.
He catches my lower lip in his teeth and pulls back, slowly, until releasing it. It snaps back and a current of warmth blooms in me like a smoldering ember. Port smiles gently at me, but there’s a hint of sensual darkness in his eyes –need, maybe, or restraint. I want him to show me everything he can do, I realize. I want him cracked open.
As I’m leaning in to catch his lips again, a massive force shakes the floor. I gasp and fall forward into Port, who catches me expertly. He turns the stove off quickly before calling out to Max and Cory, both of whom are already arriving in the kitchen.
“Cory?” I ask at the sight of his brows knit tightly together. “Do you sense anything?”
He nods, then holds a hand out to me. I take his hand in mine and grab Port’s arm to bring him and Max with us.
We make it outside together, Cory’s eyes narrowed as he tries to pick up on the cause of the quake. As we’re nearing the yard’s gate, the ground shakes again, and the three shifters all instinctively throw their arms around me in a protective stance. As horrible as this strange disaster is, the knowledge that these dragons are guarding me brings me some solace. Still, we have to find out what’s happening before we can try to stop it.
I close my eyes in frustration and try to listen for something, a clue, a sense, anything. I hear the muffled sound of rushing water and my eyes shoot open.
“The river,” I cry out –then I take off flying.
–––
I land with a loud thump , having miscalculated the fall. I stumble for a moment, both from the clumsy landing and the shock of the sight before me. As my wings fold back into me, I gasp and take in the state of the dam.
The river bank is flooded, and the water nearly reaches the small dirt path that runs parallel. Max and Port are close behind me, landing abruptly beside me as I touch down beside the bank. Cory’s been beside me the whole time, and he whirls around to make sure our entire group has arrived safely.
“What happened?” Max whispers, horrified.
Port shakes his head and grabs Max by the arm, pulling him to the remains of the dam. It’s about two-thirds destroyed, and water rushes violently through the wide opening.
“Come on,” Port barks out. “We’ll hold it as best we can. Cory?”
“We’ll start a spell,” Cory responds, nodding firmly.
I take a second to catch my breath, holding back a scream of frustration. Who did this? It could only have been Kar, but none of the shifters have sensed him –unless they’re hiding something from me. The thought fills me with sudden rage, but I set my sights on the shattered dam and focus.
I turn to Cory and straighten my shoulders as I say, “Can you guide the wind?” He nods, eyes stony. “Good. I’ll use magick to protect Max and Port while they hold the remaining barricade.”
Then the two of us set to work without a word. Cory must sense my anger, because his gaze keeps flicking back and forth between my face and the water. I ignore him and kneel to the ground, lowering my head to the cool earth. I begin to chant with my arms open:
Mother of Ethelinda, Mother of this Realm, here work two bodies, two of your own.
Here work two dragons, here work your kin.
Mother of Ethelinda, guide the dragons’ hands.
Mother of this Realm, calm the river’s spirit. Hum, hum.
Here work two bodies, two of your own.
Here they work, their bravery shown.
Guide the dragon’s hand, calm the river’s spirit. Hum, hum.
As I chant, I hear the river slowing. I don’t dare look up, though –I can’t risk losing the Realm’s Mother’s trust. Instead, I stay with my eyes pressed tightly closed, hands and forehead firmly planted on the ground.
On my third chant, I feel a hand land softly on my back. I gasp, my focus broken, and leap to see that everything’s alright.
It’s Cory’s hand on my back, and I let him guide me by the hand until I’m standing. I turn to him, feeling like a shell of myself, and he frowns gently as he wipes the dark earth from my brow.
“You look tired, Mili,” he murmurs softly.
A bitter laugh escapes me, and I utter, “I’m godsdamned exhausted.”
He nods knowingly, then turns to the other two shifters. Although my mind is racing from the chant and the near-disaster, I know I need to check on Max and Port.
When my gaze lands on them, my agitation melts away into concern. They’re both soaked up to the chest, and their arms are covered in deep scratches. Under my gaze, Port smiles sadly at me, and Max turns away, embarrassed.
“Oh, my gods,” I exhale quietly. I walk over, stepping through the wet mud to reach them.
Cory follows close beside me, heading for Max. He goes to him and holds a hand out for Max’s arm; Max scowls, but lets Cory inspect his wounds. My heart breaks as he winces at the contact, and I make a mental note to get both Port and him healing poultices once we’re home.
Port steps up to meet me, then, and I turn to face him. His face is slightly scratched, too, small red marks running down his jaw and cheeks. I lift a hand and gingerly move to hold his face. Port bites back a wince at my touch, and I start to pull my hand away. He grabs my arm, though, and presses my hand back to his cheek.
“Don’t go yet,” he pleads. I nod softly, trying to disguise the worry I’m sure is written all over my face.
I sigh and whisper, “Are you okay?”
At my question, Port’s eyes harden and he nods with rehearsed confidence. I know he must be shaken up; however brave a warrior he is, there’s no opponent like the raw elements of the Realm, especially water. He knows that very well as a water dragon. Still, I smile and try to believe him.
“Mili,” Cory says. I turn to him, and he continues, “I’m going to check Port now.”
I nod, trying to relax as I pry myself away from the injured Port. Cory takes my place in front of him and starts inspecting his wounds, and I step back to give them space.
When I turn to go to Max, I see him scuffing the ground with his waterlogged boots, firmly avoiding my gaze. For some reason, this small detail brings a genuine smile to my face. I roll my eyes, grinning, and walk over to him.
I gently bump into him with my shoulder, and he glares down at me. Something in his eyes looks hurt, though, and I decide to try to cheer him up. Besides, it’s better to have someone else to help rather than just sitting in my own irritation, isn’t it?
“You know, you’re as charming as ever,” I say cheerfully. Max scoffs, but I continue, struck with a realization. “Do you know what I realized after my talk with Aurora?”
That grabs his attention, and he arches an eyebrow as he frowns down at me. “I’m not sure I want to know.”
“Funny,” I grin. “She said some critical things about the three of you, and it really angered me. I defended you all, of course. I told her you’re my real-life heroes. I didn’t realize how true it really was for a little while after, though.”
“I’m nobody’s hero,” Max growls.
I snap at him, “You just saved Ethelinda from a massive flood. Is that not enough for you to feel like a good person, to see yourself how I see you?”
Max’s jaw clenches, but I don’t budge; I stare into his eyes, as intensely as I can, until he finally cracks a small smile. “Gods, you’re intimidating when you want to be,” he grumbles warmly.
“I know,” I sigh, grinning back.
We stand together for a second, staring through the fields of crops leading back to town. After a second, I feel his large knuckles brush my hand, and I immediately lace my fingers through his.
“Someday,” I murmur, “You’ll believe in how good you are, the way we all do.”
Then he lifts my knuckles to his mouth and lays a soft kiss there.