Chapter 48 – Kian
Chapter Forty-Eight
KIAN
When Raelyn and I finally made it back to camp, Sera and Alex were already retired to their tent.
I smirk when I recall Sera giving Alex the most glaring of expressions when he told her they were sharing.
Rae nearly jumped in to say she could share with Sera, but there was no way in hells I would be sleeping apart from her ever again if I could help it.
Besides, the tents aren’t that small. It’s not like Sera and Alex have to cuddle.
Alex might not admit it, but I have the feeling he’s in deep shit.
I saw the terror on his face when we heard the girls scream.
I’ve never seen him run so fast in his entire life.
Gods only know if they’ll ever admit it to themselves, but there is something there, hidden beneath the jibes and loathing.
My friend is falling, and he’s falling fast.
I look down at my incredible wife, cuddled up into my side, right where she belongs.
“Why did we wait so long to do that?” She smiles sleepily.
I shake my head and laugh. “It wasn’t part of the arrangement.”
She pouts, and I press another kiss to her lips.
When she stiffens, I pull back. “Is everything all right?”
“I . . . uh . . . I just realized we could have maybe made an heir?” Her voice is a little panicked.
“I’m sorry, I should have said something earlier,” I apologize. “I’ve been taking contraceptive herbs since we were bound. There was no risk.”
She shifts in the dark, and I wish I could see her face. “That’s good to know, but why only since we were bound? I thought you had a reputation . . .”
I sigh, pulling her just a bit closer. “While I can’t claim to have been celibate all these years, I allowed my reputation to become what it is so I’d be able to do what I needed to do in the dark. Margot kept me well-supplied, though I had little need of them.”
A tiny ball of light flickers to life, and Rae places a hand on my cheek, understanding in her eyes. “Even if they were true, I wouldn’t fault you for finding pleasure amidst the darkness.”
The acceptance warms my insides, and I relish the kiss she pulls me in for. It’s soft, sweet, and a promise for so much more.
“Do you need to stop taking the contraceptive herbs?” she asks softly. “I know your father is expecting an heir . . .”
“Love, I just want to enjoy you and figure out this god stuff. Children can come later, if ever.”
“Sounds good to me,” she says.
The thought of bringing a child into all this chaos seems like a terrible idea. Not that I dislike children, but there is far too much else to worry about. I heave a sigh of relief.
“Are we going to stay in Narvae tonight?” Rae asks. “Or are we going straight to the isle?”
“That depends on how hard it is to find a boat,” I admit. We should be arriving at the small fishing town soon.
“What if we get there and don’t find anything? What if no one lets us borrow a boat?” Sera asks morosely. She’s been rather subdued since almost dying last night, and I don’t blame her. Every time I look at Rae, I thank the gods she’s okay.
“We can’t think like that,” Rae says. “We need to have faith.”
My arm gently squeezes Rae’s waist, and I press a kiss to the top of her hair. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Only about a dozen times this morning,” she replies cheekily.
Now that the words have been spoken between us, a floodgate has opened. I don’t want to waste another moment of her not knowing how much I love her . . . how she is my everything.
“Ugh, you two are sickening.” Alex groans and picks up their horse’s pace, moving out of earshot.
Raelyn giggles, and I’ll never tire of that sound. “They just need to kiss already and maybe they’ll stop being so grumpy.”
The briny scent of the sea is our first indication that we’ve finally made it to Narvae. Raelyn stretches her arms overhead and lets a few ribbons of light dance around her fingers as the sun shines down on us. The childlike joy she has at discovering her powers has been wondrous to watch.
“Perhaps you should take a break before we draw too much attention,” I drawl in her ear.
Her shoulders droop. “But it’s so fun. I wonder if I can do anything else with it? Or is it just a pretty light show?”
I hop off Phantom and help Rae dismount, purposely dragging her down the front of my body and giving her ass a little squeeze.
“Ki!” she squeaks. “As if that won’t draw attention.”
“I don’t mind everyone here knowing who you belong to.”
The pretty flush of her cheeks makes me want to pull her into my arms and devour her mouth, but if public displays of affection are not her thing, I’m not going to push it.
“As far as your powers . . .” I consider. “If we find Kyros, perhaps you can ask him about them.”
Her eyes brighten at the idea, but the way she chews on her lip makes me realize she’s as nervous about this final trek as I am.
“I hope we find him. He keeps haunting my dreams in his lion form. It’s a little disconcerting.”
I pull her into my side and enjoy the simple comfort I’m able to provide as she relaxes into me. “We’ll have answers soon,” I reassure her. “Now, let’s find a boat!”
Alex and I decide to split up while Rae and Sera scope out lodging for the night if needed. Best to be prepared.
I take one side of the docks and approach a fisherman, enjoying the soothing sound of water lapping against the wooden structure.
“Good afternoon, sir,” I start amicably.
“What do you want?” he grumbles as he fixes one of his nets.
“I was hoping I might be able to purchase passage to one of the isles,” I reply, not so subtly jingling my coin purse, hoping it will be enough to tempt him.
He looks up at me, as if trying to figure out who I am. “Which isle are ya lookin’ to visit?” he asks.
I pull a rolled map from my pocket and show him. “A few friends and I would like to visit Liial. Is it far?”
The man blanches, pushing the map out of his face rather aggressively. “No one goes there. The isle is cursed,” he says with a shudder.
“What do you mean, cursed?” I frown.
“Exactly what I said—cursed. You won’t find a boat in this village willing to take you there,” he spits out.
I tilt my head, looking at his vessel, wondering if Alex and I could handle it on our own. “Would you be open to selling your boat?” I inquire.
“This is my living,” he replies. “Nothing you could possibly offer would be worth that.”
I roll my eyes. Clearly he doesn’t realize I’m a prince of the realm. Surely a small fortune to build a new one and provide for his family in the meantime would be enough.
I’m just about to offer before he shoos me away. “Be gone with ye. I want nothing to do with this,” he barks out.
Well, shit.
I’m shut down by each and every fisherman I approach.
“That was a waste of my time,” Alex groans as we meet back in the town square.
“Ah, I see it went about as well for you as it did me.”
“What do you think they’re so afraid of?”
“I’m not sure, but it only makes me think we are actually on the right track.”
“I agree,” Alex says. “So . . . I guess we’re stealing a boat?”
The third tavern we search is filled with clamorous noise and laughter and, thank the gods, Raelyn and Sera. Rickety tables and mismatched chairs fill the space, and spirits are high.
Rae spots us and holds up a large tankard of ale in greeting, a grin stretching from ear to ear. “You made it!”
“Hello, love,” I say, planting a kiss on her lips. “Gods, you taste good.”
“It’s just the ale,” she says, her skin flushed pink.
“I’d argue with you, but I’d rather just sit and have a drink of my own.”
“Pull up a seat,” Sera grumbles, glaring at Alex. “Stop standing there staring.”
Ah, we’re back to the hostilities.
“How did it go?” Rae asks with a slight hiccup.
“How much have you had to drink?” I tilt my head.
She looks at her hand, ticking off fingers. “Three? No. Four?”
“By the gods, Rae. Slow down a little maybe?” I tease.
“I was soooo thirsty,” she slurs.
Sera throws up her hands. “I don’t know what to tell you. She doesn’t drink much, so it went straight to her head.”
“Obviously,” Alex retorts.
Sera gives him a death glare that I would never want turned on me, and I quickly motion for a server. The tired-looking female hurries over. “What can I get ya?” she asks.
“The largest glass of water you have and two more ales. Can we also get whatever you’ve prepared for dinner, please?”
“You got it,” she says before scurrying off.
I snag Raelyn’s tankard and take a sip.
“Hey! That’s mine.” She giggles.
“I’m parched too.”
“Fine, I think I had more than enough anyway,” she says before her eyes brighten and she asks, “Did you find a boat?”
Alex and I make eye contact across the table, and he gives a subtle shake of the head. Probably best not to discuss it out here, where anyone could hear us.
“We’ve got it figured out, love. Don’t you worry about it.”
“Perfect.” She grins. Loopy drunk Rae is my current favorite.
“Do they have rooms available?” Alex asks.
Sera pins him with a look. “Yep.”
“Fantastic,” he replies.
“We searched what felt like countless taverns on our way to find you both. Why did you end up choosing this one?” I inquire, noting the rundown appearance compared to some of the others.
“It’s the only one with three rooms available.” Rae hiccups.
Not wanting to start anything with Sera, I let it go and merely nod. If she wants her own room, I’m not going to stop her. All I can hope is that our lodgings aren’t infested with fleas or something equally horrible.
The server delivers the food to our table, and it looks mouthwatering. Perhaps this place isn’t so terrible after all.
Rae digs into the fresh fish and moans happily. It really is too bad she’ll likely pass out as soon as we get to our room; those moans make my cock twitch way too happily.
The lemony fish pairs perfectly with the cold ale, and we stuff ourselves. A nice break after the meager rations on the trail.
“I think we should retire early tonight,” I say once we’re all fully sated. “We’ll be getting up fairly early tomorrow.”
“Ugh, do we have to?” Raelyn complains.
“Yes, love.”
“But there’s going to be music! The tavern owner told me there’ll be dancing later.”
“As fun as that sounds, I think we could all use a good rest tonight.”
“Fine,” she says, sounding resigned.
The girls show us to our rooms, and before we retire, we pile into the largest one to debrief.
Raelyn looks oddly sober as she frowns. “That’s the only option?”
“I’m afraid so,” Alex replies. “The fishermen are incredibly superstitious, and no one wants their vessels anywhere near that isle.”
Sera shudders. “And you’re sure we should even go there with those glowing recommendations?”
“Unfortunately, I think it only confirms what we suspect. There is something off about the isle, and an imprisoned god might be exactly what we’re looking for.”
“Fuck,” Sera says.
“Fuck indeed,” Alex agrees.