CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
IT'S BEEN A FEW DAYS since we arrived at the Vathia war camp and today is the day I’m excited for.
Mel, Ember, Lennox and Roz should be arriving today, if nothing has happened to them.
Who am I fooling? They’re fine. They have to be fine because I would go out of my mind if I let myself think any differently.
Jesper comes prancing towards me with a wide, maniacal grin stretching ear to ear. “A dragon and two gryphons have been spotted. They should be here any moment!”
Excitement consumes me as I run and jump at Jesper, wrapping my arms around his neck as I laugh. His strong arms band around me as he catches me, a look of surprise etching his features before a soft wide smile takes over.
For a moment it feels like the world stops. It’s just he and I as I get lost in his stunning eyes. It may be the excitement I feel at finally reuniting with my friends, but I can’t deny it any longer. This pull I have for Jesper… Next thing I know my lips are on his.
Crushing.
Passionate.
Consuming.
A throat clears from behind me but I couldn’t care less. My mate has devoured my mind. A growl rips from the same spot, causing me to pull apart from Jesper, his eyes heated with lust.
“Your friends have landed, Princess,” the voice snaps. A voice I now realize belongs to Talyn.
Jesper sets me reluctantly back down on my feet.
“Shit,” I mutter. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”
Jesper opens his mouth to say something but Talyn cuts in. “Pull yourself together. We are out in the open. The realm doesn’t need to see you two dry humping in the middle of camp.” He turns and leaves, disappearing between the tents.
My heart cracks. I thought we were improving—things seemed much less hostile between us lately. Apparently not.
Jesper’s knuckle runs down my cheek, pulling me from the thoughts that will eventually drive me mad if I don’t get out of my head. “Don’t worry about him. He’s just frustrated, if you know what I mean?” He winks.
It takes a moment to clue into his meaning. “Jesper!” I gasp, lightly smacking his shoulder with the back of my hand.
“What? We were putting on a pretty good show if I do say so myself,” he preens.
My gaze moves past him to soldiers giving us curious glances. The heat in my face blossoms and I can’t help the glare that takes over. “That’s not embarrassing at all.”
He takes my hand, pulling me in the direction Talyn disappeared to. “You’re right. It’s not. That was hot as fuck. Please jump me whenever you want. You won’t ever get any objections from me.”
“I did not jump you!” I stutter.
A booming laugh escapes him. “No,” he drawls sarcastically. “Your feet just blinked into the air and you ended up wrapped around me like a clingy sea star.”
“Sure, that’s exactly what happened,” I respond with my nose slightly turned up, playing into his teasing nature. It doesn’t offend me that I ended up wrapped around him, but it always seems to happen at the least opportune time.
As if sensing my frustration, he stops, pulling me into him. “Don’t worry, Beastie. We will have our moment together soon enough. I can almost taste it. Though, unfortunately for now, we should go and greet your friends.
“Fates, my friends. I don’t know why I’m so easily distracted these days,” I grumble, taking a hold of his hand and pulling him behind me as I rush to the field on the other side of camp.
As we get to the field, that’s when I see them, and an un-queenly squeal erupts from my lips, which I quickly cover with a cough.
“Ravie!” Roz yells as he and Mel run towards me, trying to shove each other out of the way. The three of us collide and end up in a mass heap on the muddy ground, laughing.
Jesper chuckles and joins in, and then next thing I know I’m being yanked up and placed on my feet.
“Was worried you would get hurt,” Killian mumbles before stepping back.
“Well, you guys seem more cozy,” Ember states with a smirk on her face. Her short bob is in disarray from the wind blowing through it.
“Ember! How did it go?” I ask pulling her in for a quick hug, knowing she isn’t one for overly extreme physical contact.
She returns it and pulls back, her smile dropping and a quick shake of her head. “We should go somewhere more quiet to talk.” She glances around as more warriors are showing up to see who the new arrivals are. “All of us.”
Her eyes land on a group of fae I don’t recognize who I swear weren’t there a minute ago—more new arrivals—but Talyn seems to be yelling at the female that’s standing in the group of males.
“You will not make me a prisoner, too!” the female shouts rising onto her tip toes to get into his face as she pokes him hard in the chest. Surprisingly I don’t feel anything but curiosity and amusement at how this female is talking to my so-called mate.
At least I’m not the only one who’s putting him in his place.
“I did what I had to, to keep you safe, and you decided the front lines of the war is where you needed to be?” He vibrates with anger as he grabs the fae male with long black hair and tattoos by the tunic. “Take her back to Kraryn, now! And keep her there!”
A blast of air magick explodes from her, knocking the males apart. She growls low, “I will not be kept locked away ever again Talyn Craven, and I will kill anyone who tries.”
Another male, this one looking similar to Jesper, whispers something to her and pulls her away. When I glance at Jesp, his sunny disposition is gone, replaced with a scowl. Do they know each other?
“What the fates is that about?” I ask Killian who is watching the scene play out with a stoic expression.
“Seems Talyn’s sister doesn’t want to stay in the box Talyn tried to keep her in,” he grumbles.
I finally notice Lennox, but he’s staring at the female with a look of awe, completely unaware of his surroundings. Quickly, I make my way over there with a mischievous grin, pulling water from a nearby puddle and then dousing him with it.
Mel roars with laughter as her twin brother stutters, turning to me with wide eyes.
“Miss me?” I ask, laughing.
“I think you’ve been hanging out with Jesper too much. Where is my uptight Rav?” He chuckles, pulling me into a wet hug.
Killian growls, but I wave him off.
“Well… Should we head to the war tent while those two work out whatever that is?” I ask, looking at Aemon, Jesper and Killian who are also watching the entertainment between Talyn and his sister.
Nero’s caw is the only warning I get before he lands on my shoulder. “I see I missed a lot while I was grabbing a snack.”
“I think that’s an understatement,” I reply.
Suddenly the yelling stops and Talyn storms off, yet again. I swear that male has a flair for dramatic exits.
“Well, now that that is over, can we make some introductions?” Mel claps, pulling me over to the new group, my males and friends following behind.
The first male grins a grin so familiar I can’t help but glance back at Jesper, who is now standing stiff and tight lipped.
But peering at the male, I can see similarities—although this male has deep purple eyes and red hair that matches Jesper’s shade exactly.
The newcomer’s hair is shorter and messy but I’m not sure if it’s styled that way on purpose or not.
He holds his hand out. “I’m Evander Huxley, Jesper’s brother even if he wishes I wasn’t.”
My eyes widen comically large. Brother? I go to take his hand but Jesper is at his throat before I can even blink.
“You don’t have the right to touch my mate. Not while I’m still pissed at you,” he growls, pressing the knife closer against his throat.
Evander’s gaze matches my own as it bounces between us. “Mate? Jesper, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!” he states, still smiling even with the knife against his throat like this is a regular occurrence.
“Jesper,” Killian snaps.
Jesper sighs, releasing his brother and moving back to my side, but he doesn’t put the blade away. I’m distracted by the twirling blade for a second before I turn my attention back to his brother.
“It’s nice to meet you, Evander. I’m Ravina Solace,” I respond, with a tip of my head.
“It’s going to be great having a sister-by-mating. Jesper needs someone to keep him in line.” He laughs.
Jesper grunts beside me, mumbling something vulgar under his breath.
Evander continues. “These males are part of my crew. Dante Fennix: Skuggi.” He gestures to the male with long black hair and tattoos.
Then he points to the largest of them. This male has long, silver-white hair that is tipped with turquoise that matches the shade of his eyes.
Piercings cover his ears, brows and lip, but my eyes catch on the deep scar that starts under his right nostril going through his lips to his chin.
“This is Cormac Vadim: Vopn Fo. Last, but not least, is Thorne Dulaney: Elemi.”
Thorne dips his head politely but his eyes don’t leave the female who is with them. He clears his throat and jerks his chin towards her.
Evander winces. “Oh right, and our newest member, Talyn’s one and only sister: Cynder Craven.”
Cynder and I take each other in with assessing eyes. She seems vaguely familiar but that’s probably because she’s Talyn’s younger sister. Her hair is long and blonde with slight waves while her pink eyes glow with rebellion, most likely from her and her brother’s heated exchange.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’m assuming you’re here to help, so you might as well join us for this meeting.” I smile at Cynder, letting her know she’s welcome here, even if her brother is being a giant dragon turd right now.
Hesitancy enters her gaze, but her lip twitches slightly as she nods.
When I turn around to get out of the clearing and head back into the heart of camp, I see Mel and Ember whispering about something before they glance at me with fear and nervousness.
Something happened at Phixmery and I brace myself for whatever news they are about to share with me, especially with the daunting words from her note: prepare yourselves.