47. Chapter Forty-Seven #2
Jeska trails behind him, a look of mild disgust contorting her face as she looks between us and the three chairs, her gaze landing on Zenn. "I'm fine to stand, because I swear to the gods, if she ends up in your lap, I'm out of here, and I'm taking breakfast with me."
He rolls his eyes, lips curling into a villainous smirk when I move to step away, protesting that we do in fact have some self-control.
Lightning fast, his hand whips out to grab my wrist, tugging hard so I fall into his lap, just like she said, as if her words were a suggestion he couldn't possibly ignore.
My surprised yelp cuts off when he dips his head, mouth finding mine to kiss me soundly amid the loud groans of his friends.
A delighted grin spreads across his face at the flush on mine when he finally releases me and casually hands me my coffee, without letting me up.
Pressing his lips to my ear, he whispers, "I finally found something to appreciate about the color of our blood.
Whenever you blush, which you do often, your exquisite skin turns the colors of a warm sunset.
" He strokes a finger across my cheek, and all thoughts of objecting or putting some semblance of distance between us evaporate.
I'm not sure I'd even be able to stand after that.
Thankfully, Jeska forces us to focus on what we're really here for, tossing a bag of pastries on the table and sprawling in the other chair while Hendrix fills the two mugs he brought up from the kitchen. "What's the plan for today? Assuming you'll need to reach out to your contact?"
Zenn confirms, running the hand not wrapped around my waist through his messy hair and looking out across homes and market stalls coming to life beneath us.
"Redson mentioned an eatery on the far side, where the castle staff congregate daily to travel up to the gates together.
When I spoke to him at the Offering, he said his liaison can get urgent messages into the city, so we'll head there shortly and get him a note about meeting to discuss the ashen soil as our cover story.
Probably a long shot, but it's worth asking around, in case anyone has seen someone matching your sister's description while we're there," he adds, looking down at me.
I nod. "We can't call attention to the possibility of Bri being here, though. Not until I know what's going on and who she trusts. I don't want to make anyone suspicious."
"We'll be subtle. Let's see what we find out today, and you can ask Redson yourself once we get a meeting," he agrees.
"That ball would be a good opportunity to get into the castle," Hendrix muses, finishing off a flaky almond triangle. "So much activity will be a great cover. You think your contact can get us in?"
"Entirely possible. He has a few connections." Zenn chuckles. "Let's head out. The sooner we send word, the sooner we get in there." Turning into me, he murmurs, "Do you want to come or stay here?"
"Why would I stay? It's my sister we're trying to find."
"Up to you. I thought you might want to spend the morning with Dex and maybe try healing him, if you think he can be trusted to know about your magic?
He didn't really look up to running around the city, and we'll only be asking a few questions and waiting around a lot.
" Zenn relaxes his grip, and I get to my feet, pulling him up too.
"Ok. I guess staying makes sense, if you don't mind looking for her without me?"
Hendrix grins. "Nah, we got you, and maybe this guy will be able to hold an actual conversation if you're not around to distract him." He gestures to Zenn and gets a loud slap on the back in reply as he follows Jeska down the stairs.
Zenn drains the last of his coffee with an amused smile that quickly turns serious. "We'll get more supplies while we're out and come back in the afternoon. You have to swear you won't leave here without me though. Seriously, Aly, please."
I shudder, thinking about the last time I was alone in a different Triv, and quickly agree. "I won't go anywhere, I promise."
Not long after, the three of them head into the now-busy street.
It's strange to see them in the lightweight fabrics that will help them blend in instead of their usual leathers.
I leave Dex to shower and eat while I give in to the urge to prove I didn't laze around all day, busying myself with collating the last bits of our remaining food, rinsing out the halite containers, and giving our clothes a good soak, since we won't be wearing them for a little while.
He joins me right as I'm searching for my next task, and I'm struck by how exhausted he still looks, even after two meals and a big sleep. "How are you feeling?" I ask, motioning for him to sit on the couch in front of windows open to the light breeze.
"A little better," he replies, unsteady on his feet as he slumps down.
"There's something I want to try if you're up for it.
" I can't leave him in this state, even if I'm terrified to try and use magic again after last time.
Dex nods, eying me curiously when I perch on the edge of the cushioned seat next to him, hand outstretched over his arm. Gods, I can't screw this up.
Placing my other hand on my stomach and inhaling deeply, I tentatively try to drop my awareness into the depths where magic resides.
It's hard to visualize the ice-covered trench when all I can focus on is the soft flesh under my palm.
I really hate having to do this part. Pain scrapes at my insides, like diaphanous strips are being torn from my organs.
Is this the cost of using the magic? I'll pay it if I have to, for this, to help. It doesn't feel right, though.
Pressing harder to ease some of agony, I get past it and feel my feet land on the edge of the ravine.
I'm relieved when the answering pulse of power comes a heartbeat later, and I urge it to flow into Dex's clammy skin.
He lets out a surprised shout as we watch the various scrapes and nasty bruises heal and fade away.
Unfortunately, it has little effect on the way hunger has ravished his body.
He looks like he could consume an entire pot of stew if we had any left.
It's hard to see Dex hungry and malnourished like this. If we were back in Zel, there’d be plenty to eat, and I'd be able to make him a ginsenga tonic as an energy boost to help his body recover rather than food replacement.
That's when it hits me: tonic wouldn't be a replacement for food, but I happen to have something in my bag that is.