All traces of annoyance and laughter had left Kassie’s face. She looked up at him, her eyes shiny with unshed tears then gave his knee a gentle squeeze. His throat went unexpectedly thick with emotion at the sympathetic touch.
'It’s not all bad. I got to link with Kerak.' His voice sounded gruff when he reached over to slap the side of the griffon in affection. ‘And I count myself very lucky for that,’ he thought, aware the griffon had listened in. Kerak gave a rumble of pleasure at the compliment.
Kassie sniffing, blinking rapidly. 'How long was it before you met Kerak?'
Rumal smiled at that memory. He told Kassie the story of the tiny determined griffon pup that made his way by himself across the great expanse of the Delos Sea. Rumal sensed the griffon pup when he was born and he and Gredel had set out on Phroma to meet him on the Isle of Pati. When they arrived they found his mother frantically trying to find her pup. Another pup told them that Kerak had intended to find his ‘friend’ and was last seen heading off toward Elion. After an anxious race back to Elion they arrived at the Port where a message from Elena awaited them. Kerak had arrived three days after they’d left and, while exhausted, was otherwise in good health, waiting for their return.
'Kerak has a reputation that’s well known in Elion.' Rumal laughed, 'And admired.'
Kassie shook her head, impressed. 'How small are griffon pups?'
'I’ll show you when we get to the castle.'
'What’s your world called?' I asked Alek.
He looked at me in surprise. 'Gar'nyse. It means ‘To Glow with Life’ in our old language.'
'That’s unique.'
'What’s your world called?'
I considered the question suspiciously; I don’t think it’ll mean anything to him. 'Earth.' The long pause made me apprehensive.
Alek stared down at Cat, looking at him in concern, and struggled not to laugh when he confirmed, 'Earth?'
She nodded.
His lips twitched. 'Your world is named Earth?'
She nodded again, looking more concerned.
He started to laugh. 'Your world is named after dirt. What, they couldn’t think up a better name?'
Cat’s eyes narrowed dangerously. 'I don’t know. I wasn’t there when they named it,' she snapped.
‘Oooh, what did you say to her?’ Loushka demanded. ‘She’s putting out that energy again.’
‘Her world is named dirt, oops sorry, Earth,' Alek chuckled. ‘I thought it seemed a little unoriginal.’
‘Earth? Really?’ Loushka sounded amused. ‘Well it’s certainly simple. Maybe it’s so they can’t forget it. Since they’re always standing on it.’
Daron spaced out while Sian talked, but she wasn’t offended. It meant he talked to Nesha.
'Is your world really called Earth?' Daron sounded incredulous.
Sian looked at him in surprise. 'Yes, why?'
Daron started to laugh. 'Loushka told Nesha it was named after dirt but I didn’t believe her.'
Back on Loushka’s saddle Alek teased Cat. Loushka threw in a couple of good retorts too. Cat appeared to struggle not to laugh and it only made him more determined to get to her. 'So Catherine’s a diirrttyy girl.'
My jaw dropped, I hadn’t heard that tragic comment for a long time and the last time it had been uttered by a very drunk workmate. I wish I could come back with instant quips like Sian or Kass—not that hers always come out right. Unable to think of a good come back I gave Alek’s thigh a damn decent punch instead.
'OW!' he yelped.
'HA! Dead leg.' I yelled then held tight to the pommel and drew my legs up—lest he get any ideas. Laughing, I turned, still in my crouched position to look at him. He held his leg while laughing so hard that tears rolled down his cheeks. A funny buzzing in my ears distracted me and I shook my head. It must be the angle I’m on, I thought, shifting position.
‘Alek! Are you okay?’ Loushka thought in concern, having felt him jump in the saddle. ‘What happened?’
‘She gave me a dead leg.’ Alek, still laughing sent her the image.
‘Didn’t one of your cousins use to do that to you?’ Loushka thought, bemused.
‘Yes,’ He gasped for breath after all that laughing.
Keeping a wary eye on Alek I clung to the pommel while he caught his breath. He leaned toward me, looking at me from under dark brows. 'Catherine,' he said teasingly. 'That wasn’t a very nice thing to do.'
I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him. 'Well, I didn’t insult your world.'
Alek reached out, his hand inching toward my foot while I struggled to tuck it further under me.
'It is a little bit funny, don’t you think?' His hand continued to creep closer.
I made a swat at it. 'Maybe.' Then swatted again when it crept closer still.
Alek paused then cocked his head to the side, tsking at me in a disapproving manner. 'Now I thought that Earth women were supposed to be elegant and refined and…'
Not thinking, I straightened up to reply indignantly. I got as far as, 'Well I thou—Eeeekkk!' And broke off in a shriek when Alek snatched at my ankle.
The indignant look on her face flashed to shock when he grabbed her ankle and yanked her close. She fell into his lap, scrambling about for a moment then managed to right herself, straddling the saddle. Now facing him, her face flushed while she tried not to laugh. Alek felt a sudden, inappropriate surge of lust and frantically jerked a mind shield up. Drat—not quick enough.
‘ALEK!' Loushka shrieked, making him wince in contrition. ‘Keep those thoughts to yourself.’
‘Sorry.’
Then he noticed Cat’s astonished expression.
I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. A glorious voice scolding Alek. Oh my God, I know who that was. 'I just heard Loushka!' I cried, excited.
Two stunned voices answered me.
'What?'
‘What?’
‘Loushka, I can hear you.’ I felt elated when she answered back.
‘Catherine? How did this happen?’ Loushka sounded as astonished as I felt.
Alek interrupted Loushka’s train of thought, ‘Loushka the campsite is close, you had better get ready to land.’
‘I’m on it, Alek.’ Loushka replied, ‘Elena’s not going to believe this, it must have to do with that energy she keeps throwing off. I wonder if she’ll be able to hear the others.’
Alek’s mind appeared to be off whatever disturbed Loushka. He looked distracted when he wrapped an arm around me while Loushka prepared to land. Must make sure I face outward when landing next time, I thought, with my face squished against Alek’s breastplate. Loushka lunged upward. There was that moment of absolute stillness then the stomach plunging drop to the ground. It amazed me how something so huge could land so silently. Alek released me then slid down Loushka’s leg, his handsome face troubled. Thinking back to Loushka’s shriek I smirked; I did owe him one, didn’t I.
Cat had a smile on her face when she lined up to slide down Loushka’s leg. Alek stood ready to catch her. This time she did it with her eyes open. He opened his mouth to congratulate her when she interrupted him. 'Alek,' she purred, eyes alight with mischief. 'What were you thinking that disturbed Loushka so much?'
Alek stared at me for a moment then flushed a brilliant red. Excellent. I rejoiced. Got you back! Look at that, he turns as red as I do. Giving a throaty chuckle, I slid intentionally down him when he released me from his arms then darted off to where the others waited. I couldn’t wait to tell them about hearing Loushka.
Chapter Fifteen
Sian felt as astonished as the others to hear it. It shocked the men. They’d discussed it the whole time they set up the tent, pausing their conversation if one of the women ventured too close. Cat, on the other hand, raced to get the firewood, eager to go chat with Loushka. Kassie nudged Sian. 'Do you think in time we’ll be able to hear the griffons too?'
The tiny twist of envy left Sian’s stomach while she considered that. 'I really hope
so.'
Loi turned from watching Cat. 'I wonder what caused it to happen?'
'Well, she and Alek would appear to be closer than we are with…' Kassie gestured at the men. 'Perhaps when we’re closer we’ll be able to tune in,' she finished.
Alek strayed away from the campsite, rubbing the crystal in the metal cuff on his wrist and threw a thought out to Elena. ‘Elena?’
‘I can hear you, Alek, what’s wrong?’
‘I’m not sure that it’s wrong, just unexpected. Catherine heard Loushka for the first time today. She’s conversing with her right now.’
‘Really?’ Elena sounded impressed. ‘Her powers are growing stronger quickly.’
Alek told her about the incident with the tehnear and the energy burst Cat threw off.
‘How far away are you?’ Elena asked.
‘We should reach the castle by tomorrow night; we’ve made very good time. The griffons appear to be getting stronger after each time they leap even if it does tire them for a day.’
‘Get here as soon as possible. I need to meet those women and have them under the protection of the castle.’
‘Do you think they could be in danger already?’
‘Alek, you know as well as I that if I can pick up the energy output so can she. She knows they’re in our world and she will be hunting them.’
Elena’s presence vanished from his mind. Alek felt exhausted from all the sudden, unexpected events. He watched Cat chat to Loushka, his emotions swirling while the flame haired woman stroked the griffon’s beak. He’d never felt such an instant attraction like this before. Part of him knew it would be best to let Cat be, until she herself knew who she was. The other part however, couldn’t resist her. Ignoring his good sense, he stared over at her.
Loushka had the most beautiful voice. We’d chatted about all sorts of things and I’d discovered that I could show her images of life on Earth. Telepathy gave you so much more to work with than just words. I already knew Loushka resisted telling me everything, able to sense a sort of wall she put up. She’s probably been instructed only to tell us on a need-to-know basis, I thought but wasn’t concerned, we were doing the same thing. It made sense. ‘Do you think I’ll be able to talk to Alek like this?’
Loushka hesitated, ‘I wouldn’t think so, but you may be able to talk to one another through me.’
That’s an interesting idea, I thought then feeling someone’s eyes on me glanced up. Alek stood across the campsite from us, watching. I felt a rush of pleasure while I stared. Such a handsome man; tall and broad shouldered with rippling muscles everywhere, as I well knew. A shock of thick, ebony hair, long enough to brush his brows and deep blue eyes that complimented his tan. I continued to watch—okay ogle—him while he strode our way. His armor was unusual, with high armored boots that stopped at mid-thigh like mine then another section encased the hips and protected the stomach but was jointed so he could ride comfortably. A breastplate, which I hoped I didn't still wear the imprint of, shoulder guards and a full cape that clipped to each shoulder, swinging out when he walked.
Cat appeared to study him as he walked over. Alek took the opportunity to do the same. She sat on a large rock her feet out in front, ankles crossed and knees wide, the way a man might sit. It seemed to draw attention to her figure in an almost indecent way. His armor felt too tight all of a sudden and he hastily drew his eyes up to her face. 'Enjoying the conversation?' he asked.
Cat sat straighter, her eyes meeting his and flashed him a delighted smile. 'I am. Loushka has such a beautiful voice.' Loushka made a soft noise, a cross between a trill and a purr and gently bunted Cat.
Sian felt a little out of sorts. Loi beat her to standing during flight, and now Cat could talk to Loushka. It hardly seemed fair, she thought letting out a quiet sigh.
Nesha heard and crept closer to Sian, brushing his beak against her. She seemed happy at the attention, stroking and combing his mane with her fingers.
‘You should teach her free-falling tomorrow.’
Daron, in the midst of unpacking, looked up in surprise. ‘What?’
‘Sian. You should teach her free-falling. She needs something special to do that none of the others have done yet.’ Nesha explained, ‘Why not whisper the idea to her now, she can surprise the others tomorrow.’
Daron glanced over at Sian and noticed she looked a little down. Making her smile would make him feel pretty good. He stood and went to sit next to the petite blonde.
Beautiful weather greeted us the next morning and we stumbled around, packing up. I looked forward to getting to the castle and not needing to pack and un-pack each day.
Kassie appeared to have the same thought. 'I will be so glad to sleep on a normal bed again,' she exclaimed.
Loi, in the midst of fighting to get her cot bed folded down, asked, 'When are we meant to reach the castle?'
'Tomorrow?' suggested Kassie.
'No, tonight,' Sian corrected her. 'Daron told me yesterday.'
Sian looked much happier than she had yesterday, I felt relieved. The expression that flickered across her face when I’d told her I could hear Loushka almost made me feel guilty; full of frustration and envy. I’m sure they’ll all be able to do it soon, after all I didn’t do anything special. I smiled at her. 'Looking forward to the last day of solid flying?'
She nodded with enthusiasm, more than I expected and it made the three of us laugh. 'I am. And it’s only the last day for the moment.' She ducked out the tent with the rest of us close behind.
Daron wore a huge smile when Sian came toward him, delighted to see how happy she looked. She bounced the last step to him and flung her arms around his neck. He laughed and spun around, holding her tight, making her giggle. Everyone turned to watch.
Kassie felt a glow of joy for Sian, a public display of affection so early on had to be a good thing. She turned and just avoided bumping into Rumal who stood right behind her. She felt the flutter of butterflies when he smiled, his teeth startling against his skin. 'Are you looking forward to arriving at the castle? It means no more cot beds.'
She laughed. 'I won’t be sorry to sleep in a normal bed. Are there many people at the castle?'
Rumal saw the concern in Kassie’s eyes and reached out to catch one of the constantly errant curls around her face. 'You’ll be fine,' he assured her. ‘I’ll be there and so will your friends, of course.' Lucky meowed around Rumal’s ankles, he chuckled. 'See, even little Lucky will be there for you.'
He helped Kassie onto Kerak’s back and the group set off.
'Is life at the castle very formal?' Loi leaned back to speak into Sabyn’s ear.
He wrapped his arms around her waist. 'Compared to camping out like this, yes, it is more formal. There are a lot of organized events and most meals are eaten in the Great Hall. But you and the others are different from everyone else. We don’t yet know entirely what Elena wants. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.'
She felt a pang of nerves and concern at his words. What did he mean "you and the others are so different"? And what could Elena want? Loi had a horrible feeling she shouldn’t be so quick to fall into Sabyn’s arms. The thought made her back stiffen.
Sabyn felt Laura freeze up and leaned to her ear. 'Are you cold?'
'What do you know about us?'
He froze at the question. 'Err…'
The pause as he scrambled for the right words felt noticeably awkward, he knew his answer might affect their developing relationship. 'Well we’ve been told by Elena that you’re all very special and need to be protected. I don’t really know anything else,' he finished lamely.
Loi felt both flattered and frustrated by his words. It really answered nothing. She still suspected Sabyn hadn’t told her all he knew. Sure, if she was in his position she might do the same thing but it didn’t mean she had to like it.
Alek couldn’t believe the image he saw; it looked incredible! ‘And this is real?’ he demanded to Loushka.
‘Cat says so, in fact
, she says she’s flown in one.’
‘But…but look at it. It’s a mass of metal. How does that stay in the air?’
‘Apparently the two fires you see at the back of the triangular shaped wings are called engines. They keep it in the air.’
Alek laughed aloud at the thought, leaning to Cat’s ear. 'Show me another,' he begged. 'What other flying machines do you have?'
I loved to show him the pictures and sent an image of a helicopter to Loushka. That took a good twenty minutes to explain, I had to remind Alek that I wasn’t an expert on them. The three way conversation felt somewhat bizarre, but being able to show Loushka an actual image was fantastic, so much clearer than a verbal description.
'Show me your family,' Alek spoke into my ear, his arms tightening around me. The request surprised me, but I complied and sent images of a recent visit I’d had with my parents.
Alek studied the images Loushka showed him. In a light colored room, a petite woman with short nearly spiky dark hair smiled at him and reached a hand out as though to touch his cheek. Another image showed a laughing man with an open, friendly face, blue eyes and short white hair. Next, an image of a small black and white dog wagging its stump of a tail and turning circles in excitement, while the dark haired woman shook her finger at him. Alek smiled. The sense of joy it gave him to see Cat’s family and how much love surrounded her, surprised him.
The Arrival: An Epic Fantasy Romance Page 16