by Jensine Odom
“Not just yet,” Caedryn counters, nipping my jaw before taking my mouth with his, his other hand finding the cleft of my legs.
I arch against him as he strokes me, his hard length pressing against my ass. Just as I begin to reach my summit, he slides in. The friction builds, coaxing a moan from me, pushing me higher as he continuously drives home.
An ecstatic cry rips from my throat as I tumble over the edge, and Caedryn joins me an instant later, the two of us slowly gliding back to Earth. I’m glad he’s got a grip around my waist, because I don’t trust my legs to hold me up right now.
I turn in his arms, kissing him, and lean against his chest, soaking up the sun and peace. I wish we could stay in this moment forever, just him and me, but I’ll settle for this memory.
The horses knicker from their stalls as Todd begins his rounds and Steve yells something incoherent from the garden, signaling the beginning of the day. Caedryn kisses my forehead, releasing me. It’s time to go.
We dress slowly, and I say my goodbyes even slower, but can’t stall any longer. Caedryn and I shift, taking off. With one last glance at the place I had come to consider home, I lead the way back to our new home.
✽✽✽
Sylaena and Malakai are already back by the time we arrive, but they haven’t been back for long; they both look travel weary. After our standard welcome party and exchanging of stories, Sylaena calls all the Vanguard to her.
I don’t know what she has planned, but she’s really excited about it, and that’s saying something. Normally I can’t get a read on her emotions.
“Although we have found victory in defeating Drustana, there is much yet to do,” Sylaena begins. “Malakai and I will see to needs here while you are out on your next quest; to free Illysium.”
“Whoa! Whoa! Time out! What?! And how?!” I stammer.
“We feel that to completely atone for our misdeeds, we must return to our home world and save those that we originally abandoned. The Vanguard have the abilities necessary to deal with whatever faces you there.”
“That covers the what, sort of, but not the how.”
In answer to this, Malakai produces a leather pouch etched with swirling patterns. He opens it, dumping a few crystals into his hand. They’re like quartz that someone trapped a living rainbow inside, and an extreme energy radiates from them, crawling across my awareness.
“These are travelstones,” Sylaena explains. “There is only enough to get the Vanguard to Illysium. You will need to discover what state the world is in, having been under Kyros’s reign for so long. You will also see that the Honorless truly exist.” Sylaena looks right at me; there’s still a little animosity there, but I let it roll off. “Defeat him by any means, then seek out the Elviin. Procure enough travelstones so you may return here and allow us all to go home.”
“Why can’t we just stay here? It’s nice here. I like it here. I just busted my ass to save here.”
“Although magic is returning to this world, it is not enough to sustain us. It never was,” Sylaena answers, her patience wearing thin. “I know you feel this as well as I do, Xerxia.”
She isn’t wrong. I can feel the magic just isn’t enough. When I’m in dragon form it feels great, natural even, but after some time it gets tiring, like I’m starved for something I can’t name.
“Alright, Sylaena, we’ll go,” I agree. “We’ll fix our home world, and we’ll come back for you, but you won’t be the one in charge here.”
“You will leave that girl in command?!” Sylaena nearly screeches, gesturing angrily.
“That girl has a name; Mary. And no, she won’t be in charge either. I was thinking Bodrick or Amarya, but I’ll let our people decide.”
There’s a murmur that rumbles through the camp, and one man steps forward after a long moment like the head juror handing down the verdict. “We choose Amarya.”
I nod my acknowledgement. “Amarya, come forward please.” She moves to stand before me, and I draw Eltanin, holding it out to her. “Take this as a symbol of the power I bestow upon you in my stead.” Amarya takes the dagger with utter reverence and I remove its sheath, handing that over, too. “Alright.” I return my attention to Sylaena and Malakai. “How do we do this?”
The journey continues with
Legend’s Return
Out soon
Dear Reader
If you’ve made it this far, I must have done something right. Or terribly wrong. Either way, I’d really appreciate it if you could drop a line or ten in a review for Legend’s Awakening. It’s how authors like me get our works noticed and helps us grow.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; just a few words to say how you feel. It may not seem like a lot to you, but it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside to know I did my job. So, in advance, thank you!