‘Errrr, do you think you could do that somewhere private?’ Loushka’s amused voice came into his mind.
Alek jerked back then flushed red, and turned to stare at Loushka for a moment. I got the idea and bit my lip to keep from laughing. Actually, my head was spinning in an impressive manner. I could feel a very silly look develop on my face and glanced down to hide it.
‘Sorry.’ Alek thought sheepishly.
‘Oh I don’t mind.’ Loushka thought, ‘And Cat certainly seems better for it, but next time, at least shield your mind. I really don’t need all those unsolicited thoughts flooding in.’
Alek looked down at the girl snuggled in his arms. Appearing to sense his gaze, she looked up, green eyes slanted in pleasure looking very cat like.
‘Arrrgghh!’ Loushka shrieked verbally and mentally, startling Alek and Cat. ‘That’s it. I’m taking you back to the lodge and you are in separate rooms dammit, and keep your mind on something non-sexual or you are walking back to the village!’
Oops, Alek winced, it seemed he needed to work on the mind shield technique.
Back at the village everyone anxiously waited for Loushka, Alek, Cat and Audrey to return. They knew a tehnear had attacked them and Loushka had killed it but they hadn’t had any news since then and the griffons were concerned at Loushka’s silence. Kassie stood outside when she heard the loud noise of Loushka’s wings. The griffon burst into view then dropped from the sky and landed amongst them. Everyone rushed forward.
Alek slid down Loushka’s forearm his face flushed from battle and turned, arms outstretched to catch Cat as she slid down. Gredel called Audrey to him and the dog made a confident leap to the burly man’s arms, almost knocking him over, which caused titters of laughter from those who stood close.
Alek set me to my feet, but didn’t let go straight away; his hands lingering on my waist. I tingled from his touch and looked knowingly at him from under my lashes. Before we could say anything Kassie and the others were there hugging us and exclaiming. They wanted to know all the details.
As I tried to explain, I realized I was covered in dirt, and knackered. Loi took a close look at me then turned and called for Melanite, asking her to run a bath, and I was dragged away to be cleaned and fed.
The next morning I lay in bed as I thought over the events, and funnily enough, kept coming back to that kiss.
It wasn't like I hadn’t kissed a guy before. I had, plenty of times, but it had never felt like that.
It had been. I floundered for an adequate description.
Incredible? Stunning? Well, let’s just say I was seriously beginning to believe Alek might be… I couldn’t finish that thought, it was too unreal. Shaking off the crazy thoughts I climbed out of bed, and focused on dressing, then went down to breakfast.
Kassie watched as Cat strode into the dinning area. She seemed okay now, but last night she’d been very dazed. Kassie made a mental note to keep an eye on her. They tucked into a huge cooked breakfast, and Kassie gathered a plate of yummy scraps for Lucky as well as a plate of cream. At the end of breakfast the tortoiseshell cat, who normally looked very sleek, had a visible pot belly and nodded off to sleep when Kassie settled her in the pack for the day. Rumal watched over her shoulder and reached over to stroke Lucky’s head, eliciting a sleepy purr from her.
'She seems to be handling the flying better,' he observed to Kassie.
'Well all the special food and real cream seems to make her happy.' She laughed. 'It’s much fancier than what she got at home.'
Rumal felt another twinge of curiosity at the thought of Kassie’s home.
'You’ll have to tell me about your homeland.'
Kassie glanced at him, her eyes conveying warmth and yet a hint of unease.
'I will, sometime.'
They turned their attention to getting the rest of the gear packed up. Melanite dashed around to everyone with parcels of food, tearfully hugging the men and demanding they visit more often.
Kassie chuckled softly to herself at the chaotic sight within the lodge. Because the griffons could fit in the lodge’s main room and were very welcome, they seemed to forget how much space they took up. Sian did an impressive leap over Kerak, who was sprawled out on the floor, and managed to avoid being clipped by Loi who had an arm load of long tent poles. Finished with their packing, Kassie and Rumal decided to wait outside until everyone else was ready; it seemed the safest place.
'Do you have villages like this in your homeland?' Rumal asked.
She gave him a sideways look while she considered what was safe to tell him.
'Yes, well kind of. Our homeland is,' she paused, considering. 'More crowded than here and there are more ethnicities grouped together.'
Rumal looked confused. 'Ethnicities?'
Kassie mentally smacked herself; of course, everything would have a different name here.
'Different races?' she explained hesitantly.
He nodded in understanding and then looked hard at her.
'What’s your race? You’re different to the others aren’t you?'
She smiled, pleased he had noticed, and explained how she’d been born in a different country, Malaysia, with a different climate and so had slightly different features; her Dad was European and her Mum Malay—though she didn’t explain that to Rumal; and a different accent. Rumal listened closely.
'And Laura is from somewhere else too?'
She nodded.
'Loi is from Scotland and they have rather heavy accents compared to Sian or Cat. They’re both from New Zealand so that’s why they sound so similar.' Everyone poured out the lodge, so they put the conversation on hold while they finished their goodbyes.
Sometime later and Kassie sat in front of Rumal with Lucky in her bag, on her lap. The weather was stunning once again, and the flight smooth. She remembered something she’d been meaning to ask Rumal and leaned back against his chest to look up at him.
'Why is Kerak so young? Are you new to the Griffon Guard?'
Rumal smiled down at Kassie. She was such an attractive little thing, he thought, with her crazy brown curls and hazel eyes. He stroked an errant curl from her forehead, causing her to flush and thought about her question.
'I’ve been with the Griffon Guard since it was established. Originally I’d linked with a Griffon named Ofelaan. She had the most beautiful golden wings', he smiled, remising.
'I think Kerak’s will achieve that color when he’s older.'
Kassie was mesmerized by Rumal’s deep rich voice and his unusual accent. She focused on what he said and frowned.
'What happened to Ofelaan?'
Rumal sighed. She could feel his sorrow and turned to grasp his hand, looking up into his eyes.
'I’m sorry I didn’t mean to pry. Please don’t talk about it if it pains you.'
Her anxious face touched him.
Ofelaan would have loved her, he thought. He was silent for a while as he gathered his thoughts and Kassie cuddled close to him though her head barely reached mid chest. He chuckled then unable to resist teased her.
'Look at tiny Kassie; she’s barely bigger than a child.'
He ran a finger down her cheekbone.
Kassie’s eyes went flat as she glared at him.
What is it with tall idiotic males and my height, she thought.
'I am only three inches below the average height thank you very much. And I can whip your ass any day.'
Fuming, she jerked forward to the front of the saddle.
Oops. Rumal froze unsure of how to respond. He hadn’t meant to insult her. It hadn’t occurred to him that she might be sensitive about it.
‘Maybe you should apologize,’ suggested Kerak. ‘What does she mean by "whip your ass"? I thought she only carried a sword.’
Rumal shrugged, ‘I’m not entirely sure.’
He could almost see the waves of annoyance pulse off her. Thinking hard, he made an attempt to lighten the situation.
'Is whipping ass's something you
do regularly?'
Kassie bit her lip as she tried not to smile. Okay, maybe she’d overreacted a little, but she wasn’t letting up that easily.
'Only to idiotic males who suggest I’m vertically challenged. I can squeeze into places you’d never fit in.'
Umm, actually that didn’t come out quite as I intended.
Well if I don’t point it out, he might not notice, she thought.
Rumal roared with laughter, 'But would I want too?'
He watched as Kassie’s back quivered. She still didn’t turn round though.
Might have to try something else, he thought and reached forward to tug on a curl. It broke her cover and she began to laugh, reaching out to ruff Kerak’s mane.
‘Good one.’ Kerak sounded relieved. ‘Now she looks happy.’
Rumal reached and snatched her up in his arms, causing her to shriek in surprise. Once she was settled in his lap he stroked a finger around her face again, tucking some stray bits of hair out the way.
'Now where were we?' He asked.
'Ofelaan. You were telling me about Ofelaan and why Kerak’s so young compared to the other griffons.'
Rumal nodded and re-gathered his thoughts.
'You’ve heard of Elena the Sorceress?'
'Yes, Alek mentioned her.'
'There is another Sorceress in this realm. Jenviet DeNaga. She schemed along, with her brother Diantew, to defeat the entire world and reign over it. Now the DeNaga’s, as a family, have a history of defeat against Elion so Jenviet and Diantew knew they couldn’t attack head on. Instead they waited for the right time. Elena had just established our Griffon Guard, and we were at a training camp in the Merrej Dessert. In the middle of the night Jenviet and Diantew attacked us. We were caught unaware and scrambled to defend ourselves. The late King was killed trying to protect us. In fury we attacked as one managing to snare Diantew and kill him. We nearly had Jenviet, but she slipped through our grasp. Ofelaan and I sped after her with the others close behind, but just as we were about to attack she spun back on us. Jenviet released a massive energy wave and…'
Rumal rubbed his forehead. The memory was still painful.
'Ofelaan took the full blast. She was killed instantly.'
All traces of annoyance and laughter had left Kassie’s face and she looked up at him, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. She gave his knee a gentle squeeze. He was surprised to feel his throat go thick with emotion at the sympathetic touch.
'It’s not all bad. I got to link with Kerak.'
His voice was gruff as 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 sniffed, and blinked 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 expense of the Delos Sea. Rumal had 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, Frianya, frantic after 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.'
There was a long pause, making me apprehensive.
Did that mean something to him?
Alek stared down at Cat, looking at him in concern, and struggled not to laugh as 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 was 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 was startled.
'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 he was 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 pummel 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 and laughed 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, and shifted position.
‘Alek! Are you okay?’ Loushka had felt him jump and was concerned, ‘What happened?’
‘She gave me a dead leg.’ Alek, still laughing sent her the image.
Loushka was bemused. ‘Didn’t one of your cousins use to do that to you?’
‘Yes,’ He gasped for breath after all that laughing.
Keeping a wary eye on Alek I clung to the pommel as he caught his breath. He leaned toward me, looking up 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 as I struggled to tuck it further under me.
'It is a little bit funny though, don’t you think?'
His hand continued to creep closer.
I made a swat at it.
'Maybe.'
Then swatted again as it crept closer still.
Alek paused then cocked his head to the side and clucked 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!' As Alek snatched at my ankle.
The indignant look on her face flashed to shock as he grabbed her ankle and yanked her close. She fell into his lap and scrambled about for a moment, then managed to right herself, straddling the saddle. Now facing him, her face flushed as she tried not to laugh, Alek felt a sud
den, 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 was 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 had disturbed Loushka. He looked distracted as he wrapped an arm around me while Loushka prepared to land. It was much better to face outward when landing. At the moment my face was squished against his chest plate; not comfortable at all.
Loushka lunged upward. There was that moment of absolute stillness, then the stomach plunging drop to the ground.
It was amazing how something so huge can land so silently. Alek released me, and slid down Loushka’s leg, his handsome face troubled. Thinking back to Loushka’s shriek I smirked.
Well I do owe him one now, don’t I?
Cat had a smile on her face as 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.
The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) Page 14