Ophelia nodded. “Jezebel can’t wait, given how horribly seasick she’s gotten on this journey.” I laughed, only because Jez was sure to let us all know how miserable she found traveling by boat, bemoaning the entire trip. “They’ll wait until the middle of the night, likely. Depends on the weather. But they’ll be there and back in a few days.”
“Those things still freak me out,” I muttered, the breeze making me shiver again.
“Those things?” Ophelia gasped.
“Thekhrysaor,” I corrected before I had an angry Alabath on my hands. “They’re unnatural.”
“Perhaps they’re more natural than the rest of us,” she challenged. “They were here first after all.”
Not liking that argument, I changed the subject. “Mila and I will take care of everything with Cyren.”
“Thank you,” Ophelia said, and the smile she gave me was so genuine and carefree, it almost felt like we were younger versions of ourselves, and I’d done something as simple as hand her a book in school. She lifted the scroll, and whisperinglaughter trickled through my ears. “I have to get this to Tolek and Mora.”
As she walked away, a small peel of twinkling secrets raised the hushed murmurs, as if trying to stir something awake. I batted them away, heading toward the forecastle where Mila waited.
After we docked,I helped Cypherion and Lyria with a bit of route planning for the next day’s journey, then I headed for the stables. Mila was nearly done saddling Ombratta and her own sand-colored, white-maned mare, Luna. Creeping up behind her, I listened to her soothing coos as she muttered to her warrior horse.
Then, I pinched her waist.
“Spirits!” She jumped, spinning around, hand flying toward the swords at her back. But before she grabbed one, I gripped her wrist above her head. “Malakai!” she scolded as her heart pounded.
“Got to have quicker reflexes, General,” I teased, nodding to where I had her caught.
Her eyes flicked up, her other hand shooting for my own, but I was faster. I snatched that wrist as well, and with both captured, I spun us away from Luna and pressed Mila against the flimsy wooden wall of the stable.
“Never thought I’d be stealthy enough to sneak up on you,” I whispered.
“Apparently I’m becoming rusty in my time off.” She tugged at her wrists.
“Better fix that.”
Mila tilted her chin so her lips nearly brushed mine. Fuck, did we reallyhaveto go meet Cyren right now?
As I leaned closer, she twisted her leg around the back of my knee and sent me crashing to the ground. Mila landed gracefully on top of me, straddling my hips, my hands pinned on either side of my head.
“Don’t get distracted, Warrior Prince,” she said, voice sultry.
“I don’t know,” I challenged, nodding at how she was positioned. “I don’t mind this.”
With a roll of her hips that nearly had me groaning, Mila laughed.
But I wasn’t joking.
Leaning up, I caught her lips with mine. She sank into me immediately, like our bodies were made to be fused together.
Mila released my wrist, one hand curling into my hair and tugging gently. Angels, the sensation went straight to my cock. I wrenched my other hand from her grasp and wrapped my arms around her, flipping us so I was above her. But it still wasn’t enough—none of it ever was.
As I brushed my tongue against hers, a delicate, enticing moan slipped up her throat. I needed her closer—wanted to have all of these easygoing, unburdened moments with Mila. She seemed to agree, fisting my leathers. My hips rolled against hers, her legs bracketing my waist.
Fuck, we were supposed to be doing something here weren’t we?
I bit down on her bottom lip, and she gasped in a way that threatened to undo me. I wanted to repeat that bite on other parts of her body and see what sounds she made. To worship each scar she bore and finally make her come so hard she forgot her own name?—
Something hit the back of my head, and twin disgruntled huffs had us breaking apart, panting.
Ombratta and Luna looked down at us, casting us the most judgmental glares I’d ever seen.
“Damn warrior horses, had to be so smart?” I muttered, dropping my forehead to Mila’s as I caught my breath. I brushed her hair behind her ear, pulling out a stray stalk of hay and studying those icy-blue eyes.
