Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Gerard’s knee hit the ground near me, clearly wanting to talk. Apparently, it was time to shift. Annoyance.
I fluttered my wings to back Indigo off and then sapped energy to change forms. I groaned and didn’t bother trying to turn over. Indigo’s palm touched down on the center of my back.
“She has a really nice butt,” Indigo said. “I’ve always thought so.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled.
“Jess, do you want me to pick you up?” Austin asked, the closeness of his voice indicating he was bending over me. He’d apparently been waiting until I shifted to play my donkey and traipse me all around like he’d been doing lately.
“I’m good,” I murmured. With effort I didn’t want to expend, I rolled over and sat up.
“Here.” Austin knelt beside me and draped a muumuu over my head.
Gerard sat down on the grass next to me, also wearing a purple muumuu. “Jessie! I am impressed! You’re a master at this now. I hear you were really pulling the punches on the spells, too.”
“Well, yeah.” I stretched out my arms and twisted to loosen up my back. “If I didn’t, I’d kill people.”
“I hear you got into a scuffle recently.” He tilted his head with his arms out. “Where was our call?”
I laughed and threaded my arms through the muumuu. “That was a surprise. We didn’t even know mages were there. It was an easy one. You would’ve been bored.”
Evan knelt in front of me, a kind smile on his face. “Sorry about excluding you a moment ago. I’ve just…” He shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Flying like this, I mean. The raid with Gimerel was over quickly, but this was shocking.”
“And she was pulling her punches.” Gerard nodded. “I told you, didn’t I? I could tell you didn’t want to believe me, but I told you. I missed a great session last night with Niamh to go over everything with you.”
“It’s hard to believe a battle of that magnitude when you haven’t seen one.” Evan plopped down onto his butt as well. “Even the shifters and basajaunak running through the town, snarling—even that was exceptional. Can you give me a day, Jessie? Austin? Can you guys give me until tomorrow to talk to my advisors and some of my Guardians and see what people are thinking?”
“Sure, yeah.” I wasn’t planning on going anywhere today, anyway.
“Fantastic.” He pushed to standing. “And I’ll fill you in on our best kept secret, something only leaders and top personnel get the benefit of experiencing.”
“It’s boring.” Gerard patted me on the back before he got up. “I’d much rather drink with Niamh. I saw her spear someone with that horn, earlier. Right in the leg.” He grimaced. “Had to hurt. Where’d she go?”
“There are three bars.” I groaned as I got up. “She’ll likely be in one of those.”
“Good. I could use a libation after all that effort. This time, I intend to shirk all my duties. I deserve a day off!” He walked off.
Austin stepped close and wrapped an arm around my waist. He nuzzled my neck. “You looked sensational up there, baby. Everyone was in awe of you.”
“Yes, they most certainly were.” Patty beamed at me. “This’ll shut that ol’ Nelson up for good, mark my words. I’ve got his number, now. He won’t be able to weasel away from me.” She nodded and trudged off across the grass toward the city.
“What shall we do now?” Austin asked. “Shower and rest?”
“Yes, please.” I rubbed Indigo’s arm. “Thank you for helping.”
She nodded and slunk away without a word.
I took his hand, and we started the walk back. “And I guess we try not to worry about Evan’s advisors finding ways to discount what we’ve shown them. Again.”
33
Jessie
It turned out, the secret was a hot spring kept at the bottom floor of Evan’s house. The room smelled slightly of sulfur with the same design as was woven through the rest of the place. One side had a large window overlooking the distant mountains, dusted with snow, and nibbles had been laid out on a small table in the corner, including sparkling wine chilling in a silver ice bucket.
Austin slipped the silk robe from my shoulders and let it whisper down my skin to the stone floor. He trailed his lips along my shoulder and neck.
“What we’re doing is very important,” he said, taking my hand and leading me to the steaming waters. “But I wish we were on John’s side of things. That the territory was established, profitable, and running smoothly, someone else was in charge, and we could get on with our lives. Travel, take in the sights, have a day off.”
I laughed as he took three steps down and waited, still holding my hand, for me to follow. I did, sighing as the warmth crept up my legs to my belly. Benches of various heights were carved into the stone, and I sank down into the water to sit on one. Austin spread his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in as he settled beside me.