Page 35 of Winds of Destiny

I’m disappointed, but Kai doesn’t seem to be. He does, in fact, take me to bed, and once we’re lying together and he’s stroking my length with his huge, perfect hand, he whispers in my ear, “Look by the entrance.”

I’m barely able to breathe, and he wants me to focus on something other than sex with him? That’s a tall order, but I try, turning my head and gazing at the very bottom of the tent flap, waiting for some sign or signal or—

“Oh, fuck!” I suddenly cry out as Kai suddenly takes my cock into his mouth. His talented tongue is capable of bringing me to the edge far too quickly, as he’s shown me these past nights. But Kai is a master at keeping me right on the edge of oblivion, writhing in pleasure, yet not falling over until he allows it.

And just as I’m about to close my eyes and give myself over to his sweet torture, I see it—the shift in the shadows right outside the tent.

Turo’s right outside, listening in as he always does. As I always want him to.

My body thrums at the thought of him wanting me like this, wantingbothof us so much that he can’t bring himself to step away.

If I’m extra loud that night, it’s entirely Turo’s fault.

Chapter Nineteen

Kai

It’s cloudy the next day, a rare occurrence outside of the mountains, I’ve noticed. These clouds are mostly mist, low and touching the ground in places. I can hardly see anything beyond our little caravan. Turo stays close to the rest of us for the day because of it—why bother scouting when you can hardly see past the nose on your face? I’m confident in our ability to protect ourselves. Apart from the attack right outside Zephyth, there haven’t been any signs that would give me a reason to think we’re in danger.

Naturally, that’s when reality slaps me in the face.

Camrael’s the one who notices it first. I don’t know why I’m surprised; I’ve discovered, to my delight, that he’s got very sharp senses. “Is that smoke?” he asks, turning toward Turo, who’s walking almost close enough to touch. Something has shifted between them this morning—seemingly for the better, as they’ve even managed polite conversation a few times.

This isn’t a cause for polite conversation, though. Smoke? On the plains? I can’t smell anything, but…

Turo’s eyes sharpen. “Not grass smoke, either,” he says. “I can smell resin.” He looks at me. “This settlement we’re close to, do you remember what the walls are made out of?”

“Mountain pine,” I say, a sinking feeling lodging in my gut. “Expensive, but cheaper than bargaining with Huridell for rock. The entire settlement was encircled by those walls.”

“We need to pick up the pace.” He turns to Camrael. “Will you lend me Lu?”

Camrael looks aghast. “You want to go ahead,by yourself? How is that safe?”

“No one will see me,” Turo promises. “No one ever does unless I want them to.” He puts his hand on Camrael’s knee. “Please.”

Camrael looks conflicted, but apparently not even he can deny his bodyguard when Turo looks at him like that. He hops down and hands the jaka bird’s reins over.

Turo is astride a moment later.

“Be careful,” Camrael scolds him.

“I will.” Readying his bow, Turo disappears into the mist ahead of us.

Camrael shivers, and I reach out and haul him up into the wagon beside me. “We’re right behind him,” I murmur, then bang my hand sharply twice on the side of the wagon.Weapons at the ready. My men comply, and thus armed, we ride toward whatever danger awaits.

The smell of smoke is pervasive once the settlement is within view, but I’m surprised by how much heat is still left behind. As if the fire has only just burned out. The wall in front of us is demolished, either fallen down or burned to next to nothing where it stands. Inside of it, the settlement is…

I can’t see a single standing building.

This little place, known as Traveler’s Ease, was small but well established, peopled by nine or ten staunchly individualistic families who had eschewed all overtures from Huridell to become our vassals in exchange for more security. They allowed our merchants to stop here while they were on the road, though, and had showed us every courtesy on our way to Zephyth. They’d kept a constant watch and had seemed well defended. Their walls were two layers thick and taller than two men.

And now they’re gone.

“Turo!” Camrael jumps down from the wagon and runs forward, heedless of the heat and the danger. “Turo!”

I go after him, frustrated at his carelessness but sharing his worry. I know Turo is tough, but whoever destroyed this place did so with a show of force that we can’t match with our current numbers.

Camrael has to roam a bit before he finds a way past the ruins of the wall, and I catch up to him right before he slides through. “Stay close to me,” I say as I grab his arm. He tries to pull away, but I don’t relent. “Camrael.” The warning is a courtesy to him—I will absolutely throw him over my shoulder if I have to, and he knows it.

---