Page 34 of The Call of Crimson
I choke around the food, coughing and trying to dislodge the meat now lodged in my throat.
Aurelius rubs circles on my back, helping me through the coughing fit. He’s sporting a smug look as he casually takes a bite of his food.
“You’re both asshats,” I grumble.
The rest of the meal passes quickly, and I let out a satiated sigh as I finish the hearty meal.
Ayden rises. “We should all get to bed. There are no inns for the remainder of our journey. This will be the last time we’ll have beds until we reach Prudia.”
When I reach my room, I eagerly open my pack, looking for my night clothes. I sift through everything, dumping it all on the bed, only to find them missing. I didn’t even pack regular tunics, just my leathers.
I head over to the room next to mine and knock. Ayden opens after a minute, wearing only his sleep pants slung low on his hips. Just past him, I can see Aurelius dressed similarly. My mind goes blank as I try to remember what I came here for.
“Ready to betucked into bed?” Ayden says with a chuckle.
My eyes trace the deep V lines that both males are displaying. My mouth goes dry as I try to form words. “Erm, no.”
“Eyes are up here, love.” Ayden winks.
“Breyla, is there something else you need?” Aurelius asks, bringing my attention to him.
“Uh, yes.” I force my eyes to stay trained on his. “I seem to have packed my tunics and sleep clothes in the trunks. Um… could I maybe?—”
“Here,” Ayden says, handing me a spare tunic at the same time as Aurelius holds out his.
Ayden’s face hardens when I reach past him to take Aurelius’.
“Sorry, Prince,” I say, shrugging. “It’s nothing personal. He burned the last male’s shirt I wore that wasn’t his.”
“And I would do it again.”
“Brute,” Ayden grumbles.
“Can you do the thing now?” I ask.
Ayden reaches a hand to my cheek, stroking it softly, as he leans in and kisses my forehead. I feel the warm essence of his magic wrap around me, seeping into my mind.
A soft growl rumbles from Aurelius, and Ayden steps back, a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Good night, boys. Sleep well,” I say, backing out of their room.
I slip back into my own and lock the door behind me. Sleep claims me within moments of my head hitting the pillow.
CHAPTER SEVEN
OPHELIA
Warm sun beats down on my skin as the crashing waves build a symphony of peace. The sand is soft, but stickier than I expect. It squishes between the toes of my bare feet, and I take a deep breath. Turquoise waters stretch as far as the eye can see.
“Come on, Ophelia.” Layne smiles, beckoning me closer with a wave of his hand. “We didn’t travel all the way to Amara for you to stand on the shore.”
Amara. This was to be our grand adventure—the one he had promised me all those years ago. Just the two of us, seeing the world, starting with the glittering beaches of Amara.
“I’m coming! I was just taking it all in,” I reply, making my way to the water’s edge. “Is it cold?”
“No, the water is perfect. Come on in.”
“But I can’t swim well,” I argue, suddenly very nervous about this.
