Page 26 of Power of Five
17
Leralynn
Despite the promised safety of the key, River moves us as quickly as the horses allow, and his body doesn’t truly relax until we pass Mystwood’s shore and emerge from the Gloom into the sun-filled world once more.
I gasp as my lungs draw their fill of Lunos, the air tasting like the richest of wines. Behind me, Mystwood’s trees once more stand in their gowns of greens and yellows, the occasional bright-red maple leaves floating down like butterflies. We appear to be standing in the countryside, fields of wheat extending in all directions, broken by the outline of a deep-blue lake. Far ahead, a range of breathtaking white-capped mountains rises toward the clouds.
Chip chirip.
I twist around, the sound of a bird’s call a balm to my nerves after hours in the Gloom. Perfect. Like everything in this realm.
Chip Chirip.
Tye dismounts and River lowers me into the other male’s waiting arms. Tye cradles me against his chest for a moment, and I shamelessly burrow my face into his neck, savoring the pine-and-citrus smell. “Is this Slait?” I ask as Tye finally settles me onto the ground. “Are you sure we’re allowed to be here? It would be a shame if some overzealous archers shot something pointy through us for trespassing right when we came up for air.”
Tye frowns at River.
“We are fine,” the commander says. He busies himself with taking the saddle off his horse to let the animal rest. “It’s been... arranged.”
There it is again, a hesitation. Something River isn’t telling me.
“River isn’t telling many people many things,” Tye says lightly, and I realize I said my thought out loud. “And if you find that quality as annoying as I do, then I suggest you give up interacting with Coal altogether too.”
I narrow my eyes at the redheaded male. “You don’t seem worried about patrols either.”
Tye grins, his white teeth flashing. “I am always worried about patrols, Lilac Girl.” His grin widens. “I’m just certain that none of them will want to shoot me from afar and deny themselves the pleasure of dragging me to some dungeon or another. Now, more importantly, tell me how you feel?”
“Alive,” I say honestly. “More alive than I’ve ever felt. As if the world has become more potent. Juicer. Is that an aftereffect of stepping into the Gloom? Or is Lunos different from the mortal realm?”
“You can feel Lunos’s magic, then,” Coal says behind me.
“Interesting.” Tye cocks a brow, his gaze roaming arrogantly over me. “I do wonder if Lunos will enhance yourothersenses as well.”
I roll my eyes and shove Tye, succeeding only in pushing myself onto my ass. I stand, dusting myself off with as much dignity as I can reclaim. “Can someone please tell me why you are all so sure that some patrol isn’t about to descend on us,” I say.
“We have one of the Citadel’s keys,” says River, his back to me still. “We’ve been tracked the entire time. Everyone of importance knows exactly where we are.”
“Especially Autumn,” says Tye, his words aimed at River’s back and pregnant with meaning. “How long until she—” Tye cuts off just as a small, gorgeous female steps out from thin air, squeals, and launches herself at River. She chuckles as River utters anoomphon impact.
“You’re back!” the female—who I presume must be Autumn—declares, her many blond braids swinging from a perfectly shaped head. She wears bright-green silk trousers that sway sensually with each move of her hips and a cropped top that would be scandalous in my world but looks natural on her. Autumn twists around, her gray eyes sparkling when they fall on Shade, who’s flashed into his fae form. “Stars take me, Shey-Shey, you areback, back?”
A pang of jealousy that I’ve no right to sours my stomach as Shade opens his arms to welcome Autumn into an embrace. Of course the males have lives and friends and... and lovers.
I swallow and am taking a step back to give the reunion some privacy when the female’s eyes finally land on me—land and widen in unabashed delight.
“You are the fifth?” Slender arms that are much stronger than they look wrap me in a rib-crushing embrace, releasing me only when I make a pitiful choking sound. “Sorry.” The female cringes sheepishly. “You’re human, right?”
“Very much so,” I say, rubbing my ribs.
Autumn loops her arm through mine, and I’m starting to wonder whether the female is truly fae or some natural force given flesh.
“My brother better be thanking the bloody stars,” Autumn says, shooting River a squint that would do a schoolmarm proud. “In fact, all these animals better be nice to you, or I’m going to rip their pointed little ears right off their empty heads and feed them to the hounds. Or the pigs. The pigs are not nearly as picky about their food.”
“They’ve been good,” I assure her quickly. “I think they can keep their ears for another day at least.”
She laughs, the sound musical and infectious, and starts drawing me away. “I’m Autumn, by the way. Why don’t we go on ahead. You won’t believe how dull it gets without a female around, and I want to know all about you.”
“Autumn,” River’s low voice rumbles in our wake.
The female waves a hand over her shoulder. “Take care of the beasts like a good lad, River. I can already see that you’ve brought no clothes for your fifth, and I’m getting that corrected right now.”
As Autumn pulls me away, a small, displeased growl sounds behind us. I turn my head to find all four males in a line, prowling closer on instinct. Predators protecting their kill.
Instead of blanching, Autumn puts her hands on her slender hips and manages to stare down at all four males from her much lower height. “You four can simmer more quietly and find the manners that appear to have fallen from your pockets. The females wish to talk, and we will see you at dinner.” Her nose crinkles. “You lot better bathe before then too. Coal especially—you reek of sclice blood and frustration.”
I have no chance to say anything before the world darkens and I’m pulled through thick-as-pudding nothingness into a sunbathed bedroom with dresses, weapons, and jewelry scattered over every surface.
