Page 47 of Within the Flames
"The devil's slimy arse is mine? Well, thank you, I guess. Nobody has ever given me someone's behind before."
A giggle broke from her throat, dispelling the last remnants of the dream.
She ran her hands over his back, admiring the hard muscle hiding beneath his soft skin.
"I'm glad you're here," she muttered, kissing him again, this time on the lips. "I couldn't do this without you. Without any of you guys."
"I'm kind of honoured to be here," he admitted. "I'm not one of the Wardens, yet you treat me like one of you."
She laughed. "You're an honorary Warden. Maybe we should change it from seven to eight. We're the last generation of Wardens anyway, nobody will mind."
"Does that mean there will be no more trouble in the world after we're gone?" he asked. "Or will the world be defenceless from new evil?"
Macey was spared from answering by shouts coming from the tent.
"Get up! Someone's approaching the camp!" Cam shouted from outside, moments before the tent flap burst open and all three of Macey's men came inside.
"Is it Izban?" Macey asked, sitting up, not caring that her boobs were on display.
Jared licked his lips at the sight, but didn't comment.
"We don't think so," Cam explained. "But whoever it is, we need you out there."
She nodded and jumped out of bed, putting on her clothes as fast as she could. Rónàn was doing the same, and she couldn't help but shoot an admiring glance at his naked body. If only they had time. They never did.
They hurried outside where the rest of their army was waiting for them.
Amber was standing a little bit removed from them, watching the horizon, where a lone figure was slowly approaching. They were walking and had reached the point about halfway between the Mahoun's castle and their camp.
"Did he come from the castle?" Macey asked.
One of the kelpies nodded. "He didn't come from the main gate though, but from a smaller door in the wall that we hadn't noticed before. He's very slow, maybe he's injured."
"Why do you say he? Couldn't it be a woman?"
The kelpie shrugged. "Yes, perhaps. I can't see them well enough from here."
Macey couldn't, either. The person was humanoid and wrapped in black clothes, but that was all she could make out. Somehow, she didn't think it was Izban though. The mage always walked with a certain swagger, and unless he was injured and couldn't walk like he normally did, it had to be someone else.
"Where's Luc?" Macey asked, noticing the daimon wasn't there with them.
"Flew off, said it was important," Flint said. "He was doing his mysterious thing again."
"Does he ever do anything else?" Macey muttered, frustration building in her. It would have been great to have Luc here just now. He could have flown towards the mysterious figure and check them out. Now, the only person with wings was Amber, and she hated putting her friend in danger. Putting the daimon in danger, not so much.
"Amber?" Macey called and the beithir turned. "Do you think it's Izban?"
"No, I'm pretty sure it isn't," Amber replied, confirming Macey's thoughts. "Want me to check it out?"
"Yes. Shall I come with you?"
Amber grimaced. She didn't like having people fly on her back.
"No, it's alright, I'll manage. If I need help, I'll create some lightning above me."
Macey nodded, smiling at her friend. "Good. We'll stand ready to assist."
Amber took off her clothes, not caring that she was naked in front of a lot of strangers, and shifted in one fluid motion. Macey always admired the ease with which the beithir could shift. For her, it was a struggle, something painful, that had to be executed perfectly in order to keep the pain to a minimum. For Amber, it seemed like an intuitive, easy thing.
