Page 69 of Vathia
“I did not jump you!” I stutter.
A booming laugh escapes him. “No,” he drawls sarcastically. “Your feet just blinked into the air and you ended up wrapped around me like a clingy sea star.”
“Sure, that’s exactly what happened,” I respond with my nose slightly turned up, playing into his teasing nature. It doesn’t offend me that I ended up wrapped around him, but it always seems to happen at the least opportune time.
As if sensing my frustration, he stops, pulling me into him. “Don’t worry, Beastie. We will have our moment together soon enough. I can almost taste it. Though, unfortunately for now, we should go and greet your friends.
“Fates, my friends. I don’t know why I’m so easily distracted these days,” I grumble, taking a hold of his hand andpulling him behind me as I rush to the field on the other side of camp.
As we get to the field, that’s when I see them, and an un-queenly squeal erupts from my lips, which I quickly cover with a cough.
“Ravie!” Roz yells as he and Mel run towards me, trying to shove each other out of the way. The three of us collide and end up in a mass heap on the muddy ground, laughing.
Jesper chuckles and joins in, and then next thing I know I’m being yanked up and placed on my feet.
“Was worried you would get hurt,” Killian mumbles before stepping back.
“Well, you guys seem more cozy,” Ember states with a smirk on her face. Her short bob is in disarray from the wind blowing through it.
“Ember! How did it go?” I ask pulling her in for a quick hug, knowing she isn’t one for overly extreme physical contact.
She returns it and pulls back, her smile dropping and a quick shake of her head. “We should go somewhere more quiet to talk.” She glances around as more warriors are showing up to see who the new arrivals are. “All of us.”
Her eyes land on a group of fae I don’t recognize who I swear weren’t there a minute ago—more new arrivals—but Talyn seems to be yelling at the female that’s standing in the group of males.
“You will not make me a prisoner, too!” the female shouts rising onto her tip toes to get into his face as she pokes him hard in the chest. Surprisingly I don’t feel anything but curiosity and amusement at how this female is talking to my so-called mate. At least I’m not the only one who’s putting him in his place.
“I did what I had to, to keep you safe, and you decided the front lines of the war is where you needed to be?” He vibrates with anger as he grabs the fae male with long black hair andtattoos by the tunic. “Take her back to Kraryn, now! And keep her there!”
A blast of air magick explodes from her, knocking the males apart. She growls low, “I will not be kept locked away ever again Talyn Craven, and I will kill anyone who tries.”
Another male, this one looking similar to Jesper, whispers something to her and pulls her away. When I glance at Jesp, his sunny disposition is gone, replaced with a scowl. Do they know each other?
“What the fates is that about?” I ask Killian who is watching the scene play out with a stoic expression.
“Seems Talyn’s sister doesn’t want to stay in the box Talyn tried to keep her in,” he grumbles.
I finally notice Lennox, but he’s staring at the female with a look of awe, completely unaware of his surroundings. Quickly, I make my way over there with a mischievous grin, pulling water from a nearby puddle and then dousing him with it.
Mel roars with laughter as her twin brother stutters, turning to me with wide eyes.
“Miss me?” I ask, laughing.
“I think you’ve been hanging out with Jesper too much. Where is my uptight Rav?” He chuckles, pulling me into a wet hug.
Killian growls, but I wave him off.
“Well… Should we head to the war tent while those two work out whatever that is?” I ask, looking at Aemon, Jesper and Killian who are also watching the entertainment between Talyn and his sister.
Nero’s caw is the only warning I get before he lands on my shoulder. “I see I missed a lot while I was grabbing a snack.”
“I think that’s an understatement,” I reply.
Suddenly the yelling stops and Talyn storms off, yet again. I swear that male has a flair for dramatic exits.
“Well, now thatthatis over, can we make some introductions?” Mel claps, pulling me over to the new group, my males and friends following behind.
The first male grins a grin so familiar I can’t help but glance back at Jesper, who is now standing stiff and tight lipped. But peering at the male, I can see similarities—although this male has deep purple eyes and red hair that matches Jesper’s shade exactly. The newcomer’s hair is shorter and messy but I’m not sure if it’s styled that way on purpose or not.
