Page 67 of Spirit Rites
Jorren says with his eyes focused behind me.
“Who’s asking?” Kaldar asks.
“We’re not sure. The guard who brought the news didn’t have that information. We’re assuming it’s the king of the Wolf Kingdom,” Reika informs him.
“But we’re not sure,” Jorren says sternly. “I think It's wise to check it out.”
My heart skips a beat, and I wonder if Rysden and Farrah are coming here and if I’ll get to see Farrah. My hopes are dashed with Kaldar’s next words. “Taren, you’ll stay here with Kinsley. Reika. Evren, and Jorren, you’re with me.” As if he can feel the disappointment his words bring me, Kaldar squeezes my shoulders lightly. He surprises me by leaning forward. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” The words, spoken right next to my ear, send a shiver down my spine.
“Knock, knock. I—Oh, wow. This is quite the gathering.”
I hear Mae’s voice, but I can’t see her over the broad shoulders blocking my view. She ducks into view with a beaming smile. “Cousin, I brought you lunch.”
“I already ate with Kinsley.”
At his words, Mae turns to me. “Way to go, Kinsley. How did you manage that so fast? I’ve been trying for years to get him to eat.Years.”
Kaldar shakes his head. “We’re leaving. Be around if Kinsley needs you.”
Mae looks at the warriors, obviously outfitted for whatever they’re going to face. Even Kaldar has his sword on his back and several more blades on his person than usual. “Where are you going?”
“We got called to the border to check something out.”
Mae turns to Kaldar. “Since you’re still down one of your five, can I go?”
“No,” Kaldar and Taren both say at the same time.
She ignores Taren and turns to Kaldar. “Come on. I’m trained, and I’m as good as any of your warriors.”
Her words surprise me but not nearly as much as Kaldar’s. “I know.”
“Then why can’t I go?” she asks, sounding a little pouty.
“You know why.” Kaldar doesn’t give her any more than that, and she stalks over to the couch and drops down into it. Kaldar turns to me and grasps my upper arms gently before he leans forward. His lips find mine a moment later. I stiffen out of surprise, but when his lips move against mine, I’m no longer stiff. The world around us disappears, and I lean into him and return his kiss. I make a small sound, and he pulls back, staring down at me with that intensity again. Somebody clears their throat, and it has the effect of cold water on me. I jerk back and feel my face heat. He reaches up and runs his thumb over my bottom lip, causing me to shiver. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” When he lifts his head to look at his team, his face is expressionless. Any softness that he had for me is long gone. Kaldar, Jorren, Evren, and Reika leave the house; and it’s suddenly very quiet until Mae sighs rather loudly.
“I love that you love my cousin.” I open my mouth to give a rebuttal to that before I remember that it’s exactly what we’re supposed to be portraying. Honestly, it’s not all that hard, especially on my end. And really, even if it weren’t real, how’s a girl supposed to respond after being kissed like that? His kisses always make me lose all sense of reality and everything but him and I in those moments. I sigh, and Mae’s grin lights up her face.
“Why won’t Kaldar let you go with them?” I ask out of curiosity.
She sighs dramatically. “Both he and Taren say it’s a bad idea because they will have a divided focus.”
“Because they would focus on protecting you instead of dealing with whatever threat they’re facing?” I ask.
“Yeah.” Her response is flat, and I wonder if she even realizes how Taren feels about her. To me it’s obvious, but maybe it’s not to her.
“Kinsley,” a tentative voice says from behind me.
I whirl around. “Rakel, I’m sorry. Thank you for coming.”
She smiles graciously. “I brought the first pieces to your wardrobe.”
“Where’s Liella today?” I can’t help but ask.
Rakel’s smile widens even more. “She’s with her aunt. I’ve been working all morning, and she kept her for me. Now, let’s try on some of these clothes and see what we’re working with.”
I turn to Mae who’s still sitting on the couch. “Still pouting?”
“Yes.”
