“From all portents, the journey back to King Alric will be even more dangerous,” Dela said. “Any time you’re on the ground, you must all be alert. Even in the air, Shilayla will need to be careful.”
“Of what?” Det asked, his eyes narrowing on the seer. “Little can challenge a dragon in the sky.”
Dela cringed. “We haven’t been able to see what the danger is exactly, but there is danger. Something new. Something we’ve never seen before. Something that can harm dragons in flight.”
Those around the table grew tense, and Shilayla’s head rose with determination. “I will be cautious, but nothing will stop this quest. It is too important. And, after we succeed, Luc and I will have proved ourselves worthy of the Guard.”
Luc started in surprise but put one hand on Shilayla’s neck in support as he looked to his brother. Detlif seemed to measure both of them, eventually sighing as he sat back.
“If you return successful, you will have indeed proven yourselves and will be welcomed into the Guard.”
“Then, Roja and Bruuk can take our place as Scout Captains and representatives to the Council.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Det held up one hand, forestalling his younger brother. “First, go to the Blind King’s Court and return in one piece. That’s the most important thing now.”
“There’s more to consider,” Dela said, elevating the tension around the table. Unexpectedly, she turned to Lilly. “Will you recount the vision of your city?”
Lilly sat straighter in her chair as she began to tell them what she’d heard in the Seer’s Hall. Her beloved city under attack, the river running with flame, the Alchemist’s symbol on the opposing army’s standard. They listened intently with grave expressions. Dinner was forgotten in the intensity of the moment.
“When I left, Winter was coming to an end, though it will be some time yet before it thaws enough for the lower reaches of the mountains to be green,” Lilly told them.
“Perhaps, those battle plans are the reason behind the constant delays in your path here, Lilly.” Shilayla voiced the idea that had only just occurred to most of them.
“And you can be sure the enemy does not want you to return in time to warn your King,” Det added, stabbing a piece of meat with his fork. The others began to eat again as they considered Lilly’s words.
“My fear,” Lady Adain spoke for the first time since the discussion began, “is that the goal of the enemy has changed for you, Lilly. On the way here, they merely sought to delay you. If they had killed you, Alric would have just sent another messenger. But now that you’ve made it to us, the enemy must prevent your return to Alric at all costs. They will not play as nicely with you this time.”
“Very astute, Grandmother,” Det agreed. “We will kit you all out from the armory and escort you as far as we can with both scouts and guards. It’s time my guardsmen got out of the Veil more and took a look around. If I thought it wouldn’t make more trouble, I’d go with you, Luc.”
“More trouble?” Lilly asked, unsure of what the big man meant.
“A bigger target, for one thing,” Det answered. “One dragon can hide better than two, and scouts have more recent experience of the outside world than we guards do. Though, that is something I will change starting tomorrow. I’ll work with Roja to have some of my men trail along with the scout patrols so they can reacquaint themselves with the nearest villages.”
“A good idea,” Lady Adain supported her grandson’s idea. “Time was, the people in those villages were our allies and friends. I would see those ties reaffirmed and strengthened, if possible.”
Lilly liked the sound of that. In her opinion, the fair folk had been isolated too long if they hadn’t even realized their foreseers were being slowly nullified by foreign magic.
The dinner went on for some time as they discussed the most likely route to take. Luc and his brother made plans to go over some maps he had in his office the next day. Lilly was invited to contribute her knowledge of the current lay of the land, and Shilayla would join them to learn of the landmarks she would have to help look for from the air.
By the time the sweets were served, Lilly was feeling the effects of her long day. She’d learned much about the fair folk, and about Luc especially. She felt turmoil roil within her each time their eyes met, and she feared for her heart. The man was potent and charming when he was at ease.
When she’d eaten the sweet custard and drunk a small portion of honeyed wine, Lilly was at last able to excuse herself. She said her goodnights and made for the room that had been given her during her stay, glad to escape without further contact with that very disturbing man.
But Luc cornered her in the hall, right in front of her door. The rest of the family had already gone to other parts of the house, so they were effectively alone.
“One more thing, Lilly.” Luc stopped her when she would have fled into her room. “I didn’t want to discuss this in front of company, but Lady Vi wants to examine Petr tomorrow.” She couldn’t tell whether Luc was accusing her of something or merely curious.
“I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn, but my healing gift rises every time I’m in Petr’s presence.” She should have realized something would come of her discussion with the healer. She sighed, hoping the family wouldn’t be too angry with her.
Luc seemed to consider her for a moment before speaking. “I wasn’t complaining, but you should know my brother was furious at the suggestion there’s something wrong with his son. Petr is a sore spot with him.”
“If you don’t mind my saying, your brother seems to be one giant-sized sore spot. He growls more than my father’s guard dog.”
Luc smiled at that, their footing changing in one short moment. A tingling hum filled the air around them. Luc stepped closer as she backed away, grasping for the handle of her bedroom door.
“Good night, Luc.” She opened the door and tried to flee, but he placed his hand on the heavy wood above her head.
Their eyes met and held, a mystical energy floating between them. Joining them. Enticing them. A magnetic pull drew them together, though she fought against it.
Luc moved closer and his lips met hers as his knee rode the seam between her thighs. Lilly wanted to object, but the moment his mouth settled on hers, all thoughts of denying herself this pleasure flew right out of her head. No other man’s kiss had ever felt so right or so magical, from her very first taste—was it only this afternoon they had first kissed? It felt like she’d known his touch for a lifetime.
Her lips actually tingled where his joined them, and when she gasped, he took quick advantage, thrusting his tongue within. Lilly had been kissed by more than a few men in her time. Fellow guards, students at her father’s school and even the prince of a neighboring realm had tried to court her, but she’d never felt the sensations Luc imparted with a simple kiss. She thought she’d learned her lesson earlier in the day, but this conflagration burned even hotter than that first explosion of passion.
She’d almost been lost in the garden. This was even worse. This was mind-numbing, heart-pounding need made flesh. His body ground against hers, his forearms flat on the wall on either side of her head as his calloused hands cradled her head.