THE NEXT DAY WAS FINALLY the rest day. Alek still slept when I snuck out of the room. The two guards shadowed me as I walked to the library. I thanked the one that opened the library door and paused, staring at all those shelves packed with books.I intended to spend the day reading up on my realm. Not the romantic rest day I'd envisioned at the beginning of the week, but it had to be done. I had so much to learn.'Morning, Cat.'I jumped. I hadn't spotted Kassie on the far couch, tucked up with a blanket and surrounded by books. 'Kass, you're up early.'She smiled at me then pointed to the mezzanine level. 'But not the earliest.'Leseach's melodic tenor voice called out quietly, 'Good morning, Your Highness.'I climbed the short, narrow staircase to her level. 'Good morning. What are you studying?'She stood bent over the table looking at a large map of Elion and glanced up. Those vivid green and yellow, inhuman eyes stared as she flashed a smile. 'Looking at where else the Sor
AT THE USUAL, UNGODLY, HOUR that we got up to run, Audi leaped on the bed and ambushed Alek. For some reason she did it just to him. I woke to his cursing as he swatted the dog off the bed. 'Cat! Can't you do something about her?'I blinked sleepily and chuckled at his sour, unimpressed expression. 'Sorry hun, she loves you. That's how she shows it.'He grumbled while he headed for the wardrobe.We met Yakov at the inner gate. He laughed at the red stripe on Alek's face. 'Did she get you again?'Alek smiled ruefully, 'One morning I'll be quick enough.'The three of us chatted while we followed the trail between the inner and outer gates. Every so often calls rang out from above, as the guards tracked our progressthe only way we could run without an escortto be observed from above.When we got back to the castle, Alek and I had to boot it to get ready. We had a Council meeting to attend and an earlier start than usual, as the men had to leave with Leseach after lunch. Alek lounged
ALEK WOKE TO THE NOISE of the birds clattering over the roof of the house they slept in. He shifted in the narrow cot bed, twisting to lift the curtain a little and peered out; the sun had just started to rise. With a yawn he sat and slipped his boots on, the other men snoring when he ducked out the back door with a towel.'Going for a swim?' Loushka appeared silently around the corner as he walked toward the river.'Yeah. A moment's peace before the day begins would be nice.'They continued to the water's edge; the dirt-track wide enough for Loushka to walk alongside him.'Missing Cat?''Yes, but it's good to have time with just the guys, like we used to.'A sound behind them caused them both to turn, and Kerak sauntered up with the languorous grace of a lion. Alek greeted the griffon then dropped the towel to the side and stripped his pants and boots off. The river had a bend not far down with a deep swimming hole tucked in it and an overhanging tree that had a rope hanging fro
YAKOV WENT TO WATCH THE girls at practice with the Lieutenants the next day. They all paused mid-strike when he entered, then set back into it. Today was staff practice. Kassie sat out, waiting her turn while the other three trained.The petite brunette smiled at Yakov as he had a seat next to her. 'Good morning, Kassie. How are you?''Good. Just waiting my turn.'A loud crack and thump made them both look up in time to see Cat stagger back, staff broken in two and a shoulder oddly low. Ignatius, who'd appeared to have assigned himself as her personal trainer, caught her good arm and slipped a hand under the dislocated shoulder. 'Ready?'Everyone paused. The other girls wore stoic expressions as they felt Cat's pain through their link. Cat, her face grey, gave Ignatius a terse nod. In a swift move he seized her wrist and flicked the arm high. It slipped back into the joint, and the girls breathed a sigh of relief while the grey colour vanished from Cat's face.'Thanks,' she said t
IGNATIUS KEPT A DISCREET WATCH over the Royal couple while they chatted with courtiers. It was one of the rare occasions that they had eaten in the Great Hall, and they appeared to be making the most of the evening. A delicate touch to his arm caused him to glance down. The Lady Roscel gazed up and met his eyes with a mischievous lilt to her lips. 'My lady?'It wasn't until she gave him a coy glance that he noticed and he reached out to catch her chin, tipping it up. Roscel flushed and her painted, full, red lips parted invitingly. The same red that resonated from her normally blonde hair. 'What's this, Roscel? A charm?'She giggled, and her eyes creased in mirth. Usually brown, the green tint they now bore shimmered.'It won't last long, the night perhaps?' she said invitingly.It fascinated him and he stepped closer, pressing against Roscel. She tried another of the Princess' expressionseyes wide and curious with a naughty, seductive glint.Desire rushed through him, and he suck
RIDING THE HORSES THROUGH THE outer gate felt fantastic. Loi called to Sabyn. 'So, where to?'He jerked his head in the direction. 'This way. It'll be a hard ride for a good hour.'She gave a whoop of excitement when they charged off. The track quickly changed from an easy path to a winding, narrow track, with some decent drops. Their speed slowed as they navigated the trailthe most challenging ride she'd been on in a while, and she rose in the stirrups as her horse readied to jump a log. Jumping had been a particular challenge to learn on Earth and Loi felt a thrill of delight when she aced the landing. Being able to ride in rough terrain, instead of the easy trekking paths on Earth, was something she'd rarely had the opportunity to do.Encouraging her horse after Sabyn's, her long heavy braid flopped over a shoulder as she leaned forward. She flicked it back, while admiring Sabyn. He rode as well as she did. She bit her lower lip while her eyes traced the muscles of his back, visi
THE FRESH BERRIES NEARLY TASTED better than the truffles. Loi savoured their crisp, sweet tartness; the perfect end to a meal. She sighed in pleasure after grabbing another handful and settled back against Sabyn. The sun had moved in the time they'd been there. The rays shone fully down on the picnic, making her feel as sleepy as a sated cat while they relaxed there, almost dozing.'Loi.''Mmmm?''Will you marry me?'Her eyes snapped open and she spun out of his lap with a gasp, staring in shock. Sabyn cocked his head, regarding her in amusement, then drew a ring case out from beneath his leg and offered it to her.Frozen to the spot she stared at the case, emotions running rampant through her; delight, fear, excitement, and doubt. With her eyes squeezed closed she squeaked out. 'Why?'He sounded astonished. 'What?'Her breaths came short and fast. 'Why, why me? You could have anyone, why me?'NOW OPEN, THE FEAR HE saw in her eyes had him flummoxed. 'What do you mean why you?
ALEK EXCUSED HIMSELF, AND LEFT Cat in his father's study, reading. Our father, he reminded himself; what a strange idea. The first stop was the kitchen. Hiranes listened as Alek explained, a delighted smile spreading on his aged face. 'Yes, yes, I can do that.'Alek grinned, 'Excellent. But don't forgetsecret.'Hiranes nodded then turned and clapped his hands, calling for the kitchen staff. Alek left to find Vesbel, the castle's event organizer.Vesbel was in her room at the other end of the ground floor, next to Ada's quarters. When Alek opened the door, he discovered her four jybois in the midst of joyfully dismantling an object.'Would you get them out of here?' called Vesbel as she wrestled with something. 'I need that in one piece.'A sharp whistle made their heads snap up and eight sets of large, round, black eyes stared at him. Grabbing an ornament off a shelf, he tossed it out the door. The ornament sparkled in the light while it rolled through the doorway. The four jybois