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Chapter 185

Author: Nicole MacDonald
last update Last Updated: 2022-06-15 14:13:34
MID-CONVERSATION KASSIE GLANCED AT Cat and saw the half smile on her friend's face.

'It's the only time you see her smiling now, when she's remembering him,' she thought to Kerak with a pang of sorrow.

Kerak stayed silent but a sense of discomfort wafted through the link. Kassie reached out to stroke around his ear, making the griffon twist his head closer while the rumble of a purr shuddered out. His thoughts appeared focused on the beautiful griffon beside him and the sorrow she felt. Kassie watched various images flick through the link and quickly realized Kerak wasn't aware of projecting them. All the images showed Loushka, and Kassie watched in fascination while feeling a hint of shame at spying. The very first image and apparent favouriteKerak flicked back to it oftenmust have been when the Griffon Guard was first introduced to their newest member and she watched avidly when Rumal's face appeared from above.

Kassie often forgot how young Kerak was when he joined the Guard. In
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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 186

    THE SHIP ROCKED AS RUMAL and Rashid studied the large map of the Southern territory spread out over the table before them. The sway of the ship when he was beneath tended to give Rumal a queasy stomach. He glanced out the high rectangular windows, focusing on the horizon while waiting for his body to settle.'Cavalry training,' Rashid unnecessarily said.Right, thought Rumal and he glanced at the map, considering. He preferred to go upstairs when they practiced. 'Why don't we work on this later?'Rashid glanced up and smirked. 'Stomach getting to you?'Rumal gave him a narrow look. They rolled the map up and headed to the top deck. When Rumal stepped through the hatch behind Rashid, the Lieutenant jerked to a halt then made an odd fumbling side step. Stretching his neck to see what confused Rashid, he spotted Leseach striding their way and saw the plain look of longing on Rashid's face before he concealed it.With a snigger Rumal elbowed past the man and quietly jibed, 'Stomach

    Last Updated : 2022-06-15

  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 187

    LOI FROZE AT THE TOUCH that brushed her energy and completely forgot about Larvaste swinging an axe at her. Her energy deflected the blow and a green charge snapped off, causing the centaur to yell, dropping his axe.'Laura!' Larvaste protested.'At least it didn't break,' Sabyn pointed out, moving past the centaur to Loi's side, and touched her arm. 'What is it, are you okay?'Annoyance flashed through Loi when she tried to focus and she waved a hand impatiently at him.'I'm fine; I think Cat's wanting to link.'Sabyn frowned for an instant then pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, his expression sombre.'Why don't you go sit out? Say hi for me.'Loi nodded and walked to a box seat by the rail. The noise in the background faded while she called her energy up and the tension in her body evaporated as it spread.Your energy seems stronger than before.Loi jumped on the seat. Cat?! Are you there?Yes.That disconcerted her. Loi had thought Cat wasn't there yet. You sound di

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 188

    I'VE HAD ENOUGH, SIAN THOUGHT ironically. Stop the ride I want to get off.It felt truly bizarre to think of what lay ahead. Part of her accepted the task, understanding what risk and danger stood before them. The other part of her felt completely detached like they acted out roles in a strange, surreal play. Sian's mind varied from wanting to scream and panic, to hide under the covers and refuse to come out; to wanting to stick a motor on this bloody boat, get there, deal to the bitch and go home.The frustration at the contradicting thoughts made her flip over in bed and huff a sigh out. Beside her Daron lay silent and she watched the moonlight flickering on the ceiling, reflecting off the water. I know Alek and Yakov are dead, she thought in an attempt to get her head in the right space. Tears welled in her eyes while she stared at the low ceiling of the berth bed. I know we head to a war zone, I know we will fight Jenviet and I know we have to win.Then why doesn't it feel lik

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 189

    HIGH UP ON THE SECOND mast Sian wriggled on her perch, trying to get some feeling back into her numb ass.'Pix!' Daron bellowed from the foot of the mast, standing close to Sito's stomach. 'Don't you think you should come down now?'Sito, stretched out around the base of the mast, glanced quizzically up at her. 'Why is he so bothered?''Probably because we're so close to land, he's worried I'll do something silly like fall.''Oh,' Sito went quiet then thought with an anxious tone, 'Don't do that.'Sian laughed. 'I won't, Sito. I promise.'She could see the cliffs now, massive raw looking faces with waves dashing against the foot of them. White caps showed a fair way out from the cliff too, revealing the coast to be rocky.Rocks everywhere, she thought in concern. Hope the Draoths can handle it. A voice chimed in her mind.Got a nice view at this height, huh?Sian grinned. It is, Loi, how do you find it?Strange, I'm getting a sense of a cave or something.That's right, Kas

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 190

    AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF the trunk I found a tiny drawstring bag. Setting aside the clothes I'd sorted through, I reached for the bag and sat back against the trunk while I worked at the knot in the drawstring. Untangling the cord, the thick fabric opened and I tipped the contents out on my palm and felt my breath catch.The green tourmaline winked in the light from the windows and the diamonds sparkled as the thin silver chain threaded through the ring slipped over my wrist. A piece of paper with scrawled writing I instantly recognized was wrapped around the white ring band. With trembling fingers, I carefully undid the paper and smoothed it out on a knee.For luck, my love.When had he done this? I swallowed hard while tears welled up, and slipped my engagement ring on, ignoring the chain for the moment. I remembered putting it on the dresser at the castle after mentioning I shouldn't wear it. The beautiful tourmaline brought back so many things and I forgot the task at hand, sitting

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 191

    RASHID STEPPED ASIDE, ALLOWING CATHERINE past and waited for her to disappear in the crush of soldiers moving through the corridor.'Rashid.'His ear prickled at the sudden close proximity of the Northerner and he turned to find her vivid eyes on his. 'Leseach.''Her Highness has requested a lesser dosage of her evening drink.'Rashid nodded though the unease rose again at the thought of dosing the heir to Elion's throne drink with that poison. It appears to do her no harm, he assured himself. And Leseach keeps watch of it, not just Ignatius; two sets of eyes are better than one.Rashid hadn't believed Ignatius when first told about the poison. Seeing the package marked with the Sorceress' ring astonished him that first afternoon at sea and then after Ignatius' disastrous first attempt at dosing the Princess' drink. Yes, he thought with a sense of relief. At least Leseach keeps hold of the drug.'Good,' he said aloud when she stared at him, appearing to wait for verbal confirma

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 192

    MY FINGERS TREMBLED WHILE I dressed this morning, the ship still noisy but most of the sound came from above now; the soldiers and allies gathered on the main deck, impatient to get going. 'Crap!'The smooth links slipped through my fingertips again as I attempted to seal the back seam. A loud knock on the door made me jump.'Highness?'I hesitated for a second then shrugged; he'd seen me in less than this before.'Ignatius,' I called and he entered. 'Please, can you help? I can't get the stupid seam right.'HE PAUSED FOR AN INSTANT mind locking away the image of herflushed, both arms reaching back over her shoulders trying to join the seam, the gap in the mail revealing her pale wool undergarments. A tantalizingly erotic pose, defenceless and begging for his help, her figure arched and exposed.He grinned and stepped forward. 'Of course, it's always tricky the first few times.'The seam started at the base of her spine and he took his time, carefully fitting the two sides t

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 193

    'READY?''Go for it.'Closing my eyes and ignoring the noise and anxious energy from those still onboard I drew a bubble of energy around Loushka, then opened them, smiling in pleasure at the ease of it. The bubble, hair thin and sheer, flickered with flames that smoothed over the sphere's surface, just visible to the naked eye. I looked at the shore and saw several long boats landed and a couple more moving back to the ship for their next loads. Watching them I absently lifted the bubble, floating us higher and higher until we cleared the masts. 'About to release.''Excellent!' Loushka sounded thrilled.The instant the bubble vanished she flicked her wings open, the fan shaped metal greaves sounding like blades unsheathing. I sensed Kassie and Kerak coming up beneath us. 'We better move.''Hold on!'Wrapping the saddle straps around either arm I flattened myself to the leather when Loushka rocketed into the sky. We burst through clouds and she climbed higher then in a slow,

    Last Updated : 2022-06-15

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    When the group came across a river, they stopped. After a careful taste test, dipping a crystal necklace in to check the quality, everyone was allowed to drink.Mila and Paiga wrinkled their noses at the odd smell. Like a cup of nellor left out for too long.'It won't hurt you, girls,' Papa said with a smile as he squatted to scoop water to his mouth. 'Drink up.'The two girls' sipped water from their cupped hands, giggling as it spilled out. The adults conversed as the two of them had fun flicking water at each other.An odd sound like a cough made Mila look up, Paiga too.Both girls gasped, stumbling back from the river.'Mila? What's wro-' Mama broke off as she looked up too.Uncle Harlon made a funning clicking noise.The strange looking person that clung to the ceiling with three others responded with clicks and whistles.Mama beckoned Mila and Paiga, and the two girls scampered to her side.'Mama, who are they?' Mila whispered, Paiga crowding close to hear the answer.

  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 390

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 389

    The air smelled cold, and something else, something Mila found familiar but out of place.'Mama,' she whispered. 'What's that smell?''What smell, lovey?''It smells like,' Mila paused, considering. 'It smells like the kitchen, when cook has fresh rabbits.'Mama didn't say anything but she looked at Papa.'I smell it,' said another voice from within the circle.'Me too.''Carrion?''Perhaps. The scent will carry when the air is still.'Not understanding what "carrion" meant, but glad that the adults appeared to have solved the smell, Mila relaxed a little, nose wrinkling at the sharp edge of that scent.Minutes ticked by as they covered good ground.'We're close,' said the man leading them. A screech flashed past overhead, the group twisting, following the sound.A man shouted.Mila's head snapped in the direction of the shout, just in time to glimpse the man's boots vanishing as something, something with enormous black wings, snatched him up!Shrieks of terror rang out

  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 388

    Everyone moved. It surprised Mila how many people were here, but so many seemed to be missing too. Mama took her hand. On her other side was her younger cousin Paiga. Normally she annoyed Mila, with all the questions she asked, but the scared expression in her eyes reminded Mila of Addy. She offered her other hand to Paiga, who took it with a tentative smile.The group began to walk.Mila hadn't realized until now how tired she was. She stumbled over the riverbed the rocks stubbing her toes as she held Paiga and Mama's hands. It made tears run down her cheeks, but she didn't stop. On and on, picking her feet up, tripping, Mama's hand stopping her from falling. Paiga tripped and Mila managed to hold her arm high enough to stop her cousin from hitting the stones.'Thanks, Mila,' Paiga sounded like she felt. Ready to cry. So very tired.Around them the adults talked. Mila listened.'Where do we go?''The hidden caves. We can keep underground nearly all the way to the coast.''The

  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 387

    Papa's energy sparked in alarm then Mama's too. Mila twisted to stare back at the way the sounds came from and spotted a bobbing light. Torch light.Mama and Papa kept low and began to move again, almost crawling. Mila crunched up against Papa's back, squinting at first then kept her head down to avoid the lower branches.The sounds of those approaching grew. Papa moved faster, Mama right behind. They scooted up higher, scrambling, and tucked against cold stone. Not a moment later the torches bobbed past, following the track they'd been on.The bobbing lights moved closer then away, and closer again. The voices, questioning but too quiet to make out the words, sounded near.Crouched against the narrow stone ledge, Papa and Mama held hands. The soft touch of their energy surrounded all three of them.The bobbing lights came closer, close enough that Mila saw the faces of those who held them. Five DeNaga men, armed with swords, axes, and clubs.Mila shivered at the sight of the

  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 386

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 385

    An array of squeals, bells, rattles and shrieks rang out. Face white Papa reached for them as something flashed out from amongst the lock trap, winding around his leg, wrenching him off his feet as it wound back in the blink of an eye.Mama gripped Mila tighter, her voice breaking on a note of despair, 'ZAYCK!'In the centre of the ceiling held by his ankles, hung Papa.Mama's energy holding Mila clutched even tighter as Mama set her on the ground then stood and reached out with both hands toward the lock, her energy glowing. Mila stared, waiting to see what happened.Mama stretched her energy out, probing gently.It touched the first puzzle piece. A clattering of chimes and screeches rang out, sparks flying.In the centre of the room, jerking like a fish caught on a line, Papa made an awful shriek.Mila dropped, hugging her knees to her forehead, stomach and mind sick from that sound.Papa was the bravest, strongest man in the world.He couldn't be caught, be hurting.Who wo

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