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Chapter 37
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The Birthright Series Chapter 38
ALEK PACED AT THE FRONT of the lodge while he waited for Catherine. About to go in search of her, he stopped when Audrey appeared at his feet, whining and crying with excitement. He laughed and bent to pat her.'She's super excited,' Catherine called out as she walked in.Alek looked up to greet her then stopped. She wore shorts that revealed shapely legs and a fitted tunic. He gaped at her for a moment. 'Run?! Err, I mean, go for a run?' He flushed when she gave him a funny look, suddenly aware of his abrupt tone.'Yep, are you feeling alright?' Her green eyes stared up at him in concern.Shake it off Alek, he thought to himself. It's not like you haven't spent the last two days together. 'I'm fine. It's just warm in here. What did you do to your hair?' he changed the subject quickly and studied the intricate braid that ran down the back of her head.I TURNED TO SHOW THE plait off. 'Sian did it for me. It'll keep my hair out of the way.''Clever,' he commented and gestured wit
The Birthright Series Chapter 39
WE SPRINTED FLAT OUT ALONG the track and this time I had no problem keeping up with Alek. A roar of fury ripped through the trees followed by Audrey, snarling and barking.ALEK RISKED A GLANCE BACK. 'She's okay,' he gasped out. 'It's working.''LOUSHKA.' Alek screamed in his mind. 'HURRY! WE NEED YOU!'BACK AT THE LODGE EVERYONE relaxed and the griffons stretched out in the sun. Sian, Kassie, and Loi lounged around a large table with the men, and Brece and his family. An enormous cry shook the lodge. Everyone leaped to their feet.'What was that?' yelled Loi, but the men ignored her, all focused on their griffons.KASSIE FELT THE GROUND SHUDDER and looked out the window in time to see Loushka spring into the air. Her mouth dropped at the sight of the griffon in full battle mode. Mane standing stiff, eyes narrowed in fury and her tail lashing the air as the griffon took off at a phenomenal speed.SIAN REALIZED THAT SOMETHING MUST have gone wrong with Cat and Alek and lunge
The Birthright Series Chapter 40
ALEK JERKED BACK, THEN FLUSHED red, turning to stare at Loushka for a moment. I got the idea and bit my lip to keep from laughing. Actually, my head now spun in a rather impressive manner. The awful thumping had vanished and my veins felt like they hummed with desire. I could feel a very silly look develop on my face and glanced down to hide it.'SORRY.' ALEK THOUGHT SHEEPISHLY.'Oh I don't mind,' Loushka thought, 'And Cat certainly seems better for it. But next time shield your mind. I really don't need all those unsolicited thoughts flooding in.'Alek looked down at the woman snuggled in his arms. Appearing to sense his gaze, she looked up, green eyes slanted in pleasure, looking very cat like.'Arrrgghh!' Loushka shrieked verbally and mentally, startling Alek and Cat. 'That's it! I'm taking you back to the lodge and you are in separate rooms dammit! Keep your mind on something non-sexual or you are walking back to the village!'Oops, Alek winced. Need to work on that mind shi
The Birthright Series Chapter 41
OOPS. RUMAL FROZE UNSURE OF how to respond. He hadn't meant to insult her. It hadn't occurred to him that she might be sensitive about it.'Maybe you should apologize,' suggested Kerak. 'What does she mean by "whip your ass"? I thought she only carried a sword.'Rumal shrugged, 'I'm not entirely sure.'He could almost see the waves of annoyance pulsing off her. Thinking hard, he made an attempt to lighten the situation. 'Is whipping ass' something you do regularly?'KASSIE BIT HER LIP WHILE she tried not to smile. Okay, maybe she'd overreacted a little, but she wasn't letting up that easily.'Only to idiotic males who suggest I'm vertically challenged. I can squeeze into places you'd never fit in.' Umm, actually that didn't come out quite as intended- Well if I don't point it out he might not notice, she thought.RUMAL ROARED WITH LAUGHTER. 'BUT would I want to?'He watched as Kassie's back quivered. She still didn't turn round though. Might have to try something else, he th
The Birthright Series Chapter 42
'ALEK! ARE YOU OKAY?' LOUSHKA thought in concern, having felt him jump in the saddle. 'What happened?''She gave me a dead leg.' Alek, still laughing sent her the image.'Didn't one of your cousins use to do that to you?' Loushka thought, bemused.'Yes,' He gasped for breath after all that laughing.KEEPING A WARY EYE ON Alek I clung to the pommel while he caught his breath. He leaned toward me, looking at me from under dark brows. 'Catherine,' he said teasingly. 'That wasn't a very nice thing to do.'I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him. 'Well, I didn't insult your world.'Alek reached out, his hand inching toward my foot while I struggled to tuck it further under me.'It is a little bit funny though, don't you think?' His hand continued to creep closer.I made a swat at it. 'Maybe.' Then swatted again when it crept closer still.Alek paused then cocked his head to the side and tsked at me in a disapproving manner. 'Now I thought that Earth women were supposed
The Birthright Series Chapter 43
SIAN FELT A LITTLE OUT of sorts. Loi had beaten her to standing during flight, and now Cat could talk to Loushka. It hardly seemed fair, she thought, letting out a quiet sigh.NESHA HEARD AND CREPT CLOSER to Sian, brushing his beak against her. She seemed happy at the attention, stroking and combing his mane with her fingers.'You should teach her free-falling tomorrow.'Daron, in the midst of unpacking, looked up in surprise. 'What?''Sian. You should teach her free-falling. She needs something special to do that none of the others have done yet.' Nesha explained, 'Why not whisper the idea to her now, she can surprise the others tomorrow.'Daron glanced over at Sian and noticed she looked a little down. Making her smile would make him feel pretty good. He stood and went to sit next to the petite blonde.BEAUTIFUL WEATHER GREETED US THE next morning and we stumbled around, packing up. I looked forward to getting to the castle and not needing to pack and un-pack each day.Kas
The Birthright Series Chapter 44
'YOU NEED TO SHIMMY DOWN Nesha's back, then crouch. When you have your balance, leap off with your arms out straight from either side keeping your legs together. Nesha will count to five then go into a dive and swoop under you. You should be able to guide yourself back into the saddle,' Daron explained.Sian nodded, more than a little daunted by the mental image she had of the dive.'HAVE YOU EVER DONE ANYTHING like this before?' Daron asked.'Kind of.' Sian answered, 'On Earth we have something called sky diving, were you jump out of a plane with a parachute.''Get her to explain.' Nesha urged, 'What's a plane? And a parachute?'THAT TOOK AT LEAST TWENTY minutes of detailed explanation, though Sian got the distinct impression it all seemed like fantasy to Nesha and Daron. She grumped to herself; it would be so much easier if I could just show you. Another twinge of envy ran through her. Lucky Cat, she thought, I really hope I can hear Nesha soon.WHAT SIAN EXPLAINED IMPRES
The Birthright Series Chapter 45
SABYN STILL HAD HIS ARMS around her waist. Loi felt grateful he couldn't see the massive scowl on her face. Torn between the two, now very annoying, voices in her head that argued as to whether his apparent deceitfulness was fair or not, and if it even mattered.She sighed.'Are you okay?' Sabyn asked his voice hesitant.Loi considered her reply, getting a mild sense of vindication from the long, awkward pause. The rational voice in her mind pointed out that she would find out soon, while the grouchy voice said, not soon enough!'When will we reach the castle?' She was careful to keep her voice neutral.'By this evening.''SHE'S GROUCHY WITH YOU,' TOMIAR informed him.'I'm aware of that,' he snapped.'My, aren't we snippy. Well, Mr Snippy, I thought you might like to know that Loushka and Alek would like to show them the Wrenok basin.'Sabyn sighed. 'I'm sorry. I just don't like knowing she's grouchy at me.''I understand,' Tomiar thought sympathetically. 'But try to see it
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The Birthright Series Chapter 393
Paiga gasped and Mila stiffened. A glimmer of annoyance flashed in Mama's eyes before she reached for Luca.'Yes, they have. But we won't. We're tied together. We will go in together and come out. You have to trust in us Luca. We need your energy too, please keep the right thoughts in your mind.'Luca swallowed, throat convulsing. He nodded. 'Yes, Aunty Dan'iss.''Listen up everyone!'Uncle Harlon's shout made Mila jolt.'Hush, Mila,' Papa joggled her in the sling. 'You're going to be fine, I'm right here.' He wrapped his arms around her. Heart pounding with nerves, Mila pressed her cheek to Papa's chest, listening as Uncle Harlon gave the instructions.A glimmer of eyes appeared by Papa and a moment later she felt the brief touch of Ery's hand to her head.'Bye Ery,' she whispered. The air within the cave started to hum with energy, all the adults calling theirs up. It made the space warm and comforting. Mila started to doze off.'Hold on,' Uncle Harlon called out. 'Here we
The Birthright Series Chapter 392
The conversation seemed easy after that.Ery showed the girls' how to swallow the worms whole. Mila screwed her nose up, grabbing her arms and shaking her head. 'No, no, no!'Paiga tried it. With a grimace, both Mila and Ery watching close, she plucked a wriggling worm up then dropped it in her mouth. Her eyes squeezed shut as she gulped the worm down in one swallow.She opened her eyes and stared at Mila and Ery. 'It tasted good!''Really?''Yes, sweet.'Mila shook her head when Ery offered her the last one, motioning it to her. 'No, you have it.' The mushrooms were yum, and the sparks continued as you swallowed it. It was impressive on Ery with her fine almost translucent skin. Mila and Paiga gasped as the sparks flashed in her throat before another dim flash in her tummy. It made all three of them laugh, the two girls giggling away while Ery coughed her laughter.Next was the flesh and berries. Ery showed them how to peel a piece of flesh away from the main then mush the be
The Birthright Series Chapter 391
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
With that entertainment gone, Mila went back to focusing on her feet. Pull one knee high while keeping balance and drop it. Each step seemed to make her head go lower. But she kept going, with Mama and Papa pulling her along. Finally, after what felt like hours and hours, Uncle Gydon said they could stop.'Take your rest, I'll be waking you in an hour to keep guard,' he motioned an uncle. 'Then you take an hour watch and wake the next. You get five hours rest. Make the most of it.'Papa and Mama and several other adults had bags with clothing. It all got pulled out and spread around the group, trying to provide a little warmth and comfort. Mila curled up between her parents, her head against Papa's chest. It seemed so cold and strange she didn't think she could sleep.Then she closed her eyes.'Mila, lovey, wake up.'Mila stirred at Mama's voice and the gentle touch of her hand on her back. She sat up with a jaw-splitting yawn. Blinking, she peered around in confusion.'Mama, a
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
Now the puzzle looked a third smaller than when she'd stared, but instead of one beginning point to work from there were three. She regarded the three pieces while chewing on the inside of her cheek. Two circular and one rectangle. The rectangle had a large circular opening, about the size of the smaller circle. Mila focused on the larger circle and turned it around, looking for the switch. It looked different to the previous circles she'd worked with, the markings running out from the centre like a starburst. One line caught her eye. With a finger Mila traced down it then jolted when something clicked. She froze. Heart pounding in her ears, she watched the circle break apart, opening at all the lines of the starburst. With another click it moved into motion, each piece folding down on itself and merging with the next. A moment later a tiny gold ball like had been in the first puzzle piece hung before her eyes.Excitement ran through Mila when she realized how the pieces went togeth
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
