AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You didn’t. And besides, we need to get up anyway. Let’s get you something to drink.”
I watched as he got off the bed, already dressed, and brought me a glass of wine. “Here, drink this. Do you want me to call your maid?”
I shook my head, gulping the sweet dry wine down. “No. I can get dressed without help. What time is it?”
“Early.” He kissed my head. “Feel better?”
“Yes. These dreams… gods, they are so real, Lucius. This one…” I paused, ready to explain the dream, but as soon as I mentally touched it, it poofed away. “Well, never mind. I can’t remember, but it was awful.” I studied him, noticing the tired, drawn look of his face. “How long have you been up?”
“About two hours.”
“Two? We went to bed late, Lucius. You need more sleep than that.”
He shrugged. “I can’t sleep before a trip. You know this.”
And it was true. His mind refused to rest the night before a journey.
“But I’ll be fine, my wild cat.” He winked at me. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
I nodded. “I’m all right. Just ready for all this to end and we can go home.”
“Me, too, little dove. I’ll take you downstairs, then I have to meet with Pateus.”
I got out of bed, dressed, and in no time, Lucius kissed me goodbye before heading out. Demos found me in the dining room a little later, Mother having wanted to have breakfast with me.
“We’re ready, Sierra,” he said, appearing at my side. I could tell he wanted to touch me, but because my mother was here… well, I didn’t feel like explaining that to her.
But when she met my eyes across the table, staring at us intently, I knew then that she already had figured out that Demos was more than just a friend. She smiled and sipped her tea, a twinkle in her blue eyes as she looked between us.
I took a deep breath and stood, tears already gathering in my eyes. It was finally time for us to leave. Mother and I stood, and when she came around the table, I was in her arms. After a moment, she walked me to the foyer, where Father was waiting, along with Cook, Hannah, and a few other well-loved servants. Demos stood beside me, the others waiting outside.
There were no words except “I love you” and promises to write. All the rest had been said. My parents held each other as they watched me go out the door.
Demos took my hand, and we went to the stables. The snow had stopped sometime in the night, and the result was a dim sunrise in a black winter of chilling cold.
“Are you all right?” Demos kissed my hand.
“Oh, I’ll just miss them, but I’m so glad I got to visit.”
“I am as well. I see you and Fadon mated.”
There was no heat in his statement, no resentment. I met his eyes. “We did. And I’m the luckiest girl on Titus, what with three handsome, delicious mates. So strong and so— what’s that look for?”
He laughed. “Trying to soften the blow?”
“Maybe.” I grinned.
He kissed my head. “I’m glad you’re happy. That’s all that I ask for, Sierra.”
At the stables, everyone looked ready to be off. A new group of Ongahri had joined us overnight, apparently, and not for the first time, I realized how organized Lucius was, how he was always four steps ahead. I glanced around to find him. Fadon was with him, and both men were speaking animatedly. I worried for a moment that they were arguing, but when Lucius placed his hand on Fadon’s shoulder, something in my heart warmed when that hand wasn’t shrugged off. It was true that the past few weeks had seen them at least making an effort at being civil, spending a few minutes a day conversing privately. Neither had told me about it, though.
As if sensing me, they both turned in my direction. Fadon frowned, but Lucius smiled. Whatever they had discussed, by his expression, Fadon was resigning to it.
Lucius stepped forward and spoke to those waiting. “Good morning. Trusting that everyone’s here, half our party has already departed. They are riding ahead to make sure the way is clear and will meet us at the next camp. Stay warm and stay vigilant. Let’s go.”
And with that, the journey to the Owl began.
Chapter Thirty
