Kian closes the book and stands. “I’ll talk to Alex and see about arranging a small party to travel south. We can tell Father we’re going away to make an heir or something.”
I giggle. “Or something. But what will he say about Alex joining us?”
“I don’t need to share all the details with him.”
Within a few days,we’ve gotten everything together for our journey. Alex is joining us as planned, and I asked if Sera could come. I finally came clean to her about the demi-god thing, and while she acted surprised, I wasn’t completely convinced it was ashock to her. There is a mystery to Sera I want to unravel, but for now, I’m glad she’ll be with me. My gut tells me I can trust her.
“We’re taking horses?” Sera grimaces.
“What else would we take?” Alex laughs.
“A carriage?” Sera glares at him. She hasWhat are you, an imbecile?written all over her face.
Alex raises his hands in mock surrender. “Apologies, my lady. I didn’t realize a horse was beneath you.”
“I’m no lady,” Sera retorts.
“You sure as hells act like one,” Alex throws back.
I sidle up next to Kian, who is fixing his horse’s bridle. “I’m starting to think we should leave them here.”
Kian chokes on a laugh. “It’s good for Alex. She’ll keep him on his toes.”
I roll my eyes. “And annoy the hells out of us.”
“We have built-in entertainment for the road.”
I shake my head. “You’re impossible.”
“I do my best.”
Kian’s gaze drops to my lips, and my skin flushes with heat. Other than the brief moment in the library, he hasn’t tried kissing me since my memories returned, and tiny bothersome doubts have me wondering if he no longer wants to . . . but then he looks at me like this . . . as if he could devour me. I take a step closer to him, but before I can say anything, Phantom lets out a loud snort, and the moment is gone.
Kian helps me up, his hand catching on the dagger strapped to my thigh.
“What’s this, love?” His hand lingers, sending a fresh bolt of heat through me.
My cheeks flush as I draw the blade from its sheath and meet his molten gaze, remembering the night I held it to his throat with not a clue of who he was and how he managed to elicitreactions out of me even then. “I believe this belongs to you. You can have it back if you like.”
“Keep it,” Kian replies, placing his hand on mine and sliding it back in. “I love seeing my blade on you.” His voice is low and decadent, making me wish we were alone in our rooms. Hells. It’s going to be an interesting journey.
Kian mounts up behind me, and the mood is once again broken, but this time, it’s because of Alex and Sera.
“Well, are you coming?” Alex asks as he reaches a hand down to her.
Sera stands with her hands on her hips. “I did not agree to this.”
“Would you like your own horse then?” Alex quips.
“Have you gone mad? I don’t know how to ride.”
“So then you ride with me,” he says matter-of-factly.
Sera lets out a frustrated sound and allows Alex to pull her up into the saddle.
“Last chance to leave them behind,” I mutter.
Kian only laughs and leads us out of the gate. “We’ll be happy for their company before the week is out, I assure you.”
