“No. Everything’s fine.”
“Where did you go?”
“I had to make sure the night was quiet. There are many warriors trapped in a tavern with nearly unlimited supplies of alcohol.”
He stretched in the chair while I cleaned up and brushed my hair.
"Was it an uneventful night, or no?” I pulled on my flying suit.
“For the most part. Minor injuries, some broken furniture.” He smirked, seeing my eyes widen.
“Seriously?”
“That’s to be expected.”
I picked up my boots and sat on the bed. Tynan immediately approached and kneeled in front of me, loosening the laces on my boots. He lowered his head. In the dim light, his hairappeared almost black as some slid toward his cheekbones. His flying suit stretched against his powerful thighs, and his strong arms flexed as he did something so tender as helping me to dress.
“I want to devour you, on my knees, buried under your skirts. Until youcan’t come any more.”
What would it feel like to let him do what he wanted? Even with all the embarrassment I felt thinking about the act, I could not help being a little curious.
My mind immediately went into an uncontrollable frenzy. It probably translated well enough on my face, because Tynan looked up and stilled.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, of course not.”
I attempted to take the boot from him, but he wrapped his fingers around my ankle. My face burned unbearably hot as he slid it on over my foot. The way he stayed on his knees between my parted legs made me feel all sorts of things, but thank the gods, he did not seem to notice.
“Also, the first knight to Lord Hubert came to see us this morning. We already had a conversation, but he also wants to give his regards to you.” Tynan added, finishing lacing my boots.
“Who?”
“Lord Hubert Rutherford.”
“Rutherford’s father?”
“Yes.”
Every ounce of blood drained from my face. That was a rough reminder that our mission was of a serious, and deeply, unpleasant nature. Tynan was, in fact, the new leader of the white clan. His victory meant that Hubert’s son would never return home.
While in the capital, I learned that Rutherford had already surrendered his role to his son. The elders of our clan told us the old lord also had a daughter, Augusta, who may have a claim to the position. The previous leader of the white clan could not just resume control. Hubert was in a tough spot before we came to Alsaard, but with our arrival, things could get far more complicated for him.
“I see.”
“We’re going to be escorted to Alsaard.”
“When?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
“I better hurry up then,” I sighed.
“Not before you get something to eat.” Tynan straightened.
I watched him walk to the door, and for a moment, he disappeared, then I heard his low confident voice. I assumed he was speaking to May. Then he returned and extended his hand, helping me to get on my feet.
“The hard part starts now,” he said.
