“Let’s say that I have… a new appreciation for your custom of leaving society for a month after mating.”
Riordan snorted a laugh and kissed me lightly in a way that was not meant to inadvertently illicit more.
“I love you,” he said, shocking me with the simplicity and honesty of his declaration. “I wish I could go too.”
“We both know it is better you don’t go. You did not have a very good interaction with Hypatia the last time.”
Riordan frowned as he drew away with a nod.
“I am thoroughly ashamed of that now.”
“At the time, you could not have known that she was right about everything. Or that your mate would be—”
“Ourmate,” Riordan corrected, and I could not even begin to restrain the stupid grin that spread across my face in response. My mind automatically tugged on the new bond with Amira just to feel her push back.
“Our people have always distrusted witches. I do not blame you for feeling…” I hesitated to think of a word.
“Revolted? Offended?” he substituted in disgust with himself and how he had once felt about the news that he would fall in love with a witch.
“I felt the same when Amira came here. At least you did not act on your feelings with her,” I pointed out.
Riordan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.
“She deserves the world.”
“I know,” I assured him with a confident nod. I might not be worthy of her, but I would work hard to make sure that she felt every ounce of my reverence for her.
Hypatia lived on a mountain in the City-State of Thíva, which was the most northeastern of all the City-States and closest to the borders of Winter Quadrant. Erétria was all flatlands and riverways while Thíva was mountainous and wildly rugged. Theonly other signs of life we passed over were the miners and loggers during our flight.
Amira did well considering it took us most of the day to reach our destination, and she had to spend that time on my back in the frigid air. Riordan had ensured that she was bundled warmly, and we stopped a couple of times so she could get a break to stretch her legs. But at least our new bond allowed us to stay in communication during the long hours of flight. I took the opportunity to ask her the most mundane questions in an effort to learn everything about her. Luckily, she was eager to indulge me and asked her own ridiculous questions too. We quizzed one another about our favourite colours, foods, birds, seasons, books, hobbies, and so on. Such things probably should not have sustained us for so long, but every time I thought we had exhausted the topic, one of us conjured another question. We seemed to have made an unspoken agreement to stay away from heavier topics for which I was rather relieved. While I was glad to know that she would always be a confidant for me, it also felt good to build connections on less heartbreaking ground as well.
The sky was darkening, and it was getting even colder when we reached the place where I wanted to camp for the night before we saw Hypatia in the morning.
Sofia was the only Imítheos with us, and she was not powerful enough to make the luxurious tents that Riordan and a few of the other mágos could create. But Ktínos warriors were no strangers to sleeping on the hard ground. Amira was also unphased as she helped set up bedrolls and collected wood for a fire to roast the rabbits that Ares had hunted for dinner.
The only one who seemed a little out of her depth was Sofia who I guessed had never spent a night in the wild. Her hesitations seemed to incense Ares who took personal offense when she winced at the prey he had brought.
Now that I was back in myórthios, I could not seem to stop touching Amira.My mate.Just remembering that she was minenow made me want to haul her into the trees to cover her in my scent after her bath earlier. But I had to content myself with kisses on her head and shoulders and brief caresses along her back and arms.
Sofia was openly curious as she watched me with her mistress while Ares smirked knowingly. Helena was the only one who was genuinely happy at the development, and yet I could not help myself. I eventually got tired of restraining myself and tugged Amira into my lap at the fire to bury my nose in her neck. Not even the meal could hold my interest over her delectable scent and soft body.
“You are adorable,” she giggled as she turned in my lap to hug me. “I had no idea you would be so… cuddly. But I like this side of you a lot,” she admitted softly.
Riordan had always been openly affectionate with her, especially for an Imítheos, but Ktínos were very different. My need to touch and taste was instinctive, a merciless demand to claim and mark.
My hands teased her bare thighs under her leather kilt even as I narrowed my eyes in warning at Ares over her shoulder when he took too much notice. He turned away quickly because he had learned better than to challenge me when I was possessive over a lover. Not that he would ever be delusional enough to pursue Amira. But I could not help rubbing more pheromones into her skin with my forehead and chin on her bare shoulder.
“Are you wearing one of those… coverings?” I asked Amira softly enough that no one else would overhear.
“Underwear?” she laughed. “Yes.”
“Well you better take them off before everyone goes to bed if you don’t want them ripped. Fair warning.”
Amira froze, her languid body tensing against mine, but she did not pull away. “In the camp?” she squeaked.
“Ktínos are not Imítheos, Amira. There is no shame in claiming your mate, and we are not secretive about it. Quite the opposite, actually; it is a statement.”
She was quiet for a moment as she contemplated my insinuation and then cocked her head.
