Cancassi tsks. “Can’t be worse than the big, long stretch of nothing we’ve had recently, right?”
Galiva gives a wan laugh. “I appreciate that optimism.”
“Have we gottenanynew Crown-sanctioned assignments recently?” I ask. If they haven’t resorted to sending wizards to join the situation in the mountains, that means it hasn’t escalatedtoomuch. I haven’t seen Apprentice Qamari in over a week, so I’d like to wheedle some news out of her. Hopefully something to make me feel a little less anxious about leaving tomorrow. “The last one Cass and I had was that aqueduct project near Belton.”
“And I’d even takethatheadache over nothing,” Cancassi murmurs.
“You thought you’d get a transmutation mastery andnotbe asked to rearrange mountainsides?” Galiva asks, a hint of amusement leaking into her voice. “Infrastructure is what we get contracted for the most.”
“What about bandit patrols?” I wonder. “Or are the mountains really so uneventful this fall?”
Galiva’s brief smile fades, and I almost regret asking, but I need to know all of what Dom and I are walking into.
“Y’all, I’m sure Gal’s pretty tired of thinking about work,” Dom says, his eyes flicking briefly to mine. My follow-up question dies on my tongue.
Galiva sighs, looking at me sidelong. Something sad rests behind her eyes, and I know immediately that one of the impending assignments is meant for me.
She all but confirms it as she says, “Tomorrow. I promise.”
Rough Ride
When dealing with a collared brat, putting them in a predicament can be an effective method to tame them because the severity of their punishment is entirely up to them.
Advanced Casting Principles: Collaring by Felix Kessler
Please note this chapter includes predicament bondage, toy use, double penetration, and flogging.
OLBRIC AND I FINISHdinner before we head back up to my room. We place our packs under an illusion before we carefully carry them downstairs. Dinner’s still going, and folks don’t so much as look our way as we cross the atrium while doing our best to pretend like we’re not carrying a couple extra stone of weight.
We dip into the back yard and head to the stables. Symon has Tara in the crossties for a hoof trim, but he looks up as we approach. “Evening, you two,” he says over the steady sound of a rasp. “Need to take someone out?”
“Just grabbing Mo and Valar for a quick ride,” I say. “See what the leaves are doing.”
“Oh, aye, they’re beautiful right now,” Symon says. “Can you handle tacking them up on your own?”
“‘Course, you got your hands full,” I say, happy to leave him to his task. “Thanks, Symon.”
I meet Olbric’s grin with a wink before I go to collect Mo. He’s munching his dinner, but he doesn’t seem to mind much as I halter him and get him ready. When I sling the saddle onto him, I toss my pack on with it, resting it over the seat. If Mo notices the extra weight, he doesn’t even flinch.
Once we’re ready, Olbric and I lead the horses out into the courtyard. Tonight, Teagan is on duty, and she tosses us a smile as we approach.
“Where you two heading?” she asks.
“Got a hot date,” I say with a meaningful look at Olbric. “Though if you wanna play hooky...” I add, letting the offer dangle.
Teagan laughs, and I like that her freckled face flushes even worse than mine does. “Cute, but no,” she says before she drops the bridge for us. “Get going, and have fun. But be back by sunset. If you’re not back by the shift change, I have to hang around, and I want to get home on time tonight.”
Out of the corner of my eye, Olbric stumbles, as if an invisible pack just slipped off his saddle to bump against him. I stop Mo in front of Teagan, casually blocking Olbric from view.
“Oh yeah? Fun plans?” I ask as I pat Mo’s neck.
Teagan’s lips purse against a smile. With the way she looks at me, I’d wondered if she would be the guard I could get a kiss from, but looking respectfully seems to be about as far as she’s willing to go. At least she’s looking at me and not Olbric as he gets his pack resecured.
“Not as fun as yours,” she says, amused. “Tonight’s my first night off in a week, and I’d like to go enjoy it.”
“Thora’s working you all too hard,” I tsk. I glance at Olbric, who flashes me a discreet thumbs up. “You sure you don’t want to stick around after your shift? Bet we could give you an enjoyable night.”
“Goodbye,Dominai,” Teagan chuckles, rolling her eyes. “Be back by sunset before the shift change.”
