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“Well.” She pulled her skirts down over her knees. “At least they’re healing fast…ah. Gone already.”
He sighed. “There are some marks I wish I could keep.”
VICTORY PRIZES
A tournament was notsuch an ordeal after all, Cassia decided. At least, not a Hesperine tournament. She sat with her arm around Lio and his head on her shoulder, surrounded by friends and family in Mak and Lyros’s residence at House Argyros.
“Are you going to fall asleep?” Cassia asked Lio with a smile.
“I just feasted on you,” he muttered with his eyes closed. “I shouldn’t be tired.”
She touched her cheek to his hair. “You said, according to Javed, it would take me extra effort to set you completely to rights.”
“Mmm. Why can’t I enjoy a simple nap right here? If Sunfire must reduce me to this, it should allow me a little mortal pleasure and make it possible for me to sleep during polar night.”
Cassia wanted to say he could expect his mortal pleasure as soon as they were alone again, and it would not be a little. But she could sense his veil slipping as his eyelids drooped. She glanced at the children and bit her lip.
Lio’s eyes flew open. “On second thought, it’s good I can’t fall asleep.”
“Sunfire doesn’t seem to have dulled your mind magery at all,” she observed.
He met her gaze, his eyes drowsy, but serious. “My Union with you is stronger than any poison.”
A peal of the children’s laughter fetched Lio and Cassia’s attention back to the family gathering.
“The fool landed in a heap at my feet in three moves.” Kadi stood gallantly in the middle of the sitting room. With Thenie in one arm, she mimed her winning attacks against Tychon with her free hand.
Lio’s parents lounged together on a couch, having relinquished their young charges to the thrall of Kadi’s story. Bosko sat on the rug at his mother’s feet, swinging his fist in the air as if reliving the fight. Zoe watched with eager attention, sprawled on her stomach with her arm around Knight.
Mak appeared content to let his sister have the glory of recounting the Stand’s victories. He had collapsed on a couch with his head on Lyros’s lap, and neither of them looked like they ever wanted to move again. They murmured to each other, their voices unheard behind their veil. But they were apparently too sleepy to remember to conceal the motion of their lips. Cassia looked away with a smile, but couldn’t help catching a glimpse of their conversation.
“Victor names the prize,” Lyros said, “but we tied.”
“You know I’ll let you take command any time,” Mak replied, “my beloved strategist.”
Nodora shot Kia and Xandra a mischievous look and leaned around the coffee table, reaching out a hand toward Lyros’s bare foot. Cassia stared. The composed musician tickled the bottom of the formidable warrior’s foot.
Lyros made a choking sound, and his head snapped up off the back of the couch. His Trial sisters and Lio erupted into laughter.
“That’s my move,” Mak protested, but he was laughing with them.
“Try that again when I’m not poisoned,” Lyros threatened. But his eyes slid shut, and his head fell back. He tucked his feet up out of harm’s way.
“Shall I serve your guests in your stead, Grace-brothers?” Javed offered.
Mak waved a hand in silent thanks.
Javed went to the tall counter that bordered the sitting room. Beyond the bar, the room was open to a practice hall lined with padded mats, training dummies, and other equipment. Mak and Lyros kept a well-appointed, rather than luxurious residence. The wrought iron furniture had clean, strong lines, and the cushions and rugs were solid shades of green and brown. Cassia thought the simple, masculine elegance of their home suited them much better than Orthros’s high opulence.
Javed poured coffee in everyone’s cups, but to four, he added a potion from his healer’s satchel. “All right, weary warriors. Drink up.”
Mak, Lyros, and Lio groaned.
“It’s a tonic. It will make you feel better, I promise.” Three cups levitated in their directions, while Javed delivered the fourth to Kadi himself.
“I’ll have whatever Kadi’s already had,” Mak grumbled. “How are you still on your feet?”
“Experience, Brother,” Kadi replied.
