Page 67 of Ruined Kingdom

Everything was deeper.

Every touch was more intense.

Feeling his pleasure and my own mingled together all at once was a new experience on a whole different level of intensity.

I couldn’t believe that some people go their whole lives without knowing what this felt like.

Kaine waited until I had come down before getting up from the bed. I knew that I’d been the one going on about us not having time to bask in each other’s arms all day, but now that he was leaving, I wanted to drag him right back into bed with me.

He must have picked up on my thoughts, for he chuckled and leaned over me, kissing my forehead. “We have time, Soph. This won’t be the last of it. You should go get some fresh air with Lexi and Sharra. Perhaps you could even let them help you train. You need to practice to control your shift until it becomes second nature to you. It can help when you’re in a situation where you need to be able to change your form quickly.”

Don’t remind me. I’m still traumatized by the first time I shifted.

He got dressed quickly and left the room.

Meanwhile, it took me ten extra minutes to drag myself out of bed and get ready.

I suppose Kaine will be busy today if he’s asking me to be around other people.

It was afternoon already, so I went straight for the clearing in the forest just past the edge of the garden. As expected, I found Lexi and Hermes practicing archery again. I watched her from behind the bushes for a while, not wanting to distract her.

She was an incredible shot!

I’d always known she was athletic, and she had one hell of an arm when chucking rocks into the river, but this was something totally different.

She was doing something great here.

I made my presence known by approaching them, and they both stopped to look at me.

“Soph! Congratulations are in order, I hear.” She rushed at me, throwing her arms around my shoulders and squeezing me. “I can't believe it. You are practically married. I don't fully understand the ins and outs of a Binding Ceremony, but Tieni did say that it was like a mortal wedding.”

“It’s similar in concept, perhaps, but it was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. Even after all the strange things I’ve seen and been through, this was beyond my wildest imagination.” I tried to encompass all that I felt, but it was impossible to place.

“I wish I could have witnessed it… I also heard something else.” Her smile fell from her face as she became awkward.

Something tells me that Tieni was being a little gossip queen again.

“Tieni told me that you shifted.” She seemed apprehensive to even bring it up with me.

It wasn't a particularly sore subject, but it wasn’t something I was ready to talk about. “Yes, it's all still new to me, but I hope I can get the hang of it soon. Maybe I can even be of some help in a fight now.”

“I hear you on that. That's why I'm practicing every day. I want to be able to protect my best friend and this forest,” she declared, proudly stabbing her bow into the ground at her feet.

“Oh? Is that the only reason you’re practicing so diligently every day?” I crossed my arms and smirked at her.

“Hermes is merely an incentive, not the main reason,” she whispered with a playful twinkle in her eyes.

I glanced over her shoulder at Hermes. He was trying to hide it, but his head moved a little as if he was listening in on our conversation.

Lexi didn't take into account that Hermes, being a Centaur, probably had heightened hearing.

“Please tell me more about this incentive.” I couldn't help myself. I wasn't sure who I embarrassed more, Lexi or Hermes.

“You think just because you're technically a woman now that I wouldn't throw you on the ground and tussle with you like we did when we were kids?” she warned, her smile strained and dangerous.

“All right, you win,” I laughed, throwing my hands up in surrender. “I'm just going for a little stroll. I'll leave you two to it.”

I winked at her as a cheeky smile stretched across my face.

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