Page 92 of An Archer's Reckoning

My body rocked.

My cock exploded, and I spilled out, coating his hand and shooting across my stomach and chest.

His power spent, he lay atop me and pressed his lips to mine.

“You’re making a mess,” I said, finally regaining an ounce of my wits.

He kissed me and wiggled so the product of our love smeared and mingled.

“I would live in your mess, if you would let me.”

I stroked his hair and kissed him.

For one blessed, brief moment, the world paused, and only Ayden and I existed.

Chapter 32

Declan

Ten days following our arrival, the first scout reported movement of Kingdom cavalry traveling from Grove’s Pass toward Saltstone.

Less than a week later, emerald banners snapped in the wind a thousand paces beyond the outer perimeter of the city’s defenses. Pristine, snow-covered fields transformed to sludge as men and beasts stomped about. Each day, more tents blossomed as billowing poppies dotted the now-murky expanse, forming a vast new city of men and arms that spread for leagues beyond sight. The snake of Irina’s army coiled completely around Melucia’s capital, denying further supply or reinforcement.

The siege was firmly in place.

Chapter 33

Keelan

Atikus put a hand on my shoulder, gently pushing me back down. “Just lie still. Let me look at you before you jump up like nothing happened.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,Mom. I’m not going anywhere.” I looked up and caught Jess’s eyes glistening in the firelight. “Anything happen while I was asleep?”

I gave Atikus a pleading look.

“No. We were just talking about how terrible you and Declan were as boys. How you utterly wrecked the Mages’ Guild,” Atikus said, his gaze not leaving Jess’s. My Gift told me he guarded some secret conversation, but I was too woozy to care. “Enough of that. What happened, Keelan? One minute you were making dinner, the next you were hearing voices and passing out.”

I braved leaning forward again. My head swam.

“I don’t know. I’ve received Telepathic messages many times, but this felt like someone clawing inside my mind. I’ve neverfeltanything from Telepathy before.”

“What did the voice sound like?” Jess asked.

“It was a woman, I’m sure of that. Her voice was silky, almost seductive, but there was something underneath her tone, like she wanted something . . .”

Jess huffed. “Men always think we want something.”

“Trust me, I don’t think any woman’s ever wantedanythingfrom me.” I grimaced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound . . .”

Jess rolled her eyes.

“The voice called me by name. She said, ‘Help me,’ whatever that means. I don’t even know who this mystery woman is, much less how to find her. It felt like . . . like she was pushing—no,pullingme toward her. I don’t know how to explain it. I’ve never felt anything like that. If somebody’s in trouble and reaching out to me for help, she’ll need to be a little more specific next time.”

Atikus stroked his beard. “It sounds like Telepathy, but a few things do not add up. First, a Telepath should only be able to speak to someone they have met. You have not exactly met a lot of people since we crossed the mountains. And second, Telepathy does not evoke feelings. It cannot. There is something else at play here.”

“Could someone from Melucia be reaching out? Maybe somebody asking for help?” I asked.

“Most Telepaths could not speak across such a distance, but I suppose that makes more sense than some random person you do not remember. It still feels like we are missing something.”

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