Page 68 of Of Scale and Blood

“They hold Jakarra, remember,” Mom said softly. “And thatisclose enough.”

“Has Jakarra reported any such build-up?”

“Not as yet.”

“This is another possibility.” I swept a finger along the northern shores of Mareritten. “These two ports are within flight range of both Esan and Ezu. Our captive might have said there were only three docked there, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be more by now.”

“True, which is why I have approved your request to fly across Mareritten tomorrow.” My father’s gaze fell on me. “It is a scouting mission, nothing more, unless attacked. Understood?”

“Understood, Commander.” Whether the drakkons would was another matter entirely. I dropped the packs containing the armor on the floor. “We collected some rider armor from Hopetown; thought our mages and smiths can use for weapon development.”

“They definitely can.” My father motioned a soldier forward and added, “Take these to Franklyn immediately.”

“And you, commander, should go bathe and rest,” my mother said. “It will be another long flight over Mareritten tomorrow.”

The amused gleam in her eyes that accompanied her light emphasis on the word “rest” suggested she was well aware that wasn’t likely to happen. Not for a few hours, anyway.

“Can you arrange for Kele and Hannity to be informed that we fly out two hours after dawn? That should give our drakkons plenty of time to hunt.”

My father nodded. I saluted them both then spun on my heels and headed out. No light tubes gleamed along the walls, and the guards were little more than well-armed shadows. The palace had been locked down for the night, but the guards once again opened the side door for me. I half ran, half limped up the stairs and headed toward my rooms. As I neared, I felt the soft caress of Damon’s magic. He had indeed shielded this area against his aunt’s intrusions.

I opened the door and quietly stepped inside, my gaze sweeping the room. A large pot of shamoke steamed away on the table, which also held several platters of bread, cheese, and meats. Or, at least, the remnants of them.

He was asleep on the sofa, head resting back on the cushions, a quill on the cushion underneath his hand and its tablet resting on his lap. He was wearing breeches, but his feet and his chest were bare, and all I wanted to do was walk over and run my fingers over all the magnificence on display.

But given how badly I no doubt smelled, it was probably better if I bathed first.

I stripped off, tossed my clothes into the laundry chute, then ran the bath. His soft snores filled the room, evidence of how deeply he slept. Disappointment lightly stirred, and I couldn’t help but smile. Who knew that one could fall so deeply in lust in such a short amount of time?

I grabbed the soapweed—a stronger, gingery-vanilla one this time to counter the heavy drakkon scent—and set to scrubbing my body and hair clean. He barely even stirred. Once I’d dried off and brushed my hair out, I padded barefoot and naked over to where he lay. The tablet’s cursor was blinking, meaning whoever held the quill’s matching pair remained active. On the screen were the words,it will be extremely dangerous.

Had they been talking about the spell, or something else?

I had no idea, and as much as I wanted to send back a message and ask, I didn’t. Not only would that be a breach of trust, but possibly dangerous given the little he’d said about his home situation. I carefully lifted the tablet from this lap, placed it on the table, then grabbed a blanket and lightly spread it over him.

Then I went to bed and slept, just as Mom had ordered—something neither she nor I had expected.

* * *

I woke the next morning with Damon’s naked length pressed against mine, his arm lightly resting over my left hip, and his breath whispering past my ear. I’d obviously been so soundly asleep that I hadn’t stirred when he’d joined me in bed. Which wasn’t really surprising—riding, whether courser or drakkon, was surprisingly strenuous, especially when you were doing it for more than six hours at a time.

At least, that was when I always hit the wall, weariness wise.

I didn’t immediately move. I simply enjoyed this moment of quiet closeness while I still could... and really,reallydidn’t want to examine that particular thought, and Idefinitelydidn’t want to acknowledge the growing suspicion that this might be the only moment we got for quite a while.

From the courtyard outside came the everyday noises that accompanied the palace and its people waking for the day, and, far more distant but still surprisingly clear, came the sharp call of a blackhawk on the wing. If they were out hunting, then day had well and truly risen.

Has, came Kaia’s thought.We hunt.

Eat up big, because we’ve another long day’s flight ahead of us, I’m afraid.

Kill more gilded ones?

It’s just a scouting mission right now.

Better kill.

I agree, but I have orders.

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