Page 128 of Slaying the Shadow Prince
They collapsed onto the bed, a tangle of limbs.
‘Were you saying something about there not being enough time?’ Drue muttered.
‘I’m glad you proved me wrong,’ Talemir panted.
They lay there for a while, catching their breath, Drue gently stroking the outside part of one of his wings. Eventually, when his heart rate was relatively even, Talemir propped himself up on his elbow and looked at her.
Her skin was still flushed, her peaked breasts rising and falling, her gaze hooded in the aftermath of pleasure. ‘Yes, Warsword?’
Talemir smiled. ‘Before you pounced on me, I was going to ask what our plans are now. The others are packing up as we speak… What do you intend for us to do?’
A serious look passed over Drue’s face and with a groan, she hauled herself from the bed, scanning the cottage for her ruined garments.
‘I brought your pack.’ Talemir pointed to the corner of the room. ‘I made sure you had spare clothes in there.’
Drue scooped up the bag, rummaging through it. ‘Thank you.’ Locating a shirt, she pulled it over her head, though it did nothing to hide her nipples or the beautiful bare legs beneath.
‘The field was completely destroyed yesterday…’ she said slowly, running a hand through her hair. ‘The one weapon we have against the wraiths…’
Talemir nodded. ‘I know.’
‘So we need to replant. Salvage whatever remnants we can of roots and seeds from the site, from the orchids you brought us as well, and replant them in multiple locations across Naarva, send them to trusted places all over the kingdoms. While the wraiths may be gone for now, they’ll be back. And when they are, we and the rest of the midrealms will need to be ready.’
‘I agree.’
He watched as Drue pulled on her clothes and braided her messy hair. ‘There are also twenty shadow-touched people who will need protection and help…’
‘Gus and the others…’ Talemir said quietly. ‘They won’t be accepted back at the stronghold in Ciraun, will they?’
Drue shook her head sadly. ‘No.’
‘So where do we take them?’ He had made it clear that he would follow her anywhere.
‘I’ll have to check with Adrienne, but… On the eastern island of Naarva, there’s an old university. It might make a suitable spot for us, while we get to know the other shadow-touched people, while we regroup for whatever lies ahead.’
Finally, Talemir swung his legs from the bed and stood.
Drue eyed him appreciatively.
‘Don’t look at me like that, or we’ll never leave this cottage.’
‘Noted,’ she said with a grin, and tossed him his clothes.
Talemir tugged on his pants and, hiding his wings, pulled on his shirt as well, doing his best to make himself presentable. As much as he didn’t want to go, there were a few conversations he needed to have before they departed.
On the threshold of the cottage, he pulled Drue into his arms for a firm kiss that promised more debauchery between them later, before heading off to find Wilder.
His protégé was tendingto the horses, looking restless and ready to leave.
‘There you are!’ he said, spotting Talemir. ‘We’re just about to head out —’
He cut himself off, clearly reading Talemir’s expression.
Wilder’s shoulders heaved. ‘You’re not coming back, are you?’
‘No,’ Talemir replied, guilt squeezing at his heart.
‘Why?’
