Page 105 of Tower of Tempest
“Mr. Lochlan Aster,” I said. “So far tonight, you’ve promised to fight with me, to start a war with my father, and now you’re using Driscoll’s silk handkerchief to clean me. He’s going to have a fit.”
Loch grunted, finishing cleaning me. “Let him.”
My laughter pealed through the air, and Loch pulled me into his lap, letting me curl into him as my wings trailed behind me. He ran his fingers up and down my arm, his sweat-soaked skin warm against me.
“I think I might want to do that again,” I said. “At some point, I’m pretty sure I saw actual stars.”
“Give me a minute.” I felt his mouth curve into a smile against my head. “And I’ll show you every damn constellation in the sky.”
Chapter Forty-Three
LOCHLAN
“Is that a handprint on the carriage?” Driscoll squinted at the small vessel as it rode away after dropping us off at the entrance to the forest bordering the tower, all of us carrying satchels with extra clothes and provisions. “Yeah, that’s definitely a handprint on the back window of the carriage. How did a handprint get there?”
I shot Poppy a grin, and her cheeks flushed scarlet. Memories of her naked body underneath mine, over mine, in front of mine, filled my mind. I had an urge to yank her deeper into the woods, away from prying eyes, and take her up against a tree, on the forest floor, hell, I didn’t care—I’d worship her body in every damn corner of this continent.
“Let’s move,” I said as Driscoll frowned at the carriage.
While he and Leoni watched it rolling away in the distance, I pinched Poppy’s ass, and she jumped and let out a squeak.
Driscoll whirled. “Is there a mouse? Because I can’t handle mice.”
We all entered the forest, tall pine trees spreading out around us, needles and pinecones littering the forest floor.
Leoni’s bun bobbed as she ducked under a branch. “You’ve endured pirate ships, the shadow court, almost falling to your death from the skycastle, and mice is what you’re afraid of? How am I just now learning this about you?”
Poppy smirked from next to me while Driscoll gave Leoni a pointed stare. “They have those tiny beady eyes and twitching noses, and they slink around, all quiet, then bam, they jump out at you and your life flashes before your eyes.”
“You know, you could just ignore them?” I offered.
“Except they’re lurking, and you know they’re there, just waiting for you to let down your guard.”
“What kind of mice have you had encounters with?” Leoni asked.
“No, I didn’t see a mouse,” Poppy said over her shoulder as we both stepped over a muddy pool of standing water. “Something just surprised me.”
“Why don’t we practice some of your fighting stances and go over a few skills while we walk?” Leoni suggested to Poppy. “You never know what’s going to happen once we find your gran.”
Poppy grabbed a branch overhead and swung herself under it. “Well, I highly doubt I’m going to have to fight her, but a little refresher couldn’t hurt.”
Leoni and Poppy had continued to work together on our journey from Winded but hadn’t had as much time since we’d been riding in the carriage. They fell behind, Leoni rattling off instructions while I scouted ahead.
Driscoll strode up next to me, and a squirrel scampered in front of us.
I pointed at it. “That doesn’t freak you out?”
Driscoll studied it. “No, I’m actually okay with squirrels.”
“I don’t understand you.” I lifted a branch overhead. “And, you know, I’m not sure I want to.”
Driscoll walked under the branch that I held up. “Well, that’s your loss. I’m a riot. Devilishly handsome. Brutally honest but in a charming sort of way.”
“Shockingly humble,” I added.
“Speaking of brutally honest,” he continued like I hadn’t spoken, “did you get a chance to tell Poppy the truth yet?”
I looked behind me, but thankfully she and Leoni were practicing hand movements with a sword, which seemed a little dangerous to dowhile walking, but at this point, I trusted the captain of the guard. “Uh.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Well...”
