Page 16 of Traveling with Gentlemen
I untangledmyself from the embrace of my men in the bed, resting at the edge and counting the bodies behind me. One missing. I could always tell, even in sleep.
I knew if Auguste was troubled I would find him in the kitchens, and if Jonathon was restless he would be in his labs. Who knew where Ezra might wander off to, but if I went in search of him, he would always catch me, usually with a great whoop of surprise and cackle of mischievous laughter as I screamed. And sweet Booker would not wander at all.
But I wasn't sure where to find my sphinx. His kingdom was sunlight and this whole massive palace of a home, this entire estate and the country, seemed to be Amon's domain. He could be anywhere, and it sat sourly in my chest that I hadn't learned his habits yet like I had with the others.
I stood from the bed, tiptoeing out of the bedroom and pausing to stand in the swath of moonlight that spilled over the elaborately tiled floor. The world was still and quiet, nighttime in Egypt a stunning contrast to the days, silver to gold.
I was about to turn toward the hallway when I heard the rustle of wings from the open balcony door, followed by the click of claws on tile. My steps were slow and quiet as I approached the doorways, and my breath caught in my chest at the sight of Amon stretching. He was back in his sphinx form, body bowed forward, long legs extended in front of him and paws splayed. His wings pointed behind him, feathers extended from root to tip, and his lovely face arched back to the moonlight, lips parted on a slow sigh.
Relief.
My exhale echoed his and he stiffened, head twitching in my direction, body tensing.
"Don't shift," I whispered, stepping out of the shadow of the room to join him on the balcony.
His golden gaze still glowed in the cool light of the moon, a warm and fiery contrast to the rest of the world. "You should be abed."
I arched an eyebrow. "So should you."
Amon remained still as I stepped out onto the balcony, the tile still warm from the sun's glow earlier in the day. He was enormous, his sphinx body and wings taking up the majority of the balcony. A long rope of a tail with a tuft of Amon's inky black hair at the tip beat against the floor as I approached, but the look in his eyes was wary.
I sank to my knees at his shoulder, sliding one arm over his warm and coarsely furred back, the soft roots of his feathers tickling my skin. Amon's head turned to me as I buried my face in the wild dark hair of his mane.
He cleared his throat and started to speak. "I can—"
"You can stop hiding this form from me," I said before he could finish. His back tensed under my arm, his voice cutting away abruptly. I leaned back and found those amber eyes on me. "You have been hiding it, haven't you? That's why you're out here now, rather than in bed."
"I'm not hiding," Amon growled, wings rustling.
I sat up on my knees, shuffling to face him and scooting in between his paws. My hands cupped his face and Amon's eyelids drooped softly, a deep purr rumbling out from his huge frame.
"Does a sphinx not like to be touched?" I asked, trying to hide my smile.
"You know that's not true," Amon laughed as I stroked my hands down from his face over his shoulders and arms.
"Do you not like to be seen?"
Amon's eyes skirted away briefly and then his chin lifted proudly. "I'm not ashamed, little star."
"Good. You shouldn't be. You're beautiful," I said, shifting closer until I had to hike my nightgown up to my thighs so I could wrap my legs around Amon.
He blinked at my declaration, eyes flashing down to my lap briefly. "I am…different than the others. In this shape."
I snorted, and Amon's gaze flashed away again. Oh. He wasn't ashamed. Amon's pride would never allow it, or at least never admit to it, but he was…insecure? My sphinx?
"Amon, do you avoid spending time in this form because you think I have a preference for men standing upright on two legs?" I asked, leaning to catch his eye. "Should I tell you again about my favorite performances at the theater Jonathon and Auguste took me to?"
"I am not an act for entertainment," Amon said, a touch sharp.
I sighed and leaned in, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. Behind me his paws moved, circling closer and holding me in place.
"Of course you're not. I'm sorry, that was careless," I murmured. Amon purred again, turning his cheek against my head to kiss my ear. "I chose you Amon, regardless of form."
He hummed, claws pricking dully at my nightgown. "I am used to maintaining my man's form."
"But…?" I prompted, sliding my fingers into the fluffy, delicate feathers at the base of his wings.
Amon sighed and his feathers rustled, muscles shifting under my grip. "But it is like…wearing pants. Always."
