The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (19 page)

'I’m just gonna pop to the river to wash my face and,' I shrugged and tried to work up a smile, 'De-stress for a moment.'

Kassie and Sian nodded while Loi gave me the evil eye.

'Just make sure you don’t try heading off down it. You know we’ll catch you.'

I sketched a salute to her, 'Yes ma’am.'

Calling Audi, I headed out the tent.

Loi watched Cat disappear with a little trepidation. The last time they’d been on a flight with her she’d clutched the arms of the chair for dear life with an enormous insane grin, for the WHOLE flight. Needless to say everyone had stared and even the flight attendants had been hesitant to approach her. It’d been an interesting experience.

Kassie and Sian hadn’t been concerned; she had been much better this time according to them. When she’d last traveled with them the grin had been accompanied by giggling, again for the WHOLE trip, and it had been a long one.

Sian caught sight of Loi’s frown.

'Don’t worry, Loi. Cat appears to get better with each flight and this is quite different to what she’ll be expecting. She might even enjoy it.'

Sian mentally crossed her fingers.

'C’mon,' Kassie said. 'Let’s take our stuff out and get breakfast.'

The three of them, with Lucky draped around Kassie’s neck as usual, walked out the tent to where the men waited.

Or rather, where four of the men were.

Sian’s eyes narrowed for a moment as she registered that Alek was missing.

'Where’s Alek? He isn’t swimming again is he?'

Sabyn and Gredel laughed which caused Daron to look up from the packs on Phroma’s back. She flushed as he gave her a sexy smile, and turned her attention to Rumal whose freaky gold eyes were amused as he observed.

'No, I believe he saw Catherine head for the river and thought to spend a few moments with her to alleviate her concerns.' Rumal gave Sian a polite smile then moved his eyes to Kassie’s face, his expression softening, 'At least that was his intention.'

Alek strode down the path and thought over the assurances he could offer Catherine. Loushka listened in as he mentally rambled away.

‘Why don’t you just see how she’s feeling first and take it from there?’

Alek considered her suggestion.

‘Probably a good idea. Thanks.’

He stopped as he reached the river and spotted Catherine. She lay on her stomach on the bank that leaned out over the river and had one hand dangling down to the water. Her fingertips traced the surface and the ends of her long red hair trailed in it.

Audrey, who’d been paddling, let out a "wooofwoff" in greeting when she caught sight of Alek which caused Catherine to look up.

Audi’s hello snapped me out of my daydream and I looked up to see Alek watching me. My stomach did a flip flop as I stared for a moment. He was dressed in his armor again and damn, he looked good.

Alek saw Catherine’s eyes widen a bit at his outfit.

Drat, she’s probably worried we’re prepared for an attack.
He stepped closer to her and after an instant of hesitation, lowered himself beside her.

'Good morning, are you ready for your flight?'

The words I wanted to say froze on my tongue so I lied, 'Good morning yourself. Yes. I’m looking forward to it.'

I could feel his disbelief so changed the subject.

'What’s with the armor? Are we expecting trouble?' At least now I could check him out without seeming rude.

He smiled and leaned back on his hands, arms stretched out behind him.

'No. We always fly in our armor, just in case,' his sapphire eyes watched me. 'It’s best to be prepared.'

Catherine sat up and stretched, shaking her hair back. Alek reached out to catch a lock with his fingers and studied it. The hair glowed ruby in the morning light with streaks of bronze and copper. Staring into Catherine’s surprised eyes; he reached out and tucked it behind her ear.

He felt a rush of attraction for this determined woman, she’d never allow her fear to conquer her and it surprised him. Many women might have pleaded their sex as an excuse, but not Catherine. This woman who was so obviously self-sufficient and independent. He never imagined he would find it sexy. This was quite different from what he had expected when Elena told him they were to collect four women. Catherine studied his armor then glanced up at him. He reached out to touch her cheek gently.

'I promise, I won’t let any harm come to you.'

Alek’s words flowed through me and at his touch my cheek flared hot. We stared into each others eyes and he gave me a quirk of a smile.

'And Audrey, of course.'

He stood, offered a hand and lifted me to my feet. We stood about an inch apart, hands joined and his eyes on mine. My skin tingled at his close proximity and the air between us was tense with anticipation.

'CATTTT? ALLLEKKK… Time to GOOOOO.' Loi’s voice bellowed from down the track.

We jumped apart.

Dammit! Ugh, fantastic timing, Loi.

Alek made a courtly bow and offered me his arm.

'Shall we?'

The intentness between us vanished and his eyes sparkled with light-hearted mischief.

I laughed, 'We shall.'

We walked back to the campsite to find it packed up; everyone mounted and waiting for us.

Sian rather daringly sat in front, instead of behind like Kassie and Laura.

That’ll be my challenge, to be able to ride in front.
The thought made me want to laugh. It brought back memories of squabbles with my cousin over who got to ride in the front seat of the car.

An unexpected wave of homesickness hit me. I closed my eyes, swallowed hard and willed the nauseating thoughts away. As Alek and I approached Loushka, Gredel called Audrey to him. She whined at me.

'Go on then,' I said.

The dog dashed across to Gredel who scooped her up onto Phroma’s back. Audi thought it great fun and began to pounce on Phroma’s saddle which caused the griffon to twist, this way and that, to see what the little imp was up to.

'Audrey settle down,' I commanded in "that" tone of voice, while everyone else tried not to laugh.

Audrey looked abashed and whined at me then inched her way forward, to Phroma’s head to give her kisses in apology.

'How are you going to fasten her down?'

I didn’t want to lose my furry rat-bag no matter how mischievous she might be. Gredel explained how he intended to belt Audrey to him and the saddle. I must have looked more concerned at this as he again reassured me.

'It’s perfectly safe. I’ve done it with my niece and nephew before as well as my own dog.'

I looked across to Audi who sat nicely and pretended to be on her best behavior.

'You behave little miss.'

Alek spoke to me and I turned my attention back to him and Loushka. Loushka had her front legs down on the ground so I could get up easier and Alek crouched down to give me a leg up. I stared down at his hands.

I am not a chicken, I am not a chicken.

Swallowing hard, I placed my foot in his hands. He gave a quick heave as I pushed off and I flew into Loushka’s saddle. She really needn’t have bent down. I scrabbled around for a hold on the saddle and pulled myself into the back seat as Alek made a smooth leap up, assisted by Loushka.

Impressive, I thought; bet that took lots of practice.

Alek settled into the front seat and reached back to pat Catherine’s knee.

'Okay?'

Two arms encircled his waist and he felt her press her forehead against his armor, mid back.

She sighed.

'I’ll do. Are we ready to go?'

'Almost, Gredel is finishing strapping Audrey in.'

'Where’s Lucky?'

Loushka informed Alek that Kassandra had her in her bag and, as he told Catherine this, they saw Lucky poke her head out the top of the pack and give a pitiful meow. Gredel then looked to Alek and nodded.

Alek called out, 'All ready then? Let’s go.'

I felt Loushka’s muscles bunch and kept a tight hold on Alek’s waist as I watched her tuck her wings in. Then whoosh, Loushka sprang off the ground and clear into the sky, snapping her wings open as soon as we cleared the canopy.

Holy COW! Breathe. Breathe.

My stomach felt like it shot to my feet, I pressed my head firmly against Alek’s back-plate and held on tight. I heard the other griffons burst through like Loushka had and for a couple of minutes we just stayed there, in the air, like someone treading water. I kept my eyes squeezed shut. And fought that ridiculous urge to grin and giggle.

Focus on your breathing.
I counted my breaths in and out, mind intent on the numbers. Then Loushka started to move and the wind rushed past my ears.

About an hour into the flight Loushka spoke to Alek,
‘How’s she handling it?’

‘She appears to be better. The death grip she had on my waist has eased up.’

‘Is she looking around yet?’

‘Nope, not yet. I can still feel her forehead against my back-plate.’

‘Then why don’t you start pointing out things for her to look at Alek? That way she can get more confident. Remember, we have several days of flying ahead of us.’

He rolled his eyes; as if he didn’t know that. Turning and bending, Alek was able to get his mouth close to Catherine’s ear.

'Catherine, are you alright?'

Alek spoke close to my ear and even then it wasn’t easy to hear him with the wind. I sat up and he offered me his ear.

'I’m okay, but it’s rather cold. I can see why you wear the armor. Is my cloak in one of the side bags?'

Alek made an abrupt move that suddenly had him facing me.

How the heck did he do that?

Loushka registered his swivel.

‘What? What’s wrong?’

‘She’s cold.’
Alek growled,
‘I didn’t even think about it. Let the others know to make sure their women aren’t cold.’

‘Their women…?’
Loushka smirked at Alek’s flustered response.

‘You know what I mean.’

‘Yes of course, Alek.’

Loushka relayed the message to the other griffons.

Alek frowned as he leaned over me and worked one of the saddle bags open and dragged out my cloak. Holding it tight he flipped the ends out so they caught the wind and wrapped it snugly around me. I beamed up at him.

Warmth. So good.

Catherine gave Alek a huge smile when he wrapped her up in her red cloak. He gave her arms a brisk rub through the cloak and leaned toward her ear again.