The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (26 page)

Keeping a wary eye on Alek I clung to the pommel as he caught his breath. He leaned toward me, looking up at me from under dark brows.

'Catherine,' he said teasingly. 'That wasn’t a very nice thing to do.'

I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him.

'Well, I didn’t insult your world.'

Alek reached out, his hand inching toward my foot as I struggled to tuck it further under me.

'It is a little bit funny though, don’t you think?'

His hand continued to creep closer.

I made a swat at it.

'Maybe.'

Then swatted again as it crept closer still.

Alek paused then cocked his head to the side and clucked at me in a disapproving manner.

'Now I thought that Earth women were supposed to be elegant and refined and…'

Not thinking, I straightened up to reply indignantly.

I got as far as, 'Well I thou—Eeeekkk!' As Alek snatched at my ankle.

The indignant look on her face flashed to shock as he grabbed her ankle and yanked her close. She fell into his lap and scrambled about for a moment, then managed to right herself, straddling the saddle. Now facing him, her face flushed as she tried not to laugh, Alek felt a sudden, inappropriate surge of lust and frantically jerked a mind shield up.

Drat.
Not quick enough.

‘ALEK!'
Loushka shrieked, making him wince in contrition.
‘Keep those thoughts to yourself.’

‘Sorry.’

Then he noticed Cat’s astonished expression.

I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. A glorious voice scolding Alek.

Oh my God, I know who that was.

'I just heard Loushka!' I cried, excited.

Two stunned voices answered me.

'What?'

‘What.’

‘Loushka I can hear you.’
I was elated when she answered back.

‘Catherine? How did this happen?’
Loushka sounded as astonished as I felt.

Alek interrupted Loushka’s train of thought,
‘Loushka the campsite is close, you had better get ready to land.’

‘I’m on it Alek.’
Loushka replied,
‘Elena’s not going to believe this, it must have to do with that energy she keeps throwing off. I wonder if she’ll be able to hear the others.’

Alek’s mind appeared to be off whatever had disturbed Loushka. He looked distracted as he wrapped an arm around me while Loushka prepared to land. It was much better to face outward when landing. At the moment my face was squished against his chest plate; not comfortable at all.

Loushka lunged upward. There was that moment of absolute stillness, then the stomach plunging drop to the ground.

It was amazing how something so huge can land so silently. Alek released me, and slid down Loushka’s leg, his handsome face troubled. Thinking back to Loushka’s shriek I smirked.

Well I do owe him one now, don’t I?

Cat had a smile on her face as she lined up to slide down Loushka’s leg. Alek stood ready to catch her. This time, she did it with her eyes open. He opened his mouth to congratulate her when she interrupted him.

'Alek,' she purred, eyes alight with mischief. 'What were you thinking that disturbed Loushka so much?'

Alek stared at me for a moment then flushed a brilliant red.

Excellent
. I rejoiced.
Got you back, and look at that he turns as red as I do.
Giving a throaty chuckle, I slid intentionally down him as he released me from his arms then darted off to where the others waited. I couldn’t wait to tell them about hearing Loushka.

Sian was as astonished as the others to hear it. It had shocked the men. They’d discussed it the whole time they set up the tent pausing their conversation if one of the women ventured too close. Cat, on the other hand, had raced to get the firewood; eager to go chat with Loushka.

Kassie nudged Sian.

'Do you think in time we’ll be able to hear the griffons too?'

The tiny twist of envy left Sian’s stomach as she considered that.

'I really hope so.'

Loi turned from watching Cat.

'I wonder what caused it to happen?'

'Well, she and Alek would appear to be closer than we are with…' Kassie didn’t know what to call them yet, so gestured at the men.

'Perhaps when we’re closer we’ll be able to tune in,' she finished.

Alek strayed away from the campsite and threw his thought out to Elena
‘Elena?’

‘I can hear you Alek, what’s wrong?’

‘I’m not sure that it’s wrong, just a little unexpected. Catherine heard Loushka for the first time today and even now she is having a conversation with her.’

‘Really?’
Elena sounded impressed.
‘Her powers are growing stronger quickly.’

Alek told her about the incident with the tehnear and the energy burst Cat had thrown off.

‘How far away are you?’
Elena asked.

‘We should reach the castle by tomorrow night; we’ve made very good time. The griffons appear to be getting stronger after each time they leap even if it does tire them for a day.’

‘Get here as soon as possible. I need to meet those women and have them under the protection of the castle.’

‘Do you think they could be in danger already?’

‘Alek you know as well as I, that if I can pick up the energy output so can she. She knows they’re in our world and she will be hunting them.’

Elena’s presence vanished from his mind, and Alek felt exhausted from all the sudden and unexpected events. He watched as Cat chatted to Loushka. His emotions swirled within as the auburn haired woman stroked the griffon’s beak. He’d never felt such an instant attraction as this before. Part of him knew it would be best to let Cat be, until she herself knew who she was. The other part, however, couldn’t resist her. Ignoring his good sense, he stared over at her.

Loushka had the most beautiful voice. She was a pleasure to talk to. We’d chatted about all sorts of things and I’d discovered that I could show her images of life on Earth. Telepathy was far better than just talking. It showed so much more of the others mind. It also meant I was aware she withheld things from me.

She’d probably been instructed only to tell us on a ‘need to know’ basis, I thought, but wasn’t concerned, we were doing the same thing. It was only sensible.

‘Do you think I’ll be able to talk to Alek like this?’

Loushka hesitated,
‘I wouldn’t think so, but you maybe able to talk to one another through me.’

That was an interesting idea. I felt someone’s eyes on me and glanced up. Alek stood across the camp site from us, watching. I felt a rush of pleasure as I stared. He was such a handsome man. Tall and broad shouldered with rippling muscles everywhere. As I well knew. A shock of thick, ebony hair, long enough to brush his brows and deep blue eyes that complimented his tan. I continued to watch—okay ogle—him as he strode toward us. His armor was unusual, with high armored boots that stopped at mid thigh like mine and then another section encased the hips and protected the stomach but was jointed so he could ride comfortably. A chest plate; which I hoped I didn't still wear the imprint of; shoulder guards, and a full cape which clipped to each shoulder and swung out as he walked.

Cat appeared to study him as he walked over and Alek took the opportunity to do the same. She sat on a large rock, her feet out in front, ankles crossed and knees wide. It was the way a man might sit and seemed to draw attention to her figure in an almost indecent way. His armor felt too tight all of a sudden and he hastily drew his eyes up to her face.

'Enjoying the conversation?' he asked.

Cat sat straighter her eyes meeting his and flashed him a delighted smile. 'I am. Loushka has such a beautiful voice.'

Loushka made a soft noise, a cross between a trill and a purr and gently bunted Cat.

Sian felt a little out of sorts. Loi had beaten her to standing during flight, and now Cat could talk to Loushka. It hardly seemed fair she thought and let out a quiet sigh.

Nesha heard and crept closer to Sian, brushing his beak against her. She seemed happy at the attention, stroking and combing his mane with her fingers.
‘You should teach her free-falling tomorrow.’

Daron, in the midst of unpacking, looked up in surprise.

‘What?’

‘Sian, you should teach her free-falling. She needs something special to do that none of the others have done yet.’
Nesha explained,
‘Why not whisper the idea to her now, she can surprise the others tomorrow.’

Daron glanced over at Sian and noticed she looked a little down. Making her smile would make him feel pretty good. He stood up and went to sit next to the petite blond.

The next morning was much the same as the previous one with beautiful weather, and we stumbled around as we packed up again. I looked forward to the castle and not needing to pack and un-pack.

Kassie appeared to have had the same thought.

'I will be so glad to sleep on a normal bed again,' she exclaimed.

Loi, in the midst of fighting to get her cot bed folded down, asked, 'When are we meant to reach the castle?'

'Tomorrow?' suggested Kassie.

'No it’s tonight,' Sian corrected her. 'Daron told me yesterday.'

Sian looked much happier than she had been yesterday. I was relieved. The expression that flickered across her face when I’d told her I could hear Loushka had almost made me feel guilty. It been full of frustration and envy.
Though I’m sure they’ll all be able to soon, after all I didn’t do anything special.

I smiled at her.

'Looking forward to the last day of solid flying?'