A scouting Party

‘Hmm. Definitely trouble’.

I jump slightly at the sound of Renys by my side.

*How did he manage to sneak up on me on that massive beast of his?*

Quella’s orange eyes seek me out as she takes in her surroundings, but it’s Kel’s growling that pulls me from my thoughts as he glares daggers at our new fae ally.

“*Kel*”. I hiss, his growls falling to something akin to a gentle rumble.

Renys appears unbothered by Kel’s behaviour; in fact, he seems almost amused. The smirk he seems prone to displaying, now firmly in place.

*I can’t tell if I find his unbothered demeanour endearing or unnerving. Truth be told, although Kel is overreacting’ we still don’t know just how much we can trust the fae prince and his men*.

“Just the two?” Renys enquires, his fox-like eyes following the mantis’ movements.

“So far” Ayris nods in response. “They’re blocking the path to the citadel”.

“And you believe that may be intentional?” Renys asks, eyebrow raised.

“We were just discussing that very possibility” Ayris responds truthfully.

Renys falls silent as he watches the creatures and I find myself stricken with the realisation of how *beautiful* he is. I can honestly say that I don’t find the man attractive, I only hold those feelings for my mate. But he is truly stunning, like a drawing from a fantasy book. All sharp cheekbones and delicate features; topped with long, lush eyelashes that would make any female green with envy. How I could have thought him anything other than fae is bewildering. His visage is nothing short of ethereal.

“I think we can manage that” Renys chuckles as he rears Quella and makes for the rocks that lead toward the mantis’ location.

Kel’s hand is thrown out in Renys’ path and Quella’s head whips at lightning speed, hissing wildly. The lexara’s sharp rounded beak snapping furiously at my friend; in order to protect her master.

“NO!” I yell, my arm reaching forward to protect my friend from the fae-beast that intends to sever his arm at the elbow.

My breath catches in my throat as a feeling like a bolt of electricity zips through the palm of my hand and Quella ‘s eyes instantly morph from fury to calm peacefulness, her head falling back into a neutral position as she settles into a docile demeanour beneath Renys’ saddle.

For a moment I’m not sure who’s face appears more shocked; but I know Renys’ expression cannot be any more stunned than my own. For a moment silence falls around our group, the men watching on in wonder at the apparent invisible control I was able to hold over Renys’ dragon-like beast.

Ayris takes my palm in his own and strokes it reverently before he whispers.

“Do you feel alright, my velatha?”

It’s been a long while since I exerted so much power that it made me feel ill or exhausted; but since we found out about the pregnancy, we have both been wondering how it would affect my abilities. Ayris’ sister had a difficult pregnancy and he’s only too aware of the toll carrying a child can have on a woman’s body.

I nod, squeezing his hand. “I’m fine”.

After some discussion (and a few choice words from certain members of our party), we decide the best course of action is to send another scouting party ahead. We have to know exactly what we’re up against before we plunge forward and place our people in harm’s way.

And it would seem that with so much testosterone flying around the place, that Kel, Renys and Ayris all insist on going. So obviously I decide we need some estrogen to even things out.

“Lead the way, boys”. I grin as I dismount from Bess.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea, Short round” Kel whispers as we round a pathway along the cliff’s edge, descending toward the monsters “Are you sure you should be wilfully placing yourself in front of these things?”

“For once, I actually agree with you” Renys quips, much to Kel’s chagrin. I place my hand over my shifter friend’s forearm in a gentling fashion to prevent any further… *unpleasantness* between them.

“*Enough*” Ayris growls, breaking up the huddle. His tall, angular frame would be imposing if one was not aware of what a giant pussy cat he could really be.

That being said, I imagine he probably does seem menacing to the others. He’s at least half a head taller than the biggest man among us; and although he is strikingly handsome, his face is currently something akin to fearsome right about now.

Although if I had to guess I’d say he’s actually just irritated by the persistent back and forth between Kel and Renys.

“We are here to scout the area. If you can’t be trusted to carry out your duties effectively, perhaps you would both be best suited back atop the cliff”-

“Besides” Ayris continues “If you think Laurel would retreat back up that cliff on the say-so of you two prattling peacocks, well you’re both considerably more stupid than I gave you credit for”.

I snigger to myself as both men fall silent, and we continue our descent.

Renys and I continue to scout the area at a higher vantage point as Ayris and Kel scout the lower ground using their wolfen forms.

“Your abilities earlier were impressive” Renys comments as we weave our way through the rocks and undergrowth.

“Ahh… Thank you” I answer awkwardly.

Renys nods.

“The lexara are a… *temperamental* species, to say the least” He responds. “I have never seen anyone of non-fae birth to be able to command one so effectively”.

I say nothing for a beat or two, unsure exactly what *to* say. I know this is probably linked to my velythian abilities. And I’m assuming Renys knows that too.

“Perhaps Quella just took a liking to me” I reply.

“Perhaps” Renys smiles, his hand gentling at my lower back as the terrain becomes a little more difficult.

“But I must confess, Quella is not known for… *liking* anyone. Sometimes she does not even like me” He smirks.

I cast Renys a sideward glance “I can’t imagine why” I throw back sarcastically, which has Renys raising his eyebrows.

“And what would you be implying, my lady?”

“I imply nothing. I’m outright stating that you’ve caused tension and conflict since you joined our party-

And I get the distinct impression that not only is this not an isolated occurrence, but I get the distinct impression that you rather enjoy it. Would that be a reasonable assumption, Prince Renys?”