Chapter 45
“Okay, spill.” Gina demands as she shuts the door behind us, the same door Falkor just left through after we finalized the last documents needed for the games next week.
“Spill what?” I ask, sending the mail to the council, watching it to make sure it was indeed sent.
“I’m not playing this game with you. Do you want me to get Kayla.” My eyes widen and I shake my head. As much as I love Kayla, she can be a bit overzealous when it comes to anything related to her brother and I and that is exactly what I don’t need right now.
“No, please don’t. I’ll tell her myself… eventually. After the games.” I promise myself. Whatever there is to tell, it would be better if it came then.
“Why wait so long?” I motion for her to take a seat, and she does, leaning her arms on the desk as she leans forward, as if the office isn’t soundproof with the now closed door.
“He still might find a Kin and I might find one, that isn’t him. Kayla thought suitors would duel for me when they find out about me carrying the Water Serpent Spirit but that hasn’t happened. There has been interest, plenty but none of them willing to go to war for me, so I don’t think that is at all true. I just don’t want anyone else to end up like me. As much as I want to be his… I can’t be the reason a woman ends up without a Kin. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” Gina nods, not one to argue with reason.
“Kinship is complicated.” She puffs up her cheeks and blows the air out. “I think this is why so many of us just chose to settle with the one they love instead of waiting for this cosmic match that may or may not come.” I push my lips together and just stare at her. “What?”
“Why haven’t you left the clan to search?” There’d been so many times over the years where I begged her to join me on my travels and every single time she’d declined.
“Honestly?” I nod, leaning forward in my chair. “I don’t know if I want to attach myself to anyone. Having fun is fun but I always seem to mess it up when feelings get involved, you know? I’ve been told a newborn baby shows more affection than I do.” She grins and I can’t help but laugh.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh. That’s terrible.” She shrugs. “You don’t seem to have trouble showing any of your friends’ affection.” I point out.
“I’m not sleeping with any of my friends, Hydra. Besides, you don’t have the right stuff, as beautiful as you are, I’m just not interested.” I laugh harder this time, and she joins in.
“We have to figure out how we’re going to travel.” I tell her when our laughter has died down. “Gavin bought the three mini busses, but that’s only for the warrior and their drivers. You have to chose who you’re driving with or if you’re driving alone.”
“I’m going solo. As much as I love all of you, truly I do. I can’t spend two days trapped in a moving prison with you. I won’t survive.” I nod, nothing Gina down for solo travel.
“I sometimes still can’t believe you’re the same bubbly person I met on my first day here.” I tell her, leaning back in my chair.
“People change, Hydra. You did too.” I nod, knowing more than anyone what she means. “Are we set?” I nod and she leaves the office so I go in search of Falkor, who ends up being in his office, go figure.
“So, travel plans. The warriors are going on the buses. Gina has declared this a solo trip. Sam will probably go with Gavin and Kayla is flying in.” I tell him as I take a seat on the couch.
“So, that leaves you and me together.” He finishes and I turn my head to the side. “You don’t agree?” His gaze makes my stomach warm in dangerous ways, and I have to take a breath to compose myself.
“I was thinking we’d join Gavin and Sam? Use less cars?” He shakes his head.
“Not an option. I want you to myself, if I might end up losing you, I want to spend as much time as I can with you. We’ve waisted enough as it stands.” I put the tablet on the coffee table and walk over to him; glad I closed the door when I came in. He welcomes me in his space, allowing me to stand between his legs, and I run my fingers through his hair, smiling when he closes his eyes and leans into the caress. With his eyes still closed I bend down to kiss him. He responds without fail, hands gripping the back of my thighs, before they slowly move up, squeeze my ass and then settle on my waist before he pulls back, allowing us to breathe.
“We drive together.” He gives me a satisfied look, leaning back in his chair, taking me onto his lap with him. “I have work to do.” I protest, leaning into his touch as his arm comes around me, his right hand playing with the ends of my hair.
“I’ve already spoken to Kayla about the menu; you don’t have to double check. Nick has been briefed on his duties while we’re gone. Sam has spoken to Mac about his training duties while we’re gone. Gavin has left both Logan and Alex in charge of security. Tell me, what more needs to be done other than you checking and double checking everything?” I glare at him, and he wastes no time, kissing me until my limbs are putty in his arms.
“Huh, I’m surprised you know the inner workings of your clan.” I quip when he finally surrenders my lips. He pinches the back of my thigh, causing me to yelp and slap his chest.
“Careful, I am still your King.” He playfully growls, nipping at my neck. I allow myself to be distracted for ten more minutes before I pry myself out of his arms, not without its difficulty and go to check on everything just to make sure it’s all in place anyway.
Friday morning comes with a blanket of excited anticipation as we all gather as a clan to have breakfast before we leave for the games. Everyone is a different embodiment of an emotion as we start piling into the cars, saying our goodbyes and making promises to come back with a ranking worthy of our clan, a promise I pray to the heavens we can keep.
“Ready?” Falkor asks as we leave the boundary of our clan, intertwining his fingers with mine. I look at Sam’s Jeep driving in front of us and then back at the buses coming up behind us, before looking at him, finding his gaze already on me.
“Ready.”