Page 43 of Bane of the Wild Hunt (Heart of the Tithriall #2)

Chapter forty-two

THE SILVER MOOR

Amira

“ Y ou are distracted, love,” Riordan teased in amusement without raising his eyes from the tip of his feathered pen as it scratched across the page in front of him.

“Yes, and I take no responsibility for it,” I assured him, trying to keep my attention on writing a proposition for funding my additional initiatives in the Rookery.

But he was all too right. I was distracted…

But who could possibly blame me when my body was still aching so pleasantly from the night and morning we had spent tangled up in one another? Especially when he was right across the desk in his Ergastiri apartment with his shirt sleeves rolled up to expose his corded forearms while he worked. There was a mountain of paper in front of him which he wanted to get through before our trip to meet with the Sylvan the next day.

We had well and thoroughly consummated our union the night before and most of the morning too, but my eyes still kept wandering to the bed. A night and half a day was definitely not enough, and I found myself wishing that we had time for a proper mínas agápis .

Riordan suddenly dropped his pen in the ink vial with a tink that made me look at him as he reclined in his seat to gaze at me as if he were contemplating.

Now who is distracted? I projected my thoughts to him in the way we had been practicing since the night before when the connection was established. Although this was possibly the first time we had used it for something other than heightening pleasure.

Riordan smiled as if he knew this too, and I felt him open himself more fully to me so I could not only see the intrigue in his eyes but feel it. I could feel his desire for me was every bit as powerful as mine was for him.

We had been exploring this connection, testing it to see what we could do with it, but he was careful to maintain boundaries. At least until I learned how to set limits on his access to my thoughts and emotions. We agreed that he should enforce a semi permanent mental shield. He only lifted it to practice communicating like this and of course for intimacy since having increased access was helpful in pleasuring one another.

Although I trusted my mate with my life, I was still thankful he took my autonomy so seriously. I had nothing to hide, except perhaps trading insults with Orion, but my mind remained my own, and I was entitled to privacy.

But there was no doubt that having this kind of access to him, even limited as it was, made it difficult to harbour any more feelings of inadequacy. Orion had torn all my insecurities wide open after the coronation, and usually, that would have left me debilitated. But being able to feel the way Riordan felt and thought about me…

It made me feel like a goddess.

And if Orion hated himself as much as I was starting to realize he did, then it stood to reason that he felt the same. Which did not excuse his atrocious attitude, but I could understand why he was so defensive and protective of his special bond with Riordan.

I am considering whether I will get more work done if we indulge your fascination with my bed first, my mate explained himself.

I’m sorry. Is my insatiable desire for you inconvenient? I teased him with a wicked smile.

Riordan rose suddenly with that powerful grace that was mesmerizing as he moved around the desk.

“What—” I started to ask aloud, but he picked me up, laughing at me when I squealed in surprise, and hoisted me effortlessly over his shoulder to carry me to the bed. “Riordan!” I shouted just before he slung me down onto the mattress under him, barely giving me a moment to get a breath before he was kissing me. His mouth was hungry and demanding as he worked the ties on my dress. But it was not long before I felt him grow impatient and fist his hands in the delicate material.

“Don’t you dare!” I cried after breaking away from his mouth and grabbing his hands to stop him from ripping my clothes. “I have to walk out of here,” I insisted.

Riordan gave a frustrated growl but resumed kissing and nipping my neck as he continued to work the ties and gradually unwrapped me. He had just exposed my breasts and finally gotten one of them into his mouth when there was a knock at the door.

He didn’t even hesitate in savouring my body.

The door, I managed to project to him with difficulty.

Communicating with him like that was harder when I was so distracted with pleasure. Well… Trying to form words became harder. Pleasure made it much easier to fall into the natural ebb and flow of one another’s emotions and instincts. That made sex feel like an act of complete unity where he knew how to move before I had even consciously realized what I needed from him.

It is only Orion. Olirik returned from the Spring Court, Riordan informed me without relinquishing my body.

I didn’t want to react at all, and I certainly would have preferred that the mental shield which Riordan had been enforcing all afternoon wasn’t down at the exact moment that my control lapsed. But I couldn’t help an involuntary pulse of excitement that tore through me at the mention of Orion whilst I was so primed with lust and pleasure.

Riordan hesitated, and I froze in horror, knowing that he had sensed it. But when he raised his head to look down at me, there was only astonishment and then…

He gave me a slow, triumphant smile.

Then you are not so indifferent to my skiá after all?

“Riordan—”

He kissed me, rough and urgent, and quickly hiked my skirts up around my waist. I heard the clink of the buckle on his leather pants being unfastened. And then he was sinking into me hard and fast, filling my ready body with such a powerful, demanding thrust that I lost my breath.

My king uttered a rumbling groan, hesitating only a second to savour the feeling of both of our gratification with being united again. And then he began to rut hard, his powerful body pinning me into the mattress as he gave us both what we needed with a ferocity that I matched.

“Amira,” hissed Helena, catching my arm just before I followed Riordan into his office, “you reek of lust.”

“It is not my fault!” I snapped back in mortification. “Taking just one night and half a day is not long enough for a proper honeymoon!”

Helena merely smirked at me and followed me into the office where Riordan had gone to his desk. Ares stood at the back of the room with Iris and Theo while Orion had taken up his customary place next to the king’s desk.

I was sure not to look at Riordan’s skiá as I moved into position next to him. I wondered if I should have stood on the opposite side of the desk, since he would undoubtedly be able to smell the lust Helena had, but he shifted closer. He was determined to put himself between me and the orc spy just as he had done the last time.

And I was immediately thankful that the tryst I’d just had with Riordan probably masked my reaction. But for a woman who had been raised on the streets, subject to a thousand threats of violence, his protective stance was undeniable. Similar to the way that Riordan had used his body like a living shield when we were in Uile Breithà.

I focused on my king as he sank into his seat with that confident authority I loved so much. I had always been wildly attracted to him, but now it was like everything he did was fuel for the fire of yearning burning in me.

I was sure to direct my thoughts at him as I wondered whether I could get my knees far enough around him on that seat to ride him in it, and he shot me a glance.

“ Stop , please,” hissed Orion, startling me, and I looked up to find he was rigid with discomfort.

I panicked for a moment that he was able to hear me in Riordan’s mind, but my mate had reassured me that would not be the case unless all three of us were bonded. So I had no idea if it was my scent changing or if Riordan had reacted to my provocation internally and tipped him off, but I felt stupid for not considering it. I made a mental note not to tease my mate in front of Orion anymore.

“Olirik, I hope you have good news,” said Riordan, voice just a little tight, and I barely restrained a smirk.

“I do, Your Majesty!” exclaimed Olirik eagerly as he took his seat across the desk from the king once my mate was sitting. “I established contact with a kelpie!”

“You’re sure she’s not a spy for the Autumn Prince?” verified Orion.

“Kelpies are still very loyal to their king. I trust her,” insisted Olirik. “She would not take me to him without proof I was not an agent of the Autumn Prince. She would like to meet you, to ascertain that you really do mean to offer them aid, and then she will take you to the king,” Olirik explained eagerly.

I had always been able to tell when Riordan and Orion were having a private discussion. But now I could almost feel it happening like a river that was flowing in a part of Riordan’s mind to which I did not have access.

“Then the question becomes how to meet her safely,” mused Riordan.

“Bring her here,” I suggested, and my mate nodded.

“Would she come?” he asked the orc.

“She expressed a willingness to meet you on whatever terms you set. Despite her caution, my impression is that she and her king are quite desperate. The Autumn Prince must be closing in on their hiding place,” said Olirik.

“Then bring her here as Amira proposed. Ensure she is housed in the northern tower in the Spring Quadrant,” Riordan instructed. “Send word when you arrive there, and I will come to you directly. I do not want anyone else to know that she is here,” Riordan stressed to all of us.

“I will have a squadron awaiting you there to control access to the tower,” Orion added to Olirik who agreed.

“In the meantime, have her relay a message to her king to begin considering terms of sanctuary,” said Riordan. “He should know that I will require his assistance to fend off the Autumn Prince should Rian come here.”

“She already anticipated as such. She says he is weak, but their people are still strong and are prepared to follow your leadership,” Olirik reassured him.

“Good. Thank you, Olirik, for great work, as always,” Riordan thanked the orc genuinely. Olirik bowed his head with the utmost humility, and then rose from his seat to follow Orion who opened the door to let him out.

I looked at Riordan who sat looking thoughtful while his fingers drummed on the desk. Helena and the others began to talk among themselves about this development, but Riordan remained quiet and introspective.

Pensive?

Yes, he replied, his voice like a caress inside my head as he raised his eyes to me. And then he allowed me to see the vague pattern of his thoughts, like a faint map that allowed me to follow his logic.

Allowing the Spring King to come here would not go unnoticed by Rian. It would undoubtedly be perceived as an act of opposition and may carry swift repercussions. Hopefully, the Sylvan Elves would have insight into how to defend against the Autumn Prince’s retaliation.

We will get answers from the Sylvan Elves tomorrow. “We will not bring the Spring King here until we are ready for Rian,” I added quietly aloud.

I just hope we have time, Riordan answered.

Helena unleashed a vicious snarl and slapped her hand over the back of her neck again. I heard a tiny spurt of maniacal laughter speeding away as a sprite flitted up into the branches of the tree overhead.

“That fucker bit me!” Helena yelled in outrage.

“Stop shouting. You will bring a troll down upon us,” Orion chastised her from the front of our line.

“Trolls out in the daylight,” Helena retorted under her breath in dismissal.

“I told you not to antagonize them,” Riordan reminded her with amusement. The ones all over his wings thought it was funny to pull out a couple of his feathers, but he was careful not to react. Reacting only encouraged them which was why they were targeting Helena so much.

“I don’t like things crawling all over me. Why do they have to crawl on me?” Helena demanded in disgust.

“The gate is close now,” Riordan tried to reassure her, but my guardian merely snorted.

We had been walking for the better part of an hour now through the thick underbrush of a swampy woodland in the heart of the Silver Moor. The rest of the breathtaking moorland was characterized by a silver bracken that was undoubtedly the namesake of the territory since it covered the craggy hills and meadows. But of course, this swamp was where the envoy found the gate to the Sylvan Elves. And although the trees covered in swaths of silvery moss were still eerily beautiful, it would be dark soon. And I suspected their beauty would quickly turn into something a little more sinister after sunset.

To make matters even more frustrating, the gate was not a stationary destination. Our envoy had written a very detailed report of her experience here, so we knew the gate would appear when the elves were ready to receive us as their guests. And until then, all we could do was keep moving in the direction Pen had gone.

“Bleeding sprites,” Helena growled and glowered at the tiny creatures that gave tinkling laughs in the trees.

“I think they are cute,” I admitted, smiling up at the tiny humanoid creatures that were made of pure sunlight. They seemed rather wary of me in spite of my best efforts to get them to land on my hand. Perhaps they recognized a witch from the time when my kind hunted fey.

“Everyone quiet!” hissed Orion, and I turned forward to frown at his back. I was absolutely in no mood to be hushed by him.

While I might be able to keep up with Riordan’s frantic pace in the moment, I paid very dearly for it the next day. Whereas my demigod mate seemed to possess more than enough stamina to fuck me all night and then go traipsing through an overgrown swampland. And I definitely was not mad about that, although I would have preferred to be cuddling in bed with him today rather than tripping over my own feet in this underbrush with no sleep.

I think I can feel the gate. It is getting closer to us , Riordan explained, and I realized that was why Orion was trying to keep us quiet. So Riordan could concentrate. Sorry , he added when I realized I had been too distracted to even notice that he had lifted the shields between us. But he had only been compelled to check on me when he felt my ire spiking to make sure I was alright.

No, thank you, I assured him, because I did not want to find reasons to be annoyed with Orion.

It occurred to me that it might even be convenient to have that three-way bond between us all, since I probably would not get as annoyed with Orion if I understood him. Having Riordan translate him for me had already proven useful a couple times. We had not yet discussed what my mate had realized the day before about how I was no longer completely disinterested in his skiá . He knew I was hesitant to delve into it just yet and was prepared to leave it alone for now, but I knew it pleased him.

Pleased him immensely.

But before I could get very far into wondering if it was possible to have a non-romantic bond, and whether that was something that I could ever consider, I remembered the hate in Orion’s eyes when he told me I was nothing . And then I realized how stupid it was to imagine inviting someone like that into my mind where he could prey on all my weaknesses. He might not be like Riordan who gave me privacy and enforced boundaries when I was not yet able to. Orion might rip me apart instead.

Amira, are you alright? Riordan checked on me again, once more having sensed my melancholy.

It’s complicated. And I’m sorry! You need to focus.

I would like to talk about Orion when you are ready, Riordan insisted, and I sighed out loud.

There isn’t much to say really. I have no idea why I had that reaction yesterday when he has been… unpleasant.

There is no shame in it. It is normal for griffin mates to feel an inclination toward their partner’s skiá . I actually thought… you might be feeling an attraction to him even before we were mated, Riordan admitted, shocking me. There was already another bond between us which might also extend to him as well.

Right, a bond which had allowed me to use Riordan’s magic in a time of great need. We still didn’t know what it was or how it worked, but Riordan could be right…

You think I might already be bonded to him? I verified. There was no denying that I had been at least a little drawn to Orion right from the start, and that intrigue had only grown as I started to see more of his true character.

It is entirely possible, Riordan advised me soothingly. What would that mean to you, Amira?

I… don’t know. He has a lot to learn about managing his emotions and communicating with me, I stated firmly. And besides, you are forgetting the most important part which is that he hates me.

I agree he has much to learn. We all do, I think. But he certainly does not hate you, Riordan assured me.

I stopped so fast that Helena almost ran into my back, and Riordan glanced over his shoulder in amusement.

What do you mean? I demanded of him, and his smirk evolved into a full smile before he turned to continue on.

Just watch him, and you will see what I mean.

I was confused by his reassurance but forced myself to continue walking after him as I calmly internalized what he was telling me. After a few moments of consideration, there was only one thing that was very clear to me.

It has taken me a long time to establish my self-worth, and he often undermines it. So if that is what his affection looks like, then regardless of how I feel about him, I don’t just not want it, Riordan. It is not good for me.

My mate was contemplative, and I wanted to push him a little to allow me to follow his thoughts the way he had invited me to the day before. But I let him have privacy to think on what I had said just as he had given me privacy.

You are right, he conceded finally, and I could sense sorrow in him at the realization, but he understood and agreed with my reasoning. Perhaps in time he’ll learn—

His thoughts broke off abruptly, and Orion stopped just ahead of him with his wings flaring defensively.

A gate suddenly appeared in the forest in front of us, materializing out of thin air. Just two pillars and immense double doors made of shimmering, white stone that cast an array of colours in the light. It was so bright that we all had to cover our eyes until our sight adjusted.

“Damn,” muttered Helena.

Riordan stepped toward the gate, and Orion was right at his side as my mate reached for the middle of the gate and lightly touched the stone.

The gate parted in the centre, opening outward with a low frequency ring like the sound of a tuning fork which made us all wince. Once the gate was fully open, we saw a pearlescent surface inside that rippled like calm water.

The portal Pen had described in her report.

Riordan reached back, and I knew he wanted my hand which I gave him without any hesitation.

Hold onto Orion, he ordered me. I knew he issued the same command to his skiá because Orion reached for my free hand and then took Helena’s as well.

Then we stepped through the gate all together.