Page 11 of Insolence (Eisha’s Hidden Codices #1)

“She’s smarter than most humans I know. She’s quick to learn tricks, and she’ll even do them when she’s in the mood.

She can be mischievous and stubborn to a fault, and she’s real bratty sometimes.

” Elodie watches me sidelong. “She likes to do things to get a reaction out of me. But you know all about that. Don’t you, Tiss? ”

My hands fly to my hips. I’m about to argue that I’m not a brat, but I’m not actually worked up about it. I just want to see what she says.

Gods dammit. “If you say so,” I finally mutter.

But the truth is, I’m reeling from her subtle handling of my small act of insolence inside the tower. Another part of me is still savoring the devious feeling of dropping the book at her feet and watching her split-second struggle not to react.

“ Mm-hmm .” Elodie lifts an eyebrow. “At any rate, she comes and goes as she pleases. This temple is her territory, as am I. She’ll never leave these grounds so long as I’m here. If I ever leave this place, she’ll follow me to the end of the world, I think.”

Bibi croaks, seemingly agreeing.

The way Elodie’s eyes dance as she talks about her raven fills me with warmth from the root of my tongue to the soles of my feet. The pain thrumming in my forehead has dulled to white noise compared to the delight playing out in front of me.

“You can come closer,” the priestess beckons, squinting playfully. “She’s usually pretty docile so long as you don’t pose a threat to either of us.”

The creature is huge up close; the size of a hawk. Her feathers seemed pure black at first, but closer inspection reveals tones of iridescent green, purple, and blue shimmering in the waning sunshine. Elodie reaches into the pocket of her cloak, bringing out a plump berry.

Brimming with excitement, Bibi lunges before it’s offered. Elodie pulls the treat back with impressive reflexes.

“Gently, Bibi,” she chides.

Bibi fixes her with limpid black eyes, issuing several gurgling croaks. Elodie offers the berry again, and again the raven lunges, snapping her beak.

It’s already pulled back, pinched between the woman’s thumb and middle finger before I register what happened.

“I don’t think so. You’re just showing off now.

Is this because I called you mischievous and stubborn in front of Tiss?

She was going to find out eventually. Now take it gently . You know what that means.”

Her low tone has a settling effect on Bibi and me both. She’s so smooth and in control of the obstinate creature. Something inside of me salivates, and I become overly aware of the insistent ache between my legs.

I’ve got a berry you can take gently, priestess .

Oh, gods. I cringe at my own desperate thoughts. I’m in trouble. Send help!

For a third time, she offers the treat. For a third time, Bibi lunges, making aggravated tok-tok sounds and beating her great wings against Elodie. She’s clinging tenaciously to the priestess’s forearm, clearly squeezing too hard with her wickedly sharp talons.

“Nope. Nuh-uh.” Elodie lifts her arm, whistling a two-note ascending signal. “Go, if you want to act like that.”

Wings still outstretched, the raven doesn’t beat them again, but she refuses to take off.

Eyebrows dropped, gaze leveled at Bibi, Elodie lowers her arm and huffs a quick, rumbling growl. It fires off from deep inside her chest, reverberating through Bibi and right into me. My mouth drops open.

Bibi and I both elicit a weak squeak.

Voice low and firm, Elodie warns, “Last chance, Bibi.”

I watch breathlessly as the headstrong raven folds her wings, croaks, and politely plucks the morsel from between the priestess’s fingers. After gobbling it down, she scooches sideways up Elodie’s arm to her shoulder, bonking her small head against the woman’s cheek.

The high priestess purrs in response, scratching her feathery beard, the balance of power seemingly restored.

“That’s a good girl,” she coos as Bibi nuzzles under her chin.

It takes a moment to realize who she’s talking to because something breaks inside of my brain. My vision blots out. A hot, prickling sensation starts at the crown of my head and zaps through my chest, where it erupts in tiny explosions before settling between my thighs.

“That’s a good girl.”

Why did I want her to be talking to me and not the silly bird?

The phrase and the melodic cooing hum with which she said it echo through me like ripples spreading on water. Emotions I can’t comprehend tangle up inside, akin to how I felt after dropping the book at her feet. But also different—somehow more intense. Intimate .

Elodie glances at me, then does a double take. I can only imagine the look on my face, rushing to smooth my features into what I hope is a bland expression.

A lurid smile unfurls across her lips as she runs a knuckle down Bibi’s breast, rings flashing. I have the distinct impression she knows exactly how aroused I am and why.

I can’t hide from her. Even though I haven’t said a word or moved a muscle, her expression tells me she’s seen everything and won’t pretend she doesn’t notice. My pulse quickening, there’s nothing to do but hold her penetrating gaze, defenseless at the idea that my predicament amuses her.

“Good bird, Bibi,” she whispers, nose quivering as if she smells something peculiar.

Bibi babbles several good bird s of her own, doing her silly little shuffle dance.

Elodie raises her arm, whistling the ascending signal. With a great whoosh , the raven climbs into the air on mighty wings.

The high priestess hasn’t lifted her eyes from me for longer than a second.