Page 65 of Kingdom of Spirits
Tahlia
When the light came again, they were back on the other side of the strange circle cut into the forest.
They stood side by side, dragons, ghost, and Fae, all seemingly stunned to the same degree. Tahlia touched the woven belt at her waist. The wool was soft like any other wool. Did this thing truly have power of some sort?
Tahlia turned to Marius, who stood on the other side of Trevain. “Why wouldn’t she just tell me what to do?”
“I assume—” he started, trying to see Tahlia clearly around the ghost. Then he let out a small snarl and waved at Trevain, shooing him away. Trevain gave Marius a look but allowed Marius to usher him a few steps back.
Marius’s broad chest moved as his gaze slid over Tahlia’s face. The urge to touch him nearly overwhelmed her.
“As I was saying, Mother Twilight most likely knows we must go through an ordeal to gain the abilities we need to succeed.”
“I’m game.” Tahlia rubbed her hands together, excited for the next step in this grand adventure. “Any task that will stopthat giant from killing everyone on the mountain and,” she said, lowering her voice, “any ordeal that will get my hands back on you, I’m more than willing to conquer.”
“I have no doubt you will subdue Katk, Lady of the Skies. But you must learn to hold your tongue when we are back with the order, on missions and in training. You must learn a semblance of discipline regarding our relationship and the order.” His eyes softened and heated, his warmth extending from his muddied leathers to brush over her body.
“Aye, High Captain. I will behave. Mostly.”
He chuckled and shook his head.
“You know, you look even better all grimed up like this,” she said, gesturing to the dirt on his cheek, his tangled hair, and the mud along his white vest and trousers.
“I’m filthy.”
“I understand that you hate it, but it does something for me seeing you ruffled.”
“I’m well aware.” His lips turned up at one side, and gods, did she want to kiss him until neither of them could breathe…
“What’s the plan?” Fara called out. She was rubbing salve on Lija’s scales like the wonderful person she was.
Marius saw what Fara was up to and seemed to be having a silent conversation with Ragewing.
“Did you figure out how to speak to him in your mind?” Tahlia asked.
“I did.”
We should head toward the stones,Lija said.
A chill wrapped Tahlia.Can you tell if Katk is headed there again?
Yes. His evil energy thrums from that direction, from the lands just before the old border.
“Lija says Katk is going for the stones again,” Tahlia said. “Eh, where did Trevain go?”
Fara and Marius looked around, and Lija faced Ragewing, their gazes locking over everyone’s heads.
“Ragewing says the spirit was pulled to another place,” Marius said.
“What does that mean?” Fara asked, her voice getting high-pitched.
“He is a ghost. Who knows the mystery of his afterlife?” Marius said, apparently not at all concerned.
Tahlia mounted Lija. “What is your problem with him anyway? You’re a little mean to the fellow.”
“I’m alittle meanto everyone or did you not notice?” His eyes sparked with humor.
“Well, yes, you’re the King of Grumps, but you’re more about discipline and doing what is right. You don’t usually push at people the way you do with Trevain.”