“Which climate do you most prefer?” I ask. He hadn’t so much as shivered in Greece, nor broken a sweat in Egypt.
“Whichever one we find the most pleasure on.” He draws out the words making it clear he has more than getting back to nature in mind. A lot more.
My cheeks burn. I’m glad it’s nearly dark so he can’t see the traitors they are because they might as well scream to the entire empire my thoughts about getting to know all of him.
Oh, Pell, my inner voice groans. She’s warming up to the idea of doing more with Harpoc, but she’s never one to dive in half-cocked.
“How’s your stomach?”
I bob my head. “I think you gave it something more constructive to think about with that kiss.”
Harpoc laughs. “My kisses are a panacea for upset stomachs? I’ll have to remember that.”
Harpoc shifts me off his lap, then stands and helps me up.
Chivalry is strong with this one. I give him another point. He’s up to three now, between opening doors for me and protecting Eser, the boy indentured to Zeki—returning he and his siblings back home safely. I probably should give him more than one point for that; it was above and way beyond opening a door.
“We best get going unless we want to sleep out here.” Excitement dances in his beautiful gold and silver eyes.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’s excited to show off his home.
Pell, he’s a god, not a small child.
I know, but still.
A shiver wracks my frame; it’s turned decidedly chilly without the sun. “Sounds good.”
He scoops me up in his arms, and a second later he beats his wings that have materialized again.
We jerk up and down, up and down, up and down, as Harpoc’s wings beat to get air under us. And then we’re rising through and above the canopy of trees, the three—yes, count them, three—three-quarter moons illuminating the plethora of fluffy clouds that drift across the night sky. The stars are just starting to wink into sight.
I’m reminded how awe filled Harpoc’s voice as he told me about getting away from everything and everyone during a new moon, going out where city lights don’t dim the night sky, and seeing all the stars. In this moment, I promise myself that no matter what happens once we reach his home, we’ll experience the stars that way, together.
“You’re rather quiet.” Harpoc nuzzles the top of my head.
“I’m just enjoying being here with you.”
He gives me a squeeze, and we continue on in silence, passing over enormous as well as small islands. In the moonlight, it’s hard to make out their features, but I can tell some are mountainous without much vegetation, others are jungle-like, others flat like pancakes. Some have a host of candle-lit dots—villages, Harpoc says—others, large metropolitan cities the lights from which, make it seem like day.
The sound of rushing water rises to meet us, and I furrow my brow.
“I’ll have to take you to see the infinity waterfalls. They plunge over the edge of the island and somehow the water ends up back at the top of the mountains to do it all over again.”
My mouth drops open.
“Don’t swallow a bug,” Harpoc says, chuckling.
“Eaten a few bugs, yourself, I take it?” I smile.
“We’re nearly there.” He bobs his head at a spray of light flooding the night sky over the horizon. “The city of Mense, the capital.”
Harpoc’s arms tense along with his jaw as shouts, screams, metal striking metal, and other discordant sounds reach us from the city.
He beats his wings faster, accelerating our pace until I feel the need to grab hold of his neck. But his eyes never deviate, scanning, searching, no doubt for the source.
Book Two in the God of Secrets series, Empire of Secrets, is coming in just eight weeks! Yes, it’s coming October 19th! So pre-order your copy at smarturl.it/Buy_EoS now!
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