Oath of the Alpha - Eva Dresden Page 0,69

lessons from both in their arts of magic. Aida understood it was to control the unpredictable surges of her power that seemed to grow all the stronger the closer they came to the ruins of a city she did not remember, but she couldn’t deny her fascination and eagerness either.

Er’it also no longer forced her to spread her legs for him. At night, safe from the bitter winds and light snows that had begun to fall, his hands and lips held a question. Not to say he accepted her rebukes without argument, or that Aida herself did not fall into his heady warmth and the bliss Er’it offered more often than not, but it still began with a silent request hidden within a caress or kiss.

Tor’en suggested it had something to do with her actions, though he said it with a rolling shrug of his broad shoulders. Sapping Er’it of his magic, years of reserves depleted with a single thought, she’d left none of the evil, bloody power at his call… at least, not until he killed again. As they traveled the long-abandoned road, Aida saw few chances for Er’it to achieve even a glimmer of his previous strength.

A week past, he’d dragged her to Tor’en’s fire, letting her listen to the stories the mage told the young soldiers. She’d learned some of their land, their goddesses, and even Er’it himself. Days followed, full of Er’it’s constant attention, whether he remained beside her or within sight. Little gifts were bestowed upon her at random intervals, no rhyme or reason for some while others were of a more practical nature. The sticks to bind her hair made sense, but the strange symbols he’d carved into them made none. Tor’en said they were simple protection glyphs, but Aida was uncertain she believed him given the twinkle in his dark eyes.

Huffing a sigh, Aida settled back against the trunk and fluffed the warm folds of her furs. The snows were a constant now, though they were light. Er’it’s people seemed unused to such cold, many of them huddling over fires and deep within their bundled layers. Strangely enough, Kal and Aida were the ones to enjoy it. A carefree moment spent with the Phylix, laughing and tossing handfuls of fluffy snow up into the air, was one to be cherished for what remained of her days… as would the memory of Er’it enfolding her in his heat and dragging her to the fire, grumbling about her reddened hands as he rubbed them between his.

“Your control is slipping, girl,” Tor’en snapped from the driver’s bench he shared with Zaec. Bushy brows forming a thick line across his forehead, he scowled at Aida.

“It is…” Aida trailed off as her chin dipped in reflex to the reprimand, taking in the view of her glowing hands. Clenching them into tight fists, the iridescent blue dissipated and drifted away in wisps of smoky brilliance as she willed herself to calm and breathe deeply. “…not?”

“You must control your emotions, child,” Maruk added from the back of the cart, craning his long neck to see Aida around the large trunks holding their possessions.

“I am trying!”

“Try harder.” Tor’en huffed and grumbled, turning to face the endless road as they bounced over the rutted path.

“Mind your own temper, old man,” Er’it said, a growl edging his words in torrid violence as he came alongside the cart.

“It is cold, and we have been traveling for many hours, Your Majesty,” Maruk said, placating hands splayed in the cramped space before him. “We are not hardened warriors accustomed to such arrangements.”

“Pah! Speak for yourself,” Tor’en muttered, though he huddled deeper into his thick cloak.

“Come here, kou’va,” Er’it said in low tones, stretching out his hand to Aida.

“I am fine where I am, thank you,” Aida murmured. Try as she might to blame the stinging heat in her cheeks on the chill wind, she knew she blushed at the amber fire glittering in the depths of his gaze. It would not be the first time Er’it seated her before him on Kal to head far up the trail where he could touch her away from prying eyes.

“I wish to show you something.”

Er’it gave her no time to deny him again. Kal turned, rushing along the back of the cart to come along the other side where Er’it tipped sideways to snatch Aida from her pocket of warmth. With an indignant squawk, she found herself not across Er’it’s knees but astride Kal’s back. Thankful for the thick