thought with a rush of elation, and grinned at the girls.
As soon as Loi dropped her energy she felt arms around her waist. Smiling, she leaned back to wrap both her arms around Sabyn's neck.
'Hello.'
'Hey gorgeous,' his voice was a bit gruff and he dropped a kiss on her forehead.
The girls smiled and turned away, walking to where Daron and Rumal had set up lunch.
'It's lunchtime already?' Alek sounded astonished as he walked after them. Loi chuckled and twisted around in Sabyn's arms, her head under his chin. They stood like that for a long moment before Loi pulled back a little and smiled into his eyes, watching as his expression went soft.
'What?' he asked.
'Love you.'
Those icy blue eyes almost glowed at her words and he bent, brushing his mouth against hers.
'Mmm.' Loi smiled against his lips and tugged him closer.
Everyone sprawled out over the mat where the guys had spread the food out and enjoyed lunch. Alek ate enough for a small army, but Hiranes had packed plenty, as always.
'What say we stay here the day?' Daron suggested with a questioning look to us all.
'We can explore and when Alek's ready, you guys can practice linking again.'
Alek snorted in laughter and tossed a buttermilk biscuit at him.
'Make me sound incapable, why don't you.'
We laughed, and Loi snagged the biscuit.
'I'm up for that idea, it sounds fun.' Sian said to Daron.
'Me too.' I'd like to see a bit more of the desert.
Everyone agreed, so Rumal went to ask Kerak to let the castle know. I watched as the golden winged griffon sprung off the ground, and I turned to Rumal.
'How will he tell them?'
After all, only Kassie and Rumal were linked with Kerak.
'Charades,' said Daron with a straight face, making the others laugh.
'He'll let Nnelg know.' Rumal explained with a smile.
Oh right, well that makes sense, seeing as Nnelg communicates telepathically. I wrinkled my nose at Daron. Alek, finally done eating, lay on the blanket and pulled me down too. I rested my head on his chest as I gazed about, wondering where we'd go first.
'Did you know, your chin is rather sharp,' Alek commented in a conversational tone, as he lifted his head to look at me.
'Oops.' I crawled up to his head and smiled. 'Sorry.'
Her long red hair dangled in his face and tickled something chronic. Alek flicked it off then rubbed his face, causing Cat to giggle when he glowered at her.
'So where to first?' she demanded.
'Hmmm,' he pretended to think while watching her.
Those green eyes had a hint of laughter in them and the slight pout that accompanied them was irresistible. Slipping a hand behind her head, he pulled her down for a kiss, feeling the hum of energy an instant before it rose from his skin.
'Oi!'
'You two.'
'Cut it out!'
The couple sat up laughing as Loi, Sian and Kassie gave them arched looks.
The after effects of linking were lasting longer and longer, thought Sian. It was both a good thing and a bad. The moment Cat and Alek had raised their energy in that manner, Sian (along with Loi and Kassie) felt it.
On the bright side, Sian thought, at least we don't appear to be able to sense it through walls. Apart from the release. And while the energy flash thrown out when one of them peaked was embarrassing, at least it didn't come with details. It was just a flash of intense joy. She could live with that, but not the sensations that came from Cat and Alek making out in front of them.
We're not that good of friends, Sian thought in amusement. Maybe it's because the two haven't had as much intimate time together that they project it so loud. We have a two month head start on them. Kassie a little longer, she reflected cynically.
'Okay then, lets go.' Daron stood, and so did everyone else. The leftovers were packed away, and they climbed back on the griffons and flew deeper into the desert.
This desert is weird, thought Kassie. She'd been to a few deserts on Earth, but they weren't like this. The dense black sand was heavier than the golden sand she was used to. Rumal held her hand as they explored the dunes, helping her when she mired down.
'Getting a bit stuck, Kass?' teased Kerak, landing beside her.
'Leave me alone, just 'cause I haven't got dinner plates for paws.' She shot back.
Okay, so his feet were way bigger than dinner plates, but she couldn't think of another reference. Glancing down, she watched