The Story of the Trees - Sword, Ring, and Crown Book One

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Despite my bold declaration to Adrian the night before, the absence of Luis gnawed at me. Going to this trial without him felt like trying to breathe without lungs. Each step forward was a reminder of how much I relied on him, but if my victory meant saving my mother's world and freeing an oppressed people, I had no choice but to keep moving.

We had to take two vehicles because of the growing size of my entourage. Erick and Brin, the replacement for Luis, were in the other limo, along with Elsie and Beth. Jeanne, Adrian, Luke, Ciaran, and Dominic made up the party limo with me.

I would give you all the apples of Hesperides for your thoughts, little Princess." Ciaran's voice dripped with mischief, his eyes catching mine before I could look away.

The memory of the night before hit me like a wave, and along with it a rush of desire that I struggled to stamp down.  By the way the others stared at me, I wasn't successful

I mumbled something unintelligible, sinking deeper into my seat, wishing I could disappear.

Ciaran chuckled, the timbre filled with both heat and amusement. I felt the familiar tug on our link, his attempt to play footsie. I mentally shoved him away, but it only made his grin widen.

Luke spoke up, sounding both annoyed and strained. "Stop toying with her, Ciaran." His eyes narrowed. "Your position here is suspect enough without you addling her mind."

I kicked Luke's shin under the seat, startling him. "My mind is fine, thank you.

"I only meant that Ciaran is a crafty god who might not be on your side."

"Me?" Ciaran chuckled. "Oh Luke, if you're not the blackest pot in existence, I don't know who is."

"Guys, stop bickering," Dominic said as he draped his arm over me. "See how tired she is!"

Could everyone stop patronizing me until after the trial?" I muttered, barely holding back a yawn. My body wanted to fold into Dominic's warmth, even though I knew I should push him away. But I was too tired to care.

Jeanne squeezed my hand gently. "So many swains after your heart, my lady. You have a court that adores you."

Not Jeanne too! I made a spluttering sound with my lips, then closed my eyes. Adrian caused them to open wide again as he spoke to me through my link.

"Just ignore them all, G. You've got this."

I smiled at him."This  new gift of yours could be amazingly useful."

"Right? I'm feeling pretty special now. I was wondering what I could do with no powers. This gives me some rep now."

"No lie! You even have the power to cure insomnia."

"Oh, so I'm boring, huh?"

I twisted my lips with my fingers to keep me from grinning. "Sorry."

"Well, you can make up for insulting me by joining the boy band when we get back to earth."

"Consider it done." I laughed out loud, and Dominic squeezed me.

"What's so funny, Matty?" he asked.

I shook my head as I forced myself not to look at Adrian. I wanted to keep it a secret for a little while longer, especially from Luke and Ciaran. It would be nice to have an ace if they wound up using me.

"Don't tell anyone yet," I thought to Adrian.

"Got it."

Dominic's arm tightened around me, his voice light as he talked about cooking with Danela. But my mind was elsewhere, circling back to Luis. If he were here, he'd be hovering, trying to guard me on both sides. I might have liked that attention at once time—yet here I was, sinking deeper into someone else's embrace without protest. Maybe I didn't mind Dominic's fussing as much as I should have.