Maidens & Killers

Wrong Door

   Garrick’s body presses into my core in the most delicious way, creating a tight ball of tension low near my spine that is threatening to burst. My toes curl as his lips feather up and down the most sensitive parts of my neck and collar bone. I arch into his body as I lay on the small bed with him on top of me, grinding in the most agonizing rhythm. I want the clothes between us gone, I want bare skin rubbing against bare skin. I need all the friction that I can get and let out a disturbingly loud moan as Garrick grinds in the exact spot that I need him to, almost like he knows what my body wants better than I do. His talented fingers skim the bottom of my tunic, asking permission to lift it over my head, “YES!” I scream.
“MAEVE!!” Rhiannon screams back…… Wait. Rhiannon is here?

     My eyes fly open and dozens of other riders are staring at me from their stadium seating. Battle Brief. I have fallen asleep during Battle Brief. My face turns tomato red and I sink lower into my seat.
“I’m so sorry, you fell asleep and I was just going to let you sleep because you looked so tired, but then you started moaning and it was getting weird. I had to wake you up.” Rhiannon babbled quickly.
‘It’s okay. Sorry, everyone! Late study session!” I hide my face into my hands and pray to whoever is listening that everyone just forgets about me and turns back around.

     Thankfully Professor Devera rescues me, “Alright riders, let’s focus on this latest attack…..”
Everyone’s heads snap back to the front of the room and I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m ashamed that I fell asleep, but I can’t say that I am surprised. Garrick didn’t leave my room until the sun was well up into the sky and I  had managed to form a strong enough shield to block Craobh out mid sentence. He told me before leaving, that he would let me know after Battle Brief when and where to meet up tonight.

     I refuse to turn and look behind me, to where I know Garrick is sitting. I vividly remember nearly drooling watching him walk into the room and taking his usual seat beside Xaden. I’m sure that my little performance just now has drawn his attention and I do not want to see his reaction to it. I give Professor Devera my full attention for the next hour, listening to the details of the latest gryphon attack. They are becoming more and more frequent and I don't know what that means. I make a note to ask Garrick or Craobh if they know any more details, that maybe Professor Devera isn’t sharing with us.

      Focusing on class makes it fly by and every rider hops up as soon as Professor Devera releases them.
“Holsten! Wait a minute!” Xaden barks at me. The other riders give me sorrowful looks, expecting that Riorson wants to discipline me for falling asleep in Battle Brief. I hang back in the auditorium as every other rider files out, including Professor Devera.
“You can have the room for five, Riorson. I am going to grab some lunch.” Professor Devaro says, retreating out of the room and shutting the door.

     I finally get up out of my seat and head towards the back of the room, where Garrick and Xaden still sit.  Garrick’s eyes follow my every move as I climb the few stairs separating us. It’s full of heat and promise, and it’s obvious to me that he knows exactly who had been starring in my little dream.
“Okay,” Xaden starts with a huff, “I’m not sure what all is going on here, between you two. I’ve made it clear to Garrick what a bad idea this whole thing is, both the idea of the two of you, and sneaking into the infantry dormitories. But he’s called in a debt I owe him so I guess we’re doing this?”
Garrick holds direct eye contact with Xaden and nods forcefully.
“Just fucking send me to Malek already. It would be easier than dealing with all of the bullshit of this place.” Xaden says through gritted teeth.

    Ignoring him, Garrick turns towards me, “Don’t worry about him, he’s dealing with more than just this. Here’s the plan, there’s an upcoming navigation challenge for the second years that involves them having to work together, both riders and infantry. That’s our excuse for being there if anyone questions us. It won’t explain why you're there, we will have to figure that out on the fly, but it will work for Xaden and I as members of leadership. We’ve been tasked with helping set it up. Meet us twenty minutes before curfew at the edge of the riders quadrant grounds. Hopefully the hustle of everyone trying to make curfew will help us sneak over to the infantry side.”
I nod, it sounds like a good plan. Better than anything that I could have come up with. Garrick and Xaden could have a reason to be there.
“You’re boy is on the second floor, in the single dorms. Third one down the hall. I’ve asked Erik, “ He tells Garrick. “Word is that he’s proven to be good with weapons, a great shot on both artillery and bow. His hand to hand is okay, though it needs improvement. He’s at risk of failing his history class.”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me, “Yea that sounds exactly right. He’s hunted his whole life so it doesn’t surprise me that he’s good with a target. I don’t think he’s done any of his own school work since he met me…”