The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 40

Whatever the circumstances were that triggered it, Char couldn't complain about waking up with Iris in his arms. Her chestnut brown hair spread across the pillow, her soft curves pressed into his body, her arms around his waist and his around hers - it wasn't a bad way to start the day. He ran his fingers through her hair, and she stirred, her cheek shifting on his chest. He kept quiet, repeating the action, savoring the feel of her thick tresses flowing through his hand, until she opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"Good morning, Char," she said shyly.

"Good morning, Iris," he replied, grinning. He leaned in and kissed her softly. "This is my favorite way to wake up," he murmured.

"I can't say I mind it too much, either," she replied.

He kissed her again, his hand leaving her hair to settle on her hip. The horrors of last night were but a distant memory and hard to recall when she lay here next to him, warm and inviting. His kisses continued, and she didn't resist his gentle pressure on her waist to put her on her back. Her hand came up to his bicep, holding on and tightening her grip as his tongue slipped between her lips and a soft moan escaped her. He cradled her head with one hand and rubbed his other across her stomach to her waist, back and forth, eliciting another moan that he swallowed down with her breath. Her free hand came up to his cheek, sliding down his neck to his shoulder, curling her fingers into his shirt.

"Ah, Iris," he gasped, pulling back just enough for a breath. "I don't need breakfast when I've got you."

"I think that's enough," she panted, her brown eyes hooded with longing.

The fire in his veins said otherwise, but he rolled off of her reluctantly and climbed out of bed. She sat up, brushing her hair back, and he glimpsed a thin line on the back of her neck where the amulet's chain had dug into her skin. He turned away and headed into the bathroom. Last night did happen, and the images Micah showed him happened, too. The thought sickened him all over again. He wanted that amulet gone as much as she did. If Kelnor didn't come today, they were leaving. This couldn't wait any longer.

But Kelnor was already in the kitchen with Rath when Char left Iris to get ready. Judging by his furrowed brow and darkened red eyes, Rath had already filled him in on what had transpired the night before. Char pulled out a chair and sat down. There were no fairies to push a plate of food in front of him, as they were all in with Iris.

"Sounds like you had a rough night," Kelnor said.

Char nodded, glancing over at the clock. He'd overslept. "Rath didn't get to see all of it, either."

"Do me a favor and don't tell me about it," Rath said darkly.

"Wasn't about to."

"Is she coming?" Kelnor asked.

"Yeah. She seems fine this morning."

"Good. I can go over this once."

She wasn't long in arriving with her fairy entourage. Char was glad to see she was moving better today than yesterday. Still a little stiff, but much improved. He got up to pull out a seat for her, ignoring Rath's teasing smirk when he sat back down.

"Long story short, we'll attempt negotiations with the humans, but we can't wait to see where that goes," Kelnor started after the standard greetings were over. "We're overdue for our next attack, and we don't want that mage getting suspicious. So, we're flying out later this morning, and Iris is coming with us. We'll press in as close as we can to the capital, you three will disappear in the battle, and the rest is up to you."

Rath clapped his hands together. "Told you, Char. Camping! And Char and Iris already know how to do it human-style. This'll be a breeze."

"Hold on," Char said, frowning at Rath. There were a lot of words he could think of to describe this plan. 'Breeze' wasn't one of them. "Micah will notice a dragon carrying a human-sized bundle."