Jovari the Blue

Chapter 23: The Forest Wakes

Esterpine

Koldis woke to a gasp. Not his gasp, though. Taylynn was sitting upright in bed. For a moment, he could only stare at her, blinking lazily. The shimmery, translucent gown she wore had slipped. The strap holding the left side up had fallen off her shoulder, leaving it bare.

His mouth watered. He would have leaned in and kissed her skin, tasted her, even, were it not for her wide eyes. She stared blankly at the opposite wall of the sleeping nook. "What's the matter, little witch?" He leaned in, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear.

She blinked, then turned to him. Her eyes focused, as if only just now seeing him. "The forest. It's...awake."

His stomach dropped as the realization sank in. He sprang from the bed, suddenly wide awake. His body was ready to move, to do something in response to the news. "They're back? She's back?!"

Taylynn exhaled, far more calm than he felt. "Back in our world, yes." A faint smile tugged at her lips as she witnessed his distress. Then, with feigned exaggeration, she flopped onto her back, nestled among the pillows and blankets.

"But...but, we need to tell the others. Bedelth. Saffra. We need to finish making preparations. We need—"

"Yes, yes, by all means," she groaned. "I'm going back to sleep. Someone kept me up half the night." She turned on her side, dragging a pillow to her chest to cuddle it. Suddenly, he was very very jealous of that pillow. Perhaps telling the others could wait. But...no, it couldn't. He had too many questions. And so much energy all of a sudden. The need to move, to act, gripped him.

It was time to take back their kingdom.

"Is Claire—did she come through the Kengr Gate like we anticipated?"

"Hmm?" Taylynn's hooded eyelids were already fluttering.

"Gods, woman." He bounded to the bed and ripped the pillow away, lowering himself into the cradle of her thighs. "You can't just drop that kind of information on me, then go back to sleep. I need details."

She blinked up at him, then offered a slow, lazy smile, like a cat who'd just caught a mouse. He didn't like being the mouse, so he growled. But...it was such a sweet smile. He brushed a kiss against the corner of her lips.

"There is not much to tell, really," she said, running her fingers through his hair. "I can feel it. The forrest has woken up. The king tree's focus is back in our world once more, which means so is the queen." She closed her eyes and sighed. "I guess that means I really ought to rise. I am certain the king tree will wish to speak with me."

Oh how the tables had turned. Now he was the one who wanted to keep her stuck in bed. The feel of her against him, soft curves against his hard muscles was divine. He pressed his hips against hers and a flutter of a breath left her, tickling his lips.

He kissed her once, twice, savoring the feel of her mouth, then pulled back. "She's really back," he said, blinking. "After almost a year."

"Indeed." Taylynn trailed her fingers down his cheek, along his jaw. "You really ought to tell the others. They will be beside themselves. Plus, if you wouldn't mind speaking with Tasar. He will want to know."

"Can you not meet with him?"

"King tree, remember?"

He exhaled, pressing his forehead into her neck. "Fine. Fine. Just let me savor you a moment longer." He'd had weeks upon weeks to do exactly that. Every moment had been equal parts torturous and wonderful. He had a feeling that once Claire reached them, there would be no time left for savoring. That this was going to be a race to the finish line, to see things through. The final stand. But...after that?