The Witch's Familiar

Chapter 25

The hour was late when you finally decided to leave the gardens. /Sera, we're heading inside. I'll leave the balcony doors open if you want to stay outside and play longer/ you mind-called to the dragon as you and Loki slipped out of your alcove and back onto the path. The dragon was flying in loops high above the palace and way to high to hear your physical voice, but she could hear you telepathically.

She swooped down and landed gracefully in front of you. "Come fly with me? Just for a minute!" she nearly begged. You hesitated. Your broom was and home and the spare you had started keeping within easy summons after the explosion incident had been your moms and was tempermental.

"I don't have wings, Sera," you finally told her.

She rolled her eyes and huffed. "I'll carry you silly. Please come. It'll be such fun,"

"Fine, fine," you told her goodnaturedly. You looked over to Loki, it was rude to just abandon him, even for a minute. "You don't mind-?" He shook his head and gestured to the dragon, looking amused.

"Go right ahead. I shall wait for you with my feet firmly on the ground," he told you with a smile. He didn't think this was going to end well. He wasn't worried over your safety, though, which was good. You glanced around to make sure no one besides Loki was watching, but you and Loki were alone in the gardens. You hiked up your skirts to your thighs, which was the reason you had looked for watchers, and swung onto Sera's back. There was a perfect spot for you just in front of her wing joints. You settled in, got your balance, and even managed to find a handhold. You felt her muscles bunch under you as she leapt into the air. You laughed and shrieked in joy and delight at the rush of wind through your hair, the exhilaration of flying that fast. She dove and swooped and sped through the air faster than any broom you'd ever ridden. She did a couple of circuits of the gardens before she landed next to Loki gracefully and gently.

"That was amazing, Sera," you told her and she trilled happily. You swung your leg over to dismount. Loki was there in an instant, reaching up to help you down. You placed your hands on his shoulders when his hands touched your waist and he lifted you down easily from Sera's back. "That is way better than a broom," you informed him as he set you gently on your feet. He did not look at all liked he agreed with you. He liked keeping his feet firmly on the ground. You carefully straightened out your skirts so they were presentable again. Hitching them up to ride a dragon wasn't exactly ladylike, but you didn't want to spend magic changing clothes right now. He looked away while you did and you had a feeling based on his flush that he had seen more skin than he had been anticipating. Oops.

Sera shifted back to her cat-dragon form and fluttered sleepily into your arms. You held her cradled safely to your chest. She was much too tired after playing so much to perch on your shoulder. Loki's arm draped around your shoulders while you hid a yawn behind your familiar. "I shouldn't be this tired. I slept all day," you whined at him as he led you back inside. You rested your head on his shoulder as you walked.

"Darling, you know perfectly well that you spent all day healing and recovering your magic. It's no wonder that you're tired. I shouldn't have kept you out this late. I just wished for you to see my home," he admitted softly, warmly, proudly.

"It was fun, Lokitty," you replied warmly.

He smiled and kissed your forehead. "That may be, dearest, but you're dead on your feet. I best get you to bed while you can still walk there," he added with a smirk. You looked up and stuck your tongue out at him. He chuckled in reply.

It didn't take long to reach Loki's suite. He left you at the doorway to check the rooms for intruders before he'd let you come inside, he checked all of the rooms in your connected suite as well. You were used to the behavior after Halloween and didn't question or argue with him over it. It was adorably overprotective and didn't hurt anything, so you didn't begrudge him the peace of mind. He walked you as far as your sittingroom. "I'm sure you can find your bed from here, little sorceress," he teased.