41. Mira

forty-one

Mira

With my cheek pressed against Bobble's chest, the warmth of the afternoon sun gently wakes me from my slumber. His purring acts as a soothing white noise, lulling me back into a peaceful state as I nestle closer in his embrace. The soft press of his lips into my hair is enough to bring me back to the morning lit room. The big bed is empty save for the two of us.

The buttery light spreads across the wooden planked floor, and the fourposter bed is lush and fluffy, practically cocooning us together. I let out a long yawn into his side before I groggily ask, "Where is everyone?"

Bobble's hand finds my hair, twirling it between his fingers and away from my face. He lets out a long groan as he stretches, the muscles of his abdomen going taut with movement. "Sunder left early. I don't know if he slept at all. If I had to guess, he's found some training room already has a gaggle on onlookers while he spars random guards."

I sense the concern touching his voice, but chuckle anyway. He's probably right.

"Callum has been in and out. Apparently, Cor'than sent out a bunch of scouts last night to confirm our story and look for Yurghen's army. So until some of them return, we're just waiting."

Idly I reach to caress each thread of my bonds in my mind, only to be stopped by the thick wall of a Dampening Shield blocking me from accessing my Chroma. Right. I'd forgotten.

Yesterday is foggy still, but my thoughts turn to Tairyn.

I've broken them all.

"You okay?" Bobble's soft voice is a feather brushing against my skin, a gentle touch that stirs memories within me. It's warm and soothing, offering comfort and support.

Rolling to my side with a sigh, I nuzzle my head into the soft spot between his chest and shoulder, letting his rolling purrs soothe my troubled mind. "Yeah. I'm okay. But just waiting around feels wasteful. We need to be doing something."

Bobble hums in agreement but doesn't say more. Inhaling his scent is intoxicating. And those arms. I stare at his biceps as he wraps his free arm around me.

"I know who I want to be doing," he whispers, and my stomach flips deep in my belly. I grin into his chest, running my finger across his cheek. Down his neck to the hard lines of his bare chest. A low growl in his throat sends my lips chasing his.

His kiss is sweet, and warm, and oh so intoxicating. I find my fingers tangling in the auburn hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer. His arms tighten around me, pressing me into his broad chest.

In seconds, he's on top of me, kissing his way down from my collarbone to my puckered nipples, eager for his attention. I moan as he pulls the tip of my breast into his mouth.

Heat radiates from his touch, each kiss leaving trails of fire in its wake. I squirm under him, his solid weight causing friction with the soft sheets beneath us. My hands grip his broad shoulders, nails digging in just enough to make him growl low between my breasts. The sound sends a shiver down my spine as he moves lower until his face is nestled between my legs.

His purring intensifies as he breathes in my scent, my core already moist for him. He presses soft kisses to my inner thighs and over my plump lips, begging to be parted.

"Patience," he murmurs against my heated skin, his large hands steady on my hips to keep me from squirming away. His teasing kisses drive me mad with desire.

As if hearing my thoughts, Bobble breaches the final distance between us, his tongue parting my folds and coiling around the throbbing bundle of nerves at my center. I moan as his purring tongue ripples over me, each vibration sending delicious shocks of pleasure up my spine. My back arches, desperate for more contact, more of him. His massive hands pin me down, fingers digging into my hips with a primal possessiveness that lights a spark deep within me.

"Bobble…" My plea is silent, whispered in the air as I writhe against his hold, chasing the high that his tongue promises.

Just as I'm about to crest over the wave into bliss, my moaning increasing with rhythm with his movements, he pulls back to stare at my body that now aches for him. I curse at him for teasing me as he works his way back up my body before plunging his cock deep inside of me with one fluid push.

The pressure builds - unyielding, infinite - spiraling higher with each rhythmic thrust until I'm teetering on the edge of euphoria.

His voice is a growl as he says my name, both demanding and pleading. It's the final push I need. Stars burst behind my eyes as my body tenses, then spasms around him with the force of my climax.

Tension lines his face before he roars out his release, following soon after mine- a river rushing into an endless ocean pulsating deep within me as he floods me with heat that mirrors our carnal dance.

The tension bleeds away from my body and into the sheets below, leaving only boneless exhaustion. His eyes are sharp yet sated, reflecting the same tangled sense of breathless satisfaction that's coiling around my lungs. His hand skates down my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

Slowly Bobble pulls out of me, plopping back onto his side of the bed with a grin that stretches from ear to pointed ear, his amber eyes sparkling like gold in the dim light. A mischievous smile plays on his lips, and for a moment I can glimpse the tiny orange tabby cat that represents his other form.

"Was it good for you, too?" he teases, reaching out and tracing a tiny heart on my arm. I snuggle into him, embracing this moment of our bliss together while we can. "Want to check out the city? We could get some food, walk around. See the sights?"

Another thought comes to mind as I consider Bobble's proposal.

"Actually, I think that's a good idea if they'll let us leave the castle. Let's go see what kind of king this Cor'than really is. If we're going to be working with him, I want to know what kind of ruler he is. What his priorities are to his people."

"See, that's why I love you. You always have the best ideas."

Years ago, I would have taken a comment like that to be sarcasm and internalized the shame of voicing such an obvious plan. But with Bobble, I know he means every word with his whole heart. I press a kiss into a chest with a regretful sigh. "Let's get dressed."

An hour later, we're walking hand in hand through the small streets of a bustling marketplace with two royal guards trailing us. I was surprised to find the two women in full armor who introduced themselves as Elora and Amirah, both members of Cor'than's private guard. They were holding our shields in the hallway outside our room when we came out looking to explore. Cor'than left no restrictions on where we could go, so they followed us here without complaint.

While Elora stands tall with delicate features and light hair that cascades down her back, Amirah is short and curvy, with dark locks that frame her sharp features. But their differences go beyond just physical appearance - while Elora conducts herself with strict professionalism, keeping her attention focused on our safety, Amirah's gaze openly radiates disdain and suspicion towards us as we meander down the busy street.

Merchants call out to potential customers, colorful stalls line the row one after the other, and groups of children run merrily, weaving through the crowd in a perpetual game of tag. Buildings with detailed architecture loom above us several stories tall, their windows adorned with intricate stained glass designs. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow across the cobblestones.

A river wide enough to carry a barge threads through the center of the city, spanned by several stone bridges. On its banks, children squeal as they chase ducks that quack indignantly. Elora explains that the Midios River cuts the city into east and west sides. If you follow it, there's a huge cliff at the edge of the city where the water cascades over into a large waterfall known as Diel's Veil.

Music floats in the air from a group of musicians playing on a corner. Their notes meld with the sounds of street vendors promoting their wares, children's laughter, and the gentle rush of the river. We walk past a street food stall wafting steam and the aroma of strange spices. My stomach growls as we walk up, but the woman sneers at us, nostrils flaring as we approach.

"One of those shifter types? And a human." The old lady spits at my feet as I jump back a step. Bobble growls beside me. But she doesn't pay him any heed. Instead, she turns to our guard, Elora, and says, "Now we have two of these humans in the city?"

I blink at that. Two?

But before either of us can react, Elora is by our side. "You will not speak to the personal guests of King Cor'than in such a manner. Serve them."

"Don't look much like guests to me," the woman mutters with a nod to our guards. But she moves about, spearing the roasted meats onto a skewer before passing them to us. Elora passes the lady a few coins, and I quicken my pace to be away from her.

"Thank you," I tell the guard under my breath. When she gives me a friendly nod of acknowledgment, I feel emboldened to ask more. "What did she mean there's two humans here?"

I'm naturally introverted, but the chance to speak with another human after such a crazy few months would be a welcome reprieve. A sense of normalcy. Plus, I'm more than a little curious how another human got here, considering the portals to the human world are supposed to be closed.

Elora's eyes dart to the left as if thinking about my question before giving a casual shrug. However, Amirah is the one who answers. "Even one is too many. Now we're being overrun like an infestation."

Her sneer is like a bonfire, burning heat washing over me. I shy back a little, retreating into myself. Elora clicks her tongue at Amirah's remark, shooting her a stern look. But the damage has been done. My good mood is sullied by her harsh words.

Bobble's hand tightens around mine, his thumb tracing comforting circles on the back of my palm. "How'd another human get here?" he asks. His voice is steady, but there is a hard edge to it that wasn't there before.

Elora sighs, glancing at Amirah with a hint of irritation in her pale blue eyes. "A group of known criminals were mucking about on the outskirts of the city. When we raided them, she fell behind. We questioned her, but she didn't know much. The king took pity on her, I think. Gave her some coins and let her go. I think I heard she's at an inn on the west side of town, but that was weeks ago."

I hum thoughtfully at that. Interesting that Cor'than let her go even though she was with criminals. Mercy is an admirable trait, not something I expected to find in him. Especially with all the stories Sunder has.

As we walk further into the city, I notice all the eyes plastered on us and hurried whispers as we bite into our skewers of meat. They're smoky and succulent, with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The meat is tender and juicy, falling off the skewer with a slight tug. Each bite is a burst of flavor, with hints of aromatic spices and herbs. The charred edges add a slightly crispy texture, completing the perfect bite. It's almost delicious enough to make me forget the disturbance our presence is causing.

The more we meander through the city, the more I realize the faces are generally happy and well fed. Children frolic through the streets. No beggars line the small alleyways between timber row houses. Food in abundance is available among various market stalls or small inns. The people look clean, if a little dismayed by my presence.

"So what's it like living in this beautiful city, Elora?"

She eyes me for a moment. "What do you mean?"

I give a casual shrug. "I'm new to this world. I've never been to a city this size. What's it like living under a king? We don't have them where I'm from."

She bobs her head in understanding, gesturing for us to move to the side while a horse-drawn coach moves up the narrow street. "King Cor'than is a great leader. If he wasn't, the parliament would have removed him by now."

"Parliament?"

"We didn't always have one. But when King Cor'than came to power--," her words hurry and stop as if she realizes who she's talking to. "Things were different, much more… equitable. The people were given a voice. Most people, at least. The noble houses all send representatives to parliament and vote on things that affect the people inside or beneath their houses."

"You don't elect your representative?"

"Elect them? What do you mean?"

"Like the people working in these markets don't get to decide who represents them in parliament?"

She glances at me with a furrowed brow, clearly thinking I'm off my rocker. Still, I suppose having some balancing structure over the king is better than none. And having nobles represent you isn't that different from home, where sometimes it seems like our laws are being pushed in the direction of the highest corporate bidder.

"So the people are happier?" I ask finally. Beside me I notice Bobble looking around and nodding to himself. He sees it too. This isn't the people of some oppressive, evil king who slaughters for fun. I'm glad, of course. I never wanted to see anyone suffering. But what will I say to Sunder? How will he feel about this?

"I am. I think you can ask all of them and they will reply the same."

Glancing at the orange glow of the sunset, I decide to take a look at the west side of town before nightfall. Beside me, Bobble lets out a loud yawn.

"Didn't get enough sleep last night?"

He shrugs with a knowing smirk. "Maybe someone just wore me out is all."

When we come upon a row of various inns, the task of finding the human among them starts to feel a little more daunting. "Is this where the other human is staying?"

Amirah rolls her eyes in open disgust, but Elora gives me an apologetic shrug. "I'm not sure. The king probably knows where she is, or some of the officers in our unit. But I don't. I haven't been assigned to watch her."

"So she's also being watched?"

"I believe so, yes."

I duck into the first inn on the left. As good a place as any to start. With the way people react to me, I doubt it will take long to find out where this person is staying. Thankfully, our two guards take up post outside, leaving us to enter alone and hopefully without suspicion.

The innkeeper immediately approaches us with a friendly smile. That's a good sign. She's an older lady. Her white hair floats around her head like a halo, having escaped from the long plait down her back. When she looks up at Bobble, her eyebrows nearly reach her hairline.

"Oh my. Hello to you dear. How can I help you, Sweet Man?"

I can't help but laugh as she ogles him. Her wrinkles spread smoothly across her face from the broad smile she's giving him. Bobble puffs up and grins. If he were a cat, he'd fluff up his fur and rub against her leg. He grabs her hand in his with a sweeping bow. "My lady, we were wondering if you might have seen any other interesting guests? Perhaps not as chiseled and rugged as myself," he winks, "but certainly a person of note. A human woman?"

The innkeeper's eyes slide to me, her smile never wavering. She strokes her chin thoughtfully. "I heard of her," she says after a moment. "But no, never seen her. You two coming in to eat supper, then?"

I'd be lying if I didn't admit that is smells amazing in here. Despite that, there's only one other person in the common area enjoying what looks like a half roasted chicken. My mouth begins to water at the sight of the crispy skin. I shrug at Bobble, and he smiles encouragingly at me. "I suppose we are," I tell her cheerfully.

She nods to a table and promptly brings over two large pints of mead. "Name's Helena."

"Mira. And this handsome brut is Bobble."

"Bobble, huh?" She eyes him up and down. "Silly name for such a beast of a man."

Her waggling eyebrows send us both in a roaring laughter of agreement. God, it feels good to laugh. She leaves with a flirtatious wink, and Bobble shakes his head, looking at me with an amused smile.

"Never thought I'd become a plaything for the elderly."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "And yet, you loved every second of it."

"Who wouldn't revel in a little attention?" His amber eyes sparkle with amusement. "Especially from someone who clearly appreciates refined masculinity."

"I'm curious to find this woman," I murmur once my laughter subsides. I take a sip of the mead, the sweetness of honey cutting through the sharp alcoholic taste.

"Me too, but we can't let it distract us too much."

I raise my glass to clink against his. "To the side quest!"

"The side quest!" he cheers with a laugh.

After a moment, my thoughts turn to more serious matters. "What do you think Sunder's going to say when we tell him about the parliament and the people here?"

Bobble takes a deep sigh, leaning back in his chair and staring up at the ceiling. "I can't say for certain, Mira. But knowing Sunder… he's going to be tough to convince they aren't secretly suffering."

I nod, chewing on a piece of bread that Helena brings to our table. With a sigh, I start to consider the different ways to delicately approach the information. We have to be sure before we talk to him, though. We need to investigate more. More evidence that Cor'than is a good king, even if he is a shit brother. Ultimately, I think that's what Sunder cares about most.

At least I think it is.

This isn't going to be easy.