The Seer Rowan McAllister (top inspirational books .TXT) š
- Author: Rowan McAllister
Book online Ā«The Seer Rowan McAllister (top inspirational books .TXT) šĀ». Author Rowan McAllister
His gaze locked on Daksās sleeping form as he tried to control his breathing. The man appeared to still be asleep, oblivious to anything wrong. Should he take that as a sign his Dream hadnāt been that āloudā and he was panicking for nothing, or that Daks was just a sound sleeper?
As he stared at the man, his pulse and breathing slowed. He couldnāt fathom why, but Daksās mere presence had a calming effect on him. It made no sense. The man was infuriating and as impulsive as a toddler in a sweets shop. But Ravi could feel the tension leaching from his shoulders and chest as the seconds ticked past and Daksās chest rose and fell in a slow, even rhythm. He looked warm and solid, close enough Ravi could touch him if he just reached out.
What kind of lover would Daks be? How would those big, hard hands feel on Raviās skin? Would all that infuriating bravado and overconfidence translate to something dominant and hot between the bed linens?
Raviās body tingled as memories of that other Vision flooded his mind, pictures of himself naked on his back, looking up at an equally naked Daks hovering over him, his cocky smile gentled somehow, his dark blue eyes filled with tenderness.
Ravi threw his blankets off the rest of the way and climbed to his feet before stomping out of the barn to relieve himself. The thought of lying with that man was utterly ridiculous, a pathetic fantasy because he was lonely and scared. Vision or no Vision, heād prove to the gods he was the master of his own fate. Besides, heād have plenty of better options to choose from once he reached Samebar. Heād been propositioned enough on the streets of Arcadia to know he was at least moderately attractive to both men and women. He didnāt have to settle for a rogue and a lunatic, even if the memory of being pressed against that hard body made his stomach flutter and his skin flush with warmth. There would be plenty of other hard bodies in Samebar to choose fromāhard bodies that werenāt attached to that irritating mouth.
Disrobing enough to relieve himself in the chill morning air helped cool any lingering heat. And by the time he returned to the barn, Daks was awake and sitting up, blinking groggily at him. His bushy hair had dried into an oddly misshapen halo about his head.
āWhat now?ā Ravi asked crisply so he didnāt have to acknowledge that a sleepy Daks might just be a tiny bit endearing.
Daks grimaced and sighed as he pushed his blankets off and climbed to his feet. āBreakfast, I hope,ā he answered, his voice still rough with sleep.
āAnd after? Did you even discuss a plan yet?ā
āYes, we ādiscussed a plan,āā he bit back, giving Ravi a grumpy glare. āCan I take a piss first before I lay it out for you, or do I need to hold it?ā
He was moving toward the door to the barn as he spoke, so Ravi assumed he wasnāt expecting an answer.
A short time later, Daks poked his head through the door again and called, āIām going to the house to see whatās on for breakfast and if they have any blessed caffeā. Iāll bring back what I find. Stay hidden, in case the farmworkers start showing up.ā
He didnāt linger long enough for Ravi to give a reply, which was just as well. The promise of something hot to eat and drink was enough of a distraction, and Daks was obviously not a morning person.
Ravi moved to their makeshift beds and began shaking out and folding up the blankets. He collected their empty mugs and the oil lamp and set them near the opening of the barn before moving back to a straw bale in a shadowed corner to wait, wrapping his borrowed cloak tightly around him and pulling up the hood.
When Daks returned with a steaming mug and a bowl of some kind of porridge smothered in butter and dried fruits, any grumpiness on Raviās part was completely forgotten. He tried to go a little slower with this meal than the one last night, hoping to forgo the slight stomachache heād experienced after gorging himself, but it was a challenge. Two hearty, delicious meals in a row, without having to worry if he was taking too much away from the little ones or feeling guilty for not sharing, was a luxury he hadnāt had in years.
A small lump of porridge dripped from his spoon onto the cloak and he winced, setting the bowl aside to wipe at the mess.
āAre my clothes ready?ā he asked, hoping he hadnāt left a grease stain on the good wool.
āTheyāre packed,ā Daks answered around a mouthful of porridge. āThe family are filling our bags with supplies as we speak. They rose early so we could be on our way before the workers show up after morning bell.ā
āPacked?ā Ravi asked, momentarily forgetting the rest of his porridge.
āYes. Weāve decided itās too risky to attempt a crossing here. Not only could we run afoul of the brothers midcrossing, but questions will be asked of everyone in the village even if we arenāt caught. Itāll be safer for everyone if we go farther north.ā
āYou said that last time,ā Ravi pointed out dryly as his chest tightened with worry.
Daks sighed and rested his bowl in his lap. āI know. According to Vasin, extra soldiers have been sent to villages all the way up the river, and any strangers are highly scrutinized. Our best bet is to swing away from the Kingās Road and travel narrower byways through the marshes, avoiding towns and only returning to the Matna when weāre close to Traget. If all the rumors are true, which Vasin seems to think they are, and the Thirty-Six are afraid to go any closer to this supposed wizard and his band of barbarians and possible rogue brother up north, we
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