Song of Blood and Reign

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Jai hung back with Gideon and Thia as Lyv walked with her parents off the docks and into the port town. He'd gotten his time with her, now it was the rest of her family's turn. Even Roshan, Erly, and Chesnan flew in the direction they were headed, landing somewhere a short distance away.

Still, he kept a close watch on her through their bond. Lyv knew, too, as she sent a whispered thank you to him as she looked back with a smile. Even though she was acting more like herself as time went on, she was still worried about something triggering her, sending her back into a downward spiral into darkness.

At least he wasn't the only one.

"It's so good to see her...almost herself," Thia said from Gideon's other side. "She's still got a little way to go, though, doesn't she?"

"She does, but she'll get there," Jai nodded.

Even with his joking earlier, Gideon still seemed tense when Jai glanced over at him. "Did she tell you anything about what happened while she was with Corliss and Guinevere?" he asked in barely a whisper. "We know the rumors, but not the truth straight from her."

Jai shook his head. "Not really, no. She just wanted to know about how everyone else was doing. I think...I think it'll take her some time to talk about it openly."

"And the dark magic? The stone still in her arm?"

"We'll figure it out," he promised him, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze. "With help from all of us."

"It's not really like she's got a choice in the matter either. We're helping no matter what," Thia told him then, taking Gideon's hand and leaning her head against his shoulder. The three of them continued watching Lyv as she and her parents disappeared around the street corner. "But I'd rather not have her out of our sights for the time being. We've got everything, right? Let's go."

Jai couldn't help but smile as Thia dragged Gideon off the dock and in the direction Lyv, Bridget, and Alberich went, securing their bags over their shoulders as they did. Having completely forgotten to grab his own and Lyv's from their cabin, he had to go back, making sure they packed up everything from their cabin before heading back up on deck.

Allel and Kalla were still there in conversation, though it looked like it was coming to an end as they hugged goodbye.

"Are you leaving already?" Jai asked when Kalla went to hug him then.

"Sorry I can't stay for longer. My people, including myself, want to get home after these long few weeks," she smiled, kissing his cheek. "And you let Lyv go off before I could tell her goodbye myself, so give her a kiss for me, too...plus whatever you did to her last night because it sounded like fun."

Jai couldn't help but laugh and roll his eyes as she winked suggestively...or stop the blush that creeped up his neck. Being too caught up in being with Lyv made him forget about everything, including decency...too bad he didn't care much. "Do you plan on coming to Ayveri once we're back?"

"Quite possibly, though I think your people wouldn't know how to handle me and my people should we come ashore," she laughed. "But I will. I want to see that little Seer again since it's been so long. And see just how good he's gotten with that sword since Gideon kept going on and on about it. Especially since he's still little. I remember when he and..."

"Kalla," Allel interrupted, giving her a warning glance.

The pirate queen looked at her then, paused before shaking her head, and smiled back up at Jai. "Oh, never mind. Anyway, give Lyv a kiss goodbye for me. And Thia and Gideon, of course. If I don't make it to Ayveri in the next few weeks, at least come to Blackloch for a few days to get away. You know, since you have to admit it's a special place for you and the crown princess."