Inside the inn, Athan sat perched on the window sill and observed Dakran and Maya on their walk.
" Do you think that we should tell them?" Tyla asked, staring at the fire.
" No, they will find out soon enough!" Athan absently replied as he was still watching the two on their walk.
" I think we should come clean, Athan, if the matter complicates further. Questions will be asked!" Rhya reasoned and got off the bed, and walked to the window.
" When that time comes, I will answer Rhya. Now, I'm not certain it's just an inkling, and if I'm wrong, there is no point in stirring the pot if there is no need." he turned to Rhya with a crooked smile " Doesn't do anyone any good. It would be pointless." he continued and got off the window sill and stepped out of the room.
The night passed swiftly, and the rooster's crowing perched on top of a roof proudly announced that a new day had begun. Darkness still lingered over the land instead of the early morning sun rays that otherwise would have warmed and caressed the Southlands.
Leaning against the bed in each other's arms, Iris rested her head in the crook of Ian's neck, panting heavily " Water!" she panted without lifting her head off his shoulder.
Ian chuckled, pushed himself off the floor and placed Iris on the bed, padded across the floor to the small table in the corner.
Poured a glass of water, fumbled in his bag and returned to the bed where Iris lay sprawled, unmoving. Her skin was covered with marks from their love-making sessions, and so was he. Ian sat on the bed's edge and helped Iris, handing her the glass of water.
" Wait !" he stopped her before she would drink the water and opened a bottle with a purple liquid in it" It goes down easier like this! I know it doesn't taste great, but it's a small price to pay for unwanted consequences!" he emptied the bottle in her glass. Iris closed her eyes and downed the entire thing in one go.
Ian was adamant about not having more children, and he did all he could to ensure that it never happened again. His solution was another awful-tasting potion that would prevent it from happening.
Iris looked at the empty glass and over her shoulder " We should get ready! The others will wake soon enough!" she pecked his lips and got off the bed, but Ian pulled her back down on the bed.
" Again?" she asked, her eyebrows shot up to her hairline, making Ian chuckle and shake his head.
" No! I'm.." he paused for a moment and kissed her forehead " It was an...amazing night !" she blushed at the memory; his words stirred " But I could go again. A quick one this time!" he chuckled when her face dropped to the floor.
" I love you! Let's get ready!" he let out a content sigh. She finally recovered from her shock, her gaze on him softened " It was..better than amazing " she paused for a moment and glanced out the window " It's time to get back to the real world!" she grew wistful and sighed. Ian pulled her in his arms and kissed the crown of her head.
" It will be over soon!" he tried to ease her worries, but they both knew at this point such a thing was no longer possible.
The impending threat was looming over them literally. Avoiding worrying about it would've required a miracle.
*******************
Dakran opened his eyes and cursed the blasted rooster for interrupting his sweet time. Maya was still huddled in his arms, using his arm as a pillow. The bundle of red hair tucked under his chin, her warm breath brushed his skin, her legs tangled in his. If this how the Seven Heavens are like, I hope to go there. His throat tickled, and he muffled a chuckle and realised he was happy.
Maya stretched like a cat, rubbed her face on him and softly moaned. He couldn't stifle his chuckle, and it escaped his lips; Maya purred
" Is it time to go already?" she mumbled, her head still under his chin, and a loud yawn escaped her lips.
" I'm afraid so, little red!" he ran his finger through her hair, smoothening the knots. He shifted in bed to lay on his back and let out a forceful sigh.
He wasn't ready to go, she gathered from his reaction and tone of voice. Sleeping wrapped in his arms felt less daunting than she had thought. It allowed her to let go of her worries, and she was able to have some decent sleep. For the first time since Sylus had passed, she felt refreshed.
Dakran pushed himself off the bed " I'll pack our things. Stay in bed a little longer!" he sat on the edge of the bed.
" I'll help! So we can stay in bed for a little more!" she placed her hand on his shoulder, and Dakran put his on top of hers.
" Hold me a little longer!" she whispered, but he heard her loud and clear.
Dakran didn't reply but returned to bed and wrapped her in his arms.
There was no need to reply. It was an open invitation, and I saw no reason to let it slip. It was closer than he'd ever hoped to get, and he wanted to make the most of it.
The sound of footsteps in the corridor halting in front of the door was a tell that it was time for them to go. Dakran kissed her head and pushed himself off the bed with her in tow.
As she promised, Maya helped pack their things, and they were ready to go before the knock on the door came. Dakran opened the door only to find Ian and Iris standing in front of the door, getting busy with each other.
" I was wondering " Dakran paused for a moment. Ian and Iris broke the kiss and straightened themselves " Did you sleep?" Dakran paused again and grinned " Thin walls...really thin walls!" he drily commented, and Iris's mouth fell open, her face flushed red while Ian grinned like an idiot, puffing his chest.
" No!" Ian said curtly, tugged on Iris's hand walked down the corridor.
Dakran chuckled and shook his head, and looked at the two retreating. He grabbed the bag out of Maya's hand, seeing that she seemed somewhat confused.
" You didn't hear them?" Dakran asked with a crooked smile, and Maya shook her head.
Dakran tugged on her hand and closed the door behind him as they stepped out of the room.
****************
Rom had already packed everything by the time Edýia woke up. She slept like a log, spread herself all over the bed, leaving him a corner and no covers.
" Edýia!" he shook her, but Edýia grumbled and went back to sleep.
With no more time left to spare, Rom found himself without a choice and turned her on the bed facing up and kissed her lips, nibbling and biting. He'd wanted to do that since he opened his eyes. This was just an excellent excuse to do just that.
Edya hissed at the sting of his bite, but she still wouldn't wake up but responded to his kiss. Is she pretending? He opened his eyes to see if he was wrong, but her eyes were still closed, and she was getting rather handsy.
Rom pulled away from the kiss when Edýia's hand cupped his cock and moaned, " Edýia wake up!" he raised his voice a notch, and her eyes snapped open.
" We need to go!" he said with a crooked smile. Edýia blinked a few times at him, her hand still very much on the bulge, he was hard, and they had to go. Great timing!
Edýia pulled her hand to her chest and blushed. " I touched it !" she looked at her hand in disbelief.
Rom chuckled " Yes, you did!" he grabbed her hands and pulled her up to sit on the bed.
" Next time, try to do it when you're awake, and we don't have to go anywhere!" he quipped, got off the bed and got her the clothes to get dressed.
" I will! Edýia replied with utter conviction and began putting her clothes on. She was faster than any other woman he had seen. When he turned around to get the bags, she was already in her boots, tying the laces.
" You're fast !" Rom remarked.
" Living with Dakran and Haren for eighteen years is not easy. You have to move at their pace. I'm small, so I had to make up for it in speed!" she smiled and took her bag out of his hand.
**************
Athan, Rhya, Tyla and Azra packed their things and stepped outside the inn. They were prepared for their departure. Shortly the others followed, and without further ado, they mounted their horses and made their way out of the town. The alleys and road were still very much empty. On an average day at this time, dawn broke. The townsfolk were peaking from behind their windows as they walked through the main road.
As soon as they reached the heavy metal gates, the esquires on duty didn't bother to ask anything or utter a word. Rumours would've already spread amongst people, and they knew better than to stand in their way. The gate slowly creaked open, and the main road lay in front of them.