Traveler (37 page)

Aislin nodded, pressing her forehead against his.  “If you say so...” she sighed softly, smiling.  “Enough talking, though...you should rest.”

“Will you lay with me a while?” Alex murmured sleepily, shifting so they were laying on the bed.  He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the lilac scent he had missed so much while he was gone.

Aislin giggled a little, snuggling in close to his chest.  “Sure...just for a moment, though...I have things to do,” she teased.  “I’ve had to keep myself busy while you’ve been gone.”

A light smile graced his handsome face as he held her close to him, his voice a deep rumble in his chest.  “...oh really?  Just what were you up to while I was gone, little vixen?”

“Many many things....all on my lonesome....” she grinned impishly against his chest.  “I’ve been practicing my cooking...and learning borish calculus...and I have a history test tomorrow.”  Her face screwed up.  “All of these classes...I’ll be glad when they’re done.”

“If you want...I can help you with those classes...” He murmured sleepily, running his fingers up and down her back.  “Maybe we can get you finished early...”

She shivered, murmuring softly against his chest.  “That would be nice...” she kissed his chest softly.  God, but she had missed him.  “And the sooner that I get done...the sooner we can go to your world, for good.”

“I like the sound of that...you and I saving the world...together...”  He smiled, his eyes half-closed.  His arms tightened around her as he commented softly.  “You know...I think I am falling in love with a beautiful traveler...”

She bit her lip softly, nuzzling into his chest more, her own arms wrapped around his waist.  “I think you’re just tired,” she teased.  “Get some rest, Assassin.”  She kissed the bottom of his chin softly.  God, was that what she felt for Alex?  Love?  Her mind was awhirl.  Was that really what this was?  Could love really happen so soon?  Or was it just infatuation?

“Mm...no...I’ll tell you again after I’ve had a nap...” Alex mumbled sleepily before a yawn escaped him.  His eyes finally closed for good as he finally succumbed to the exhaustion that had plagued him the past few days.

Aislin waited until he was well and truly asleep before she slipped out of bed, smiling softly down at him.  She kissed his forehead gently as she stood, then snuck out of the bedroom, knowing he probably wouldn’t wake.  She hadn’t been able to sleep well since he had gone, and those sleep patterns, even with him home, stuck with her.  She needed to go out to the couch and read some...and maybe then, she would be able to sleep.  

Aislin plopped down on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, with the book on her lap.  She propped it on her knees and opened it, her eyes perusing the pages.  There was something new for her to read.  Her bright green eyes eagerly sucked in the words, but she found herself growing more sleepy than she had expected.  Unable to help herself, Aislin drifted off to sleep on the couch, knowing that Alex was safe in his bed.  Abruptly, Aislin disappeared from the couch, the book falling to the floor, the cover shutting close resoundingly.  

***

                The next morning, as the sun rose, Aislin opened her eyes and stretched.  Odd, she didn’t remember the blanket she was covered in feeling so rough, so...woolly.  She blinked and opened her eyes slowly, looking about her to see a command tent.  Oh God...she had jumped.  On purpose.  She had read from the book, like Alex had taught her, and she could jump.  But the book was probably closed now...which meant she couldn’t get back.  Where was she?  She felt for the pendant around her neck, the phoenix, and she cursed.  It wasn’t there.  Lin stood and peered out of the tent flap, cautiously, her eyes widening as she saw Silvertongue’s banner being burned outside, and a black flag with a red dragon being raised above the tents.  She was alone in the middle of the rebel camp....and surrounded by an army.  

To be continued...