Page 18 of Rising Reign

We made our way downstairs and in the direction of the voices below. As I got closer, I picked out four of the five guys. I wasn’t sure if it was relief or annoyance that swept through me at the absence of Ender’s deep tenor. But when I stepped into the kitchen, I found him among the fray.

I came up short as his amber eyes lifted and settled on the cat on my shoulder.

“How come she loves you so much? She hates me,” Puck pouted.

“She senses your evil,” Ender muttered, sipping his coffee.

King moved into my space, kissing my temple and giving Princess a scratch. “How are you feeling? You were sleeping so soundly we didn’t want to wake you.”

“I feel good,” I said, leaning into him and soaking up his strength, warmth, and comfort. “I think I needed those extra hours.”

“You need extra calories, too,” Puck said, sliding a plate in my direction.

It was heaped high with eggs, fruit, and what looked like some sort of elaborate French toast. My stomach rumbled. “What is that?” I asked, pointing to the confection on the plate.

“Frosted Flakes French toast,” Locke mumbled around a bite. “It’s so freaking good.”

My lips twitched. “Sounds like it.”

Locke just grinned and kept chewing. “Can’t stop, won’t stop.”

Princess leapt from my shoulder and meandered around the stools at the island to see if anyone would give her food. I slid onto an empty seat, and Brix leaned over to give me a quick kiss. “Missed you.”

I smiled against his mouth. “It’s only been a couple of hours.”

“Still missed you.”

“Me, too,” I whispered.

A stool scraped against the tile floor, and my head jerked up to see Ender stalking toward the coffee pot. I stuck out my tongue at his back, and Puck burst out laughing.

“Fuck. I missed you, too, Birdie.”

“I do like to keep things interesting,” I said, cutting into a piece of my French toast. I took a bite, and my eyes instantly closed as I let out a moan. “This is the best thing I have ever tasted in my entire life.”

When I opened my eyes, it was to find five other sets locked on my mouth. I flushed. “Sorry.”

Puck leaned across the island and licked a stray drop of syrup from my bottom lip. “Never apologize for enjoying what I make you.”

“Told you it was the bomb,” Locke said, cutting another bite.

Kingston’s mouth quirked. “Okay, nineties child.”

Locke flipped him off.

“So,” Puck said, leaning back against the counter, “what do you want to do today?”

“I need to go to Crescent Kingdom,” I said instantly.

King stiffened. “I was thinking we could stay on territory for a while. Until we know what’s what.”

I shook my head. “I need to see Clyde, and I wouldn’t mind a light workout to loosen up my muscles.”

Little worry lines took root in Locke’s brow. “Are you sure you’re ready for that? You’ve been through a lot.”

“I won’t push it. But I need to get moving again. I need to be ready.”

The room went quiet at that. Because they knew exactly what I needed to be ready for.